MODULE 1
1. The Vedic text that contains hymns praising deities is called:
- a) Upanishads
- b) Rigveda
- c) Samaveda
- d) Atharvaveda
Answer : b) Rigveda
2. Which Indian philosophical school is known for its dualistic nature, focusing on the
separation of the eternal soul (Purusha) and material nature (Prakriti)?
- a) Nyaya
- b) Sankhya
- c) Vedanta
- d) Mimamsa
Answer: b) Sankhya
3. The Upanishads are mainly concerned with:
- a) Ritual sacrifices
- b) Ethical and moral duties
- c) Philosophy and metaphysics
- d) Agricultural practices
Answer c) Philosophy and metaphysics
4. Which of the following is associated with the development of the concept of zero and the
decimal system in ancient India?
- a) Aryabhata
- b) Pythagoras
- c) Thales
- d) Archimedes
Answer: a) Aryabhata
5. Which of the following is the primary goal of the 'Yoga' philosophy in Indian thought?
- a) Knowledge of the physical world
- b) Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (moksha) through mental discipline and
meditation
- c) Understanding the structure of the universe
- d) Categorization of all substances
Answer: b) Liberation from the cycle of rebirth (moksha) through mental discipline and
meditation
6. The concept of 'Brahman' in Vedanta refers to:
- a) The individual soul
- b) The ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness
- c) A powerful deity
- d) The physical world
Answer: b) The ultimate reality or cosmic consciousness
7. The 'Vaisheshika' school of philosophy is primarily concerned with:
- a) Ethics and duty
- b) Logic and debate
- c) Categorizing substances and the nature of the material world
- d) The concept of soul
Answer: c) Categorizing substances and the nature of the material world
8. In Indian philosophy, the term 'Dharma' refers to:
- a) Ultimate liberation
- b) Duty, righteousness, and moral order
- c) A system of laws
- d) The practice of asceticism
Answer: b) Duty, righteousness, and moral order
9. Which of the following is a primary focus of the 'Mimamsa' school of philosophy
- a) Rituals and their interpretation
- b) The nature of the soul
- c) The relationship between mind and matter
- d) The study of logic
Answer: a) Rituals and their interpretation
10. Which of the following is NOT a major school of Indian philosophy?
- a) Nyaya
- b) Confucianism
- c) Vedanta
- d) Sankhya
Answer: b) Confucianism
11. The concept of 'Atman' refers to:
- a) The material world
- b) The ultimate reality
- c) The individual soul
- d) The cosmic law of karma
Answer: c) The individual soul
12. Which of the following texts is part of the Vedic corpus and discusses rituals and
sacrifices?
- a) Bhagavad Gita
- b) Yoga Sutras
- c) Brahmanas
- d) Mahabharata
Answer: c) Brahmanas
13. Which of the following is an example of **indigenous knowledge** in India?
- a) Quantum mechanics
- b) Organic farming practices based on Ayurveda
- c) Newton's laws of motion
- d) Space exploration technologies
Answer: b) Organic farming practices based on Ayurveda
14. The term 'Ahimsa' in Indian philosophy refers to:
- a) The concept of non-attachment
- b) The principle of non-violence
- c) The state of cosmic consciousness
- d) The practice of meditation
Answer: b) The principle of non-violence
15. The Indian knowledge system that involves the use of medicinal plants, diet, and
lifestyle for health is:
- a) Siddha medicine
- b) Ayurveda
- c) Homeopathy
- d) Naturopathy
Answer: b) Ayurveda
16. Which Indian text provides a comprehensive guide on performing meditation and
mental discipline to achieve spiritual liberation?
- a) Bhagavad Gita
- b) Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
- c) Ramayana
- d) Mahabharata
Answer: b) Yoga Sutras of Patanjali
17. Which of the following is true about traditional knowledge systems?
- a) They are always highly formalized and written down.
- b) They are passed down orally through generations and are often linked to cultural
practices.
- c) They are based solely on empirical scientific methods.
- d) They are irrelevant to modern challenges.
Answer: b) They are passed down orally through generations and are often linked to
cultural practices.
18. In contrast to Western knowledge, Indian Knowledge Systems often emphasize:
- a) The separation of mind and body
- b) The interconnectedness of all aspects of life
- c) The pursuit of individual achievement above community welfare
- d) Purely material advancement
Answer: b) The interconnectedness of all aspects of life
19. Which Indian philosophical school is most concerned with achieving spiritual liberation
through knowledge and detachment from worldly attachments?
- a) Vaisheshika
- b) Yoga
- c) Sankhya
- d) Vedanta
Answer: d) Vedanta
20. In IKS, the concept of ‘Prakriti’ refers to:
- a) The human soul
- b) The physical world or nature
- c) The ultimate reality
- d) The system of ethics
Answer: b) The physical world or nature
21. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of Western knowledge systems?
- a) Emphasis on empirical evidence
- b) Reductionism and compartmentalization
- c) Holistic view of life and interconnectedness
- d) Analytical reasoning
Answer: c) Holistic view of life and interconnectedness
22. Which ancient Indian mathematician is credited with the concept of zero and the
decimal system?
- a) Aryabhata
- b) Brahmagupta
- c) Bhaskara I
- d) Ramanujan
Answer: b) Brahmagupta
23. Which Vedic text is the most philosophical, discussing the nature of reality and the self?
- a) Samaveda
- b) Upanishads
- c) Rigveda
- d) Atharvaveda
Answer: b) Upanishads
[Link] Vedic school of thought that emphasizes logical reasoning and debate is:
- a) Nyaya
- b) Sankhya
- c) Mimamsa
- d) Vedanta
Answer: a) Nyaya
25. The philosophical school that categorizes reality into the five basic elements (earth,
water, fire, air, and ether) is:
- a) Nyaya
- b) Vaisheshika
- c) Sankhya
- d) Yoga
Answer: b) Vaisheshika
26. Which traditional knowledge system in India is closely linked with the spiritual practice
of meditation and mindfulness?
- a) Ayurveda
- b) Yoga
- c) Vastu Shastra
- d) Siddha medicine
Answer: b) Yoga
27. Which of the following was NOT a contribution of Indian Knowledge Systems to the
world?
- a) The concept of zero
- b) The heliocentric model of the solar system
- c) Advanced techniques in plastic surgery
- d) The concept of algebra
Answer: b) The heliocentric model of the solar system
28. Which of the following is the central text for the practice of rituals and sacrifices in
Vedic tradition?
- a) Brahmanas
- b) Upanishads
- c) Yoga Sutras
- d) Bhagavad Gita
Answer: a) Brahmanas
29. What is the primary concern of indigenous knowledge systems?
- a) Advancing technological innovation
- b) Preserving cultural practices and environmental wisdom
- c) Industrial growth
- d) Building modern infrastructure
Answer: b) Preserving cultural practices and environmental wisdom
30. Which of the following texts is considered a major spiritual and philosophical scripture
in Indian Knowledge Systems?
- a) Bhagavad Gita
- b) Bible
- c) Quran
- d) Tao Te Ching
Answer: a) Bhagavad Gita