Ashokan inscriptions suggest that the 'Pradeshika', 'Rajuka' and 'Yukta' were important officers at the

(a) village-level administration
(b) district-level administration ✓ UPSC's answer
(c) provincial administration
(d) level of the central administration

Why the answer is (b)

• Ashoka's edicts (notably Rock Edict III and Pillar Edict IV) name the Pradeshika, Rajuka and Yukta as officials sent on tours every five years to proclaim dhamma and check administration.

• Historians place them at the district (janapada/ahara) level: the Pradeshika was the district head in charge of revenue and order, the Rajuka handled land survey, assessment and justice in rural areas, and the Yukta was a subordinate accounts and revenue officer.

• Above them stood the provincial governors (kumaras or aryaputras) at Taxila, Ujjain, Tosali and Suvarnagiri; below them the village headman (gramika).

• The central administration was led by the Mantriparishad and the Mahamatras.

• Hence district-level administration, option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) village-level administration: Village administration was headed by the gramika, not these officers.
(c) provincial administration: Provinces were governed by princes (kumaras), not by these officers.
(d) level of the central administration: Central administration was in the hands of ministers and mahamatras.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2025, held on 25 May 2025. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.