Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?
- (a) Deva (gods)
- (b) Yaksha (demi-gods) ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Manushya (humans)
- (d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)
Why the answer is (b)
• Jainism classifies all souls (jivas) in the cycle of rebirth into four gatis or states of existence.
• These are Deva (heavenly beings), Manushya (humans), Tiryancha (animals, plants and other sub-human life) and Naraki (hell-beings).
• Yakshas are nature spirits or attendant deities in Jain iconography (e.g. the yaksha-yakshi pairs flanking Tirthankaras) but are not a separate gati; they fall within the Deva category.
• So 'Yaksha' is the odd one out; the other three options are recognised forms of existence.
• The fourth gati, Naraki, does not appear among the options.
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Deva (gods)
- Deva is one of the four gatis.
- (c) Manushya (humans)
- Manushya is one of the four gatis.
- (d) Tiryancha (animals and plants)
- Tiryancha is one of the four gatis.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026, held on 24 May 2026. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.