UPSC Philosophy 2026

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (a) How does Spinoza explain the relationship between states of mind and bodily processes? (10 marks) (b) Explain the dist…

(a) What, according to Aristotle, is the fundamental problem of metaphysics? Discuss this in relation with Aristotle's account of the essence of the world, where he rejects the vi…

(a) Why are states of consciousness ascribed to anything at all and why are they ascribed to the same things to which we also ascribe physical properties? How does Strawson answer…

(a) “Wittgenstein’s difficulty about not being able to say anything within a given language about the structure of that language can be met by the idea of a hierarchy of languages…

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (a) According to Nyāya view of inference (Anumāna), what are the characteristics that ascertain the validity of inferentia…

(a) “A mango tree is grown out of a mango seed.” How do the Sāṁkhya philosophers explain this process through their theory of causation by rejecting their rival perspectives? (20…

(a) Critically explain the arguments presented by the Akhyātivādins for explaining erroneous cognition. Evaluate the arguments against Akhyātivādins by the Anyathākhyātivādins. (2…

(a) Present an account of Upamāna as an instrument of knowledge (Pramāṇa). How is Nyāya view of Upamāna different from Mīmāṃsā view? Discuss. (20 marks) (b) Critically explain Rām…

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (a) Why does Rawls consider it necessary that the two principles of justice be applied in lexical order ? Explain. (10 mar…

(a) Evaluate the importance of Kautilya's theory of Rajamandala in the context of sovereignty. (20 marks) (b) Does providing land and property rights to women constitute a necessa…

(a) Retributivism presents a deontological justification for capital punishment, whereas deterrence presents a consequential justification for it. Explain. (20 marks) (b) “The two…

(a) How has Ambedkar applied the concept of ‘Social Endosmosis’ for annihilation of castes. Evaluate its relevance for contemporary debates on identity and the politics of differe…

Answer the following questions in about 150 words each : (a) On what grounds does William James characterize mystical states as a genuine expression of religious experience ? Elab…

(a) In what sense does St. Augustine's identification of all evil as either sin or as the punishment of sin succeed or fail in providing a coherent account of both moral and natur…

(a) Analyse R. M. Hare's concept of ‘blik’ and assess whether it successfully defends the meaningfulness of religious language. (20 marks) (b) Discuss the difference between perso…

(a) Critically evaluate the shift in Gandhi's view from ‘God is Truth’ to ‘Truth is God’, in the context of interrelation between religion and morality. (20 marks) (b) Explain and…