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UPSC Mains 2025 · GS Paper IV · Q4b

UPSC Mains 2025 GS4 Q4b: model answer

What are the major teachings of Mahavir? Explain their relevance in the contemporary world.

10 marks150 wordsDirective: Explain

What the question wants

Core teachings of Mahavira and their present-day relevance.

How to structure it

Intro: Vardhamana Mahavira. Body: (1) Major teachings: Five vows, Anekantavada, Syadvada, Triratna; (2) Relevance today: Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Anekantavada, Compassion for all life. Conclusion: Mahavira's ethics of restraint and respect for every view speak directly to an age of conflict.

How to structure the answer
IntroductionVardhamana Mahavira
Body: explain
  1. 1(1) Major teachings: Five vows, Anekantavada, Syadvada, Triratna
  2. 2(2) Relevance today: Ahimsa, Aparigraha, Anekantavada, Compassion for all life
ConclusionMahavira's ethics of restraint and respect for every view speak directly to an age of conflict

Model answer

Vardhamana Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism (6th century BCE), taught a path of self-discipline and non-violence.

Major teachings

  • Five vows: ahimsa (non-violence), satya (truth), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (chastity) and aparigraha (non-possession).
  • Anekantavada: truth has many sides; no single view is complete.
  • Syadvada: every statement is true only from a certain point of view.
  • Triratna: right faith, right knowledge, right conduct.
  • Every living being has a soul; liberation through one's own effort, not ritual.

Relevance today

  • Ahimsa: peaceful resolution of conflicts; Gandhi drew from Jain influence in Gujarat.
  • Aparigraha: answer to consumerism and climate change; matches the LiFE movement.
  • Anekantavada: tolerance in polarised societies and social media debates.
  • Compassion for all life: animal welfare, vegetarianism, biodiversity protection.
  • Truth and non-stealing: integrity in public life.

Mahavira's ethics of restraint and respect for every view speak directly to an age of conflict and overconsumption.

Keywords, cases and data to drop in

five vows ahimsa aparigraha anekantavada triratna

Where most answers lose marks

  • Mixing up Buddhist and Jain teachings.

Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-IV-QP-CSM-25-010925.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.