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Philosophy Optional – Other Questions Outside the Present Syllabus (1995–2026)

These 12 questions from UPSC Philosophy Optional papers (1995–2026) fall outside the present syllabus of their paper – mostly from papers set on the older syllabus. We keep them here for completeness.

Each question ends with a code such as [2024/15m/3b] – the year, the marks, the word limit (where UPSC set one) and the question number in the paper.

Paper I

3 questions

  1. Discuss the following view with reference to the philosophers whom you have studied. ‘Philosophy takes the conceptual systems developed by scientists, mathematicians, art critics, moralists, theologians et al, as its subject-matter and seeks to explain and clarify what has to be explained and clarified about such systems in order to render them fully comprehensible.’ Or: Explain the nature of substance and its relation to attributes according to Spinoza. [1997/60m/4]

  2. Radical Empiricism of William James. [1995/20m/200w/1a]

  3. Explain Dewey’s theory of truth. How does it relate to his conception of knowledge? Discuss. [1995/60m/3]

Paper II

9 questions

  1. On what grounds, the dichotomy between ‘is’ and ‘ought’ can either be justified or rejected? [2014/10m/150w/5b]

  2. Discuss the salient features of traditional orthodox religion. [2011/15m/150w/5a]

  3. “The conception of a good political order rests upon an objectively true account of human nature.” [2006/20m/200w/1b]

  4. “No account of human nature can provide a secure foundation for political philosophy.” [2004/20m/200w/1c]

  5. To be religious means to belong to some religious order. [2001/20m/200w/5c]

  6. Culture as an expression of philosophy. [1996/20m/200w/1a]

  7. Bring out the nature of philosophy, in the light of the Socratic dictum: “Unexamined life is not worth living”. [1996/60m/2]

  8. Identify the traditional Indian values which need to be fostered by modern Indian family. How can these values be fostered? [1996/60m/4]

  9. ‘The relation between Western philosophy and life is not the same as that between Indian philosophy and life’. Elucidate and critically evaluate this statement. [1995/60m/2]

Cover of UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQs eBook with detailed explanations

From the Optional Province team

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Our UPSC Prelims Topic-wise PYQ eBook covers every Prelims question with detailed explanations, so you can see exactly where UPSC asks from.

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Cover of UPSC Mains Topic-wise and Year-wise PYQs eBook (2013–2026)

From the Optional Province team

Strengthen your GS papers

Our UPSC Mains Topic-wise & Year-wise PYQ eBook (2013–2026) maps every GS question to the syllabus, so you know what UPSC asks and how often.

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Last updated: 30 October 2026