Acme Ai
A
अ
GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 1996
South Indian Kingdoms
Question No. 77Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q77. According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four yugas is:

According to ancient Indian cosmogonic ideas, the sequential order of the cycle of four yugas is:

Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
PrevNext Question

Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

3D PYQ Realm

Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?

Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.

Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 1996 • Ancient History

Correct Answer: Option (C) — Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

In Hindu cosmology, a Mahayuga consists of four consecutive yugas in decreasing order of righteousness (dharma) and length:

  1. Krita (or Satya) Yuga (4,800 divine years / 1,728,000 human years)
  2. Treta Yuga (3,600 divine years / 1,296,000 human years)
  3. Dvapara Yuga (2,400 divine years / 864,000 human years)
  4. Kali Yuga (1,200 divine years / 432,000 human years)

Therefore, the sequential order is Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali.

Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Count the root meanings/numbers: Krita (4 parts), Treta (3 parts), Dvapara (2 parts), Kali (1 part) - representing the 4-3-2-1 ratio of legs of Dharma.

Reviewed by Avinash Sir & Acme AI Research Team

Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface

50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.

1-on-1 MentorshipOpen Test Platform

Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 1996 (Q77)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicAncient History → South Indian Kingdoms
Official Answer KeyOption (C) — Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali

More PYQs from Ancient History (South Indian Kingdoms)

Master the Ancient History syllabus cluster by practicing these related previous year questions.

View All Ancient History PYQs
2001 • Q71South Indian Kingdoms

Which one of the following pairs is correctly matched?

Ancient HistoryPractice
2001 • Q72South Indian Kingdoms

Hoysala monuments are found in:

Ancient HistoryPractice
1999 • Q73South Indian Kingdoms

The following persons came to India at one time or another: 1. Fa-Hien 2. I-Tsing 3. Megasthenes 4. Hieun-Tsang The correct chronological sequence of

Ancient HistoryPractice
1998 • Q74South Indian Kingdoms

Which one of the following ancient Indian records is the earliest royal order to preserve food grains to be utilized during crises in the country?

Ancient HistoryPractice
1998 • Q75South Indian Kingdoms

Which of the following pairs are correctly matched? 1. Lothal: Ancient dockyard 2. Sarnath: First sermon of Buddha 3. Rajgir: Lion capital of Ashoka 4

Ancient HistoryPractice
1998 • Q76South Indian Kingdoms

What is the correct chronological order in which the following appeared in India? 1. Gold Coin 2. Punch marked Silver Coin 3. Iron Plough 4. Urban Cul

Ancient HistoryPractice
1996 • Q78South Indian Kingdoms

Which one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?

Ancient HistoryPractice
1995 • Q79South Indian Kingdoms

The term Yavanapriya, mentioned in ancient Sanskrit texts, denoted:

Ancient HistoryPractice

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 1996 Q77

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 1996 GS Paper I Question 77 (Ancient History)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 1996 Ancient History (South Indian Kingdoms) question is Option (C): "Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 1996 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Ancient History" and micro-topic "South Indian Kingdoms". You can explore all repeated questions from South Indian Kingdoms in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this South Indian Kingdoms UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Count the root meanings/numbers: Krita (4 parts), Treta (3 parts), Dvapara (2 parts), Kali (1 part) representing the 4321 ratio of legs of Dharma.

Beyond Previous Year Questions

Structured Prelims Practice & Mentorship

Pair previous year question analysis with full-length simulated mock tests and 1-on-1 faculty guidance.

APT 2027 • 50 Prelims Tests17% OFF

Acme Prelims Test Series (APT)

Built to eliminate 1/3rd negative marking losses and 50–50 option traps through structured simulation and NCERT-backed keys.

  • 50 High-Yield Tests: Subject Sectionals, Current Affairs, CSAT Paper II & Full-Length Simulators
  • 1/3rd Penalty & Trap Analytics: Identify whether marks are lost to over-attempting or conceptual gaps
  • Option-by-Option NCERT Keys: Detailed distractor analysis and elimination logic for every question
  • Custom PDF-to-Mock Generator: Convert your revision notes or current affairs PDFs into practice tests
Complete 50-Test Package
₹1,493₹1,799• Valid till Prelims 2027
Explore APT Test SeriesTry Free Mock
1-on-1 Personal MentorshipCapped at 10 Seats

1-on-1 UPSC Mentorship with Avinash Sir

Weekly 1-on-1 strategy reviews, daily study accountability, and personalized MCQ attempt audits with an experienced UPSC mentor.

  • Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Direct mentorship with Avinash Sir (Former Plutus IAS Mentor, UPSC & UPPCS Mains Written)
  • APT 50-Test Series Included: Full Prelims GS1 & CSAT test series bundled at no additional cost
  • Mock Attempt & Elimination Audit: Question-by-question review to calibrate your risk and attempt accuracy
  • Prelims & Integrated Tracks: Available as dedicated Prelims mentorship or end-to-end Prelims + Mains guidance
Prelims & Integrated Tracks
17% OFF• Includes APT 50-Test Series
Explore 1-on-1 MentorshipCompare Tracks
Previous QuestionGiven below are two statements one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other labelled as Reason (R). Assertion (A) : Areas near the equator receive rainfall throughout the year. Reason (R) : High temperatures and high humidity cause convectional rain in most afternoons near the equator. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Next QuestionWhich one of the following temples figured in the news regarding the institution of the Devadasi?