APPSC Paper I · Executive Officer Paper II · Topic 7
7 APPSC Paper I Vedic Culture questions with answers
28 questions from APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II question paper with answers and APPSC EO Paper II Mock 1 with answers. Try each one, then tap Show answer.
Previous-paper questions are as in the original paper. Medha AI wrote the answers and explanations.
7.1Vedas, Shakhas and BrahmanasNotes
-
What is the primary content of the Rigveda ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. Hymns and praises dedicated to various deities
The Rigveda Samhita is a collection of about 1,028 suktas (hymns) praising deities such as Agni, Indra and Varuna.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q60, final key
-
The Yajurveda is primarily a manual for
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Conducting sacrificial rituals
The Yajurveda contains the prose and verse formulas (yajus) used by the adhvaryu priest while performing sacrifices.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q61, final key
-
Which of the following best describes the Samaveda’s role in Vedic rituals ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. It sets Rigvedic hymns to musical notations for chanting
Most Samaveda verses are drawn from the Rigveda and set to melodies sung by the udgatr priest during the soma sacrifice.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q62, final key
-
Which unique aspect of the Atharvaveda distinguishes it from the other three Vedas ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. It includes spells, charms and everyday life concerns
The Atharvaveda deals with worldly matters: charms for health, long life, prosperity and protection, and spells against enemies.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q63, final key
-
To whom did Vyasa preach the Rigveda ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. To Paila
Vyasa taught the Rigveda to Paila, the Yajurveda to Vaishampayana, the Samaveda to Jaimini and the Atharvaveda to Sumantu.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q81, final key
-
In which Veda is the Valakhilya Sukta found ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. In the Rigveda
The eleven Valakhilya hymns are an appended (khila) group in the eighth Mandala of the Rigveda.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q82, final key
-
The Kanva Shakha is related to which Veda ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. To Yajurveda
Kanva and Madhyandina are the two surviving recensions (shakhas) of the Shukla Yajurveda (Vajasaneyi Samhita).
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q83, final key
-
How many branches does Yajurveda have ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. 101
Tradition (Patanjali's Mahabhashya, Muktika Upanishad) counts 101 shakhas of the Yajurveda, 21 of the Rigveda, 1000 of the Samaveda and 9 of the Atharvaveda.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q104, final key
-
Which pair of Rigveda Mandala and its seer family is correctly matched?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. 6th Mandala – Bharadvaja
The 'family books' of the Rigveda (Mandalas 2–7) belong to Gritsamada (2), Vishvamitra (3), Vamadeva (4), Atri (5), Bharadvaja (6) and Vasishtha (7); so the 6th Mandala goes with Bharadvaja.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Which of the following did NOT take shape in the Later Vedic period?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. Rigveda Samhita
The Rigveda belongs to the Early Vedic period; the Sama, Yajur and Atharva Vedas with the Brahmanas, Aranyakas and Upanishads took shape in the Later Vedic period (c. 1000–600 BCE).
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Which Brahmana takes its name from its hundred adhyayas (chapters)?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Shatapatha Brahmana
The Shatapatha Brahmana of the Shukla Yajurveda (Madhyandina recension) has 100 adhyayas, hence the name.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
-
The Vedas are called 'Shruti' because they were:
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. preserved by hearing in the guru–shishya line
Shruti means 'that which is heard': the Vedas were handed down only orally, by hearing and memorising in the guru–shishya parampara.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
The Gayatri mantra is addressed to which deity?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Savitr (Savita)
The Gayatri is also called the Savitri mantra because it is addressed to Savitr.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
-
In the Rigveda, Ushas is the goddess of:
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. the dawn
Ushas is the Rigvedic goddess of the dawn, praised in many beautiful hymns along with Indra, Agni and Varuna.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
7.1UpanishadsNotes
-
The philosophical teachings and mystical knowledge in the Vedas are mainly found in which part ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. Upanishads
The Upanishads, the concluding part (Vedanta or jnana kanda) of the Vedas, carry the philosophical teaching on Atman and Brahman.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q64, final key
-
How many renowned Vedic Upanishads are there ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. 10
The ten principal (dasha) Upanishads, from Isha to Brihadaranyaka, are the ones commented on by Adi Shankara.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q65, final key
-
The concept of “Tat Tvam Asi” (That Thou Art), which signifies the identity of the individual soul with the universal soul, is found in which Upanishad ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Chandogya Upanishad
Tat Tvam Asi is the Mahavakya taught by Uddalaka Aruni to his son Shvetaketu in the Chandogya Upanishad of the Samaveda.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q67, final key
-
To which Veda is the Mundaka Upanishad related ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. To Atharvaveda
The Mundaka Upanishad, source of 'Satyameva Jayate', belongs to the Atharvaveda, as do the Prashna and Mandukya.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q99, final key
-
Which of these sayings is NOT from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Tat Tvam Asi
'Tat Tvam Asi' is from the Chandogya Upanishad. The Brihadaranyaka gives 'Aham Brahmasmi' and the prayer 'Asato ma sadgamaya, tamaso ma jyotirgamaya, mrityor ma amritam gamaya'.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Uddalaka splits a banyan seed to show Shvetaketu the unseen essence. Which Upanishad tells this?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Chandogya
In the sixth chapter of the Chandogya, Uddalaka uses the banyan seed and salt in water to show the subtle essence in all things, ending with 'Tat Tvam Asi'.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Unlike the ritual texts, the Upanishads hold that moksha comes mainly through what?
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. Inner knowledge and self-enquiry
The Upanishads turned away from external rites and sacrifices and taught that moksha is reached through inner knowledge, meditation and self-enquiry (atma-vichara).
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
7.2Upavedas, Vedangas and the 14 vidyas
-
Which of the following pairs is correctly matched with its associated Upaveda ?
Show answerHide answer
Answer C. Ayurveda – Rigveda
In the common scheme Ayurveda is the upaveda of the Rigveda, Dhanurveda of the Yajurveda, Gandharvaveda of the Samaveda and Sthapatya (Arthashastra in some lists) of the Atharvaveda; some texts link Ayurveda to the Atharvaveda instead.
Source: APPSC EO Gr III 2026 Paper II (Notification 10/2025), Q66, final key
-
In the Paniniya Shiksha's image of the Veda as a person, Chandas forms its:
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. Feet
The Paniniya Shiksha calls Chandas the feet, Kalpa the hands, Jyotisha the eyes, Nirukta the ears, Shiksha the nose and Vyakarana the mouth of the Veda.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Why is Gandharvaveda said to have its origin in the Samaveda?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. Samaveda mantras are meant to be sung
Gandharvaveda, the knowledge of music, poetry and dance, comes from the Samaveda because Samaveda mantras are set to melody for singing (gana).
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
The Nirukta, one of the six Vedangas, mainly deals with:
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. Etymology of Vedic words
Nirukta is the Vedanga of etymology and interpretation of obscure Vedic words.
Source: Medha AI, based on the APPSC EO Grade III Paper II syllabus (23/2026)
7.1Yagnas, ashramas and purusharthasNotes
-
The final homa that satisfies all the gods who came to the yajna and bids them farewell is the:
Show answerHide answer
Answer D. Samishti homa
Samishti homa closes the yajna: it satisfies every deity who attended and sends them off.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
Which purushartha means earning the wealth and means needed for life?
Show answerHide answer
Answer A. Artha
Artha is earning the means, wealth and fame needed to meet the material needs of oneself and the family.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
-
The sacred sticks used to kindle the yajna fire are called:
Show answerHide answer
Answer B. Samidhas
Samidhas are the sacred sticks fed to the fire; darbhas are the sacred grasses used in the rites.
Source: Medha AI, based on the EO Paper II course book (Mr.Competitive)
Practise more Vedic Culture. The app has more questions on this topic, picks new ones first and brings back the ones you got wrong.
All APPSC Paper I topics · APPSC Paper I syllabus · Start free
Medha AI is an independent preparation service. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to APPSC, TSPSC, MPSC, UPSC or any other commission or government body.