The National Testing Agency (NTA) conducted the CUET PG 2026 Buddhist Studies (ACQP04) examination on March 18, 2026, during Shift 1 from 09:00 AM to 10:30 AM.

Students who appeared for the exam reported that the overall difficulty level of the paper was moderate. CUET PG 2026 Buddhist Studies Question Paper with Solutions PDF is available here for download. The marking scheme is +4 for correct answers and -1 for wrong answers, totaling 300 marks.

CUET PG 2026 Buddhist Studies Question Paper with Solutions PDF

CUET PG 2026 Buddhist Studies Question Paper with Answer Key Download PDF Check Solutions

Question 1:

Who is the author of the famous Sanskrit text Buddhacarita?

  • (A) Kalidasa
  • (B) Ashvaghosha
  • (C) Banabhatta
  • (D) Nagarjuna

Question 2:

In which city was the Third Buddhist Council held under the patronage of Emperor Ashoka?

  • (A) Rajgir
  • (B) Vaishali
  • (C) Pataliputra
  • (D) Sarnath

Question 3:

What is the literal meaning of the term 'Pratityasamutpada' in Buddhist philosophy?

  • (A) Path of liberation
  • (B) Dependent origination
  • (C) Cycle of rebirth
  • (D) Ultimate truth

Question 4:

Which section of the Tripitaka contains the rules and discipline for the monastic order?

  • (A) Sutta Pitaka
  • (B) Vinaya Pitaka
  • (C) Abhidhamma Pitaka
  • (D) Dharma Pitaka

Question 5:

What are the 'Three Marks of Existence' (Tilakkhana) in Buddhism?

  • (A) Dharma, Sangha, Buddha
  • (B) Suffering, Desire, Ignorance
  • (C) Impermanence, Suffering, Non-self
  • (D) Birth, Death, Rebirth

Question 6:

Which Buddhist school is known for the doctrine of 'Sunyata' (Emptiness) as propounded by Nagarjuna?

  • (A) Theravada
  • (B) Mahayana
  • (C) Vajrayana
  • (D) Hinayana

Question 7:

What is the name of the future Buddha who is currently residing in the Tushita Heaven?

  • (A) Avalokiteshvara
  • (B) Maitreya
  • (C) Manjushri
  • (D) Amitabha

Question 8:

The concept of 'Alayavijnana' (Storehouse Consciousness) is a central tenet of which philosophical school?

  • (A) Madhyamaka
  • (B) Yogachara
  • (C) Theravada
  • (D) Vaibhashika

Question 9:

Which mudra (hand gesture) did the Buddha perform at the moment of his Enlightenment?

  • (A) Dharmachakra Mudra
  • (B) Abhaya Mudra
  • (C) Bhumisparsha Mudra
  • (D) Dhyana Mudra

Question 10:

In which town did Gautama Buddha deliver his first sermon, known as Dharmachakrapravartana?

  • (A) Bodh Gaya
  • (B) Kushinagar
  • (C) Sarnath
  • (D) Lumbini

Question 11:

What is the name of the dialogue between the Indo-Greek King Milinda and the monk Nagasena?

  • (A) Dhammapada
  • (B) Milindapanha
  • (C) Suttanipata
  • (D) Mahavamsa

Question 12:

Which category of the Eightfold Path includes Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood?

  • (A) Wisdom (Prajna)
  • (B) Ethical Conduct (Sila)
  • (C) Mental Discipline (Samadhi)
  • (D) Meditation (Dhyana)

Question 13:

What are the five 'Skandhas' (Aggregates) that constitute a sentient being according to Buddhism?

  • (A) Dharma, Sangha, Buddha, Karma, Nirvana
  • (B) Form, Sensation, Perception, Mental formations, Consciousness
  • (C) Birth, Death, Suffering, Desire, Ignorance
  • (D) Earth, Water, Fire, Air, Space

Question 14:

Which ancient Indian university was a world-renowned centre for the study of Mahayana Buddhism?

  • (A) Takshashila
  • (B) Nalanda
  • (C) Vikramashila
  • (D) Ujjain

Question 15:

Who is known as the 'Light of Asia' in modern literature related to the Buddha's life?

  • (A) Edwin Arnold
  • (B) Rabindranath Tagore
  • (C) Max Muller
  • (D) T. W. Rhys Davids

CUET PG 2026 Buddhist Studies Preparation