UGC-NET – Paper II: BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES (Code: 60)
Exam Cycle: June 2026
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COURSE OVERVIEW
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Subject Name: BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES
Subject Code: 60
Conducting Body: National Testing Agency (NTA)
Paper Type: Paper-II – BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES
Total Marks: 200
Total Questions: 100 MCQs
Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Duration: 3 Hours (Paper I + II combined)
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COMPLETE LIST OF UNITS
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Unit I: Life of Gautama the Buddha and the Origin of Buddhism (From the birth to Mahāparinirvāṇa and the events happened thereafter):
Unit II: Three modes of Teachings of the Buddha: Sīla, Samādhi and Prajñā.
Unit III: Ancient Buddhist Educational Institutions (Mahāvihāras): Nālandā, Valabhi, Vikramāsīlā, Udantapurī, Somapurī and Jagaddala.
Unit IV: History of Jainism : Kālacakra (cycle of time) and the tradition of Tirthankaras – Life-sketch of Lord Rṣabhadeva, Pārśvanātha and Mahāvīra.
Unit V: Vows : vows of Householders- Anuvratas, Gunavratas and Śikṣāvratas; Great Vows (Mahāvratas) of Monks- Ahimsā (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacarya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Unit VI: Jain Art (Šilpa) and Architecture : Jain caves and temples of Southern India, Jain Temples of Khajurāho, Devagarha, Pālitānā and Mount-Ābu.
Unit VII: Mahatma Gandhi:
Unit VIII: Foundations of Gandhi’s Social, Political, Economic and Religious Thought:
Unit IX: Gandhi’s Role in Freedom Movement:
Unit X: Peace Studies:
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UNIT-WISE DETAILED SYLLABUS
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Unit I: Life of Gautama the Buddha and the Origin of Buddhism (From the birth to Mahāparinirvāṇa and the events happened thereafter):
Topic 1: Life of Gautama the Buddha and the Origin of Buddhism (From the birth to Mahāparinirvāṇa and the events happened thereafter)
• [Topic covered in title]
Topic 2: Buddhist Councils (From first to fourth) and the contribution of great emperor Aśoka and Kaniṣka to the spread of Buddhism in India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, China and Tibet.
• Buddhist Councils (From first to fourth)
• contribution of great emperor Aśoka
• contribution of great emperor Kaniṣka
• spread of Buddhism in India
• spread of Buddhism in Sri Lanka
• spread of Buddhism in Myanmar
• spread of Buddhism in Thailand
• spread of Buddhism in China
• spread of Buddhism in Tibet
Topic 3: Schools of Buddhism: Theravāda and four Philosophical Schools (Vaibhāṣika, Sautrāntika, Vijñānavāda and Mādhyamika)
• Schools of Buddhism
• Theravāda
• four Philosophical Schools
• Vaibhāṣika
• Sautrāntika
• Vijñānavāda
• Mādhyamika
Topic 4: Pali and Sanskrit Canonical Buddhist Literature (Pāli Tipitaka and Sanskrit Vaipulya Sūtras)
• Pali Canonical Buddhist Literature
• Sanskrit Canonical Buddhist Literature
• Pāli Tipitaka
• Sanskrit Vaipulya Sūtras
Topic 5: Life and Works of Buddhaghosa, Nāgārjuna, Vasubandhu and Dharmakīrti.
• Life and Works of Buddhaghosa
• Life and Works of Nāgārjuna
• Life and Works of Vasubandhu
• Life and Works of Dharmakīrti
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Unit II: Three modes of Teachings of the Buddha: Sīla, Samādhi and Prajñā.
Topic 1: Three modes of Teachings of the Buddha: Sīla, Samādhi and Prajñā
• Sīla
• Samādhi
• Prajñā
Topic 2: (i) Philosophical Concepts: Trilaksanas : Anitya, Duhkha and Anātma (ii) Noble Truths (iii) Prafitya-samutpāda (iv) Citta-santati and Ālaya-vijñāna (v) Śūnyatā and Nirvāṇa
• Philosophical Concepts: Trilaksanas
• Anitya
• Duhkha
• Anātma
• Noble Truths
• Prafitya-samutpāda
• Citta-santati
• Ālaya-vijñāna
• Śūnyatā
• Nirvāṇa
Topic 3: Buddhist Meditation: Samatha and Vipassanā
• Buddhist Meditation
• Samatha
• Vipassanā
Topic 4: Six heretical thinkers, contemporary to the Buddha and their Philosophy.
• Six heretical thinkers contemporary to the Buddha
• their Philosophy
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Unit III: Ancient Buddhist Educational Institutions (Mahāvihāras): Nālandā, Valabhi, Vikramāsīlā, Udantapurī, Somapurī and Jagaddala.
Topic 1: Ancient Buddhist Educational Institutions (Mahāvihāras): Nālandā, Valabhi, Vikramāsīlā, Udantapurī, Somapurī and Jagaddala.
• Ancient Buddhist Educational Institutions (Mahāvihāras)
• Nālandā
• Valabhi
• Vikramāsīlā
• Udantapurī
• Somapurī
• Jagaddala
Topic 2: Buddhist sculpture and Architecture: Nālandā, Bodhagayā Temple, Ajantā Caves, Sāncī Stūpa, Sāranātha
• Buddhist sculpture and Architecture
• Nālandā
• Bodhagayā Temple
• Ajantā Caves
• Sāncī Stūpa
• Sāranātha
Topic 3: Places of Buddhist Pilgrimage: Lumbinī, Bodhagayā, Sāranātha and Kušīnārā
• Places of Buddhist Pilgrimage
• Lumbinī
• Bodhagayā
• Sāranātha
• Kušīnārā
Topic 4: Revival of Buddhism and Contribution of Anāgarika Dharmapāla, Mahāthera, Krpāśarana, Candramani Mahāthera and Bhikshu Jagadīsa Kāśyapa.
• Revival of Buddhism
• Contribution of Anāgarika Dharmapāla
• Contribution of Mahāthera
• Contribution of Krpāśarana
• Contribution of Candramani Mahāthera
• Contribution of Bhikshu Jagadīsa Kāśyapa
Topic 5: Impact of Buddhism on Social and Economic life.
• Impact of Buddhism on Social life
• Impact of Buddhism on Economic life
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Unit IV: History of Jainism : Kālacakra (cycle of time) and the tradition of Tirthankaras – Life-sketch of Lord Rṣabhadeva, Pārśvanātha and Mahāvīra.
Topic 1: History of Jainism : Kālacakra (cycle of time) and the tradition of Tirthankaras – Life-sketch of Lord Rṣabhadeva, Pārśvanātha and Mahāvīra
• History of Jainism
• Kālacakra (cycle of time)
• tradition of Tirthankaras
• Life-sketch of Lord Rṣabhadeva
• Life-sketch of Pārśvanātha
• Life-sketch of Mahāvīra
Topic 2: Jain Sects and their sub-division : Digambara and Śvetāmbara and their sub-sects.
• Jain Sects and their sub-division
• Digambara
• Śvetāmbara
• their sub-sects
Topic 3: Namokāra Mahāmantra, Five Preceptor (Pañca Paramesṭhi), Prayer, Bhakti, Upāsanā; Three Jewels : Samyakdaršana-Jñāna-Cāritra.
• Namokāra Mahāmantra
• Five Preceptor (Pañca Paramesṭhi)
• Prayer
• Bhakti
• Upāsanā
• Three Jewels
• Samyakdaršana
• Jñāna
• Cāritra
Topic 4: Prakti Canonical (Āgama) Literature and their VĀCANĀS (councils).
• Prakti Canonical (Āgama) Literature
• their VĀCANĀS (councils)
Topic 5: Prominent Ācāryas of Jainism : Life and works of Ācārya Kundakunda, Ācārya Umāsvāmi(ti), Ācārya Siddhasena, Ācārya Akalanka svāmi, Ācārya Haribhadra Sūri, Ācārya Virasena Svāmi, Ācārya Jinasena, Ācārya Hemchandra Sūri and Ācārya Yaśovijay.
• Prominent Ācāryas of Jainism
• Life and works of Ācārya Kundakunda
• Life and works of Ācārya Umāsvāmi(ti)
• Life and works of Ācārya Siddhasena
• Life and works of Ācārya Akalanka svāmi
• Life and works of Ācārya Haribhadra Sūri
• Life and works of Ācārya Virasena Svāmi
• Life and works of Ācārya Jinasena
• Life and works of Ācārya Hemchandra Sūri
• Life and works of Ācārya Yaśovijay
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Unit V: Vows : vows of Householders- Anuvratas, Gunavratas and Śikṣāvratas; Great Vows (Mahāvratas) of Monks- Ahimsā (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacarya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
Topic 1: Vows : vows of Householders- Anuvratas, Gunavratas and Śikṣāvratas; Great Vows (Mahāvratas) of Monks- Ahimsā (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacarya (celibacy) and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness).
• Vows of Householders
• Anuvratas
• Gunavratas
• Śikṣāvratas
• Great Vows (Mahāvratas) of Monks
• Ahimsā (non-violence)
• Satya (truth)
• Asteya (non-stealing)
• Brahmacarya (celibacy)
• Aparigraha (non-possessiveness)
Topic 2: Seven elements and six substance; Theory of Karma and its classification, Purusārtha.
• Seven elements
• six substance
• Theory of Karma
• its classification
• Purusārtha
Topic 3: The concept of Knowledge and its classification.
• concept of Knowledge
• its classification
Topic 4: Anekāntavāda and Syādvāda; Jain Yoga and Dhyāna.
• Anekāntavāda
• Syādvāda
• Jain Yoga
• Dhyāna
Topic 5: The concept of Liberation in Jainism.
• concept of Liberation in Jainism
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Unit VI: Jain Art (Šilpa) and Architecture : Jain caves and temples of Southern India, Jain Temples of Khajurāho, Devagarha, Pālitānā and Mount-Ābu.
Topic 1: Jain Art (Šilpa) and Architecture : Jain caves and temples of Southern India, Jain Temples of Khajurāho, Devagarha, Pālitānā and Mount-Ābu.
• Jain Art (Šilpa)
• Jain Architecture
• Jain caves and temples of Southern India
• Jain Temples of Khajurāho
• Jain Temples of Devagarha
• Jain Temples of Pālitānā
• Jain Temples of Mount-Ābu
Topic 2: Jain Sculptures, Paintings and Jain Iconography : important Jain Sculptures available in India, Idols received from Śravanabelagolā and Mathurā.
• Jain Sculptures
• Jain Paintings
• Jain Iconography
• important Jain Sculptures available in India
• Idols received from Śravanabelagolā
• Idols received from Mathurā
Topic 3: Impact of Jain Religion on Society : Vegetarianism (Šakāhāra) and Charity (Dāna); Status of women in Jain Religion.
• Impact of Jain Religion on Society
• Vegetarianism (Šakāhāra)
• Charity (Dāna)
• Status of women in Jain Religion
Topic 4: Environmental and Ecological thoughts in Jainism; Jainism and Science.
• Environmental thoughts in Jainism
• Ecological thoughts in Jainism
• Jainism and Science
Topic 5: Main Centres of Jaina Learning: Śravanabelagolā, Jesalamera, Ahmedabad, Varanasi, Vaishali, Koba, Ladnum, Jaipur, Delhi; Jainism in abroad.
• Main Centres of Jaina Learning
• Śravanabelagolā
• Jesalamera
• Ahmedabad
• Varanasi
• Vaishali
• Koba
• Ladnum
• Jaipur
• Delhi
• Jainism in abroad
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Unit VII: Mahatma Gandhi:
Topic 1: Mahatma Gandhi: (i) Family background (ii) Early life and education in India and England (iii) Impact of various Religions and their Scriptures
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Family background
• Early life and education in India
• Early life and education in England
• Impact of various Religions
• Impact of their Scriptures
Topic 2: Gandhi in South Africa: (i) The origin of Satyagraha (ii) Struggle against Racial discrimination, injustice and exploitation (iii) Impact of Leo Tolstoy, John Ruskin, Henry David Thoreau, Raichandra Bhai etc.
• Gandhi in South Africa
• The origin of Satyagraha
• Struggle against Racial discrimination
• Struggle against injustice
• Struggle against exploitation
• Impact of Leo Tolstoy
• Impact of John Ruskin
• Impact of Henry David Thoreau
• Impact of Raichandra Bhai
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Unit VIII: Foundations of Gandhi’s Social, Political, Economic and Religious Thought:
Topic 1: Foundations of Gandhi’s Social, Political, Economic and Religious Thought: (i) Views on Social Justice, Social inequalities, Caste System and Untouchability. (ii) Women’s Problems and Empowerment (iii) Gandhi’s views on Truth, Non-Violence, Satyagraha and the Theory of ends and means
• Foundations of Gandhi’s Social Thought
• Foundations of Gandhi’s Political Thought
• Foundations of Gandhi’s Economic Thought
• Foundations of Gandhi’s Religious Thought
• Views on Social Justice
• Views on Social inequalities
• Views on Caste System
• Views on Untouchability
• Women’s Problems
• Women’s Empowerment
• Gandhi’s views on Truth
• Gandhi’s views on Non-Violence
• Gandhi’s views on Satyagraha
• Gandhi’s views on the Theory of ends and means
Topic 2: State and Democracy: (i) Panchayat Raj (ii) Parliamentary Democracy, Sovereignty, Freedom, Spiritualization of politics (iii) Human Rights and Duties.
• State and Democracy
• Panchayat Raj
• Parliamentary Democracy
• Sovereignty
• Freedom
• Spiritualization of politics
• Human Rights
• Human Duties
Topic 3: Fundamentals of Gandhian Economics: (i) Critique of Modern Western Civilization, Labour – Capital Relations (ii) Small-Scale Cottage Industries (iii) Constructive Programme and Sustainable Development.
• Fundamentals of Gandhian Economics
• Critique of Modern Western Civilization
• Labour – Capital Relations
• Small-Scale Cottage Industries
• Constructive Programme
• Sustainable Development
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Unit IX: Gandhi’s Role in Freedom Movement:
Topic 1: Gandhi’s Role in Freedom Movement: (i) Champaran (ii) Non-Cooperation (iii) Ahmedabad Mill Strike, Dandi March (iv) Bardoli and Kheda Satyagrahas (v) His Role in Vykom Satyagraha and Quit India Movement.
• Gandhi’s Role in Freedom Movement
• Champaran
• Non-Cooperation
• Ahmedabad Mill Strike
• Dandi March
• Bardoli Satyagraha
• Kheda Satyagraha
• His Role in Vykom Satyagraha
• His Role in Quit India Movement
Topic 2: Gandhi and Partition of India.
• Gandhi and Partition of India
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Unit X: Peace Studies:
Topic 1: Peace Studies: (i) Understanding Peace – Coercive and Non-Coercive Approaches, Culture of Peace. (ii) The problem of War: Causes, Types, Attributes and Theories of War.
• Peace Studies
• Understanding Peace
• Coercive Approaches
• Non-Coercive Approaches
• Culture of Peace
• The problem of War
• Causes of War
• Types of War
• Attributes of War
• Theories of War
Topic 2: Major Peace Movements: (i) Pacifism, Civil Rights Movement in U.S.A. Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament by various Agencies. (ii) Green Peace Movement. (iii) The contemporary Global Issues regarding World War and Quest for Peace. (iv) Legacy of Peace Builders: Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King (Jr.), Daisaku Ikeda and Nelson Mandela.
• Major Peace Movements
• Pacifism
• Civil Rights Movement in U.S.A.
• Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament by various Agencies
• Green Peace Movement
• The contemporary Global Issues regarding World War
• Quest for Peace
• Legacy of Peace Builders
• Mahatma Gandhi
• Martin Luther King (Jr.)
• Daisaku Ikeda
• Nelson Mandela
Topic 3: Conflicts: (i) Concept, Nature and Causes, Methods of Conflict Resolution. (ii) Agencies of Conflict Resolution, UN Peace Keeping, Peace Building, Peace Education, Adjudication, Role of Shanti Sena, Track–II Diplomacy, etc.
• Conflicts
• Concept of Conflicts
• Nature of Conflicts
• Causes of Conflicts
• Methods of Conflict Resolution
• Agencies of Conflict Resolution
• UN Peace Keeping
• Peace Building
• Peace Education
• Adjudication
• Role of Shanti Sena
• Track–II Diplomacy
Topic 4: Human Security and Terrorism: (i) The problem of Terrorism (ii) Structural and State Violence
• Human Security and Terrorism
• The problem of Terrorism
• Structural Violence
• State Violence
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EXAMINATION STRUCTURE
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Paper-II: Subject Specific Examination
- Total Questions: 100
- Total Marks: 200
- Question Type: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQ)
- Negative Marking: No
- Duration: 3 Hours (Combined with Paper I)
- Mode: Computer Based Test (CBT)
Additional Notes (if any):
- [No additional notes provided in source]
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SYLLABUS SUMMARY
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Total Units: 10
Total Topics: 41
Subject: BUDDHIST, JAINA, GANDHIAN AND PEACE STUDIES
Subject Code: 60
Exam Category: UGC-NET Paper-II
Source: Official NTA/UGC Syllabus
Status: “As per latest official syllabus”
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