Bhakti & Sufi Movements — Saints, Philosophy, Social Impact

What should you study in Bhakti & Sufi Movements?

• Bhakti saints — Kabir, Mirabai, Tukaram, Chaitanya
• Sufi orders — Chishti, Suhrawardi, Qadiri
• Social reform impact — caste, women, Hindu-Muslim unity
• Regional bhakti — Tamil Alvars & Nayanmars

How often is Bhakti & Sufi Movements asked in UPSC Prelims?

Asked in 4 of 10 years, including 2 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: not asked
5. 2020: asked
6. 2021: not asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: asked
9. 2024: not asked
10. 2025: asked

About the Prelims GS Paper I paper

General Studies Paper I is the Prelims paper that decides the cut-off: 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks, with negative marking for wrong answers. See all 88 Prelims GS Paper I topics.

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