Comparative Study of Major Religions is a compulsory subject in the CSS competitive examination 2025. Here, you will find the CSS Comparative Study of Major Religions past paper 2025. I will also provide a critical analysis of the paper, in which you will analyze what topics were given and how difficult they were.
CSS Comparative Study of Major Religions Past Paper 2025
Q1. Define religion and discuss the emergence of the study of religion as a discipline. Differentiate between the theological and academic study of religion.
Q2. Discuss the life of Gautama Budhha and the spread of Buddhism. Highlight the rivalry between Brahmanishm and Buddhism.
Q3. Provide an overview of the Jewish scriptures, focusing on the Tanakh, Mishnah, and Talmud. How do these scriptures guide Jewish religious practices?
Q4. Describe the Christian concept of the Trinity and its relevance in Christian worship doctrine.
Q5. Analyze the historical background of Islam, focusing on the Sirah of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the era of the Rightly Guided Caliphs.
Q6. Compare and contrast the concepts of liberation in Hinduism and salvation in Christianity.
Q7. Write short notes on any two of the following:
- Karma Marga in Hindusim
- The Eightfold Path in Buddhism
- The Five Pillars of Islam
Critical Evaluation of the Paper
This paper tests a candidate’s knowledge of world religions, their evolution over time, and key religious concepts. It requires a reasonable academic manner of thinking, making a sharp distinction between religious beliefs and impartial studies of religion.
The first question requests a definition of religion and examines how the study of religion became a formal field of study. It must demonstrate the distinction between a theologically-based study of theology and an academic comparative approach.
Gautama Buddha’s life and how Buddhism emerged must be known to understand how Buddhism evolved, and so must the competition with Brahmanism, which affected India’s religious history. The question on Jewish texts demands a clear summary of the Tanakh, Mishnah, and Talmud, emphasizing their significance in shaping Jewish beliefs and practices.
The concept of the Trinity in Christianity is central to Christian beliefs and must be explained for its significance in doctrine. An understanding of the historical context of Islam, particularly the Sirah of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and the Rightly Guided Caliphs, is crucial in understanding the origin of Islam.
The contrast between Hindu liberation (moksha) and Christian salvation (redemption) must be considered in a reflective analysis, highlighting the primary distinctions in how each religion achieves spiritual fulfillment.
The short notes section allows room for concise explanations of main religious concepts such as Karma Marga, the Eightfold Path, and the Five Pillars of Islam, testing knowledge of fundamental religious beliefs.
Overall, the paper must have an approach that balances history, theology, and studies of various religions.
View the CSS Comparative Studies of Major Religions paper
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