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Q54 (IAS/2014) History & Culture › Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy › Vedic and Hindu religious traditions Official Key

The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: D
Explanation

The motto "Satyameva Jayate" comes from the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣhad; in full, it reads satyameva jayate nānṛitam, that is, "truth alone triumphs, not falsehood".[1] This motto was added to India's national emblem, which features the Ashoka capital.[1]

The phrase, meaning "truth alone triumphs," was chosen as the national motto to reflect the core values and philosophical heritage of India. The complete verse from the Mundaka Upanishad emphasizes the ultimate victory of truth over falsehood, a principle that resonates with the foundational ethos of the Indian Republic. This makes option D (Mundaka Upanishad) the correct answer, while the other Upanishads—Katha, Chandogya, and Aitareya—do not contain this specific phrase.

Sources
  1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
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Q. The national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from [A] Katha Upanishad [B] Chandogya Upa…
At a glance
Origin: From standard books Fairness: High fairness Books / CA: 10/10 · 0/10
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This is a 'Sitter' category question—a non-negotiable fact found in basic Class VII NCERTs. It bridges Ancient History and Modern Polity (National Symbols). Missing this indicates a gap in fundamental static GK, not a lack of advanced reading.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Which Upanishad contains the phrase "Satyameva Jayate", the national motto of India inscribed below the Emblem of India?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 5: The Rise of Empires > Art and architecture > p. 112
Presence: 5/5
“This image may be familiar to some of you. Indeed, this capital was chosen as India's national emblem, to which was added the Sanskrit motto satyameva jayate or "truth alone triumphs" (see the national emblem on the left). Besides, the dharmachakra is depicted at the centre of our national flag, as you may also have noticed. The motto comes from the Muṇḍaka Upaniṣhad; in full, it reads satyameva jayate nānṛitam, that is, "truth alone triumphs, not falsehood".”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the motto 'satyameva jayate' and attributes it to the Muṇḍaka (Mundaka) Upaniṣhad.
  • Gives the fuller phrasing 'satyameva jayate nānṛitam', confirming textual origin.
History , class XI (Tamilnadu state board 2024 ed.) > Chapter 2: Early India: The Chalcolithic, Megalithic, Iron Age and Vedic Cultures > Satyameva Jayate is from Mudaka Upanishad. > p. 31
Presence: 5/5
“karma, and good conduct, self-restraint, mercy and generosity as virtues. Despite the ritual dominated aspects of Vedic life, some seers were in pursuit of knowledge and virtuous conduct. Dara Shukoh, the Mughal prince, translated the Upanishads into Persian in 1657, much before the colonial scholars developed any interest in ancient Indian literature.”
Why this source?
  • Directly notes 'Satyameva Jayate is from Mudaka Upanishad' (alternate spelling).
  • Serves as an independent corroboration of the Upanishad source.
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