UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 10 October 2026

Vikramshila University Latest News

Vikramshila University Set for Revival in Bihar

Why in the News?

• After Nalanda University, another ancient centre of learning in Bihar—Vikramshila University—is set for revival.
• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is currently developing the ancient site to boost tourism.
• The Bihar government has identified 202.14 acres in Antichak village, Bhagalpur, for establishing a Central University at the historic site.
• The project was approved by the Centre in 2015 with an initial budget of ₹500 crore, but progress was delayed due to land acquisition issues.

About Vikramshila University

• Location: Vikramshila University was situated in Bhagalpur, Bihar, along the banks of the river Ganges, making it a prominent historical site in eastern India.
• Founder: The university was established by King Dharmapala of the Pala Dynasty during the late 8th to early 9th century AD, as a response to the perceived decline in educational standards at Nalanda University.
• Significance:
  • Vikramshila University emerged as a leading hub for Tantric Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism, playing a pivotal role in the spread of these traditions.
  • The university distinguished itself by specializing in tantric and occult studies, setting it apart from Nalanda University, which offered a broader curriculum.
  • During King Dharmapala’s reign, Vikramshila exerted influence over Nalanda’s affairs, highlighting its administrative and academic dominance at the time.
  • It drew over 1000 students and 100 teachers from across India and beyond, reflecting its international reputation as a center of learning.
  • The institution produced renowned scholars like Atisa Dipankara, who significantly contributed to establishing Buddhism in Tibet.
• Features:
  • Vikramshila University boasted a central stupa encircled by 208 cells, designed to house student-monks engaged in study and meditation.
  • It included a library equipped with a unique cooling system, channeling water from a nearby reservoir to preserve delicate manuscripts.
  • The curriculum encompassed a wide range of subjects, such as theology, philosophy, grammar, metaphysics, logic, and tantras, showcasing its academic diversity.
  • The university’s administration was overseen by a Kulpati or Mahasthavir, a distinctive leadership role that ensured its smooth functioning.
• Decline: Vikramshila University met its end when it was destroyed by Muhammad Bin Bakhtiyar Khalji around 1203 AD, an event that also marked the downfall of Nalanda University.

Vikramshila University FAQs

Q1. What was Vikramshila University?

Ans. Vikramshila University was an ancient Buddhist learning center in Bihar, India, established by King Dharmapala of the Pala dynasty in the 8th–9th century CE. It was a major center for Buddhist studies, particularly for Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana).

Q2. Where was Vikramshila University located?

Ans. It was situated at Antichak in Bhagalpur district, Bihar, on the banks of the Ganges River.

Q3. Why was Vikramshila University established?

Ans. It was established to revive and strengthen Buddhist learning, which was perceived to be declining at Nalanda University. It became a prominent center for advanced Buddhist education.

Q4. What subjects were taught at Vikramshila University?

Ans. The university specialized in Buddhist philosophy, logic, grammar, metaphysics, and Tantra (Vajrayana Buddhism). It also had studies in Sanskrit, law, and other traditional sciences.

Source: IE

About the Nagara style

• Nagara architecture is a classical architecture of temple design in northern India, contrasted with Dravida architecture in southern India.
• Nagara temples have a shikhara (mountain peak) over the garbha griha (sanctum sanctorum), a circumambulatory passage around it, and one or more mandapas (halls).
• Shikhara is a symbolic representation of the cosmic order and the divine presence.
• There are five modes of shikhara design: Valabhi, Phamsana, Latina, Shekhari, and Bhumija.
  • Valabhi and Phamsana are Early Nagara modes, derived from barrel-roofed wooden structures.
  • Latina is a single, slightly curved tower with four equal sides, ominant for three centuries.
  • Shekhari and Bhumija are composite Latinas with attached sub-spires or miniature spires, creating a complex and ornate appearance.
• These modes are scholastic classifications, not rigid categories. There is much variation and innovation within and across these modes.

Q1) What is shikhara?

In North Indian temple architecture, the superstructure, tower, or spire above the sanctuary and also above the pillared mandapas (porches or halls); it is the most dominant and characteristic feature of the Hindu temple in the north.

Source: What is the Nagara style, in which Ayodhya’s Ram temple is being built

About Mass Wasting:

• It is the movement of rock and soil down slope under the influence of gravity. 
• Causes:
  • Mass wasting occurs when a slope is too steep to remain stable with existing material and conditions.
  • Slope stability is determined by two factors: the angle of the slope and the shear strength of the accumulated materials.
  • Mass-wasting events are triggered by changes that over steepen slope angles and weaken slope stability, such as rapid snow melt, intense rainfall, earthquake shaking, volcanic eruptions, storm waves, stream erosion, and human activities.
  • Excessive precipitation is the most common trigger.
• Mass-wasting events are classified by their type of movement and material, and they share common morphological surface features.
• The most common types of mass-wasting events are rockfalls, slides, flows, and creep.
• Geologically, landslide is a general term for mass wasting that involves fast-moving geologic material.
• Loose material along with overlying soils are what typically move during a mass-wasting event.
• Moving blocks of bedrock are called rock topples, rock slides, or rock falls, depending on the dominant motion of the blocks. 
• Movements of dominantly liquid material are called flows.

Movement by mass wasting can be slow or rapid. Rapid movement can be dangerous, such as during debris flows.

Q1: What is Debris flow?

Debris flows are fast-moving landslides that are particularly dangerous to life and property because they move quickly, destroy objects in their paths, and often strike without warning. Debris flows generally occur during periods of intense rainfall or rapid snowmelt and usually start on hillsides or mountains. Debris flows can travel at speeds up to and exceeding 35 mph and can carry large items such as boulders, trees, and cars.

Source: Frequent mass wasting in Tibet a cause for worry in India

About Kuiper Belt

• Kuiper belt, also called the Edgeworth-Kuiper belt, is a flat ring of small icy bodies that revolve around the Sun beyond the orbit of the planet Neptune. 
• It is named after Gerard Kuiper, a Dutch-American astronomer who hypothesized the existence of such a region in the 1950s.
• There are millions of these icy objects, collectively referred to as Kuiper Belt objects (KBOs) or trans-Neptunian objects (TNOs), in this belt.
• The Kuiper Belt is a region of leftovers from the solar system's early history.
• It is thought to be the source of most of the observed short-period comets, particularly those that orbit the Sun in less than 20 years.
• Composition: The Kuiper Belt is primarily composed of small icy bodies, such as dwarf planets, asteroids, and comets.
• Pluto:
  • Pluto, once considered the ninth planet in our solar system, is one of the most well-known Kuiper Belt objects.
  • In 2006, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) reclassified Pluto as a dwarf planet, partly because of its location within the Kuiper Belt.

Q1) What is a Comet?

Comets are large objects made of dust and ice that orbit the Sun. Best known for their long, streaming tails, these ancient objects are leftovers from the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago.

Source: Unbelievable! Scientists uncover evidence of Earth-like planet in our solar system's Kuiper Belt