UPSC Civil Services (IAS) Prelims asked 38 Art and Culture questions between 2016–2025. Reading them together shows which topics keep returning and how examiners frame them.
Answer: (d) Lahore
Vishnu Digambar Paluskar set up the first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya in Lahore in 1901, to teach Hindustani classical music to the public outside the court and gharana system.
Answer: (c) bronze
The 'Dancing Girl' from Mohenjo-daro is a bronze figurine made by the lost-wax (cire perdue) technique.
Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'?
I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: (c) II, III and IV
The Gandhi Peace Prize jury is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes the Chief Justice of India, the Leader of the single largest Opposition party in the Lok Sabha, and two eminent persons. The President is not on the jury.
Answer: (c) Garba dance
Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2023. Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed in 2021, Kumbh Mela in 2017 and Chhau dance in 2010.
Answer: (c) Madhyama-vyayoga
Madhyama-vyayoga is one of the plays attributed to Bhasa, along with Svapnavasavadatta and others. Kavyalankara is by Bhamaha, the Natyashastra by Bharata and the Mahabhashya by Patanjali.
Answer: (c) Sarvastivada Vinaya
Sanghabhuti, a monk from Kashmir who went to China in the late fourth century, is credited with a commentary on the Sarvastivada Vinaya, the monastic code of the Sarvastivada school.
Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO:
1. Shantiniketan
2. Rani-ki-Vav
3. Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas
4. Mahabodhi Temple Complex at Bodhgaya
How many of the above properties were included in 2023?
Answer: (b) Only two
Two were inscribed in 2023: Santiniketan (West Bengal) and the Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysalas (Karnataka). Rani-ki-Vav was inscribed in 2014 and the Mahabodhi Temple Complex in 2002.
With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
2. Stupa was generally a repository of relics.
3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b) Only two
Statement 1 is incorrect: burial mounds over relics predate Buddhism (Vedic tradition); Buddhism adopted and developed the form.
Statements 2 and 3 are correct: stupas enshrined relics, and many were votive or commemorative structures.
With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:
Literary work - Author
1. Devichandragupta - Bilhana
2. Hammira-Mahakavya - Nayachandra Suri
3. Milinda-panha - Nagarjuna
4. Nitivakyamrita - Somadeva Suri
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: (b) Only two
Pair 1 is incorrect: Devichandraguptam was written by Vishakhadatta. Bilhana wrote Vikramankadevacharita.
Pair 2 is correct: Hammira-Mahakavya is by Nayachandra Suri.
Pair 3 is incorrect: the Milinda-panha records a dialogue between King Menander and the monk Nagasena; it is not by Nagarjuna.
Pair 4 is correct: Nitivakyamrita is by Somadeva Suri.
Consider the following pairs:
Site - Well known for
1. Besnagar - Shaivite cave shrine
2. Bhaja - Buddhist cave shrine
3. Sittanavasal - Jain cave shrine
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: (b) Only two
Pair 1 is incorrect: Besnagar (Vidisha) is known for the Heliodorus pillar, a Vaishnavite Garuda-dhvaja, not a Shaivite cave shrine.
Pair 2 is correct: Bhaja has Buddhist rock-cut caves.
Pair 3 is correct: Sittanavasal has a Jain cave shrine with paintings.
Consider the following statements:
Statement-I: 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day.
Statement-II: It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Answer: (a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
Both statements are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I. National Handloom Day (from 2015) is observed on 7 August to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement at Calcutta Town Hall on 7 August 1905.
Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:
1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award - For the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over a period of last four years
2. Arjuna Award - For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson
3. Dronacharya Award - To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams
4. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar - To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirement
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Answer: (b) Only two
Pair 1 is correct: the Khel Ratna recognises the most outstanding performance over the previous four years.
Pair 2 is incorrect: the Arjuna Award is for good performance over four years. Lifetime achievement is recognised by the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) / Dhyan Chand Award.
Pair 3 is correct: the Dronacharya Award honours eminent coaches.
Pair 4 is incorrect: the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar recognises organisations and corporates that promote sport, not retired sportspersons.
With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
1. Nettipakarana
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Which of the above are Jaina texts?
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only
Parishishtaparvan (Hemachandra) and Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana (the Jain Mahapurana of Jinasena and Gunabhadra, on the 63 great personages) are Jaina texts.
Nettipakarana is a Pali Buddhist exegetical text and Avadanashataka is a Sanskrit Buddhist collection of avadana stories.
With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:
Historical person - Known as
1. Aryadeva - Jaina scholar
2. Dignaga - Buddhist scholar
3. Nathamuni - Vaishnava scholar
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Answer: (c) Only two pairs
Pair 1 is wrong: Aryadeva was a Buddhist Madhyamaka philosopher, a disciple of Nagarjuna.
Pair 2 is correct: Dignaga was a Buddhist logician.
Pair 3 is correct: Nathamuni was a Sri Vaishnava acharya who compiled the Nalayira Divya Prabandham.
Two pairs are correct.
With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:
1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty.
2. It is the only circular temple built in India.
3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region.
4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (c) 1 and 4
Statement 1 is correct: the circular Chausath Yogini temple at Mitaoli, near Morena, was built in the 11th century under the Kachchhapaghata dynasty.
Statement 2 is incorrect: there are other circular yogini temples, such as Hirapur in Odisha.
Statement 3 is incorrect: yogini temples belong to tantric Shaiva-Shakta worship, not the Vaishnava cult.
Statement 4 is correct: its circular plan is popularly believed to have inspired the old Parliament House.
Answer: (b) playwrights
All three were Sanskrit playwrights: Bhavabhuti (Uttararamacharita, Malatimadhava), Hastimalla (a Jain dramatist) and Kshemishvara (Chandakaushika).
Answer: (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
The Ajanta caves are cut into a horseshoe-shaped gorge of the Waghora river in Maharashtra.
Sanchi is on a hill near Vidisha (Betwa region), Pandu Lena is near Nashik (Godavari basin) and Amaravati is on the Krishna.
Consider the following statements:
1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer: (b) 2 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: International Mother Language Day (21 February) was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999, not UNICEF.
Statement 2 is correct: in 1948 Dhirendranath Datta demanded in Pakistan's Constituent Assembly that Bangla be a national language, which led to the Language Movement.
Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards:
1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India.
2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once.
3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year.
Which of the above statements are not correct?
Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3
Statement 1 is not correct: in Balaji Raghavan (1995) the Supreme Court held these awards are not "titles" under Article 18(1).
Statement 2 is not correct: the awards were suspended twice (1977–80 and 1992–98).
Statement 3 is not correct: Bharat Ratna is limited to a maximum of three a year.
All three statements are incorrect.
Answer: (c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path
The paramitas (perfections) such as generosity, morality, patience, effort, meditation and wisdom are the virtues a Bodhisattva cultivates on the path to Buddhahood in Mahayana Buddhism.
With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of ancient India, consider the following statements:
1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra Shunga.
2. Amarasimha is associated with Harshavardhana.
3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra Gupta-II.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (c) 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: Panini lived around the 5th–4th century BCE, well before Pushyamitra Shunga (2nd century BCE).
Statement 2 is incorrect: Amarasimha, author of the Amarakosha, is traditionally placed at the court of Chandragupta II, not Harsha.
Statement 3 is correct: Kalidasa is associated with Chandragupta II (Vikramaditya).
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:
1. Parivrajaka - Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana - Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka - Lay follower of Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Pair 1 is correct: a parivrajaka was a wandering ascetic who renounced household life.
Pair 2 is wrong: shramanas were non-Vedic ascetics (Buddhist, Jain, Ajivika) who rejected priestly ritual, not high-status priests.
Pair 3 is correct: upasakas were lay followers of the Buddha.
Answer: (d) Vijayanagara
Kalyana mandapas, ornate pillared halls for the ritual marriage of the deity, were a distinctive feature of Vijayanagara temples (e.g. Vittala and Varadaraja temples).
Answer: (a) Tansen was the title given to him by Emperor Akbar.
Statement (a) is not correct: the title 'Tansen' was given to Ramtanu by Raja Vikramjit of Gwalior; Akbar gave him the title 'Mian'.
Tansen composed dhrupads on Hindu deities and songs praising his patrons, and created ragas such as Miyan ki Malhar, Miyan ki Todi and Darbari Kanada.
Answer: (c) Jahangir
Under Jahangir, Mughal painting shifted from illustrated manuscripts (as under Akbar) to albums (muraqqa) and individual portraits and natural studies.
Consider the following pairs:
Tradition - State
1. Chapchar Kut festival - Mizoram
2. Khongjom Parba ballad - Manipur
3. Thang-Ta dance - Sikkim
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b) 1 and 2
Chapchar Kut is a spring festival of Mizoram, and Khongjom Parba is a ballad of Manipur about the Anglo-Manipur War of 1891.
Thang-Ta is a martial art of Manipur, not Sikkim.
Answer: (d) Kishangarh school
Bani Thani, painted by Nihal Chand in the 18th century under Raja Sawant Singh, is the best-known work of the Kishangarh school of Rajasthani painting.
With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements:
1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are contemporaries.
4. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer: (b) 2 and 4 only
Statement 1 is incorrect: most Tyagaraja kritis praise Lord Rama.
Statement 2 is correct: Tyagaraja created several new ragas.
Statement 3 is incorrect: Annamacharya (15th century) lived long before Tyagaraja (1767–1847).
Statement 4 is correct: Annamacharya's kirtanas praise Lord Venkateshwara of Tirumala.
Consider the following pairs:
Craft - Heritage of
1. Puthukkuli shawls - Tamil Nadu
2. Sujni embroidery - Maharashtra
3. Uppada Jamdani saris - Karnataka
Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a) 1 only
Puthukkuli shawls are a Toda embroidery tradition of the Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu.
Sujni embroidery belongs to Bihar, and Uppada Jamdani saris to Andhra Pradesh.
Answer: (b) Jainism
Sthanakvasi is a Svetambara Jain sect that rejects idol worship and worships in sthanaks (prayer halls).
With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements:
1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri.
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (a) 1 only
Statement 1 is accepted as correct: the Buland Darwaza is red and buff sandstone decorated with white marble inlay, and white marble was used in the Khankah complex (Salim Chishti's tomb).
Statement 2 is incorrect: the Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza were built mainly of lakhauri bricks and lime plaster, not red sandstone and marble.
This explanation is being checked by a subject expert.
Answer: (c) Maitreya
Maitreya is the future Buddha who, in Buddhist belief, will appear on earth to teach the dharma anew.
Avalokiteshvara (also called Lokesvara or Padmapani) is a Bodhisattva of compassion.
With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
1. It is a song and dance performance.
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance.
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: (b) 1 and 3 only
Manipuri Sankirtana is a song-and-dance ritual narrating the life of Krishna; besides cymbals it uses the pung (drum).
So statements 1 and 3 are correct and 2 is wrong.
Answer: (a) Ajanta
The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani in Cave 1 at Ajanta is one of the most celebrated Indian murals.
Consider the following pairs:
Traditions - Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra - Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari - Santhals
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Answer: (a) 1 only
Only pair 1 is correct: Chaliha Sahib is a Sindhi festival.
Nanda Raj Jaat is a pilgrimage of Uttarakhand (Garhwal and Kumaon), and the Wari of the Warkaris is a Marathi pilgrimage to Pandharpur.
Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?
1. Arasavalli
2. Amarkantak
3. Omkareshwar
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: (a) 1 only
Arasavalli (Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh) has a famous Sun temple.
Amarkantak is the source of the Narmada and Omkareshwar is a Shiva jyotirlinga.
Answer: (b) Malavikagnimitra
Kalidasa's Malavikagnimitram tells the love story of Agnimitra, son of Pushyamitra Shunga (founder of the Shunga dynasty), and Malavika.
What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: (b) 3 only
Only statement 3 is correct: both have rock-cut monuments.
Ajanta is Buddhist (2nd century BCE to about 5th century CE), while Mahabalipuram is a Hindu Pallava site (7th–8th century CE), so period and religion differ.
Timed mock tests with negative marking, in English and हिन्दी, with an explanation for every answer and subject-wise analysis of your result.
