UPSC CSE · Subject
UPSC Prelims Art and Culture PYQs (2011–2026): Topic-wise with Answers
73 UPSC Prelims questions on Art and Culture from 2011–2026, grouped by topic with the newest year first. The most-asked topics are Buddhism and Jainism (14), Indian Culture (12), Indian Architecture (10). Difficulty: 15% easy, 34% medium and 51% hard.
Art and Culture topics
Buddhism and Jainism 14 questions
- Jain Gati Forms of ExistenceAmong the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is NOT included?
- Sanghabhuti Sarvastivada VinayaSanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:
- Stupa Origin and PurposeWith reference to ancient India, consider the following statements:
- Jainism Souls in Nature"Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious…
- Paramitas Bodhisattva PathWith reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct description of the term paramitas?
- Buddhist Schools SthaviravadaWith reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Sthanakvasi JainismWith reference to the religious practices in India, the 'Sthanakvasi' sect belongs to
- Maitreya Future BuddhaWith reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?
- Buddhist Sects SarvastivadaWith reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:
- Buddha Associated KingdomsWhich of the following Kingdoms were associated with the life of the Buddha?
- Nirvana in BuddhismWhich one of the following describes best the concept of Nirvana in Buddhism?
- Jain Karma Soul PenanceWhich of the following statements is/are applicable to Jain doctrine?
- Bhumisparsha MudraLord Buddha’s image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called ‘Bhumisparsha Mudra’. It symbolizes
- Jain Philosophy Universal LawThe Jain philosophy holds that the world is created and maintained by
Indian Culture 12 questions
- Bilhsa Dwarasamudra Girinagar SthanesvaraWith reference to the history of India, consider the following pairs:
- Chapchar Kut Khongjom Parba Thang TaConsider the following pairs:
- Puthukkuli Sujni Uppada JamdaniConsider the following pairs:
- Chaliha Sahib Nanda Raj Wari WarkariConsider the following pairs:
- Geographical Indication StatusWhich of the following has/have been accorded 'Geographical Indication' status?
- Tribal Sapling Planting FestivalEvery year, a month long ecologically important campaign/festival is held during which certain communities/tribes plant saplings of fruit-bearing trees. Which of the…
- Saka Era CalendarChaitra 1 of the national calendar based on the Saka Era corresponds to which one of the following dates of the Gregorian calendar in a normal year of 365 days?
- Bijak Pushti MargConsider the following statements:
- Manganiyar Folk MusiciansA community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
- Six Systems Indian PhilosophyWhich one of the following pairs does not form part of the six systems of Indian Philosophy?
- Bhakti Saints Babur EraConsider the following Bhakti Saints:
- Samkhya PhilosophyWith reference to the history of philosophical thought in India, consider the following statements regarding Samkhya school:
Indian Architecture 10 questions
- Moidams CharaideoWhich one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct?
- Besnagar Bhaja Sittanavasal ShrinesConsider the following pairs:
- Ajanta Waghora GorgeWhich one of the following statements is correct?
- Ajanta and MahabalipuramWhat is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?
- Dhauli Rock Cut ElephantWith reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?
- Mahaparinirvana Arjunas PenanceWith reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs:
- Buddhist Shrines LocationsWith reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs:
- Ibadat KhanaIbadat Khana at Fatehpur Sikri was
- Rock Cut Architecture HistoryWith reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements:
- Chaityas vs ViharasSome Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference between the two?
Indian Dance Forms 6 questions
- Garba Intangible HeritageWhich one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?
- Manipuri SankirtanaWith reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:
- Sattriya DanceWith reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements:
- Garba Mohiniattam YakshaganaConsider the following pairs:
- Tribhanga PoseIn the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called ‘Tribhanga’ has been a favourite of Indian artists from ancient times till today.…
- Kuchipudi vs BharatanatyamHow do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dances?
Indian Music 6 questions
- Mallikarjun Mansur GharanaPandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the:
- Raga Bilawal Dheera ShankarabharanamWhich one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music?
- Gandharva Mahavidyalaya LahoreThe first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in:
- Mian Tansen Akbar CourtWith reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
- Tyagaraja KritisWith reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements:
- Dhrupad TraditionWith reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which of the following statements are correct?
Indian Painting 6 questions
- Hallisalasya Bagh CavesThe Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents:
- Mughal Painting JahangirWho among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual portrait?
- Bani Thani KishangarhThe well-known painting 'Bani Thani' belongs to the
- Padmapani Painting AjantaThe painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at
- Kalamkari PaintingKalamkari painting refers to
- Mural Paintings Historic PlacesConsider the following historical places:
Literature 6 questions
- Bhasa PlaysWhich one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasa?
- Tribal Languages Halbi Ho KuiWith reference to India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain to
- Malavikagnimitra Kalidasa PlayWhich one of the following books of ancient India has the love story of the son of the founder of Sunga dynasty?
- Odia Classical LanguageWhich one of the following was given classical language status recently?
- Classical Language StatusConsider the following languages:
- Satyameva Jayate SourceThe national motto of India, 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the Emblem of India is taken from