Civil Services Prep

UPSC Prelims

Art and Culture previous year questions

50 questions from 2012 to 2026, each with its answer.

UPSC Prelims 2026

  1. Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?
  2. Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2.…
  3. Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is **not**…
  4. The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :
  5. What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?
  6. Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? 1. It was…
  7. Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :
  8. Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed…
  9. Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong': 1. The film has recently won the British…

UPSC Prelims 2025

  1. The first Gandharva Mahavidyalaya, a music training school, was set up in 1901 by Vishnu Digambar Paluskar in:

UPSC Prelims 2024

  1. Consider the following properties included in the World Heritage List released by UNESCO: 1. Shantiniketan 2.…
  2. Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO?

UPSC Prelims 2023

  1. With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter…
  2. Consider the following pairs: Site — Well known for: 1. Besnagar — Shaivite cave shrine 2. Bhaja — Buddhist…

UPSC Prelims 2022

  1. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the…

UPSC Prelims 2021

  1. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements: 1. It is a…
  2. Which one of the following statements is correct?
  3. With reference to India, the terms 'Halbi, Ho and Kui' pertain to

UPSC Prelims 2019

  1. Building 'Kalyaana Mandapas' was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of
  2. With reference to Mian Tansen, which one of the following statements is not correct?
  3. Who among the following Mughal Emperors shifted emphasis from illustrated manuscripts to album and individual…

UPSC Prelims 2018

  1. Consider the following pairs: | Tradition | State | |---|---| | 1. Chapchar Kut festival | Mizoram | | 2.…
  2. The well-known painting "Bani Thani" belongs to the
  3. With reference to cultural history of India, consider the following statements: 1. Most of the Tyagaraja…
  4. Consider the following pairs: | Craft | Heritage of | |---|---| | 1. Puthukkuli shawls | Tamil Nadu | | 2.…
  5. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements: 1. White marble was used…

UPSC Prelims 2017

  1. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at
  2. Consider the following pairs: Traditions - Communities: 1. Chaliha Sahib Festival - Sindhis 2. Nanda Raj Jaat…
  3. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarakantak 3. Omkareshwar. Select the…
  4. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements: 1. It is a song and dance…

UPSC Prelims 2016

  1. What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the…

UPSC Prelims 2015

  1. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made…
  2. Kalamkari painting refers to

UPSC Prelims 2014

  1. With reference to the famous Sattriya dance, consider the following statements: 1. Sattriya is a combination…
  2. With reference to the Indian history of art and culture, consider the following pairs — Famous work of…
  3. With reference to India's culture and tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'?
  4. Consider the following pairs: 1. Garba : Gujarat 2. Mohiniattam : Odisha 3. Yakshagana : Karnataka. Which of…
  5. With reference to Buddhist history, tradition and culture in India, consider the following pairs — Famous…
  6. A community of people called Manganiyars is well-known for their
  7. Consider the following towns of India: 1. Bhadrachalam 2. Chanderi 3. Kancheepuram 4. Karnal. Which of the…
  8. Consider the following languages: 1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu. Which of the above has/have been declared…
  9. With reference to the cultural history of India, the term 'Panchayatan' refers to

UPSC Prelims 2013

  1. Consider the following historical places: 1. Ajanta Caves 2. Lepakshi Temple 3. Sanchi Stupa Which of the…
  2. In the context of cultural history of India, a pose in dance and dramatics called 'Tribhanga' has been a…
  3. With reference to the history of Indian rock-cut architecture, consider the following statements: 1. The caves…
  4. Some Buddhist rock-cut caves are called Chaityas, while the others are called Viharas. What is the difference…

UPSC Prelims 2012

  1. The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are the
  2. With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major traditions of India that has been kept alive for centuries, which…
  3. How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi and Bharatnatyam dances? 1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues…
  4. Lord Buddha's image is sometimes shown with the hand gesture called 'Bhumisparsha Mudra'. It symbolizes