UPSC Indian Culture
These questions have been sourced from GKToday’s “Target 2026 UPSC Prelims” App Exclusive Course in GKToday Android Application which provides more than 40K General Knowledge and General Studies questions with explanations asked in all Competitive Exams of India.
1. Which of the following texts of ancient India is / are Smriti Texts?
- Dharmasastra
- Itihasa
- Purana
- Bhagavad Gita
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 4
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Smriti, literally “that which is remembered” are a body of Hindu texts usually attributed to an author, traditionally written down, in contrast to Śrutis which were transmitted verbally across the generations and fixed. Dharmashastra, Itihaa, Purana and Bhagwad gita are the different types.
2. Consider the following pairs regarding Geographical Indication (GI) protected products and their respective states:
- Muga Silk – Assam
- Thewa Art – Rajasthan
- Shaphee Lanphee – Nagaland
- Bastar Dhokra – Madhya Pradesh
Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] 1, 2 and 3 only
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 1 and 2]
Notes:
Muga Silk is produced in Assam and Thewa Art is from Rajasthan, both with GI tags. Shaphee Lanphee is a traditional textile from Manipur, not Nagaland. Bastar Dhokra is a craft native to Chhattisgarh, not Madhya Pradesh. Thus, only statements 1 and 2 are correctly matched.
3. Consider the following festivals:
- Nuakhai
- Chapchar Kut
- Tokhu
Which of the above is/are harvest festival(s)?
[A] 1 Only
[B] 2 and 3 Only
[C] 3 Only
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
Nuakhai is a harvest festival celebrated in Odisha. Chapchar Kut is the harvest festival of the Mizo community in Mizoram. Tokhu Emong is celebrated as a harvest festival by the Lotha Nagas in Nagaland and also observed in parts of Meghalaya. All three festivals are categorized as harvest festivals in their respective regions.
4. Identify the musical instrument based on the following statements:
- It is popularly called the “King of Percussion”.
- It is referred to as “Deva Vaadyam” or “Divine Instrument”.
- It holds significant prominence in Carnatic music performances.
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Pakhavaj
[B] Panchamukha Vadyam
[C] Santoor
[D] Mridangam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Mridangam]
Notes:
All three statements precisely describe the Mridangam, a classical percussion instrument of South India. Widely called the “King of Percussion”, it is venerated as “Deva Vaadyam” or divine instrument in temple traditions and is indispensable in Carnatic music settings. The other options are not synonymous with these characteristics or this central role in Carnatic music.
5. Consider the following pairs of Indian musicians and their traditional instruments:
- Ustad Amjad Ali Khan – Sarod
- Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma – Santoor
- Hari Prasad Chaurasia – Flute
Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] 2 and 3 only
[C] 1, 2 and 3
[D] Only 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [2 and 3 only]
Notes:
Ustad Amjad Ali Khan is renowned for the sarod, Pt. Shiv Kumar Sharma for the santoor, and Hari Prasad Chaurasia for the flute; thus, pairs 2 and 3 are correct. The only incorrect match is Ustad Amjad Ali Khan being associated with santoor, which is incorrect—he plays the sarod.
6. Consider the following pairs of traditional puppet art forms and their associated Indian states:
- Kundhei – Odisha
- Togalu Gombeyaata – Karnataka
- Tholu Bommalata – Andhra Pradesh
Which of the above pairs is / are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1
[B] 1, 2 and 3
[C] 2 and 3 Only
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]
Notes:
All three pairs are correctly matched. Kundhei is a traditional string puppet art of Odisha, Togalu Gombeyaata is the leather shadow puppetry of Karnataka, and Tholu Bommalata refers to the shadow puppetry of Andhra Pradesh, each holding significant cultural value within their respective regions.
7. Consider the following pairs of dance forms with their associated states:
- Manipur – Pung cholam
- Assam – Ghumura
- Meghalaya – Shad Suk Mynsiem
- Sikkim – Chu fat
- Karnataka – Dholu Kunitha
Which of the above pairs is/are correctly matched?
[A] 1, 2 and 3 Only
[B] 3, 4 and 5 Only
[C] 1, 3, 4 and 5 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [1, 3, 4 and 5 Only]
Notes:
Pung cholam is a dance from Manipur, Shad Suk Mynsiem is from Meghalaya, Chu fat is associated with Sikkim, and Dholu Kunitha is from Karnataka. Ghumura, however, is traditionally a folk dance of Odisha, not Assam. Hence, pairs 1, 3, 4, and 5 are correctly matched, while 2 is incorrect.
8. Identify the Indian martial art form based on the following clues:
- The most common weapon used is the bamboo stick.
- The ancient trading center of Madurai City was pivotal in its spread.
- The sport is performed on a flat, hard, circular surface.
- It is referenced in Sangam literature.
Select the correct answer from the options given below:
[A] Kalaripayattu
[B] Thang Ta
[C] Pari-khanda
[D] Silambam
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Silambam]
Notes:
Silambam originated in Tamil Nadu and is known for the use of the bamboo staff. Its spread is historically linked to Madurai‘s trading routes. It is practiced on a flat, circular surface and is frequently cited in Sangam literature. Kalaripayattu, Thang Ta, and Pari-khanda have distinct origins, techniques, and cultural contexts.
9. Consider the following statements about Bharatanatyam and Kathak:
- In Bharatanatyam, dancers primarily perform more sitting postures, while in Kathak, dancers predominantly perform in standing postures.
- Bharatanatyam and Kathak are both recognized as classical dance forms of India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Both 1 and 2
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Both statements are correct. Bharatanatyam emphasizes bent knees and grounded, sitting (araimandi) postures, while Kathak features more upright and standing movements with spins. Furthermore, both are among the eight major classical dance forms officially recognized in India.
10. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Amaravati School of Arts?
- Use of white marbles is very common in Amaravati School of Arts
- Most of the themes were based on Buddha’s life and Jataka tales
- This School of arts was first patronized by the Satavahanas and later by the Ikshvakus
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 3
[C] Only 2 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Amaravati School of Arts originated in Deccan India. The use of white marble is characteristic of this school. Major artistic themes included the life of Buddha and Jataka tales. Patronage was first provided by the Satavahanas and later by the Ikshvakus, making all statements correct.
