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 features of Indian art were adopted in the construction of Mosques in India?
- Turned Lotus
- Kalash on the domes
- Ornamentation
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
Turned Lotus, Kalash on the domes, and intricate ornamentation—distinctive features of traditional Indian art—were incorporated into mosque architecture in India, blending indigenous and Islamic designs. Many early Indo-Islamic mosques showcase these elements, reflecting the assimilation of local artistic traditions in religious architecture during the medieval period.
2. Consider the following pairs:
- Kena Upanishad – Sam Veda
- Katha Upanishad – Krishna yajurveda
- Prasna Upanishad – Samveda
- Mandukya Upanishad – Atharvaveda
Which of the above pairs of the Upanishads and their respective Vedas is / are correct?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 3
[B] Only 1, 2 and 4
[C] Only 2, 3 and 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1, 2 and 4]
Notes:
The Kena Upanishad is a part of the Sam Veda and the Katha Upanishad is part of the Krishna yajurveda. However, the Prasna Upanishad is embedded inside Atharva Veda and not the Samveda. The Mandukya Upanishad is also associated with the Atharvaveda, making options 1, 2 and 4 the correct pairs.
3. Which of the following silk verities of India are protected by GI?
- Mysore silk
- Kancheepuram silk
- Bhagalpur Silk
- Muga Silk
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1, 2 & 3
[B] Only 2, 3 & 4
[C] Only 1, 3 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
The GI protected Silk Varities of India include Mysore Silk (Karnataka), Kancheepuram Silk (Tamil Nadu), Muga Silk (Assam), Salem Silk or Salem Venpattu (Tamil Nadu), Arani Silk (Tamil Nadu), Champa Silk Saree and Fabrics (Chhattisgarh), Bhagalpur Silk (Bihar). The Logo of Muga Silk (Assam) is also GI protected.
4. Consider the following Indian handicrafts:
- Kanjeevaram sarees
- Kota doria
- Orissa Ikat
- Pochampalli Ikat
Which of the above has/have received GI (Geographical Indication) status?
[A] 1, 2, 3 and 4
[B] 1, 2 and 3 only
[C] 1 and 2 only
[D] 1 only
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [1, 2, 3 and 4]
Notes:
All listed handicrafts — Kanjeevaram sarees (Tamil Nadu), Kota doria (Rajasthan), Orissa Ikat (Odisha), and Pochampalli Ikat (Telangana) — have been granted Geographical Indication (GI) status. This recognition helps protect and promote the unique identity and heritage of these traditional Indian crafts at both national and international levels.
5. With reference to traditional Indian paintings, consider the following statements regarding Gesso work:
- Gesso work is used in both Mysore and Tanjore paintings.
- In Mysore paintings, Gesso work is characterized by low relief and intricate details, whereas in Tanjore paintings, Gesso work is generally thicker.
Which of the above statements 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:
Gesso is a paste of white lead powder, gamboge, and glue, used as an embossed surface covered with gold foils in traditional painting. Both Mysore and Tanjore paintings make use of Gesso work. In Mysore, Gesso is applied delicately and in low relief, while Tanjore painting employs a thicker, more prominent Gesso technique.
6. Which of the following is / are correct statements about the Patua painting tradition of India?
- This tradition is found in the Patua community of West Bengal
- Most of the Patua painters are Muslims
- This tradition involves the community members roaming from village to village singing stories in return for money or food
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
The Patua is a community found in West Bengal. Some Patuas are Hindus, while others are Muslims and Buddhists. The paintings tradition of Patuas was started as a village tradition as painters of scrolls or pats telling the popular mangal stories of the gods and goddesses. The Patua painters or scroll painters have gone from village to village with their scrolls or pat singing stories in return for money or food. These pats or scrolls are made of sheets of paper of equal or different sizes which are sown together and painted with ordinary poster paints.
7. Identify the Indian temple based on the following features:
- The main deity, Shiva, is revered as Harihara, symbolizing a fusion of Shiva and Vishnu.
- The temple showcases the deula style of architecture.
- It was constructed between the 8th and mid-13th centuries by the Somavamsi rulers.
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
[A] Brihadeshwara Temple
[B] Lingaraja Temple
[C] Kailashnath Temple
[D] Lepakshi Temple
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Lingaraja Temple]
Notes:
Lingaraja Temple in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, is dedicated to Shiva worshipped as Harihara, combining features of both Shiva and Vishnu. The temple epitomizes the deula architectural style prevalent in Odisha and was constructed under the patronage of the Somavamsi dynasty between the 8th and mid-13th centuries. Other given temples do not match all these attributes.
8. Consider the following paintings:
- Madhubani Paintings
- Cheriyal Paintings
- Phad Paintings
- Kangra Paintings
Which of the above are GI protected?
[A] 1 & 2 Only
[B] 2, 3 & 4 Only
[C] 1, 3 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [ 1 & 2 Only]
Notes:
Kangra painting is the pictorial art practised mainly in Kangra, Himachal Pradesh. Phad painting is a style religious scroll painting and folk painting, practiced in Rajasthan. Madhubani painting was accorded with GI status in 2007-08. Cheriyal scroll painting is from the Telangana region. It is a highly stylized version of Nakashi Art.
9. Which of the following are included in the UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
- Yoga
- Kalbelia
- Ramman
- Mudiyettu
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] 1, 2 & 3 Only
[B] 2, 3 & 4 Only
[C] 1, 2 & 4 Only
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2, 3 & 4]
Notes:
Yoga (2016), Kalbelia (2010), Ramman (2009), and Mudiyettu (2010) have all been inscribed in UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Each represents a unique Indian tradition: Yoga (physical discipline), Kalbelia (Rajasthan dance), Ramman (Garhwal ritual festival), and Mudiyettu (Kerala ritual dance drama).
10. Which of the following were saints of the Varkari sect?
- Chakradhar
- Jnanesvar
- Namadev
- Samarth Ramdas
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 3 & 4
[D] Only 1 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 3]
Notes:
Jnanesvar and Namadev were prominent saints of the Varkari sect. Chakradhar was the founder of the Mahanubhav sect. Samarth Ramdas was known for his Advaita Vedanta teachings and did not belong to the Varkari sect.
