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.
21. Which of the following ethnic tribes inhabit the North-east Indian state of Nagaland?
- Reang
- Angami
- Khasi
- Sumi
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 4
[C] Only 1 & 4
[D] 1, 2, 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 & 4]
Notes:
Angami and Sumi are both major Naga tribes inhabiting Nagaland. Reang (Bru) are indigenous to Tripura, Mizoram and Assam, not Nagaland. Khasi people are native to Meghalaya, with some in Assam and Bangladesh. Only Angami and Sumi are associated with Nagaland among the options given.
22. Consider the following statements regarding the Surajkund Crafts Mela:
- Uzbekistan was the partner state for the 2022 edition of the Mela.
- The Surajkund Crafts Mela was first organized in 1987.
- In 2013, the fair was upgraded to an international level.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 and 3]
Notes:
The Surajkund Crafts Mela was first held in 1987 and was upgraded to an international-level fair in 2013. However, in 2022, Uzbekistan was the partner nation and not the partner state; the partner state was Jammu & Kashmir. Thus, statements 2 and 3 are correct, while statement 1 is incorrect.
23. Consider the following statements about the Buddhist Sangha:
- The rules governing the Buddhist Sangha are recorded in the Sutta Pitaka.
- There were distinct branches of the Sangha for men and women.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] None of the above
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 2]
Notes:
The rules of the Buddhist Sangha were recorded in the Vinaya Pitaka, not in the Sutta Pitaka. There were indeed separate monastic branches for men (bhikshus) and women (bhikshunis) in the Sangha. Thus, only the second statement is correct while the first is inaccurate regarding Buddhist textual tradition.
24. Consider the following statements regarding the Gandhara school of art:
- It is also referred to as the Greco-Buddhist art school.
- Its main centers were located in North-West India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Both 1 and 2
[B] Only 1
[C] Only 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
The Gandhara school is known as the Greco-Buddhist art school, reflecting Greek and Buddhist influences. Its principal sites were in North-West India, notably present-day Gandhara (now in Pakistan and Afghanistan). The school flourished between 100 CE and 700 CE, especially under Kushana patronage, and is famous for its blend of Hellenistic realism with Buddhist themes.
25. Which of the following are other uses of baolis (step-wells) apart from water storage?
- Resting places for pilgrims and passing caravans
- Ceremonial and religious purposes
- To recharge ground water table
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:
Baolis served multiple functions: they provided water storage, acted as resting places for travelers, pilgrims and caravans, were sites for ceremonial and religious activities, and also facilitated groundwater recharge through their deep wells, particularly in arid regions. Thus, statements 1, 2, and 3 are all correct regarding the uses of baolis in Indian history.
26. Consider the following statements regarding the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI):
- The ASI allows religious rituals at non-living monuments in India.
- Prayers are allowed at all ASI-protected sites, regardless of their status at the time of protection.
- The highest number of monuments where worshipping is permitted are located in Vadodara.
Which of the statements given above is / are correct?
[A] Only 3
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Only 3]
Notes:
The ASI only allows rituals or prayers at protected monuments that were functioning places of worship when declared as protected, not at non-living monuments. Prayers are not allowed at all sites—only at such functional sites. Vadodara has the highest number of these monuments where worship is actually permitted, making statement 3 correct.
27. Who among the following Indians have won the Booker Prize award?
- Salman Rushdie
- Arundhati Roy
- Geetanjali Shree
- Kiran Desai
Choose the correct answer using the codes given below:
[A] Only 1 & 2
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 1 & 3
[D] Only 3 & 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 1 & 3]
Notes:
- International Booker Prize (earlier Man Booker International Prize) is given to an author for their work written in an international language, then translated into English. Meanwhile, Booker Prize is awarded to a book/novel written in English.
- Till now, five Indians have won the prestigious Booker Prize award: VS Naipaul won the award for In a Free State in 1971; Salman Rushdie for Midnight’s Children in 1981; Arundhati Roy for The God of Small Things in 1997; Kiran Desai for The Inheritance of Loss in 2006; Aravind Adiga for The White Tiger in 2008.
- So far, 6 Indians have been nominated for International Booker Prize: Salman Rushdie in 2007; Mahasweta Devi and VS Naipaul in 2009; Rohinton Mistry in 2011; UR Ananthamurthy in 2013; Amitav Ghosh in 2015. Geetanjali Shree became the first Indian author to win the International Booker Prize (in 2022).
28. Consider the following:
- The Kathaks were originally a caste of storytellers in the temples of North India, who decorated their performances with gestures and songs.
- With the spread of the Bhakti movement in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Kathak began to develop as a distinct form of dance.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 and 2]
Notes:
Kathak is associated with many parts of North India. The word Kathak is derived from Katha, a word used for story in Sanskrit and other languages. The Kathak were originally a caste of storytellers in the temples of North India, who embellished their performances with gestures and songs. With the spread of the Bhakti movement in the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, Kathak began to develop as a distinct form of dance. The legends of Radha Krishna were enacted in folk plays called Raas Leela, which combined folk dances with the original gestures of Kathak storytellers.
29. Consider the following statements regarding the miniature painting of Himachal Pradesh:
- The most popular Kangra painting was Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari.
- The Basohli painting was inspired by the Vaishnavite traditions.
Which of the above is / are correct?
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 and 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]
Notes:
Another region that attracted miniature paintings was the Himalayan foothills around the modern-day state of Himachal Pradesh. By the late seventeenth century this region had developed a bold and intense style of miniature paintings called Basohli. The most popular text to be painted here was Bhanudatta’s Rasamanjari. Nadir Shah’s invasion and the conquest of Delhi in 1739 resulted in the migration of Mughal artists to the hills to escape the uncertainties of the plains. By the mid eighteenth century the Kangra artists developed a style which breathed a new spirit into miniature paintings. The source of inspiration was the Vaishnavite traditions. Soft colours including cool blues and greens, and a lyrical treatment of themes distinguished Kangra painting.
30. Which of the following are core features of the Nath Panth?
- Tantricism
- Yoga
- Kundalini awakening
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2 & 3
[C] Only 3
[D] 1, 2 & 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 & 3]
Notes:
The Nath Panth, founded by Gorakhnath, included Tantricism, Yoga, and Kundalini awakening as core practices. Followers focused on esoteric rituals (tantra), yogic discipline, and awakening inner spiritual energy (kundalini). These features distinguished Nath Panth, attracting diverse followers and standing apart from mainstream Brahmanical traditions.
