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  Previous year Art and culture questions (PYQ) Prelims Analysis 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the primary recruiting agency, appoints Group "A" officers to various services. 

  Previous year Art and culture questions (PYQ) Prelims Analysis 

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), the primary recruiting agency, appoints Group "A" officers to various services. 

The competitive exam consists of two phases that follow one another: 

• The Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination, an objective test used to choose candidates for the Main Examination; and
• The Civil Services (Main) Examination (written and interview) is held to select candidates for the various services and posts.

The first phase of the exam, the UPSC Preliminary Examination, includes two objective-type (MCQ-based) papers: the General Studies Paper-I and General Studies Paper-II (CSAT). A minimum score of 33% is needed on Paper II to qualify. In Paper I, two marks are awarded for each correctly answered question, while 0.66 marks, or one-third of a mark, are deducted for each incorrectly answered question. On the other hand, Paper II gives 2.5 marks for every correct response while deducting 0.83 (or 2.5) points for every incorrect response. Each paper takes two hours to complete, and both are given on the same day. 

It is critical to remember that the Preliminary Examination is only meant to be a screening test and that a candidate's final rank or level of service will not be based on their performance on the test. 

There are roughly twelve to thirteen times as many applicants who qualify for the main examination as there are openings to fill each year, which significantly skews the likelihood of passing this stage. A candidate must be formally qualified in the Preliminary Examination to be admitted to the Main Examination for that year. 

The General category's cut-off scores from previous years are listed below. 

UPSC Prelims Cut-off Marks over the Years (2015-2022)

Year	Cut-off Marks for General category	Percentage
2015	107.34/200	53.67%
2016	116/200	58%
2017	105.34/200	52.67%
2018	98/200	49%
2019	98/200	49%
2020	92.51/200	46.61%
2021	87.54/200	43.77%
2022	95/200 (expected)	47.5%

During the preliminary exam, an objective-type assessment format is used. It contains questions covering a wide range of topics, such as history, geography, politics, economics, etc. 

The following list contains the syllabus for Paper I of the preliminary examination. 

Art forms
Indian Art Forms	Indian paintings Classical dance forms Folk dance forms Classical Music Puppetry Pottery Drama/Theatre Martial Arts
Literature	Ancient Indian Literature Classical Sanskrit Literature Literature in Pali and Prakrit Early Dravidian Literature Medieval Literature Women Poets of Bhakti Trends in Medieval Literature Modern Indian Literature
Architecture	Harappan Architecture Temple Architecture Cave Architecture Indo- Islamic Architecture Medieval Architecture Modern Architecture Contribution of Buddhism and Jainism to the Development of Indian Architecture Rock Cut Architecture Colonial Architecture and the Modern Period.

It is imperative to succeed on the test to thoroughly prepare for each subject or topic listed on the syllabus. To understand the range of questions asked and predict the questions that might be asked the following year, it is essential to complete questions from previous years when preparing for Paper-I.

The section of the syllabus devoted to art and culture has many questions. Below are the art and culture questions compiled after carefully examining the UPSC papers from 2015 through 2022.

TRENDS AND STRATEGY OF ART AND CULTURE

Most questions about art and culture are typically found in the sections on paintings, dance forms, pottery, drama, and temple architecture. The crucial topics are Literature in Pali and Prakrit, Early Dravidian Literature, and Medieval Literature. 

Consult the NCERTs for a thorough understanding of the discipline's core concepts. Everyone should also understand the nation's architecture. To supplement the knowledge acquired from NCERTs, current events should be kept up to date, and regular newspaper reading should be done. Readers can also consult publications like the Hindu, the Explained section of the Indian Express, and articles from websites like The Mint and the Hindu Business line to understand contemporary art and culture news. 

         YEAR-WISE QUESTIONS (2022-2015)

 2022 

1. With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:

1. Nettipakarana 
2. Parishishtaparvan
3. Avadanashataka
4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana

Which of the above are Jaina texts

(a) 1,2 and 3

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1,3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b) 

2. Consider the following pairs: 

Site of Ashoka’s major rock edicts                      Location in the State of           

1. Dhauli                                                              Odisha
2. Erragudi                                                          Andhra Pradesh
3. Jaugada                                                           Madhya Pradesh
4. Kalsi                                                                 Karnataka 

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs 

(c) Only three pairs 

(d) All four pairs

Answer: (b) 

3. Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct?

(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.

(b) The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

(c) Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethics.

(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.

Answer: (b) 

4. The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines. 
2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni. 
3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

Select the correct answer using the code given below: 

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only 

(d) 1,2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

2021 

1. With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements:

(1) It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 

(2) It is the only circular temple built in India. 

(3) It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. 

(4) Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (c) 

2. Consider the following pairs:

Historical place	Well-known for
(1) Burzahom	Rock-cut shrines
(2) Chandraketugarh	Terracotta art
(3) Ganeshwar	Copper artefacts

 

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 

3. Which one of the following statements is correct?

(a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of the Waghora river. 

(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of the Chambal river. 

(c) Pandu – lena cave shrines lie in the gorge of the Narmada river. 

(d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of the Godavari river.

Answer: (a) 

4. Consider the following statements:

(1) 21st February is declared to be International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 

(2) The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. 

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (b) 

5. With reference to India, the terms ‘Halbi, Ho and Kui’ pertain to 

(a) dance forms of Northwest India

(b) musical instruments

(c) prehistoric cave paintings

(d) tribal languages

Answer: (d) 

2020 

1. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. Sthaviravadins belong to Mahayana Buddhism
2. Lokottaravadin sect was an offshoot of the Mahasanghika sect of Buddhism
3. The deification of Buddha by Mahasanghikas fostered Mahayana Buddhism

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer (b) 

2. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following pairs:

1. Parivrajaka — Renunciant and Wanderer
2. Shramana — Priest with a high status
3. Upasaka — Lay follower of Buddhism

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer (b) 

3. With reference to the cultural history of India, which one of the following is the correct

description of the term ‘paramitas’?

(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written in aphoristic (sutra) style

(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept the authority of Vedas

(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the Bodhisattva path

(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early medieval South India

Answer: (c) 

4. Who among the following rulers advised his subjects through this inscription?

”Whosoever praises his religious sect or blames other sects out of excessive devotion to his own sect, with the view of glorifying his own sect, he rather injures his own sect very severely.”

(a) Ashoka

(b) Samudragupta

(c) Harshavardhana

(d) Krishnadeva Raya

Answer: (a) 

 2019 

1. Which of the following relief sculpture inscriptions is ‘Ranyo Ashoka’ (King Ashoka) mentioned along with the stone portrait of Ashoka?

(a) Kanganahalli

(b) Sanchi

(c) Shahbazgarhi

(d) Sohgaura

Answer: (a) 

2. Consider the following:
3. Deification of the Buddha
4. Treading the path of Bodhisattvas
5. Image worship and rituals

Which of the above is/are the feature/ features of Mahayana Buddhism?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

3. Building ‘Kalyana Mandapas’ was a notable feature in the temple construction in the kingdom of

(a) Chalukya

(b) Chandela

(c) Rashtrakuta

(d) Vijayanagara

Answer: (d)

2018 

1. With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs:

Institution	Founder
Sanskrit college at Benaras	William Jones
Calcutta Madarsa	Warren Hastings
Fort William college	Arthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 only

(c) 1 and 3

(d) 3 only

Answer: (b)

2. Consider the following pairs:

Crafts	Heritage of
Puthukkuli shawls	Tamil Nadu
Sujni embroidery	Maharashtra
Uppada Jamdani saris	Karnataka

Which of the pairs given above is /are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

3. With reference to the cultural history of India consider the following statements

Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional songs in praise of Lord Krishna

1. Tyagaraja created several new rages
2. Annamacharya nad Tyagaraja are contemporaries
3. Annamacharya kirtanas are devotional songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 3 only

(b) 2 and 4 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

4. With reference to the religious practices in India, the “Sthanakvasi” sect belongs to

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Vaishnavism

(d) Shaivism

Answer: (b)

5. With reference to the cultural history of India, consider the following statements

1. White marble was used in making Buland Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza at Lucknow

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d) 

6. With reference to Indian history, who among the following is a future Buddha, yet to come to save the world?

(a) Avalokiteshvara

(b) Lokesvara

(c) Maitreya

(d) Padmapani

Answer: (c) 

7. Consider the following pairs:

Tradition	State
Chapchar Kut festival	Mizoram
Khongjom Parba ballad	Manipur
Thang-Ta dance	Sikkim

Which of the pairs given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2

(c) 3 only

(d) 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 

2017 

1. With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.
2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.
3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (c) 

2. With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana, consider the following statements:

1. It is a song and dance performance
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments used in the performance
3. It is performed to narrate the life and deeds of Lord Krishna

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1 and 3 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1 only

Answer: (b) 

3. The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one of the most famous and oft-illustrated paintings at

(a) Ajanta

(b) Badami

(c) Bagh

(d) Ellora

Answer: (a)

4. Consider the following pairs:

Traditions	Communities
Chaliha Sahib Festival	Sindhis
Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra	Gonds
Wari-Warkari	Santhals

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) None of the above

Answer: (a) 

5. Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples?

1. Arasavalli
2. Amarkantak
3. Omkareshwar

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 

2016 

1. With reference to the religious history of India, consider the following statements:

1. The concept of Bodhisattva is central to the Hinayana sect of Buddhism
2. Bodhisattva is a compassionate one on his way to enlightenment
3. Bodhisattva delays achieving his own salvation to help all sentient beings on their path to it

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 2 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b) 

2. What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram?

1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious denomination.
3. Both have rock-cut monuments.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) None of the statements given above is correct

Answer: (b) 

3. With reference to the cultural history of India, the memorizing of chronicles, dynastic histories and Epictales was the profession of who of the following?

(a) Shramana

(b) Parivraajaka

(c) Agrahaarika

(d) Magadha

Answer: (d)

2015 

1. With reference to the art and archaeological history of India, which one among the following was made earliest?

(a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar

(b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli

(c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram

(d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri

Answer: (b) 

2. Kalamkari painting refers to

(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South India

(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo handicrafts in NorthEast India.

(c) a block-painted woollen cloth in the Western Himalayan region of India

(d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in North-Western India

Answer: (a)

3. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently? [Based on current affairs 2014-15]

(a) Odia

(b) Konkani

(c) Bhojpuri

(d) Assamese

The Correct Answer is (a) Odia