UPSC

CSE - Prelims
Previous

25 Years
(1998 - 2022)

Topic Wise Solved Questions

with Video Solutions
 UPSC Previous Year Question
ART AND CULTURE
S.No. Chapter Name

1. Architecture 1

2. Sculpture 4

3. Inscriptions/edicts 5

4. Poetry 5

5. Seals 6

6. Dance 6

7. Music/Instrument 7

8. Paintings 9

9. Theatre 9

10. Literature 10

11. Languages 12

12. Handicraft 12

13. Religion 13

14. Festivals 13

15. Institutions 13

16. Awards 14

17. National Flag 14

18. Important Personalities 14

 Ancient, medieval & modern History
S.No. Chapter Name

Ancient History
19. Indus Valley Civilisation 15
20. Vedic Culture 15
21. Buddhism and Jainism 16
22. Age of Mahajanapada 18
23. Mauryan 18
24. Post Mauryan Age 19
25. Gupta 20
26. Post Gupta 20
Medieval India
27. South India 21
28. Arrival of Turks 22
29. Delhi Sultanate 23
30. Mughal Empire 25
31. Provincial Kingdoms 28
32. Bhakti Movements 29
33. Sufi Movements 30
34. Maratha Empire 30
Modern Indian
35. British Conquest of India 31
36. Revolt 1857 32
37. Socio-Religious Reform Movements 32
38. Popular Movements against British 34
39. Indian National Congress 34
40. Moderate Phase (1885-1905) 35
41. Extremist Phase (1906-1916) 36
42. Revolutionary Movements 38
43. Gandhian Era (1917-25) 38
44. Struggle for Swaraj (1925-39) 41
45. Towards Independence (1940-47) 45
46. British policies 49
47. British Administration 53
48. Press 55
49. Education 56
50. Governor General/ Viceroys 57
51. Important Personalities 58
52. Post-Independence 58
 Physical, World & Indian GEOGRAPHY
S.No. Chapter Name
Geomorphology 60
 Universe
 Earth
 Origin of Earth
 Interior of Earth
53.  Minerals and Rocks
 Distribution of Oceans and Continents
 Geomorphic Processes
 Physical Features
 World Drainage

Climatology 66
 Structure of Atmosphere
 Solar Radiation and Heat Budget
54.
 Water in Atmosphere
 Atmospheric Circulation
 World Climate
Oceanography 73
55.  Movement of Ocean Water
 Oceans
Biogeography 76
56.  World Forest
 World Soil

Economic Geography 76
 World Agriculture
57.  World Minerals
 World Industry

Indian Geography 80
 Physiographic Division
 Indian Drainage System
 Indian Climate
 Monsoon and Rainfall
 Indian Soils
58.  Indian Agriculture
 Indian Forests
 Transport
 Minerals in India
 Industries in India
 Census of India
 Tribes in India
59. Miscellaneous 108
 Polity and governance
S.No. Chapter Name

60. Constitutional Development 111

61. State Reorganization 116
62. Citizenship 116
63. Fundamental Rights 117
64. Directive Principles 119
65. Fundamental Duties 121
66. Federal System 122
67. Judiciary 122
68. President 125
69. Vice President 126
70. Prime Minister 126
71. Parliament 127
72. Bodies 134
73. Emergency 136
74. Elections 136
75. State legislative 137
76. Governor 141
77. High Court 142
78. Local Administration 142
79. Panchayati Raj 143
80. Municipalities 144
81. Amendment 145
82. Miscellaneous 147
 ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY
S.No. Chapter Name
83. Ecosystem 151
84. Flora Fauna 151
85. Agriculture 154
86. Soil 155
87. Biodiversity Conservation 155
88. Pollution 160
89. Global Warming and Climate Change 163
90. Environmental Conservation 164

Indian Economy
S.No. Chapter Name
91. Fundamentals of Economy 170
92. National Income 170
93. Money and Money Supply 171
94. Inflation and Business Cycle 172
95. Monetary Policy 175
96. Banking 178
97. External Sector and Balance of Payment 184
98. Foreign Trade 189
99. Indian Public Finance 191
100. Government Budgeting 194
101. Taxation 195
102. Economic Reforms 198
103. Economic Planning in India 198
104. Industries 199
105. Infrastructure 204
106. Agriculture 207
107. Insurance 211
108. Securities Market in India 211
109. Growth, Development, and Happiness 213
110. Unemployment 214
111. Poverty 215
112. Population 215
113. Government Schemes 216
114. International Organization 221
115. Institutions 227
 General science, science &
Technology & General Knowledge
S.No. Chapter Name
General Science
116. Physics 228
117. Chemistry 237
118. Biology 247
Science & Technology
119. Space 261
120. IT 264
121. Defense 268
122. CA - Bodies 269
123. MISC 271
124. BIO TECH 271
General Knowledge
125. Organisation, Report, Indices 275
126. Awards & Humour and Sports 280
127. G.K. 282
128. News 288
 ART AND CULTURE (b) confession by monks of their offences
committed during their stay in the
monasteries during the rainy season
Architecture (c) ceremony of initiation of new person
into the Buddhist Sangha in when the
head shaved and when yellow robes are
offered
(d) gathering of Buddhist monks on the day
1998 to the full Moon day of Ashadha when
they take up a fixed abode for the next
Q.1 Consider the following:
months of rainy season
1. Tughlaqabad fort
2. Lodi Garden 2005
3. Qutub Minar Q.6 Consider the following sites/monuments
4. Fatehpur Sikri 1. Champaner-Pavagadh Archaeological
The correct chronological order in which Park
they were built is: 2. Chhatrapati Shivaji Railway Station,
(a) 3, 1, 4,2 (b) 3, 1, 2,4 Mumbai
(c) 1,3,2, 4 (d) 1,3, 4,2 3. Mamallapuram
2001 4. Sun Temple (Konark Temple)
Q.2 Hoysala monuments are found in Which of the above are included in the
(a) Hampi and Hosper World Heritage List of UNESCO ?
(a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1, 3 and 4
(b) Halebid and Belur
(c) Mysore and Bangalore (c) 2 and 4 (d) All of these
(d) Sringeri and Dharwar 2006
Q.3 In which one of the following cities is the Q.7 Which one of the following pairs is not
Lingaraja Temple located? correctly matched ?
(a) Bhubaneswar (b) Bijapur Monastery State
(c) Kolkata (d) Shravanambelagola (a) Dhankar Monastery Himachal Pradesh
(b) Rumtek monastery Sikkim
2002 (c) Tabo Monastery Himachal Pradesh
Q.4 Which one of the following statements is (d) Kye Monastery Arunachal Pradesh
not correct ?
(a) The statue of Gomateshwara at Sravana- Q.8 Match List I (Place of Archaeological
belagola represents the last Tirthankara Monument) with List II (State) and select
of Jains the correct answer using the codes given
below the lists
(b) India's largest Buddhist monastery is in
List I (Place of List II(State)
Arunachal Pradesh
(c) The Khajuraho temples were built under Archaeological
Chandela kings Monument)
(d) The Hoysaleswara temple is dedicated to A. Sisupalgarh 1. Assam
Siva B. Piprahwa 2. Manipur
C. Goalpara 3. Orissa
Q.5 In ancient Indian Buddhist monasteries, a
D. Bishnupur 4. Uttar Pradesh
ceremony called Pavarana used to be held.
It was the Codes
(a) occasion to elect the Sanghparinayaka A B C D
and two speakers one on Dhamma and (a) 2 4 1 3
(b) 2 1 4 3
the other Vinaya
(c) 3 4 1 2
(d) 3 1 4 2

1
Q.9 The initial design and construction of which Q.15 Where is the famous Virupaksha temple
massive temple took place during the reign located ?
of Suryavarman II ? (a) Bhadrachalam (b) Chidambaram
(a) Sri Mariamman temple (c) Hampi (d) Srikalahasti
(b) Angkor Vat temple
(c) Batu Caves temple 2010
(d) Kamakhya temple Q.16 In which state is the Buddhist site Tabo
Monastery located ?
Q.10 The Allahabad Pillar Inscription is
(a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Himachal Pradesh
associated with which one of the following?
(c) Sikkim (d) Uttarakhand
(a) Mahapadma Nanda
(b) Chandragupta Maurya 2011
(c) Ashoka
Q.17 India maintained its early cultural contacts
(d) Samudragupta
and trade links with South-East Asia across
Q.11 Which one of the following pairs is correctly the Bay of Bengal. For this pre-eminence of
matched ? early maritime history of Bay of Bengal,
(a) Vikramshila : Uttar Pradesh which of the following could be the most
Monastery
convincing explanation/ explanations ?
(b) Hemkund : Himachal Pradesh
(a) As compared to other countries, India
Gurudwara
(c) Udayagiri Caves : Maharashtra had a better ship building technology in
(d) Amaravati Buddhist : Andhra Pradesh ancient and medieval times
Stupa (b) The rulers of Southern India always
patronised traders, Brahmin priests and
2007
Q.12 Where is the famous Vijaya Vittala Temple, Buddhist monks in this context
having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical (c) Monsoon winds across the Bay of Bengal
notes located ? facilitated sea voyages
(a) Belur (b) Bhadrachalam (d) Both (a) and (b) are convincing
(c) Hampi (d) Srirangam explanations in this context
2008 2012
Q.13 Near which one of the following cities are Q.18 The Nagara, the Dravida and the Vesara are
Palitana temples located ?
the
(a) Bhavnagar (b) Mount Abu
(c) Nasik (d) Ujjain (a) three main racial groups of the Indian
subcontinent
2009 (b) three main linguistic divisions into which
Q.14 Match List I with List II and select the correct
the languages of India can be classified
answer using the codes given below the lists.
(c) three main styles of Indian temple
List I (Famous Temple) List II (State)
architecture
A. Vidyashankara 1. Andhra Pradesh
temple (d) three main musical gharanas prevalent in
B. Rajarani temple 2. Karnataka India
C. Kandariya Mahadeo 3. Madhya Pradesh
Q.19 Consider the following historical places
temple
1. Ajanta caves
D. Bhimesvara temple 4. Odisha
Codes 2. Lepakshi temple
A B C D 3. Sanchi stupa
(a) 2 4 3 1 Which of the above places is/are also known
(b) 2 3 4 1 for mural paintings ?
(c) 1 4 3 2 (a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
(d) 1 3 4 2 (c) All of these (d) None of these

2
 2013 Q.23 In a particular region in India, the local people
Q.20 With reference to the history of Indian rock- train the roots of living trees into robust
cut architecture, consider the following bridges across the streams. As the time
statements passes, these bridges become stronger. These
1. The caves at Badami are the oldest unique 'living root bridges' are found in
surviving rock-cut caves in India. (a) Meghalaya (b) Himachal Pradesh
2. The Barabar rock-cut caves were originally (c) Jharkhand (d) Tamil Nadu
made for Ajivikas by Emperor
2015
Chandragupta Maurya.
Q.24 Consider the following pairs :
3. At Ellora caves were made for different
Place of Pilgrimage Location
faiths.
1. Srisailam Nallamala Hills
Which of the statement(s) given above
is/are correct ? 2. Omkareshwar Satmala Hills
(a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3 3. Pushkar Mahadeo Hills
(c) Only 3 (d) All of these Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched ?
Q.21 Some Buddhist rockcut caves are called (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
Chaityas, while the others are called (c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3
Viharas. What is the difference between the
two ? Q.25 With reference to the art and archaeological
(a) Vihara is a place of worship, while history of India, which one among the
Chaitya is the dwelling place of the following was made earliest ?
monks (a) Lingaraja Temple at Bhubaneswar
(b) Chaitya is a place of worship, while (b) Rock-cut Elephant at Dhauli
Vihara is the dwelling place of the monks (c) Rock-cut Monuments at Mahabalipuram
(c) Chaitya is the stupa at the far end of the (d) Varaha Image at Udayagiri
cave, while Vihara is the hall axial to it
2016
(d) There is no material difference between
Q.26 What is/are common to the two historical
the two
places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram ?
2014 1. Both were built in the same period.
2. Both belong to the same religious
Q.22 With reference to Buddhist history,
denomination.
tradition and culture in India, which of the 3. Both have rock-cut monuments.
following pairs is/are correctly matched ? Select the correct answer using the codes
Famous Shrine Location given below
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 3
1. Tabo monastery and Spiti valley (c) 1 and 3 (d) None of these
temple complex 2017
2. Lhotsava Lhakhang Zanskar Q.27 Which of the following is/are famous for Sun
temple, Nako valley temples ?
3. Alchi temple complex Ladakh 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarakantak
3. Omkareshwar
Codes Select the correct answer using the code
(a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3 given below:
(c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

3
 2018 Q.32 Which one of the following statement(s)
Q.28 With reference to the cultural history of India, is/are correct ?
consider the following statements (a) Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora
river
1. White marble was used in making Buland
(b) Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal
Darwaza and Khankah at Fatehpur Sikri. river
2. Red sandstone and marble were used in (c) Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge
making Bara Imambara and Rumi Darwaza of Narmada river
in Lucknow. (d) Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of
Godavari river
Which of the following statements given
above is/are correct ? 2022
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 Q.33 The world's second tallest statue in sitting
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2 pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the
Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad
2020 recently. Which one of the following
Q.29 With reference to the history of India, statements correctly represents the teachings
of Ramanuja?
consider the following pairs:
(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.
Famous Place Present State (b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly
1. Bhilsa Madhya Pradesh authoritative.
2. Dwarasamudra Maharashtra (c) Logical arguments were essential means
for the highest bliss.
3. Girinagar Gujarat
(d) Salvation was to be obtained through
4. Sthanesvara Uttar Pradesh meditation.
Which of the pairs given above are
Q.34 The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the
correctly matched ?
new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 1 and 4 Veraval. Which of the following statements
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 2 and 4 are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga
Q.30 Building 'Kalyana Mandapas' was a notable shrines.
feature in the temple construction in the 2. A description of Somnath Temple was
kingdom of given by Al-Biruni.
(a) Chalukya (b) Chandela 3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple
(c) Rashtrakuta (d) Vijayanagara (installation of the present day temple)
was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.
2021 Select the correct answer using the code given
Q.31 With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple below:
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only
situated near Morena, consider the following
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
statements.
1. It is a circular temple built during the reign Sculpture
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
1998
that it was the inspiration behind the Q.35 Assertion (A) The Gandhara School of Art
Indian Parliament building bears the mark of Hellenistic influence.
Which of the statements given above are Reason (R) Hinayana form was influenced by
correct ? that art.
Codes
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
(a) Both A and R are individually true and R
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4 is the correct explanation of A

4
 (b) Both A and R are individually true, but is 2019
not a correct explanation of A Q.38 In which of the following relief sculpture
(c) A is true, but R is false inscriptions is 'Ranyo Ashoka' (King Ashoka)
(d) A is false, but R is true
mentioned along with the stone portrait of
2014 Ashoka?
Q.36 With reference to the Indian history of art (a) Kanganahalli (b) Sanchi
and culture, which of the following pairs (c) Shahbazgarhi (d) Sohgaura
is/are correctly matched ? Poetry
Famous Work of Sculpture Site
1. A grand image of Ajanta
Buddha's
Mahaparinirvana with
numerous celestial 2000
musicians above and Directions (Q.No. 39) The following items consist of
the sorrowful figures of two statements. One labelled the Assertion A' and
his followers below the other as 'Reason R'. You are to examine these
2. A huge image of Varaha Mount Abu two statements carefully and decide if the
Avatar (boar 'Assertion A' and the 'Reason R' are individually true
incarnation of Vishnu, and if so, whether the Reason R' is the correct
as he rescues Goddess explanation of the given 'Assertion A. Select your
Earth from the deep answer accordingly.
and chaotic waters, Codes
sculpted on rock (a) Both A and R are individually true and R is
3. "Arjuna's Penance' Mamallapur the correct explanation of A
/Descent of Ganga am (b) Both A and R are individually true, but is
sculpted on the surface not a correct explanation of A
of huge boulders (c) A is true, but R is false
(d) A is false, but R is true
Codes
(a) 1 and 2 Q.39 Assertion (A) The Aham and Puram poems of
(b) Only 3 the Padinen Kilukanakku group formed a
(c) 1 and 3 continuation of the Sangam composition.
(d) All of these Reason (R) They were included under the Post
Sangam works as against the Sangam works
Inscriptions/edicts proper.
2008
Q.40 Who among the following wrote the poem,
Subh-e Azadi ?
(a) Sahir Ludhiyanvi
(b) Faiz Ahmed Faiz
1998
(c) Mohammad Iqbal
Q.37 Which one of the following ancient Indian
(d) Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
records is the earliest royal order to
preserve food grains to be utilised during 2009
the crises in the country? Q.41 Who of the following is the author of a
(a) Sohagaura Copper plate collection of poem called 'Golden Threshold ?
(b) Rummindei pillar-edict of Asoka
(a) Aruna Asaf Ali (b) Annie Besant
(c) Prayaga-Prasasti
(d) Mehrauli Pillar inscription of Chandra (c) Sarojini Naidu (d) Vijayalakshmi
Pandit

5
 Seals List I (Dance) List II (Dance)
A. Kalamandalam 1. Kathakali
Kshemavaty
B. Kottakkal 2. Manipuri
Sivaraman
C. Lakshmi 3. Mohiniattam
2001
Viswanathan
Q.42 Which one of the following animals was not
D. N Madhabi Devi 4. Bharatanatyam
represented out seals arid terracotta art of
Codes
Harappan culture ?
A B C D
(a) Cow (b) Elephant
(a) 1 3 2 4
(c) Rhinoceros (d) Tiger
(b) 3 1 4 2
Dance (c) 1 3 4 2
(d) 3 1 2 4

2008
Q.47 Bimbavati Devi is a well-known dancer of
which type of dance ?
(a) Manipuri (b) Bharatanatyam
1999
(c) Kuchipudi (d) Odissi
Q.43 Which one of the following pairs of folk dance
forms and states is not correctly matched ? 2012
(a) Korku Maharashtra Q.48 How do you distinguish between Kuchipudi
(b) Jhummar Haryana and Bharatanatyam dances ?
(c) Thali Himachal Pradesh 1. Dancers occasionally speaking dialogues is
(d) Mukna Manipur found in Kuchipudi dance, but not in
Bharatanatyam.
2000 2. Dancing on the brass plate by keeping the
Q.44 Which one of the following pairs is not feet on its edges is a feature of
correctly matched ? Bharatanatyam, but Kuchipudi dance does
(a) Bakti Itihas Badal Sarkar not have such a form of movements.
(b) Sita Swayamvar Vishnu Das Bhave Which of the statement(s) given above
(c) Yayati Girish Karnad is/are correct ?
(d) Giddha Jabbar Patel (a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Q.45 Consider the following statements regarding
2013
the Chakiarkoothu form of dance:
Q.49 In the context of cultural history of India, a
1. It is performed by Chakiar caste.
pose in dance and dramatics called Tribhanga'
2. It cannot be traditionally witnessed by the
has been a favorite of Indian artists from
higher caste Hindus. ancient times till today. Which one of the
3. Mizhavu is the accompanying instrument. following statements best describes this
4. Its theatre form is called koothambalam. pose?
Which of these statements are correct ? (a) One leg is bent and the body is slightly but,
(a) 1, 3 and 4 (b) 1, 2 and 3 oppositely curved at waist and neck
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) 1, 2 and 4 (b) Facial expressions, hand gestures and
make up are combined to symbolise
2001 certain epic or historic characters
Q.46 Match List I with List II and select the correct (c) Movements of body, face and hands are
answer using the codes given below the lists. used to express oneself or to tell a story

6
 (d) A little smile, slightly curved waist and Which of the statements given above is/are
certain hand gestures are emphasised to correct ?
express the feelings of love or eroticism (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 1 and 3
Q.50 With reference to India's culture and (c) 2 and 3 (d) Only 1
tradition, what is 'Kalaripayattu'? Music/Instrument
(a) It is an ancient Bhakti cult of Shaivism still
prevalent in some parts of South India
(b) It is an ancient style bronze and brass work
still found in Southern part of Coromandel
area
(c) It is an ancient form of dance, drama and a 1999
living tradition in the Northern part of Q.54 Match List I with List II and select the correct
Malabar answer using the codes given below the lists:
(d) It is an ancient martial art and a living
tradition in some parts of South India List I List II
2014 A. Pandit 1. Introduced the
Vishnu scheme of Raga
Q.51 With reference to the famous Sattriya dance,
Digambar Classification in
consider the following statements Indian music
1. Sattriya is a combination of music, dance B. Venkatamahi 2. Proponent of the
and drama. Carnatic music
2. It is a centuries-old living tradition of C. Shyama 3. Proponent of the
Vaishnavites of Assam. Shastri Khayal form of
3. It is based on classical Ragas and Talas of Hindustani music
devotional songs composed by Tulsidas, D. Amir Khusru 4. Wrote the music
for the song
Kabir and Mirabai.
'Vande Mataram
Which of the statement(s) given above is /are Codes
correct ? A B C D
(a) Only 1 (a) 4 1 3 2
(b) 1 and 2 (b) 4 1 2 3
(c) 2 and 3 (c) 1 4 3 2
(d) All of these (d) 1 4 2 3
2000
Q.52 Which of the following pairs is/are correctly Q.55 Match List I with List II and select the correct
matched ? answer using the codes given below the lists:
1. Garba : Gujarat List I List II
2. Mohiniattam : Odisha A. Balamurali Krishna 1. Hindustani vocal
3. Yakshagana : Karnataka Codes B. Mita Pandit 2. Ghatam
(a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3 C. Kanyakumari 3. Sitar
(c) 1 and 3 (d) All of these D. Nikhil Bannerjee 4. Violin
5. Carnatic vocal
2017
Codes
Q.53 With reference to Manipuri Sankirtana,
A B C D
consider the following statements : (a) 5 1 4 3
1. It is a song and dance performance. (b) 4 3 1 5
2. Cymbals are the only musical instruments (c) 3 1 5 2
used in the performance. (d) 5 4 1 3
3. It is performed to narrate the life and
deeds Lord Krishna.

7
Q.56 The Raga which is sung early in the morning is D. TV Gopala 4. Kathak dancer
(a) Todi (b) Darbari Krishnan
(c) Bhopali (d) Bhimpalasi Codes
A B C D
2003
(a) 2 1 4 3
Q.57 Consider the following statements
(b) 3 1 4 2
1. Kitab-i-Nauras, a collection of songs in
(c) 2 4 1 3
praise of Hindu deities and Muslim saints,
(d) 3 4 1 2
was written by Ibrahim Adil Shah II.
2. Amir Khusrau was the originator in India of 2009
the early from of the musical style known Q.62 The brothers Umakant and Ramakant
as Qawali. Gundecha are
Which of these statements is/are correct ? (a) Dhrupad vocalists
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2 (b) Kathak dancers
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither l nor 2 (c) Sarod maestros
(d) Tabla players
2006
Q.58 Who among the following is a Hindustani 2012
classical singer ? Q.63 With reference to Dhrupad, one of the major
(a) Geeta Chandran (b) Leela Samson traditions of India that has been kept alive for
(c) Gangubai Hangal (d) Swapnasundari centuries, which of the following statements
2007 are correct ?
Q.59 The song 'Amar Sonar Bangla' written during 1. Dhrupad originated and developed in the
the Swadeshi Movement of India inspired the Rajput kingdoms during the Mughal period
liberation struggle of Bangladesh and was 2. Dhrupad is primarily a devotional and
adopted as the National Anthem of spiritual music.
Bangladesh. Who wrote this song ? 3. Dhrupad Alap uses Sanskrit syllables from
(a) Rajni Kanta Sen mantras.
(b) Dwijendralal Roy Select the correct answer using the codes
(c) Mukunda Das given below
(d) Rabindranath Tagore (a) 1 and 2
Q.60 Where is the famous Vijaya Vittala Temple, (b) 2 and 3
having its 56 carved pillars emitting musical (c) 1, 2 and 3
notes located ? (d) None of the above
(a) Belur
(b) Bhadrachalam 2014
(c) Hampi Q.64 A community of people called Manganiyars is
(d) Srirangam well-known for their
(a) Martial arts in North-East India
Q.61 Match List I with List II and select the correct
(b) Musical tradition in North-West India
answer by using the codes given below the
(c) Classical vocal music in South India
lists.
(d) Pietra dura tradition in Central India
List I (Person) List II (Known As)
2018
A. Bhajan Sopori 1. Bharatnatyam
dancer Q.65 With reference to culture history of India,
B. Birju Maharaj 2. Exponent of consider the following statements.
Santoor 1. Most of the Tyagaraja Kritis are devotional
C. Priyadarshini 3. Mridangam songs in praise of Lord Krishna.
Govind maestro 2. Tyagaraja created several new ragas.

8
 3. Annamacharya and Tyagaraja are Q.70 Consider the following famous names
contemporaries. 1. Amrita Shergil
4. Annamacharya kirtana are devotional 2. Bikash Bhattacharjee
songs in praise of Lord Venkateshwara. 3. NS Bendre
Which of the statements given above is/are 4. Subodh Gupta
correct ? Who of the above is/are well-known as
(a) 1 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 artist (s) ?
(c) 1, 2 and 3 (d) 2, 3 and 4 (a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 4
(c) 2, 3 and 4 (d) All of these
Paintings 2015
Q.71 ‘Kalamkari' painting refers to
(a) a hand-painted cotton textile in South
India
(b) a handmade drawing on bamboo
1999 handicrafts in North-East India
Q.66 The paintings of Abanindranath Tagore are (c) a block-painted woollen cloth in Western
classified as: Himalayan region of India
(a) Realistic (b) Socialistic (d) a hand-painted decorative silk cloth in
(c) Revivalistic (d) Impressionistic North-Western India

2001 2017
Q.67 Which one of the following pairs is correctly Q.72 The painting of Bodhisattva Padmapani is one
matched ? of the most famous and often-illustrated
(a) Harappan - Painted Grey Ware Civilisation paintings at
(b) The Kushans - Gandhra School of Art (a) Ajanta (b) Badami
(c) The Mughals - Ajanta Paintings (c) Bagh (d) Ellora
(d) The Marathas - Pahari School of Painting
2018
2009 Q.73 The well-known painting Bani-Thani belongs
Q.68 There are only two known examples of cave to the
paintings of the Gupta period in ancient India. (a) Bundi School
One of these is paintings of Ajanta caves. (b) Jaipur School
Where is the other surviving example of (c) Kangra School
Gupta paintings ? (d) Kishangarh School
(a) Bagh caves (b) Ellora caves
(c) Lomas Rishi caves (d) Nasik caves Theatre
Q.69 Consider the following pairs
Tradition State
1. Gatka, a traditional Kerala
martial art
2. Madhubani, a Bihar 1999
traditional painting
Q.74 The first feature film (talkie) to be produced
3. Singhey Khababs Jammu and
Sindhu Darshan festival Kashmir in India was:
Which of the pair(s) given above is/are (a) Hatimtai (b) Alam Ara
correctly matched ? (c) Pundalik (d) Raja Harishchandra
(a) 1 and 2 (b) Only 3
(c) 2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3

9
 2002 1999
Q.75 The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of Q.79 Which one of the following statements is not
Visakhadutt has its subject on correct ?
(a) a conflict between Gods and Demons of (a) 'Neel Darpan' was a play based on the
ancient Hindu lore exploitation of the indigo farmers.
(b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince and a (b) The author of the play "Ghashiram Kotwal
tribal woman is Vijay Tendulkar.
(c) the story of the power struggle between (c) The play 'Navanna' by Navin Chandra Das
was based on the famine of Bengal.
two Aryan
(d) Urdu theatre used to depend heavily on
(d) the court intrigues at the time of
Parsi theatre.
Chandragupta
Q.80 Match List I with List II and select the correct
Q.76 The ancient Indian play Mudrarakshasa of
answer using the codes given below the lists:
Visha khadatta has its subject on
List I List II
(a) a conflict between Gods and Demons of
(A) The first 1. Rabindranath
ancient Hindu lore
Indian war of Tagore
(b) a romantic story of an Aryan prince and
Independence
a tribal woman
(B) Anand Math 2. Sri. Aurobindo
(c) the story of the power struggle between
(C) Life Divine 3. Bankim Chandra
two Aryans
Chatterji
(d) the court intrigues at the time of
(D) Sadhana 4. Vinayak Damodar
Chandragupta
Savarkar
2008 Codes
Q.77 Ebrahim Alkazi is an eminent personality in A B C D
which one of the following areas ? (a) 4 3 2 1
(a) Heart surgery (b) 3 4 1 2
(b) Civil aviation (c) 4 3 1 2
(c) Theatre training (d) 3 4 2 1
(d) Transport engineering
2001
Q.81 Who amongst the following Englishmen, first
Literature
translated Bhagavad Gita into English ?
(a) William Jones
(b) Charles Wilkins
(c) Alexander Cunningham
(d) John Marshall
1998
Q.78 Which of the following pairs are correctly 2003
matched ? Q.82 'Mrichchhakatika' an ancient Indian book
1. Mrichchakatikam Shudraka written by Shudraka deals with
2. Buddhacharita Vasuvandhu (a) The love affair of a rich merchant with the
3. Mudrarakshasha Vishakhadatta daughter of a courtesan
4. Harshacharita Banabhatta (b) The victory of Chandragupta II over the
Select the correct answer using the codes Shaka Kshatrapas of Western India
given below (c) The military expeditions and exploits of
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4 (b) 1,3 and 4 Samudragupta
(c) 1 and 4 (d) 2 and 3 (d) The love affairs between a Gupta King and
a princess of Kamarupa

10
Q.83 Dilip Kaur Tiwana is well known as a Q.89 With reference to the cultural history of India,
(a) literateur (b) musician the memorising of chronicles, dynastic
(c) scientist (d) sportsperson histories and epic tales was the profession of
who of the following ?
2007
(a) Shramana
Q.84 Who wrote the book-'The Story of The
(b) Parivraajaka
Integration of The Indian States'?
(c) Agrahaarika
(a) BN Rao (b) Rajagopalachari
(d) Maagadha
(c) Krishna Menon (d) V P Menon
2020
Q.85 Who among the following, wrote the book
Q.90 With reference to the scholars/litterateurs of
Bahubivah'?
ancient India, consider the following
(a) Raja Rammohan Roy
statements:
(b) Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar
1. Panini is associated with Pushyamitra
(c) Pandita Ramabai
Shunga.
(d) Rabindranath Tagore
2. Amarasimha is associated with
2008 Harshavardhana.
Q.86 Match List I with List II and select the correct 3. Kalidasa is associated with Chandra gupta-
answer using the codes given below the lists. II.
List I (Author) List II (Work) Which of the statements-given above is/are
A. Bankimchandra 1. Shatranj Ke Khilari correct ?
B. Dinabandhu Mitra 2. Debi Chaudhrani (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 and 3
C. Prem Chand 3. Nil Darpan (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
4. Chandrakanta 2022
Codes Q.91 With reference to Indian history, consider the
A B C following texts:
(a) 2 4 1 1. Nettipakarana
(b) 3 4 2 2. Parishishtaparvan
(c) 2 3 1 3. Avadanashataka
(d) 3 1 4 4. Trishashtilakshana Mahapurana
Q.87 Recently, the manuscripts of which one of the Which of the above are Jaina texts?
following have been included in the UNESCO's (a) 1, 2 and 3 (b) 2 and 4 only
Memory of World Register ? (c) 1, 3 and 4 (d) 2, 3 and 4
(a) Abhidhamma Pitaka Q.92 With reference to Indian history, consider the
(b) Mahabharata following pairs :
(c) Ramayana Historical person known as
(d) Rig Veda 1. Aryadeva - Jaina scholar
2016 2. Dignaga - Buddhist scholar
Q.88 Which one of the following books of ancient 3. Nathamuni - Vaishnava scholar
India has the love story of the son of the How many pairs given above are correctly
founder of Sunga dynasty ? matched ?
(a) Swapnavasavadatta (a) None of the pairs (b) Only one pair
(b) Malavikagnimitra (c) Only two pairs (d) All three pairs
(c) Meghadoot
(d) Ratnavali

11
Q.93 According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of 2015
the following are correct? Q.97 Which one of the following was given classical
1. A person could be a slave as a result of a language status recently ?
judicial punishment. (a) Odia (b) Konkani
2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she (c) Bhojpuri (d) Assamese
was legally free.
3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered Handicraft
by her master, the son was entitled to the
legal status of the master's son.
Which of the statements given above are
correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only 2015
(c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Q.98 Which of the following has/have been
Q.94 Which one of the following statements about accorded"Geographical Indication status ?
1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees
Sangam literature in ancient South India is
2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma
correct?
3. Tirupathi Laddu
(a) Sangam poems are devoid of any
Select the correct answer using the codes
reference to material culture.
given below.
(b) The social classification of Varna was
(a) Only 1
known to Sangam poets. (b) 2 and 3
(c) Sangam poems have no reference to (c) 1 and 3
warrior ethic. (d) 1, 2 and 3
(d) Sangam literature refers to magical forces
as irrational. 2020
Q.99 Consider the following pairs.
Q.95 "Yogavāsistha" was translated into Persian by Craft Heritage of
Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of: 1. Puthukkuli shawls Tamil Nadu
(a) Akbar (b) Humayun 2. Sujini embroidery Maharashtra
(c) Shahjahan (d) Aurangzeb 3. Uppada Jamdani saris Karnataka
Which of the above pairs is/are correct ?
Languages (a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
(c) Only 3 (d) 2 and 3

2021
Q.100 Consider the following pairs
(Historical place) (Well-known for)
2014 1. Burzahom Rock-cut shrines
Q.96 Consider the following languages 2. Chandraketugarh Terracotta art
1. Gujarati 2. Kannada 3. Telugu 3. Ganeshwar Copper artefacts
Which of the above has/have been Which of the pairs given above is/are
declared as "Classical Language/Languages' correctly matched ?
by the Government ? (a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
(a) 1 and 2 (c) Only 3 (d) 2 and 3
(b) Only 3
(c)2 and 3
(d) All of these

12
 Religion 2017
Q.105 Consider the following pairs :
Traditions Communities
1. Chaliha Sahib Festival Sindhis
2. Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra Gonds
3. Wari-Warkari Santhals
2020
Which of the pairs given above is/are
Q.101 With reference to the cultural history of correctly matched ?
India, which one of the following is the (a) Only 1 (b) 2 and 3
correct description of the term 'paramitas? (c) 1 and 3 (d) None of these
(a) The earliest Dharmashastra texts written
in aphoristic(sutra) style. 2018
(b) Philosophical schools that did not accept Q.106 Consider the following pairs.
the authority of Vedas. Tradition State
(c) Perfections whose attainment led to the 1. Chapchar Kut festival Mizoram
Bodhisattva path. 2. Khongiom Parba ballad Manipur
(d) Powerful merchant guilds of early 3. Thang-Ta dance Sikkim
medieval South India. Which of the above pairs is/are correctly
matched ?
Q.102 With reference to the cultural history of
(a) Only 1 (b) 1 and 2
India, consider the following pairs:
(c) 1 and 3 (d) 2 and 3
1. Parivrajaka Renuciant and
Wanderer Institutions
2. Shramana Priest with a high
status
3. Upasaka Lay follower of
Buddhism
Which of the pairs given above are
correctly matched ?
2004
(a) 1 and 2 (b) 1 and 3
Q.107 The Archaeological Survey of India is an
(c)2 and 3 (d) 1, 2 and 3 attached office of the Department/Ministry
Festivals of
(a) Culture
(b) Tourism
(c) Science and Technology
(d) Human Resource Development

2002 2009
Q.103 Chapchar Kut is a festival celebrated in the Q.108 Consider the following statements
state of 1. The National School of Drama was set-up
(a) Arunachal Pradesh (b) Assam by Sangeet Natak Academy in 1959.
(c) Mizoram (d) Sikkim 2. The highest honour conferred by the
Sahitya Academy on a writer is by
2009
electing him its fellow.
Q.104 Mahamastakabhisheka, a great religious
Which of the statement(s) given above
event, is associated with and done for who
is/are correct ?
of the following ?
(a) Only 1 (b) Only 2
(a) Bahubali (b) Buddha
(c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
(c) Mahavirji (d) Nataraja

13
 Awards Codes
A B C D
(a) 2 1 4 3
(b) 2 4 1 3
(c) 3 1 4 2
(d) 3 4 1 2
2006
Q.109 Who among the following was presented
with the Sangeet Natak Akademy Ratna
Award, 2005 for her lifetime achievement in
dance ?
(a) Chandralekha
(b) Tanjavur Balasaraswati
(c) Uma Sharma
(d) Yamini Krishnamurthy

National Flag

2008
Q.110 What is the number of spokes in the
Dharmaco hakra in the National Flag of
India ?
(a) 16 (b) 18
(d) 24 (c) 22

Important Personalities

2009
Q.111 Match List I with List II and select the correct
answer using the codes given below the lists.

List I (Famous Person) List II (Well-

Known As)
A. Amrita Shergil 1. Dancer
B. Bhimsen Joshi 2. Painter
C. Rukmini Devi 3. Poet
Arundale
D. Suryakant Tripathi 4. Singer
Nirala'

14