Art & Culture

8 questions

• 2026 · Question 1 · Music

  Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?

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  (a)Nat Bhairavi(b)Kamavardhini(c)Hanumatodi(d)Dheera Shankarabharanam

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 4 · Architecture

  Which of the following temples has/have a Nagara-style shikhara ? 1. Malegitti Shivalaya, Badami 2. Huchimalligudi Temple, Aihole 3. Dashavatara Temple, Deogarh 4. Virupaksha Temple, Pattadakal Select the answer using the code given below :

  Choose your answer

  (a)1 and 2(b)2 and 3(c)3 only(d)3 and 4

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 5 · Religion and Philosophy

  Among the four main forms of existence of life recognized in Jainism, which one of the following is not included ?

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  (a)Deva (gods)(b)Yaksha (demi-gods)(c)Manushya (humans)(d)Tiryancha (animals and plants)

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 6 · Sculpture and Painting

  The Hallisalasya painting in the Bagh Caves represents :

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  (a)A joyous folk dance(b)Buddha in a meditative pose(c)The depiction of Shiva and Parvati on Kailasha(d)Samudramanthan (Churning of the Ocean)

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 12 · Sculpture and Painting

  What does an empty seat represent in early Buddhist iconography ?

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  (a)The meditation of the Buddha(b)The Buddha's First Sermon(c)The Buddha's Mahaparinibbana(d)The Buddha's Mahabhinishkramana

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 14 · Sculpture and Painting

  Which of the following statements on the Amaravati Stupa and its relief sculpture is/are correct ? 1. It was located in the lower Krishna valley. 2. In India, it was next only to the Sanchi Stupa in size. 3. The Amaravati school of sculpture made a lasting impact on the later South Indian sculpture, and its products were carried to Sri Lanka and South-east Asia. Select the answer using the code given below :

  Choose your answer

  (a)1 only(b)1 and 3 only(c)2 and 3 only(d)1, 2 and 3

  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 19 · Music

  Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :

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  (a)Agra Gharana(b)Gwalior Gharana(c)Patiala Gharana(d)Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)

• 2026 · Question 37 · Monuments and Heritage

  Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ? 1. They acted as army fortresses. 2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. 3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles. 4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles. Select the answer using the code given below :

  Choose your answer

  (a)1 only(b)1 and 3(c)3 only(d)2 and 4

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  Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary), General Studies Paper I (opens in a new tab)