The UPSC Prelims exam tests your knowledge of India’s rich art and culture. One of the best ways to prepare is by studying Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims (Previous Year Questions). These questions help you understand patterns, focus areas, and the depth of knowledge required.

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims Importance

UPSC repeats themes, even if exact questions don’t reappear. By reviewing Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims, you learn:

• Frequently tested topics – Temple architecture, classical dances, and UNESCO sites often appear.
• Question framing – UPSC uses indirect phrasing; practicing PYQs helps decode this.
• Time management – Solving past papers improves speed and accuracy.

For example, a previous year Art and culture question asked about the differences between Bharatanatyam and Kathak. Such questions demand clear, factual answers.

Year	History	Art & Culture
2013	16	9
2014	20	10
2015	17	3
2016	15	3
2017	14	5
2018	22	7
2019	17	3
2020	20	4
2021	10	5
2022	14	4
2023	14	5
2024	03	5

Also Read: UPSC Prelims PYQs

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims: Key Topics

Analyzing Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims reveals these recurring themes:

1. Temple Architecture

• Nagara, Dravida, and Vesara styles
• Key temples: Khajuraho, Konark, Brihadeeswara

2. Classical Dances

• Eight classical dances (Bharatanatyam, Kathak, etc.)
• Their origins and distinguishing features

3. Folk Arts and Paintings

• Madhubani, Warli, Pattachitra
• Regional theatre forms like Yakshagana

4. UNESCO Heritage Sites

• Ajanta-Ellora, Sun Temple, Hampi
• Recent additions like Dholavira

5. Literature and Languages

• Ancient texts (Vedas, Puranas)
• Bhakti and Sufi movements

A download Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims PDF will show these trends clearly.

Also Read: Books for UPSC

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims Download

Many websites offer compiled Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims papers. Follow these steps:

1. Visit the UPSC official website (upsc.gov.in) for past papers.
2. Search for “Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims” on trusted portals like ClearIAS or ForumIAS.
3. Use filters to sort by year and topic.

Always verify sources to avoid outdated or incorrect material.

Also Read: Constitutional bodies in India

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims 2024

1. Which one of the following is a work attributed to playwright Bhasha?

(a) Kavyalankara

(b) Natyashastra

(c) Madhyama-vyayoga

(d) Mahabhashya

2. Sanghabhuti, an Indian Buddhist monk, who travelled to China at the end of the fourth century AD, was the author of a commentary on:

(a) Prajnaparamita Sutra

(b) Visuddhimagga

(c) Sarvastivada Vinaya Sain

(d) Lalitavistara

3. With reference to ancient India, Gautama Buddha was generally known by which of the following epithets?
4. Nayaputta
5. Shakyamuni
6. Tathagata

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1, 2 and 3

(d) None of the above are epithets of Gautama Buddha

4. Consider the following information:

	Archaeological Site	State	Description
1.	Chandraketugarh	Odisha	Trading Port town
2.	Inamgaon	Maharashtra	Chalcolithic site
3.	Mangadu	Kerala	Megalithic site
4.	Salihundam	Andhra Pradesh	Rock-cut shrines

In which of the above rows is the given information correctly matched ?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 3 and 4

(d) 1 and 4

5. Consider the following statements:
6. There are no parables in Upanishads.
7. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

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

Also Read: UPSC Prelims Syllabus

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims 2023

1. In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

(a) Andhra

(b) Gandhara

(c) Kalinga

(d) Magadha

2. With reference to ancient India, consider the following statements :
3. The concept of Stupa is Buddhist in origin.
4. Stupa was generally a repository of relics. 3. Stupa was a votive and commemorative structure in Buddhist tradition.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

3. With reference to ancient South India, Korkai, Poompuhar and Muchiri were well known as

(a) capital cities

(b) ports

(c) centres of iron-and-steel making

(d) shrines of Jain Tirthankaras

4. Which one of the following explains the practice of Vattakirutal’ as mentioned in Sangam poems?

(a) Kings employing women bodyguards.

(b) Learned persons assembling in royal courts to discuss religious and philosophical matters

(c) Young girls keeping watch over agricultural fields and driving away birds and animals

(d) A king defeated in a battle committing ritual suicide by starving himself to death

5. Consider the following dynasties:
6. Hoysala
7. Gahadavala
8. Kakatiya
9. Yadava

How many of the above dynasties established their kingdoms in early eighth century AD?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) None

6. With reference to ancient Indian History, consider the following pairs:

	Literary work	Author
1.	Devichandragupta	Bilhana
2.	Hammira-Mahakavya	Nayachandra Suri
3.	Milinda-panha	Nagarjuna
4.	Nitivakyamrita	Somadeva Suri

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

7. “Souls are not only the property of animal and plant life, but also of rocks, running water and many other natural objects not looked on as living by other religious sects.”

The above statement reflects one of the core beliefs of which one of the following religious sects of ancient India?

(a) Buddhism

(b) Jainism

(c) Shaivism

(d) Vaishnavism

8. Who among the following rulers of Vijayanagara Empire constructed a large dam across Tungabhadra River and canalcum-aqueduct several kilometres long from the river to the capital city?

(a) Devaraya I

(b) Mallikarjuna

(c) Vira Vijaya

(d) Virupaksha

9. Consider the following pairs:

	Site	Well known for
1.	Besnagar	Shaivite cave shrine
2.	Bhaja	Buddhist cave shrine
3.	Sittanawasal	Jain cave shrine

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Also Read: Sociology optional syllabus

Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims 2022

1. 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

2. 
   Which one of the following statement 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 ethic.

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

3. 
   “Yogavasistha” was translated into Persian by Nizamuddin Panipati during the reign of:

(a) Akbar

(b) Humayun

(c) Shahjahan

(d) Aurangzeb

4. 
   The world’s second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja?

(a) The best means of salvation was devotion.

(b) Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.

(c) Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss

(d) Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.

5. 
   The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?
6. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.
7. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.
8. 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

6. 
   With reference to Indian history, consider the following texts:
7. Nettipakarana
8. Parishishtaparvan
9. Avadanashataka
10. 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

7. 
   With reference to Indian history, consider the following pairs:

	Historical person		Known as
1.	Aryadeva	—	Jaina scholar
2.	Dignaga	—	Buddhist scholar
3.	Nathamuni	—	Vaishnava scholar

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) None of the pairs

(b) Only one pair

(c) Only two pairs

(d) All three pairs

8. 
   According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, which of the following are correct?
9. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment.
10. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free.
11. If a son born to a female slave was fathered 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

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

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Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims Tips

1. Focus on NCERTs

Start with Class XI and XII NCERT books on Indian art and culture. They cover basics well.

2. Make Notes

Summarize previous year Art and culture questions topic-wise for quick revision.

3. Use Visual Aids

Charts and maps help remember temple locations, dance forms, and heritage sites.

4. Revise Regularly

Art and culture rely on facts. Frequent revision prevents confusion.

5. Test Yourself

After studying, solve Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims to check retention.

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Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims are a goldmine for aspirants. They reveal UPSC’s focus areas and help refine preparation. By analyzing previous year Art and culture questions, you gain confidence and precision.

For easy access, download Art and Culture PYQ UPSC Prelims papers from reliable sources. Combine this with structured study, and you’ll tackle this section with ease.

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