Log in to practise this subject
These are sample questions with their answers. Log in to attempt them, track your accuracy, earn coins and save every session to your history.
Sample questions
A free sample. Log in for your full daily practice.
Consider the following pairs of eminent Indian personalities and their corresponding fields/achievements:
Bhagwati Charan Verma: Celebrated Hindi writer awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award and Padma Bhushan; author of Chitralekha and Bhule Bisre Chitra.
Ram Kumar Verma: Hindi poet and critic associated with Rahasyavad (mysticism) and Chhayavad; author of Anjali and Nishith.
Pandit Ram Chatur Mallik: World-renowned classical vocalist of the Dhrupad-Dhamar style from Bihar.
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
- A
1 and 2 only
- B
2 and 3 only
- C
1 and 3 only
- D
1, 2, and 3
Explanation
Pair 1 is correctly matched: Bhagwati Charan Verma was a leading Hindi literary figure who received the Sahitya Akademi Award (for Bhule Bisre Chitra) and Padma Bhushan. His major works include Chitralekha, Sabhi Nachawat Ram Gosai, and radio plays like Mahakal.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: Ram Kumar Verma was a notable Hindi one-act playwright (ekankikar), critic, and poet whose poetry reflected Rahasyavad and Chhayavad (Anjali, Himhas, Nishith, Jauhar). He was awarded the Padma Bhushan.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Pt. Ram Chatur Mallik was a master singer of the Dhrupad-Dhamar classical style who gained international acclaim and was honored with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award.
Which of the following are the core eligibility and design criteria for the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)?
1.Entry age must be between 18 and 40 years.
2.It is a Central Sector Scheme implemented through the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).
3.The farmer must be a Small and Marginal Farmer (SMF) with cultivable land up to 2 hectares.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- A
1 and 2 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
2 and 3 only
- D
1, 2, and 3
Explanation
All criteria are accurate. The scheme is a voluntary, contributory pension scheme for SMFs. It requires a matching contribution from the Central Government, and LIC serves as the pension fund manager.
With reference to the ‘Sufi Movement’ in India, consider the following pairs:
1. Chishti Silsila: Emphasized simplicity and stayed away from state politics.
2. Suhrawardi Silsila: Accepted royal patronage and held government posts.
3. Naqshbandiyya Silsila: Supported the liberal religious policies of Akbar.
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- A
1 and 2
- B
1 and 3
- C
2 and 3
- D
1,2 and 3
Consider the following statements regarding ‘Kalamkari’ painting:
1. It is a type of hand-painted or block-printed cotton textile produced in the state of Andhra Pradesh.
2. It uses only natural dyes derived from plants, roots, and minerals.
3. TheMachilipatnamstyle ofKalamkari is primarily influenced by Hindutempletraditions and depicts mythological scenes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 2
- C
2 and 3
- D
1.2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: B (1 and 2 only) Syllabus Connection: Traditional Indian Handloom and Crafts.
• Statement 1 is correct: Kalamkari is a widely recognized cotton canvas craft native to Andhra Pradesh. •
Statement 2 is correct: Pure Kalamkari relies exclusively on organic pigments extracted from madder root, pomegranate rinds, iron rust, and leaves. • Statement3isincorrect: Thetemple-inspired mythology style is Srikalahasti Style. The Machilipatnam Style features block prints depicting nature and geometric designs de veloped to cater to Persian and export tastes
Consider the following statements regarding the ‘Philosophical Schools of Ancient
India’:
1. The Vaisheshika school is credited with the development of the atomic theory in
India.
2. The Samkhya school is strictly monotheistic and believes in a personal creator God.
3. Lokayata (Carvaka) is a materialist school that rejects the authority of the Vedas
and the concept of the soul.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- A
1 and 2
- B
1 and 3
- C
2 and 3
- D
1,2and3
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Maharishi Kanada of the Vaisheshika system introduced the
theory that physical reality is composed of indivisible atoms (*Anu*).
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Original Samkhya philosophy is dualistic (Purusha/spirit and
Prakriti/matter) and did not rely on the construct of a single creator deity.
• Statement 3 is correct: Carvaka is highly materialist: it dismisses Vedic authority, de-
nounces speculative metaphysics, and relies strictly on direct sensory perception (*Pratyak-sha*).
Regarding the exclusions under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY), consider the following categories:
1.Subscribers to statutory social security schemes like EPFO or ESIC.
2.Income Tax payers and professionals such as doctors and engineers.
3.Central/State Government employees, including Group-D and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS).
How many of the categories mentioned above are strictly excluded from the scheme?
- A
Only one
- B
Only two
- C
All three
- D
None
Explanation
Only two categories (1 and 2) are excluded. While generally all government and PSU employees are excluded, Group-D and Multi-Tasking Staff (MTS) are specifically exempted from this exclusion, meaning they are eligible to participate if they meet other criteria. This is a crucial nuance for UPSC Prelims.
The National Institute of Siddha (NIS) Chennai organized academic programmes for the 11th Ayurveda Day. Which of the following was a specific seminar theme mentioned in September 2026?
- A
Robotic Surgery in Traditional Medicine
- B
Healthy Skin, Stronger Tomorrow – A Skin Expert Seminar
- C
Ayurvedic Petro-chemical Standardization
- D
Ayurveda for Space Tourism
Explanation
This was part of "Skin Awareness Month." The institute (an autonomous body under the Ministry of Ayush) focused on "Integrative AYUSH practices" and drug standardization.
Who was the principal still photographer and trusted collaborator who documented Satyajit Ray’s life for over two decades, now being showcased in a color exhibition?
- A
Utpal Dutt
- B
Bandi Chandragupta
- C
Nemai Ghosh
- D
Pradip Phanjoubam
Explanation
Nemai Ghosh documented Ray from 1968 (Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne) until 1992. The exhibition at DAG features his rarely-seen color photographs.
o Why others are incorrect: A was a theatre personality Ghosh worked with. B was an art director who introduced Ghosh to Ray. D is an editor/author writing about Manipuri cinema.
Consider the following statements regarding the Vesara Style of Architecture:
1. It is a hybrid style that combines features of both Nagara (North) and Dravida (South)
styles.
2. The style was initiated by the Pallavas and reached its zenith under the Cholas.
3. The trend was to reduce the height of the temple towers (Vimana) while increasing
the complexity of the ground plan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
2 and 3 only
- D
1 , 2 and 3
Explanation
Evolution of Temple Architecture
• Statement 1 is correct: The Vesara style acts as a stylistic hybrid, standardizing elements from Northern (Nagara) and Southern (Dravida) temple structures.
• Statement 2 is incorrect: Vesara was pioneered and popularized by the Chalukyas of Badami (Karnataka) in the 7th-century CE. The Pallavas and Cholas were pure champions
of the Dravida style.
• Statement 3 is correct: Architects of this style compressed the towering Dravidian tiers
(Vimanas) and focused intensely on expanding intricate ground layouts (e.g., star-shaped
or Stellate bases) and elaborate horizontal carvings.
With reference to the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list, consider the following pairs:
1. Koodiyattam: Sanskrit theatre of Kerala.
2. Mudiyettu: Ritual theatre and dance drama of Tamil Nadu.
3. Kalbelia: Folk songs and dances of Rajasthan.
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched
- A
1 only
- B
1 and 3 only
- C
1 ,2 and 3
- D
2 and 3
Explanation
Correct Answer: B (1 and 3 only)
Syllabus Connection: UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists and Folk Traditions. • Pair 1 is correctly matched: Koodiyattam is Kerala’s ancient Sanskrit temple drama tra dition, performed by the Chakyars and Nambiars. • Pair 2 is incorrectly matched: While Mudiyettu is a spectacular ritualistic theater based on the epic clash of Kali and Darika, it belongs to Kerala, not Tamil Nadu. • Pair 3 is correctly matched: Kalbelia features snake-like flowing black dances accompa nied by traditional Rajasthani songs, performed by the Kalbelia nomadic tribe
Log in to practise this subject
These are sample questions with their answers. Log in to attempt them, track your accuracy, earn coins and save every session to your history.