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Art and Culture Syllabus : UPSC Mains

Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.

Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC – Year wise Marks Weightage (2013 – 2025)

Year	Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2025	20 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2024	35 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2023	40 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2022	40 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2021	10 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2020	50 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2019	45 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2018	35 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2017	10 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2016	25 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2015	25 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2014	40 Marks
Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC 2013	20 Marks

Art and Culture Mains PYQs UPSC – Year wise & Topic wise Collection (2013 – 2025)

2025

1. Discuss the salient features of the Harappan architecture. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. The sculptors filled the Chandella artform with resilient vigor and breadth of life. Elucidate. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

2024

1. Underline the changes in the field of society and economy from the Rig Vedic to the later Vedic period. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Estimate the contribution of Pallavas of Kanchi for the development of art and literature of South India. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
3. “Though the great Cholas are no more yet their name is still remembered with great pride because of their highest achievements in the domain of art and architecture”. Comment. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

2023

1. Explain the role of geographical factors towards the development of Ancient India. How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. What are the main features of Vedic society and religion? Do you think some of the features are still prevailing in Indian society? (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
3. What were the major technological changes introduced during the Sultanate period? How did those technological changes influence the Indian society? (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

2022

1. How will you explain that medieval Indian temple sculptures represent the social life of those days? (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Discuss the main contributions of Gupta period and Chola period to Indian heritage and culture. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
3. Discuss the significance of the lion and bull figures in Indian mythology, art and architecture. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

2021

1. Evaluate the nature of Bhakti Literature and its contribution to Indian culture. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

2020

1. The rock-cut architecture represents one of the most important sources of our knowledge of early Indian art and history. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Pala period is the most significant phase in the history of Buddhism in India. Enumerate. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
3. Indian philosophy and tradition played a significant role in conceiving and shaping the monuments and their art in India. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)
4. Persian literary sources of medieval India reflect the spirit of the age. Comment. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)

2019

1. Highlight the Central Asian and Greco -Bactrian elements in Gandhara art. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Do we have cultural pockets of small India all over the nation? Elaborate with examples. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks) (Art & Culture + Indian Society)
3. What are the challenges to our cultural practices in the name of secularism? (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks) (Art & Culture + Indian Society)
4. What makes Indian society unique in sustaining its culture? Discuss (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks) (Art & Culture + Indian Society)

2018

1. Safeguarding the Indian art heritage is the need of the moment. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Assess the importance of the accounts of the Chinese and Arab travellers in the reconstruction of the history of India. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
3. The Bhakti movement received a remarkable re-orientation with the advent of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu. Discuss. (Answer in 250 words) (15 Marks)          

2017

1. How do you justify the view that the level of excellence of Gupta numismatic art is not at all noticeable in later times? (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

2016

1. Early Buddhist Stupa-art, while depicting folk motifs and narratives successfully expounds Buddhist ideals. Elucidate. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
2. Krishnadeva Raya, the King of Vijayanagar, was not only an accomplished scholar himself but was also a great patron of learning and literature. Discuss. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

2015

1. The ancient civilization in the Indian sub-continent differed from those of Egypt, Mesopotamia and Greece in that its culture and traditions have been preserved without a breakdown to the present day. Comment. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)
2. Mesolithic rock cut architecture of India not only reflects the cultural life of the times but also a tine aesthetic sense comparable to modem painting. Critically evaluate this comment. (Answer in 200 words) (12.5 Marks)

2014

1. To what extent has the urban planning and culture of the Indus Valley Civilization provided inputs to the present-day urbanization? Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
2. Gandhara sculpture owed as much to the Romans as to the Greeks. Explain. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
3. Taxila university was one of the oldest universities of the world with which were associated a number of renowned learned personalities of different disciplines. Its strategic location caused its fame to flourish, but unlike Nalanda, it is not considered as a university in the modern sense. Discuss. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)
4. Sufis and medieval mystic saints failed to modify either the religious ideas and practices or the outward structure of Hindu / Muslim societies to any appreciable extent. Comment. (Answer in 150 words) (10 Marks)

2013

1. Though not very useful from the point of view of a connected political history of South India, the Sangam literature portrays the social and economic conditions of its time with remarkable vividness. Comment. (Answer in 200 words) (10 Marks)
2. Discuss the ‘Tandava’ dance as recorded in early Indian inscriptions. (Answer in 100 words) (05 Marks)
3. Chola architecture represents a high watermark in the evolution of temple architecture. Discuss. (Answer in 100 words) (05 Marks)

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