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In 2025, the Ministry of Culture launched the '_____ Initiative' to provide free online certification courses in traditional crafts for rural artisans.
- Hunar Se Rozgar
- Shilp Shiksha
- Kala Kaushal
- Craft Connect
Answer: Shilp Shiksha
Shilp Shiksha (2025) offers MOOCs in pottery, weaving, embroidery, and woodwork via SWAYAM platform. Includes business skills, digital marketing, and GI tag awareness to enhance artisan livelihoods and market access.
Which traditional agricultural practice in Kerala integrates rice cultivation with fish farming in wetlands?
- Pokkali cultivation
- Shifting cultivation
- Terrace farming
- Mixed cropping
Answer: Pokkali cultivation
Pokkali is Kerala's traditional organic rice-fish rotation system in coastal wetlands. Rice grown in monsoon, fish/prawns in dry season. Received GI tag in 2010 for sustainable agro-ecological practice.
Varanasi was designated a UNESCO Creative City for Music in 2024, recognizing its legacy of Hindustani classical music.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Varanasi joined UNESCO Creative Cities Network in 2024 under Music category, acknowledging its gharanas, instruments, and spiritual musical traditions. It is the third Indian city after Jaipur (Crafts) and Mumbai (Film).
The 'Ellora Caves' feature rock-cut monuments representing three religions: Buddhism, Hinduism, and _____.
- Jainism
- Sikhism
- Zoroastrianism
- Christianity
Answer: Jainism
Ellora Caves (Maharashtra, 6th-10th century CE) comprise 34 monasteries/temples: Buddhist (Caves 1-12), Hindu (13-29), Jain (30-34). The Kailasa Temple (Cave 16) is the world's largest monolithic structure.
Which AI tool, launched in 2025, helps restore damaged murals and paintings by predicting original colors and patterns?
- ArtRestore AI
- Heritage Lens
- Mural Mind
- Palette AI
Answer: ArtRestore AI
ArtRestore AI (ASI-National Informatics Centre, 2025) uses machine learning to analyze pigment degradation, predict original colors, and guide conservation of murals at Ajanta, Ellora, and other heritage sites.
Bharatanatyam costumes use Kanchipuram silk with gold zari, while Kathak costumes often feature anarkali-style flowing dresses.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Bharatanatyam: pleated Kanchipuram silk saree with gold zari, temple jewelry. Kathak: anarkali/ghagra-choli with churidar, emphasizing spins. Costume aesthetics reflect each dance form's regional and stylistic evolution.
In 2025, India hosted the 'Global Cultural Heritage Summit' in _____, focusing on climate resilience and digital preservation of monuments.
- Varanasi
- Khajuraho
- Hampi
- Ahmedabad
Answer: Varanasi
Global Cultural Heritage Summit (Varanasi, 2025) brought together UNESCO, ASI, and international experts to address climate threats to heritage sites and share digital conservation technologies. Resulted in the Varanasi Declaration on Sustainable Heritage.
The 'Sanskriti School' initiative integrates traditional arts (music, dance, craft) into mainstream school curricula across 100 pilot schools in 2024.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Sanskriti School (2024) is a Ministry of Education-Culture collaboration embedding traditional arts in CBSE/State board curricula. Aims to foster cultural literacy, creativity, and intergenerational knowledge transmission among youth.
Which portal, launched in 2025, provides free digital access to over 1 million digitized manuscripts from Indian libraries?
- Manuscript India
- Digital Granthalaya
- e-Pustakalaya
- Shastrarth
Answer: Manuscript India
Manuscript India (2025) aggregates digitized manuscripts from National Mission for Manuscripts, libraries, and temples. Features OCR search, multilingual metadata, and scholarly annotations for researchers worldwide.
The 'Lalit Kala Akademi', India's National Academy of Art, was established in the year _____.
- 1954
- 1952
- 1956
- 1960
Answer: 1954
Lalit Kala Akademi (1954) promotes visual arts through exhibitions, grants, and artist residencies. One of three national academies (with Sangeet Natak and Sahitya), it fosters contemporary and traditional art practices.
Which traditional water harvesting structure, common in Rajasthan, captures rainwater using curved embankments to recharge groundwater?
- Johad
- Baoli
- Kund
- Tank
Answer: Johad
Johads are earthen check dams in Rajasthan that capture monsoon runoff, recharge aquifers, and support agriculture. Revived by community movements, they exemplify traditional climate-resilient water management.
The 'Thirukkural' manuscript from Tamil Nadu was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2024.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Thirukkural by Thiruvalluvar (c. 1st-5th century CE) was inscribed in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2024. This ethical classic of 1,330 couplets is revered for universal wisdom on virtue, wealth, and love.
In 2024, India and _____ signed a cultural exchange agreement to promote joint exhibitions, artist residencies, and heritage conservation projects.
- France
- Japan
- Australia
- Brazil
Answer: France
India-France Cultural Exchange Agreement (2024) facilitates collaborative exhibitions, artist exchanges, and conservation expertise sharing. Builds on historical ties and mutual appreciation of artistic heritage.
Which scheme, launched in 2025, promotes heritage walks and experiential tourism at 50 ASI-protected monuments?
- Dekho Apna Desh
- Heritage Alive
- Monument Mitra
- Cultural Circuit
Answer: Heritage Alive
Heritage Alive (2025) develops immersive experiences at 50 monuments: augmented reality reconstructions, traditional craft demonstrations, and storytelling sessions. Aims to enhance visitor engagement and local livelihoods.
Which digital initiative uses blockchain technology to authenticate and protect traditional handicrafts from counterfeiting?
- Craft Chain
- GI Verify
- Heritage Ledger
- Artisan Trust
Answer: GI Verify
GI Verify (2024) is a Ministry of Textiles blockchain platform that creates immutable digital certificates for GI-tagged handicrafts. Enhances consumer trust, protects artisan livelihoods, and combats imitation products.
The 'Brihadeeswarar Temple' in Thanjavur, built by Raja Raja Chola I, features the world's first granite _____ over 200 feet tall.
- vimana
- gopuram
- shikhara
- mandapa
Answer: vimana
Brihadeeswarar Temple (Thanjavur, 1010 CE) has a 216-foot granite vimana (tower) over the sanctum, the world's tallest for its time. A UNESCO World Heritage Site exemplifying Chola architectural mastery.
The 'Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Rashtriya Sanskriti Puraskar' provides monthly pension of ₹2,000 to eminent artists aged 60+ with limited income.
- True
- False
Answer: True
This Ministry of Culture scheme (revised 2025) supports veteran artists in music, dance, theatre, and visual arts. Applicants must demonstrate contribution to cultural preservation and financial need.
Which Indian element was added to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2024?
- Garba of Gujarat
- Dandiya Raas
- Navratri celebrations
- All of these
Answer: All of these
Garba (Gujarat) was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List in 2024, recognizing Navratri's communal dance, music, and cultural cohesion. It joins Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja, and Yoga on India's Intangible Heritage list.
In 2025, the Ministry of Culture announced the '_____ Mission' to document and revive 100 endangered folk art forms across India.
- Lok Kala
- Jan Sanskriti
- Desaj Kala
- Parampara Suraksha
Answer: Lok Kala
Lok Kala Mission (2025) aims to document, train artists, and promote 100 endangered folk arts through digital archives, grants, and festival platforms. Focuses on intergenerational transmission and sustainable livelihoods.
Which traditional practice involves community conservation of forest patches dedicated to deities, preserving biodiversity?
- Sacred groves
- Shifting cultivation
- Terrace farming
- Mixed cropping
Answer: Sacred groves
Sacred groves (Devrai in Maharashtra, Kavu in Kerala, Jahera in Jharkhand) are community-protected forest patches dedicated to local deities. They conserve endemic flora/fauna and exemplify eco-spiritual traditional knowledge.