UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PRESERVATION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Question 1

Which one of the following is the designated nodal agency in India for implementing the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, including preparation of nomination dossiers?

Accepted Answer

Sangeet Natak Akademi

Answer

Archaeological Survey of India

Answer

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

Answer

National Culture Fund

Question 2

Under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, the international safeguarding mechanism for intangible cultural heritage consists of how many lists/registers in total?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Question 3

Which one of the following is the most recent (latest) Indian element inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?

Accepted Answer

Deepavali

Answer

Garba of Gujarat

Answer

Durga Puja in Kolkata

Answer

Kumbh Mela

Question 4

Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in which year?

Accepted Answer

2021

Answer

2017

Answer

2019

Answer

2023

Question 5

Which one of the following is the Ministry of Culture's dedicated scheme, operationalised through the Sangeet Natak Akademi, for the protection of India's intangible cultural heritage?

Accepted Answer

Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India

Answer

Seva Bhoj Yojana

Answer

Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations

Answer

Museum Grant Scheme

Question 6

In the context of India's ICH safeguarding, what does the 'National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage' precisely refer to?

Accepted Answer

A centrally maintained inventory of ICH elements received from States and Union Territories, compiled by the Sangeet Natak Akademi

Answer

A list confined only to India's elements already inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List

Answer

A register of centrally protected monuments and antiquities maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India

Answer

A list of registered folk artists eligible for the artiste pension scheme

Question 7

Consider the following elements claimed to be among India's first ICH inscriptions of 2008 (transferred from the Masterpieces programme):
1. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit theatre
2. Tradition of Vedic chanting
3. Ramlila, the traditional performance of the Ramayana
4. Ramman, religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a 2008 inscription?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

3 and 4

Answer

2 only

Question 8

Under which Union Ministry of the Government of India do the Sangeet Natak Akademi and India's UNESCO ICH inscriptions (such as the 2008 elements) fall?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Culture

Answer

Ministry of Tourism

Answer

Ministry of Education

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Question 9

Which session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was the first ever to be hosted by India, in New Delhi in December 2025?

Accepted Answer

20th session

Answer

16th session

Answer

18th session

Answer

19th session

Question 10

With reference to the UNESCO inscription of 'Garba of Gujarat', consider the following statements:
1. It is performed during the festival of Navaratri.
2. It was inscribed as India's 15th element on the Representative List.
3. It was inscribed at the 18th session held in Kasane, Botswana.
4. It was India's first element placed on the List of ICH in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

3 only

Question 11

The 'Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India' is implemented by the Ministry of Culture mainly through which body, which also constituted the expert committee for comprehensive documentation of inscribed elements?

Accepted Answer

Sangeet Natak Akademi

Answer

Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts

Answer

Lalit Kala Akademi

Answer

National School of Drama

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PRESERVATION OF INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE

Q1. Which one of the following is the designated nodal agency in India for implementing the UNESCO 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, including preparation of nomination dossiers?

Q2. Under the UNESCO 2003 Convention, the international safeguarding mechanism for intangible cultural heritage consists of how many lists/registers in total?

Q3. Which one of the following is the most recent (latest) Indian element inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?

Q4. Durga Puja in Kolkata was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in which year?

Q5. Which one of the following is the Ministry of Culture's dedicated scheme, operationalised through the Sangeet Natak Akademi, for the protection of India's intangible cultural heritage?

Q6. In the context of India's ICH safeguarding, what does the 'National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage' precisely refer to?

Q8. Under which Union Ministry of the Government of India do the Sangeet Natak Akademi and India's UNESCO ICH inscriptions (such as the 2008 elements) fall?

Q9. Which session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage was the first ever to be hosted by India, in New Delhi in December 2025?

Q11. The 'Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India' is implemented by the Ministry of Culture mainly through which body, which also constituted the expert committee for comprehensive documentation of inscribed elements?