UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC seeks responses from ASI, govt. on Taj Mahal survey plea

Q1. Under which section of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act, 1958 is an area extending up to 100 metres from the protected limit of a centrally protected monument declared a 'prohibited area'?

  • A. Section 20A
  • B. Section 20B
  • C. Section 19
  • D. Section 30

Q2. Under the AMASR Act, 1958, beyond the prohibited area, the 'regulated area' around a centrally protected monument extends up to how many metres?

  • A. 100 metres
  • B. 200 metres
  • C. 250 metres
  • D. 300 metres

Q3. The white marble used for the external surface of the Taj Mahal was primarily quarried from which single location?

  • A. Makrana, Rajasthan
  • B. Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
  • C. Panna, Madhya Pradesh
  • D. Carrara, Italy

Q4. According to UNESCO, the Taj Mahal was built in Agra between 1631 and 1648, i.e. over a span of approximately how many years?

  • A. 11 years
  • B. 17 years
  • C. 20 years
  • D. 25 years

Q5. The Taj Trapezium Zone (TTZ), notified to protect the Taj Mahal from pollution, covers approximately how large an area?

  • A. 4,000 sq km
  • B. 10,400 sq km
  • C. 15,000 sq km
  • D. 20,000 sq km

Q6. In its 1996 judgment on M.C. Mehta's petition, the Supreme Court directed polluting industries in the Taj Trapezium Zone to abandon coke/coal in favour of which single cleaner fuel, to be supplied by GAIL?

  • A. Natural gas
  • B. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG)
  • C. Furnace oil
  • D. Bio-diesel

Q7. Before the Allahabad High Court issued notice in July 2026 on the Taj Mahal survey plea, the request for a survey had already been rejected/dismissed by how many lower judicial forums?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Four

Q8. With reference to the 2026 Allahabad High Court proceedings on the Taj Mahal survey plea, consider the following statements: 1. The High Court issued notice to the Union Government and the Archaeological Survey of India. 2. The petition sought a court-appointed Advocate Commissioner survey of the monument. 3. The revision petition against the trial court's order had been dismissed by an Additional District Judge on grounds of maintainability. 4. The Supreme Court had transferred the case to itself for direct adjudication. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The High Court issued notice to the Union Government and the Archaeological Survey of India.
  2. The petition sought a court-appointed Advocate Commissioner survey of the monument.
  3. The revision petition against the trial court's order had been dismissed by an Additional District Judge on grounds of maintainability.
  4. The Supreme Court had transferred the case to itself for direct adjudication.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. In the Gyanvapi mosque dispute, the scientific survey of the complex ordered by the Varanasi District Judge in 2023 was carried out by which body?

  • A. Archaeological Survey of India
  • B. National Monument Authority
  • C. Indian Council of Historical Research
  • D. Central Forensic Science Laboratory

Q10. With reference to temple–mosque disputes and surveys of contested sites, consider the following statements: 1. The Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi was subjected to an ASI survey under a 2023 order of the Varanasi District Judge. 2. In the Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute, the Allahabad High Court in December 2023 approved a survey of the Shahi Idgah complex in Mathura. 3. The Archaeological Survey of India has completed a full scientific survey of the Taj Mahal confirming an underlying temple. 4. The Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid dispute was the only matter expressly exempted from the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Gyanvapi mosque complex in Varanasi was subjected to an ASI survey under a 2023 order of the Varanasi District Judge.
  2. In the Krishna Janmabhoomi dispute, the Allahabad High Court in December 2023 approved a survey of the Shahi Idgah complex in Mathura.
  3. The Archaeological Survey of India has completed a full scientific survey of the Taj Mahal confirming an underlying temple.
  4. The Ram Janmabhoomi–Babri Masjid dispute was the only matter expressly exempted from the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 3

Q11. The Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991 is administered as a subject of which Union ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Culture
  • C. Ministry of Law and Justice
  • D. Ministry of Minority Affairs

Q12. Sites such as the Taj Mahal are inscribed as 'World Heritage Sites' under which international instrument?

  • A. The 1972 Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage
  • B. The 2003 Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage
  • C. The 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict
  • D. The 1970 Convention on the Means of Prohibiting Illicit Trafficking in Cultural Property