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?

  • A. Sangeet Natak Akademi
  • B. Archaeological Survey of India
  • C. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
  • D. National Culture Fund

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

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

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?

  • A. Garba of Gujarat
  • B. Durga Puja in Kolkata
  • C. Deepavali
  • D. Kumbh Mela

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

  • A. 2017
  • B. 2019
  • C. 2021
  • D. 2023

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?

  • A. Scheme for Safeguarding the Intangible Cultural Heritage and Diverse Cultural Traditions of India
  • B. Seva Bhoj Yojana
  • C. Scheme for Promotion of International Cultural Relations
  • D. Museum Grant Scheme

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

  • A. A centrally maintained inventory of ICH elements received from States and Union Territories, compiled by the Sangeet Natak Akademi
  • B. A list confined only to India's elements already inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List
  • C. A register of centrally protected monuments and antiquities maintained by the Archaeological Survey of India
  • D. A list of registered folk artists eligible for the artiste pension scheme

Q7. 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?

  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
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

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?

  • A. Ministry of Culture
  • B. Ministry of Tourism
  • C. Ministry of Education
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs

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?

  • A. 16th session
  • B. 18th session
  • C. 19th session
  • D. 20th session

Q10. 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?

  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.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 3 only

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?

  • A. Sangeet Natak Akademi
  • B. Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts
  • C. Lalit Kala Akademi
  • D. National School of Drama
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