UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Protection and Conservation of Monuments in India

Q1. Under the AMASR Act, 1958 (as amended), a complete ban on construction applies to the 'prohibited area', which extends up to how many metres from the protected limit of a centrally protected monument?

  • A. 50 metres
  • B. 100 metres
  • C. 200 metres
  • D. 300 metres

Q2. In the context of the antecedents of the Archaeological Survey of India, which one of the following best describes the 'Asiatic Society'?

  • A. A scholarly society founded by Sir William Jones in 1784 at Calcutta that pioneered antiquarian study in India
  • B. The archaeological survey founded in 1861 under Alexander Cunningham
  • C. The authority created by Lord Curzon's Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904
  • D. The antiquities-export regulator set up under the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972

Q3. Which one of the following is the apex implementing body that directly administers all of India's 3,686 centrally protected monuments of national importance?

  • A. Archaeological Survey of India
  • B. National Monuments Authority
  • C. National Culture Fund
  • D. Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH)

Q4. Which one of the following is the nodal agency responsible for preparing and forwarding the nomination of India's cultural properties, such as the Maratha Military Landscapes, to the UNESCO World Heritage List?

  • A. Archaeological Survey of India
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of Tourism
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs

Q5. In the context of the 'Adopt a Heritage 2.0' programme, the term 'Monument Mitra' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A public/private sector company, trust, society, NGO or individual that develops and maintains amenities at a monument using CSR funds
  • B. A conservation architect appointed and paid by the ASI to restore a monument
  • C. A licensed tourist guide trained and certified by the Ministry of Tourism
  • D. The Superintending Archaeologist heading an ASI Circle

Q6. When an encroachment is detected at a centrally protected monument, which one of the following correctly describes the first statutory action taken under ASI's enforcement process?

  • A. An FIR is lodged with the local police, followed by a show-cause notice to the offender
  • B. The National Monuments Authority immediately orders demolition of the encroachment
  • C. The Comptroller and Auditor General levies a monetary penalty on the offender
  • D. The land is automatically transferred to the State Archaeology Department

Q7. Under the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities, which is associated with the Indian Heritage in Digital Space effort, approximately how many antiquities have been digitally documented?

  • A. About 2.3 lakh
  • B. About 12.3 lakh
  • C. About 44 lakh
  • D. About 1.2 crore