Indian Culture – General Knowledge for Competitive Exams

India is a land of incredible diversity, where traditions, languages, festivals, and art forms blend to create one of the world’s richest cultural heritages. The essence of Indian culture lies in its unity in diversity—where people from different religions, communities, and regions coexist harmoniously while preserving their unique customs and practices.

From the spiritual philosophies of Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Sikhism to the influences of Islam, Christianity, and other faiths, India’s cultural fabric has evolved over thousands of years. The country’s festivals—like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas, Bihu, Durga Puja, and Pongal—reflect the joy, devotion, and inclusiveness of its people.

Indian art, architecture, music, and dance are renowned across the world. From the ancient cave paintings of Ajanta and Ellora to the majestic temples of Khajuraho and the Mughal marvel of the Taj Mahal, Indian architecture represents a perfect blend of creativity and devotion. Classical music forms like Hindustani and Carnatic, along with traditional dances such as Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Odissi, and Manipuri, showcase India’s artistic depth.

Moreover, India’s literature, languages, attire, cuisine, and family values highlight its cultural richness and moral foundation. Respect for elders, hospitality, and belief in karma and dharma are core aspects of Indian life.

Understanding Indian culture is essential for competitive exams like UPSC, APSC, SSC, and state-level tests, as it reflects the spirit of India’s civilization, philosophy, and heritage.

1. The ratio of the width of our National flag to its length is

A. 3:5
B. 2:3
C. 2:4
D. 3:4

Correct Answer: B. 2:3

2. Rabindranath Tagore's 'Jana Gana Mana' has been adopted as India's National Anthem. How many stanzas of the said song were adopted?

A. Only the first stanza
B. The whole song
C. Third and Fourth stanza
D. First and Second stanza

Correct Answer: A. Only the first stanza

3. 'Natya - Shastra' the main source of India's classical dances was written by

A. Nara Muni
B. Bharat Muni
C. Abhinav Gupta
D. Tandu Muni

Correct Answer: B. Bharat Muni

4. 'Dandia' is a popular dance of

A. Punjab
B. Gujarat
C. Tamil Nadu
D. Maharashtra

Correct Answer: B. Gujarat

5. The words 'Satyameva Jayate' inscribed below the base plate of the emblem of India are taken from

A. Rigveda
B. Satpath Brahmana
C. Mundaka Upanishad
D. Ramayana

Correct Answer: C. Mundaka Upanishad

6. Mohiniattam dance from developed originally in which state?

A. Tamil Nadu
B. Orissa
C. Kerala
D. Karnataka

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

7. Which of the following folk dance forms is associated with Gujarat?

A. Nautanki
B. Garba
C. Kathakali
D. Bhangra

Correct Answer: B. Garba

8. Which of the following Akademis is responsible for fostering the development of dance, drama and music in India?

A. National School of Drama
B. Sangeet Akademi
C. Sahitya Akademi
D. Lalit Kala Akademi

Correct Answer: B. Sangeet Akademi

9. The Rath Yatra at Puri is celebrated in honor of which Hindu deity

A. Ram
B. Jagannath
C. Shiva
D. Vishnu

Correct Answer: B. Jagannath

10. The book of Parsis is

A. Torah
B. Bible
C. Zend Avesta
D. Gita

Correct Answer: C. Zend Avesta

11. 'Kathakali' is a folk dance prevalent in which state?

A. Karnataka
B. Orissa
C. Kerala
D. Manipur

Correct Answer: C. Kerala

12. Which of the following dances is a solo dance?

A. Ottan Thullal
B. Kuchipudi
C. Yakshagana
D. Odissi

Correct Answer: A. Ottan Thullal

13. The National Anthem was first sung in the year

A. 1911
B. 1913
C. 1936
D. 1935

Correct Answer: A. 1911

14. Thillana is a format of

A. Kuchipudi
B. Odissi
C. Bharatanatyam
D. Kathak

Correct Answer: C. Bharatanatyam

15. 'Madhubani', a style of folk paintings, is popular in which of the following states in India?

A. Uttar Pradesh
B. Rajasthan
C. Madhya Pradesh
D. Bihar

Correct Answer: D. Bihar

16. Kathak is a classical dance of

A. North India
B. Tamilnadu
C. Manipur
D. Kerala

Correct Answer: A. North India

17. The headquarters of Sahitya Akademi is at

A. Mumbai
B. Chennai
C. New Delhi
D. Kolkata

Correct Answer: C. New Delhi

18. The dance encouraged and performance from the temple of Thanjavur was

A. Kathakali
B. Odissi
C. Kathak
D. Bharatanatyam

Correct Answer: D. Bharatanatyam

19. The last Mahakumbh of the 20th century was held at

A. Nasik
B. Ujjain
C. Allahabad
D. Haridwar

Correct Answer: D. Haridwar

20. The National Song of India was composed by

A. Rabindranath Tagore
B. Bankim Chandra Chatterji
C. Iqbal
D. Jai Shankar Prasad

Correct Answer: B. Bankim Chandra Chatterji

21. Who composed the famous song 'Sare Jahan Seachha'?

A. Jaidev
B. Mohammad Iqbal
C. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
D. Rabindranath Tagore

Correct Answer: B. Mohammad Iqbal

22. In which of the following festivals are boat races a special feature?

A. Onam
B. Rongali Bihu
C. Navratri
D. Pongal

Correct Answer: A. Onam

23. Kalchakra ceremony is associated with which of the following ceremonies?

A. Hinduism
B. Buddhism
C. Jainism
D. Islam

Correct Answer: B. Buddhism

24. Which of the following places is famous for Chikankari work, which is a traditional art of embroidery?

A. Lucknow
B. Hyderabad
C. Jaipur
D. Mysore

Correct Answer: A. Lucknow