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General Studies I· UPSC CSE

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Indian Culture & Heritage — For UPSC Prelims & Mains

Art, architecture, literature, and the living cultural tapestry of India.

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UPSC-CSE/Indian Culture & Heritage

1

Art and Architecture

7 topics · 31 pages

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01.01Ancient Indian ArchitectureHigh yield
4 sub-topics
- 01.01.01Indus Valley Architecture
- 01.01.02Mauryan Architecture
- 01.01.03Post-Mauryan Architecture
- 01.01.04Gupta Architecture
01.02Medieval Indian ArchitectureHigh yield
4 sub-topics
- 01.02.01Indo-Islamic Architecture
- 01.02.02Delhi Sultanate Architecture
- 01.02.03Mughal Architecture
- 01.02.04Regional Architectural Styles
01.03Temple ArchitectureHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 01.03.01Nagara Style
- 01.03.02Dravidian Style
- 01.03.03Vesara Style
01.04Cave ArchitectureHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 01.04.01Ajanta Caves
- 01.04.02Ellora Caves
- 01.04.03Elephanta Caves
01.05Sculpture and CarvingHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 01.05.01Gandhara School
- 01.05.02Mathura School
- 01.05.03Amaravati School
01.06Painting TraditionsHigh yield
4 sub-topics
- 01.06.01Miniature Paintings
- 01.06.02Mughal Paintings
- 01.06.03Rajasthani Paintings
- 01.06.04Pahari Paintings
01.07Folk and Tribal Arts
3 sub-topics
- 01.07.01Madhubani Painting
- 01.07.02Warli Art
- 01.07.03Pattachitra

2

Literature and Languages

5 topics · 20 pages

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02.01Ancient LiteratureHigh yield
4 sub-topics
- 02.01.01Vedic Literature
- 02.01.02Sanskrit Epics
- 02.01.03Puranas
- 02.01.04Classical Sanskrit Literature
02.02Medieval LiteratureHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 02.02.01Bhakti Literature
- 02.02.02Sufi Literature
- 02.02.03Regional Literature
02.03Modern Literature
2 sub-topics
- 02.03.01Indian English Literature
- 02.03.02Regional Modern Literature
02.04Classical LanguagesHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 02.04.01Sanskrit
- 02.04.02Tamil
- 02.04.03Pali and Prakrit
02.05Language Families
3 sub-topics
- 02.05.01Indo-Aryan Languages
- 02.05.02Dravidian Languages
- 02.05.03Sino-Tibetan Languages

3

Religion and Philosophy

7 topics · 28 pages

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03.01HinduismHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.01.01Vedic Religion
- 03.01.02Hindu Philosophy Schools
- 03.01.03Hindu Practices and Rituals
03.02BuddhismHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.02.01Buddha and His Teachings
- 03.02.02Buddhist Schools
- 03.02.03Buddhist Literature
03.03JainismHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.03.01Jain Tirthankaras
- 03.03.02Jain Philosophy
- 03.03.03Jain Sects
03.04SikhismHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.04.01Sikh Gurus
- 03.04.02Sikh Philosophy
- 03.04.03Guru Granth Sahib
03.05Islam in IndiaHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.05.01Sufi Traditions
- 03.05.02Islamic Philosophy
- 03.05.03Syncretic Traditions
03.06Other Religious Traditions
3 sub-topics
- 03.06.01Christianity in India
- 03.06.02Judaism in India
- 03.06.03Zoroastrianism
03.07Reform MovementsHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 03.07.01Brahmo Samaj
- 03.07.02Arya Samaj
- 03.07.03Theosophical Society

4

Music and Dance

4 topics · 16 pages

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04.01Classical MusicHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 04.01.01Hindustani Music
- 04.01.02Carnatic Music
- 04.01.03Musical Instruments
04.02Classical DanceHigh yield
4 sub-topics
- 04.02.01Bharatanatyam
- 04.02.02Kathak
- 04.02.03Odissi
- 04.02.04Kuchipudi
04.03Folk Music and Dance
3 sub-topics
- 04.03.01Regional Folk Dances
- 04.03.02Tribal Music and Dance
- 04.03.03Folk Musical Instruments
04.04Modern Performing Arts
2 sub-topics
- 04.04.01Indian Cinema
- 04.04.02Contemporary Dance

5

Festivals and Traditions

4 topics · 16 pages

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05.01Religious Festivals
4 sub-topics
- 05.01.01Hindu Festivals
- 05.01.02Islamic Festivals
- 05.01.03Buddhist and Jain Festivals
- 05.01.04Sikh Festivals
05.02Regional Festivals
3 sub-topics
- 05.02.01Harvest Festivals
- 05.02.02Seasonal Festivals
- 05.02.03Cultural Festivals
05.03Social Customs
3 sub-topics
- 05.03.01Marriage Customs
- 05.03.02Birth and Death Rituals
- 05.03.03Caste and Social Practices
05.04Food Culture
2 sub-topics
- 05.04.01Regional Cuisines
- 05.04.02Food and Religion

6

Handicrafts and Textiles

4 topics · 16 pages

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06.01Traditional Crafts
4 sub-topics
- 06.01.01Metalwork
- 06.01.02Woodwork
- 06.01.03Stone Carving
- 06.01.04Pottery
06.02Textile Traditions
3 sub-topics
- 06.02.01Handloom Textiles
- 06.02.02Silk Traditions
- 06.02.03Cotton Textiles
06.03Regional Specialties
3 sub-topics
- 06.03.01Kashmir Crafts
- 06.03.02Rajasthani Crafts
- 06.03.03South Indian Crafts
06.04Contemporary Handicrafts
2 sub-topics
- 06.04.01Government Initiatives
- 06.04.02Export and Global Markets

7

Cultural Heritage and Conservation

5 topics · 19 pages

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07.01UNESCO World Heritage SitesHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 07.01.01Cultural World Heritage Sites
- 07.01.02Mixed Heritage Sites
- 07.01.03Tentative List Sites
07.02Archaeological Survey of IndiaHigh yield
3 sub-topics
- 07.02.01Protected Monuments
- 07.02.02Conservation Methods
- 07.02.03Recent Discoveries
07.03Intangible Cultural Heritage
3 sub-topics
- 07.03.01UNESCO ICH Lists
- 07.03.02Traditional Knowledge Systems
- 07.03.03Oral Traditions
07.04Cultural Institutions
3 sub-topics
- 07.04.01National Museums
- 07.04.02Cultural Academies
- 07.04.03Research Institutes
07.05Cultural Policies
2 sub-topics
- 07.05.01National Cultural Policy
- 07.05.02Cultural Diplomacy