Art & Culture Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
In his Milad-un-Nabi greetings on 5 September 2025, which values did PM Modi hope would always guide people?
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Correct answer: A — Compassion, service and justice
The PM said: 'May the values of compassion, service and justice always guide us.'
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal, reviewed by the Navy Chief in September 2025, is being developed by which ministry?
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Correct answer: C — Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
The NMHC is being developed by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways with support from the Government of Gujarat and the Indian Navy.
Consider the following statements: 1. The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is spread over 400 acres. 2. Phase 1A of the complex is expected to be completed by the end of 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
The PIB release says the NMHC is spread over 400 acres, and that Phase 1A is expected to be completed by the end of 2025, not 2027. So only statement 1 is correct.
Karma Puja, on which PM Modi greeted the nation on 3 September 2025, is a festival particularly associated with which community?
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Correct answer: A — Tribal community
PM Modi extended wishes to all citizens, especially the tribal community, on Karma Puja, a festival in which worship of nature holds special significance.
Waves Film Bazaar, whose 19th edition is scheduled for 20–24 November 2025, is held alongside which festival?
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Correct answer: D — International Film Festival of India (IFFI)
Waves Film Bazaar runs alongside IFFI in Goa.
Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, the subject of a documentary premiered in August 2025, served as India's ambassador to which country, where he helped revive Buddhism?
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Correct answer: B — Mongolia
Kushok Bakula Rinpoche served as India's ambassador to Mongolia and helped resurrect Buddhism there after the fall of Communism.
The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP), which signed an MoU with IGNCA on 13 August 2025, is located in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Lucknow
Lucknow; BSIP is an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology.
The IGNCA–BSIP MoU of 13 August 2025 supports which project on climate change in maritime history?
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Correct answer: A — Project Mausam
Project Mausam.
The Kakori Train Action, whose centenary was marked on 9 August 2025, was carried out by revolutionaries of which organisation?
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Correct answer: D — Hindustan Republican Association
The Kakori Train Action of 9 August 1925 was carried out by revolutionaries of the Hindustan Republican Association (HRA).
Consider the following statements about the Kakori Train Action: 1. It took place near Lucknow on 9 August 1925. 2. Ram Prasad Bismil and Ashfaqulla Khan were among those later executed in 1927. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The action took place near Kakori, close to Lucknow, on 9 August 1925, and Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqulla Khan, Rajendra Lahiri and Roshan Singh were executed in 1927.
National Handloom Day is observed on 7 August to commemorate the launch of which movement in 1905?
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Correct answer: A — Swadeshi Movement
National Handloom Day is celebrated annually on 7 August to commemorate the launch of the Swadeshi Movement in 1905.
In which city was the first National Handloom Day inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2015?
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Correct answer: C — Chennai
The first National Handloom Day was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai in 2015.
Consider the following statements made on the 11th National Handloom Day: 1. The handloom sector employs over 35 lakh people, more than 70% of them women. 2. The Sant Kabir and National Handloom Awards were conferred on 24 master weavers. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. The handloom sector employs over 35 lakh people with more than 70% women, and the Sant Kabir and National Handloom Awards went to 24 master weavers, including six women and one Divyang artisan.
What was introduced for the first time at the Lalit Kala Akademi's 64th National Exhibition of Art in August 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Award-winning artworks made available for sale
Award-winning artworks made available for sale: in a first in the event's history, the Akademi opened award-winning works to buyers, aligned with the National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
Which film won the Best Feature Film award at the 71st National Film Awards announced on 1 August 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 12th Fail
12th Fail won the Best Feature Film award at the 71st National Film Awards for the year 2023.
Who won the Best Actress award at the 71st National Film Awards?
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Correct answer: A — Rani Mukerji
Rani Mukerji won Best Actress for Mrs. Chatterjee Vs Norway; it is her first National Film Award.
Consider the following statements about the 71st National Film Awards: 1. Shah Rukh Khan and Vikrant Massey shared the Best Actor award. 2. The Feature Film Jury was chaired by P. Sheshadri. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct: Shah Rukh Khan (Jawan) and Vikrant Massey (12th Fail) shared Best Actor. Statement 2 is incorrect: the Feature Film Jury was chaired by Ashutosh Gowariker; P. Sheshadri chaired the Non-Feature Film Jury.
Which film was adjudged Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic) at the 71st National Film Awards?
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Correct answer: D — Hanu-Man
Hanu-Man was adjudged Best Film in AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comic) at the 71st National Film Awards.
The sacred Piprahwa relics of Lord Buddha, whose return to India was announced on 30 July 2025, were discovered at Piprahwa in which State?
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Correct answer: B — Uttar Pradesh
The relics were discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa, Uttar Pradesh.
Where were the Piprahwa relics slated to be auctioned in May 2025 before the Culture Ministry intervened?
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Correct answer: D — Hong Kong
The relics were originally slated for auction in Hong Kong in May 2025.
Consider the following statements about the Piprahwa relics: 1. They were discovered in 1898 by British civil engineer William Claxton Peppé. 2. Their repatriation in 2025 was made possible through a partnership between the Government of India and the Godrej Industries Group. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are in the Culture Ministry release.
The Teej festival, celebrated by Indiatourism Delhi on 28 July 2025, honours the reunion of:
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Correct answer: B — Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva
PIB (28 July 2025): Teej marks the onset of the monsoon and honours the sacred reunion of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva.
On 27 July 2025, PM Modi released a commemorative coin honouring which ruler at Gangaikonda Cholapuram?
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Correct answer: A — Rajendra Chola I
PIB (27 July 2025): the PM released a commemorative coin honouring Rajendra Chola I at the Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival.
The Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival 2025 marked 1,000 years of which events?
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Correct answer: C — Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the start of construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple
Ministry of Culture / PMIndia: the festival marked 1,000 years of Rajendra Chola I's maritime expedition to Southeast Asia and the commencement of construction of the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple.
Rajendra Chola I's birth star, which gives the Aadi Thiruvathirai festival its name, is:
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Correct answer: B — Thiruvathirai (Ardra)
PMIndia: Rajendra Chola's birth star, Thiruvathirai (Ardra), begins on 23 July.
Consider the following statements: 1. Rajendra Chola I established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the imperial capital after his victorious campaigns. 2. The Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 3. The Aadi Thiruvathirai Festival 2025 was held from 23 to 27 July by the Ministry of Culture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PMIndia: Rajendra Chola I established Gangaikonda Cholapuram as the imperial capital and the temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ministry of Culture: the festival ran from 23 to 27 July 2025. All correct.
At Gangaikonda Cholapuram on 27 July 2025, the Prime Minister announced that grand statues of which two rulers will be installed in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: A — Rajaraja Chola and Rajendra Chola I
PIB: the PM announced that grand statues of Rajaraja Chola and his son Rajendra Chola I will be installed in Tamil Nadu.
As mentioned in Mann Ki Baat (27 July 2025), UNESCO recognised 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites. How are they distributed?
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Correct answer: B — 11 in Maharashtra and 1 in Tamil Nadu
PIB (Mann Ki Baat, 27 July 2025): UNESCO has recognised 12 Maratha forts as World Heritage Sites, eleven in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu.
As per Mann Ki Baat (27 July 2025), Indian students at the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia won:
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Correct answer: A — 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze
PIB: in the International Mathematical Olympiad held in Australia, Indian students won 3 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze medal.
The 'Gyan Bharatam Mission', highlighted in the 124th Mann Ki Baat, aims to:
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Correct answer: D — Digitise ancient manuscripts
PIB: under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, announced in this year's Budget, ancient manuscripts will be digitised.
In which city is the residence of music maestro Bhupen Hazarika, visited by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 26 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Guwahati
PIB (26 July 2025): Sonowal visited the iconic residence of Dr. Bhupen Hazarika in Guwahati.
The Railways' ₹1,011 crore station upgrade plan reviewed on 25 July 2025 is for which event in 2027?
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Correct answer: A — Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha
PIB (25 July 2025): the Railway Minister reviewed plans for Nashik-Trimbakeshwar Simhastha 2027, with ₹1,011 crore of works at five key stations.
The Keezhadi archaeological site, discussed in a Rajya Sabha reply on 24 July 2025, lies in which river basin?
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Correct answer: A — Vaigai
PIB (24 July 2025): ASI identified the archaeological potential of Keezhadi after a survey in the Vaigai river basin.
As per the Government's reply of 24 July 2025, who is currently conducting the Keezhadi excavation?
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Correct answer: D — State Archaeology Department of Tamil Nadu
PIB: currently, the Keezhadi excavation is being conducted by the State Archaeology Department of Tamil Nadu; ASI excavated it in 2014-15 to 2016-17.
Which category of intellectual property recorded the highest growth in filings between 2020-21 and 2024-25, as per the Commerce Ministry (July 2025)?
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Correct answer: D — Geographical Indications
PIB (22 July 2025): GI saw the highest growth at 380%, followed by Designs (266%) and Patents (180%).
By what percentage did total IP filings by Indian citizens rise from 2020-21 to 2024-25?
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Correct answer: C — 44%
PIB: IP filings increased by 44%, from 4,77,533 in 2020-21 to 6,89,991 in 2024-25.
In July 2025, a replica of the Ashoka Pillar was unveiled at Waskaduwa Sri Subhuthi Viharaya, located in which district of Sri Lanka?
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Correct answer: D — Kalutara
PIB (Culture): the temple is in Waskaduwa, Kalutara district, about 42 km south of Colombo; the replica was unveiled on 21 July 2025.
The National Workshop on Jain Manuscriptology held at Gujarat University on 19 July 2025 was funded under which scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs?
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Correct answer: A — Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
PIB (Minority Affairs): the workshop was funded by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) of the Ministry of Minority Affairs.
Where was the first campus of the Indian Institute of Creative Technology (IICT) inaugurated on 18 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — NFDC Complex, Mumbai
PIB (I&B): the first campus of IICT, including the administrative complex and classrooms, was inaugurated at the NFDC Complex in Mumbai.
According to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, the Indian Institute of Creative Technology will impart advanced training to professionals of which sector?
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Correct answer: B — AVGC-XR
PIB (I&B): IICT will offer completely industry-aligned advanced programmes to impart advanced training to AVGC-XR professionals and trainers.
The 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) was scheduled to be held in Goa on which dates?
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Correct answer: D — 20-28 November 2025
PIB (I&B): the 56th edition of IFFI is scheduled to be held from 20 to 28 November 2025 in Goa.
Who received the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 from President Droupadi Murmu at Cuttack on 15 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Dharmendra Pradhan
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President presented the Kalinga Ratna Award-2024 to Union Minister for Education Dharmendra Pradhan at Cuttack.
Adikabi Sarala Das, whose birth anniversary was celebrated in Cuttack on 15 July 2025, is credited by the President with composing which work?
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Correct answer: D — Mahabharata
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President said Adikabi Sarala Das enriched Indian literature by composing the Mahabharata.
Consider the following statements about President Murmu's programmes in Cuttack on 15 July 2025: 1. At the Ravenshaw University convocation, she laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of three buildings of Ravenshaw Girls' High School. 2. The literary award 'Sarala Samman' was presented to Bijaya Nayak. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President laid the foundation stone for redevelopment of three buildings of Ravenshaw Girls' High School, and congratulated Bijaya Nayak, who received the 'Sarala Samman'. Both are correct.
Veteran actor Kota Srinivasa Rao, who died on 13 July 2025, was primarily associated with which film industry?
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Correct answer: C — Telugu
The Hindu, NDTV, The Tribune: veteran Telugu actor Kota Srinivasa Rao passed away at 83.
Kota Srinivasa Rao served as a BJP MLA from 1999 to 2004 from which constituency?
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Correct answer: D — Vijayawada East
NDTV and The Tribune: he served as BJP MLA from the Vijayawada East Assembly constituency from 1999 to 2004.
Which civilian honour had Kota Srinivasa Rao received?
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Correct answer: A — Padma Shri
The Tribune and The New Indian Express: Kota Srinivasa Rao was a recipient of the Padma Shri.
With the inscription of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' on 11 July 2025, how many World Heritage properties does India have?
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Correct answer: A — 44
UNESCO and Ministry of Culture: the inscription made it India's 44th World Heritage property.
Which component of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' is located in Tamil Nadu?
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Correct answer: C — Gingee Fort
Ministry of Culture and UNESCO: 11 forts are in Maharashtra, along with Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu.
Consider the following statements about the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India': 1. They were inscribed at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee in Paris. 2. They were inscribed under criteria (iv) and (vi). 3. The property comprises 12 forts, 11 of which are in Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
All three are correct as per UNESCO Decision 47 COM 8B.16 and the Ministry of Culture.
Which of the following forts in the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' is classified as an island fort?
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Correct answer: B — Khanderi
Ministry of Culture: Khanderi, Suvarnadurg and Sindhudurg, surrounded by the sea, are island forts; Raigad is a hill fort, Panhala a hill-plateau fort and Pratapgad a hill-forest fort.
Which UNESCO advisory body sent a mission to review the sites of the 'Maratha Military Landscapes of India' before the inscription?
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Correct answer: A — ICOMOS
Ministry of Culture: the 18-month process involved technical meetings with the advisory bodies and a visit of ICOMOS's mission to review the sites.
Ashadha Purnima, celebrated by the IBC at Sarnath on 10 July 2025, marks which event?
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Correct answer: C — Dhammachakra Pravartana — Buddha's first sermon
Ministry of Culture: Ashadha Purnima marks the Dhammachakra Pravartana Divas, when Lord Buddha delivered his first sermon at Sarnath.
The Chief Minister of which state attended the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations in Dharamshala on 6 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Arunachal Pradesh
Indian Express and NDTV: Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu attended the celebrations at Tsuglagkhang.
In his 90th-birthday greeting to the Dalai Lama, PM Modi said he joined how many Indians in extending warmest wishes?
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Correct answer: B — 1.4 billion
PMO: 'I join 1.4 billion Indians in extending our warmest wishes to His Holiness the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday.'
At which temple complex in Dharamshala were the Dalai Lama's 90th birthday celebrations held on 6 July 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Tsuglagkhang
The Hindu (Reuters), Indian Express and NDTV: the celebrations were held at the Tsuglagkhang temple complex in McLeodganj, Dharamshala.
In which district of Maharashtra is Pandharpur, where the CM performed the Ashadhi Ekadashi mahapuja on 6 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Solapur
PTI (The Week): the Chief Minister offers prayers at the Vitthal–Rukmini temple in Solapur district's Pandharpur town on Ashadhi Ekadashi every year.
The Bahuda Yatra of 5 July 2025 marked the return of the Puri deities from which temple?
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Correct answer: B — Gundicha Temple
New Indian Express and ETV Bharat: the Bahuda Yatra brought the Holy Trinity back from the Gundicha Temple to Srimandir.
Who performed the Chhera Pahanra ritual on the chariots during the Bahuda Yatra on 5 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb
New Indian Express: the Chhera Pahanra ritual was performed by Puri king Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb on the three chariots.
Which chariot rolled out first in the Bahuda Yatra of 5 July 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Taladhwaja
New Indian Express and ETV Bharat: Lord Balabhadra's Taladhwaja chariot rolled out first, followed by Darpadalana and Nandighosha.
Where was the statue of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa I unveiled by Amit Shah on 4 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — National Defence Academy, Pune
MHA: Shri Amit Shah unveiled the statue of Shrimant Bajirao Peshwa I at the National Defence Academy in Pune, Maharashtra.
According to Amit Shah's speech at the NDA (4 July 2025), how many battles did Bajirao Peshwa I fight in 20 years, winning all of them?
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Correct answer: D — 41
MHA: Shri Shah noted that Bajirao Peshwa fought 41 battles in a span of 20 years and emerged victorious in all of them.