Art & Culture Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Rani Velu Nachiyar, remembered on her birth anniversary on 3 January 2026, was the queen of which kingdom?
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Correct answer: D — Sivaganga
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah called her 'the queen of Sivaganga' who defeated the colonial rulers with her military prowess.
The Assam Book Fair visited by Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on 2 January 2026 was held at which place in Guwahati?
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Correct answer: A — Khanapara
PIB (MoPSW): Sonowal visited the Assam Book Fair at Khanapara in Guwahati.
The Sivagiri Mutt, where the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage was inaugurated on 30 December 2025, is located at:
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Correct answer: D — Varkala
PIB (Vice President's Secretariat): the Vice-President inaugurated the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage at the Sivagiri Mutt in Varkala, Kerala.
The message 'One caste, one religion, one God for humankind', recalled by the Vice-President at the 93rd Sivagiri Pilgrimage, is associated with:
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Correct answer: A — Sree Narayana Guru
PIB: the Vice-President said Sree Narayana Guru answered caste injustice with the words 'One caste, one religion, one God for humankind'.
Where was the valedictory function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 held on 30 December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Rameswaram
PIB (Vice President's Secretariat): the Vice-President addressed the valedictory function of Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 at Rameswaram.
At the Kashi Tamil Sangamam 4.0 valedictory, the Vice-President said the initiative reflects the vision of which poet of a united, integrated India?
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Correct answer: B — Subramania Bharati
PIB: quoting Mahakavi Subramania Bharati, the Vice-President said the Sangamam reflects the poet's vision of a united, integrated and confident India.
At the Kartik Jatra in Gumla on 30 December 2025, President Murmu said which leader 'strengthened tribal consciousness and identity in accordance with the ideals of Bhagwan Birsa Munda'?
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Correct answer: A — Kartik Oraon
PIB (President's Secretariat): the President said Pankhraj Saheb Kartik Oraon strengthened tribal consciousness and identity in accordance with Birsa Munda's ideals.
Gumla, where President Murmu addressed the Antarrajyiy Jansanskritik Samagam Samaroh – Kartik Jatra in December 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: D — Jharkhand
PIB: the Kartik Jatra was held at Gumla, Jharkhand.
INSV Kaundinya set out on her maiden overseas voyage from Porbandar on 29 December 2025 to which destination?
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Correct answer: A — Muscat
PIB (Defence): INSV Kaundinya sailed from Porbandar, Gujarat, to Muscat, Sultanate of Oman, on 29 December 2025.
What makes INSV Kaundinya, which began her maiden voyage in December 2025, distinctive?
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Correct answer: C — It was built using the ancient stitched shipbuilding technique
PIB (Defence and PMO): INSV Kaundinya was constructed using traditional stitched shipbuilding techniques with natural materials dating back several centuries.
Consider the following statements about INSV Kaundinya's maiden voyage: 1. The vessel was flagged off by the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command. 2. The voyage retraces ancient routes linking India's west coast with Oman. 3. The vessel has a steel hull built with modern welding to meet blue-water safety norms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, flagged off the vessel, and the voyage retraces ancient routes between India's west coast and Oman. The ship is built with traditional stitched techniques and natural materials, not a welded steel hull.
The Ol Chiki script, whose centenary President Murmu celebrated at Jamshedpur on 29 December 2025, was created by:
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Correct answer: B — Pandit Raghunath Murmu
PIB (President's Secretariat): Pandit Raghunath Murmu created the Ol Chiki script in 1925.
Consider the following statements about the Ol Chiki script: 1. It was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu for the Santhali language. 2. The Constitution of India in Santhali, written in Ol Chiki, was released on 25 December 2025. 3. Before Ol Chiki, Santhali was written only in the Devanagari script. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB (President's Secretariat): Ol Chiki was created in 1925 by Pandit Raghunath Murmu, and the Santhali Constitution in Ol Chiki was released on 25 December 2025. Earlier, Roman, Devanagari, Odia and Bengali scripts were all used, so statement 3 is wrong.
Batadrava Than, the birthplace of Srimanta Sankardev whose redevelopment was inaugurated on 29 December 2025, is in which district of Assam?
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Correct answer: D — Nagaon
PIB (Home Affairs): Batadrava Than, birthplace of Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev, is in Nagaon district of Assam.
Srimanta Sankardev, whose birthplace Batadrava Than was redeveloped, founded which religious tradition?
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Correct answer: A — Eka Sarana Nama Dharma (Neo-Vaishnavism)
PIB (Home Affairs): Srimanta Sankardev established the Neo-Vaishnavite faith, the 'Eka Sarana Nama Dharma' tradition, and spread it across the Northeast.
The Jyoti–Bishnu International Art Centre inaugurated in Guwahati on 29 December 2025 is named after Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and:
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Correct answer: A — Bishnu Prasad Rabha
PIB (Home Affairs): the centre was built in memory of Jyoti Prasad Agarwala and Bishnu Prasad Rabha.
At the inauguration of the Jyoti–Bishnu International Art Centre, who was credited with laying the foundation of Assamese cinema?
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Correct answer: C — Jyoti Prasad Agarwala
PIB (Home Affairs): Jyoti Prasad Agarwala laid the foundation of Assamese cinema and combined music, drama and literature with patriotism.
On the Parkash Utsav of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji (27 December 2025), the PM shared pictures from his earlier visit to which Takht?
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Correct answer: B — Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib
PIB (PMO): the PM shared pictures from his visit to Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib earlier in the year.
At Takht Sri Harimandir Ji Patna Sahib, the PM had darshan of the holy Jore Sahib of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and of:
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Correct answer: C — Mata Sahib Kaur Ji
PIB (PMO): the PM had darshan of the holy Jore Sahib of Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji and Mata Sahib Kaur Ji.
Veer Baal Diwas, observed on 26 December, honours which two Sahibzadas of Guru Gobind Singh Ji?
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Correct answer: C — Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh
PIB backgrounder: Veer Baal Diwas honours Sahibzada Zorawar Singh Ji and Sahibzada Fateh Singh Ji, the two youngest sons of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.
The two youngest Sahibzadas were martyred on 26 December 1704 at:
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Correct answer: C — Sirhind (Fatehgarh Sahib)
PIB backgrounder: they were bricked alive and martyred at Sirhind (present-day Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab) on 26 December 1704.
In his Veer Baal Diwas 2025 address, the Prime Minister said the colonial mindset was seeded by Macaulay in which year?
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Correct answer: D — 1835
PIB 2208811: the PM said the mentality was seeded by British politician Macaulay in 1835, and that 2035 will mark 200 years.
The Harappan site of Rakhigarhi, where the Rakhigarhi Mahotsav was held from 26 to 28 December 2025, is in which district of Haryana?
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Correct answer: A — Hisar
Amar Ujala (Hisar edition): the three-day Rakhigarhi Mahotsav was held at Rakhigarhi in Hisar from 26 to 28 December; ThePrint gives the same dates.
At the Rakhigarhi Mahotsav 2025, the Haryana CM said how much the Union Budget had allocated for developing Rakhigarhi?
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Correct answer: B — ₹500 crore
ThePrint and The Indian Express: CM Nayab Singh Saini said the Union Budget has allocated ₹500 crore for Rakhigarhi. (₹22 crore is the cost of the museum already built there, per The Indian Express.)
The Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025, inaugurated on 26 December 2025, was held in which Odisha district?
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Correct answer: B — Keonjhar
Pragativadi and The Orissa Today: CM Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav at the foothills of Gonasika in Keonjhar.
While opening the Gonasika-Keonjhar Mahotsav 2025, the Odisha CM said the state has how many Scheduled Tribe communities?
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Correct answer: C — 62
Pragativadi and The Orissa Today: Majhi said tribal culture, with 62 Scheduled Tribe communities, is inseparable from Odisha's identity.
In which script is the Santhali version of the Constitution of India, released on 25 December 2025, written?
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Correct answer: A — Ol Chiki
PIB 2208453: the President said the Constitution is now available in the Santhali language, written in the Ol Chiki script.
Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution by which Amendment Act?
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Correct answer: C — 92nd Amendment Act, 2003
PIB 2208453 and 2208484: Santhali was included in the Eighth Schedule through the 92nd Amendment Act, 2003.
Consider the following statements about the Santhali Constitution released in December 2025: 1. The Ol Chiki script was developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925. 2. The translation was published by the Legislative Department of the Ministry of Law and Justice. 3. It was released at a joint sitting in Parliament House. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2208484: Ol Chiki was developed by Pandit Raghunath Murmu in 1925 and the translation was published by the Legislative Department. It was released at Rashtrapati Bhavan, so statement 3 is wrong.
On which date is World Meditation Day observed?
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Correct answer: D — 21 December
PIB 2207153 and 2207225: the UN General Assembly declared 21 December as World Meditation Day. 21 June is International Day of Yoga.
Kanha Shanti Vanam, where the Vice-President attended World Meditation Day celebrations in December 2025, is in which state?
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Correct answer: A — Telangana
PIB 2207153: the Vice-President participated in the celebrations at Kanha Shanti Vanam in Telangana.
Consider the following statements about World Meditation Day: 1. The United Nations General Assembly declared 21 December as World Meditation Day. 2. India co-sponsored the UNGA resolution on World Meditation Day. 3. The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, which marked the day, works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB 2207153: India co-sponsored the UNGA resolution declaring 21 December as World Meditation Day. PIB 2207225: MDNIY is under the Ministry of Ayush, so statement 3 is wrong.
Under the MoU exchanged in December 2025, the National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal will collaborate with which Dutch institution?
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Correct answer: D — National Maritime Museum, Amsterdam
PIB 2207128: the MoU brings together the NMHC and the National Maritime Museum in Amsterdam.
The National Maritime Heritage Complex at Lothal is envisioned to showcase India's maritime legacy of about how many years?
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Correct answer: C — 4,500
PIB 2207128: the NMHC is envisioned as a world-class complex showcasing India's 4,500-year-old maritime legacy.
GI-tagged Indi Lime, which was exported to Oman for the first time on 19 December 2025, comes from which district of Karnataka?
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Correct answer: A — Vijayapura
PIB 2206803: 3 MT of GI-tagged Indi Lime from Vijayapura district of Karnataka were exported to Oman.
Consider the following statements about GI-tagged Indi Lime exports: 1. Three metric tonnes were exported to Oman on 19 December 2025. 2. The maiden export of Indi Lime was to the United Kingdom. 3. APEDA has been supporting the promotion and export of the product. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 3 only
PIB 2206803: 3 MT went to Oman on 19 December and APEDA supports promotion and export. The maiden export was 3 MT to Dubai on 24 August 2025; the UK shipment was 350 kg flagged off later, so statement 2 is wrong.
Ram Sutar, who died on 17 December 2025, was the sculptor of which of the following?
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Correct answer: B — Statue of Unity, Kevadia
TOI, The Week (PTI) and The Tribune: Ram Sutar designed the Statue of Unity of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel at Kevadia, Gujarat.
Ram Sutar was born in 1925 in Gondur village of which district of Maharashtra?
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Correct answer: A — Dhule
TOI and The Week (PTI): Ram Sutar was born on 19 February 1925 in Gondur village in Maharashtra's Dhule district.
In which year was Ram Sutar conferred the Padma Bhushan?
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Correct answer: C — 2016
TOI and The Week (PTI): Ram Sutar received the Padma Shri in 1999 and the Padma Bhushan in 2016.
The Param Vir Dirgha inaugurated at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 16 December 2025 displays portraits of how many Param Vir Chakra awardees?
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Correct answer: B — 21
PIB 2204485: the gallery has the portraits of all 21 Param Vir Chakra awardees on display.
Before the Param Vir Dirgha was created, the corridors at Rashtrapati Bhavan displayed portraits of:
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Correct answer: A — British ADCs
PIB 2204485: the corridors earlier displayed portraits of British ADCs.
On which occasion was the Param Vir Dirgha inaugurated on 16 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Vijay Diwas
PIB 2204485: the President inaugurated the Param Vir Dirgha on the occasion of Vijay Diwas.
Which of the following was NOT among the places notified as 'holy cities' by Punjab on 15 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Fatehgarh Sahib
The Tribune and Punjab Sarokar: the notification covers the walled city of Amritsar, Sri Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo. Fatehgarh Sahib is not among them.
The resolution to declare three Punjab towns as holy cities, notified on 15 December 2025, was adopted at a Punjab Vidhan Sabha session held at which place?
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Correct answer: C — Sri Anandpur Sahib
The Tribune and Babushahi: the decision was taken as a resolution during the session of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha held at Sri Anandpur Sahib, and the notification followed the Governor's approval.
Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II, honoured with a commemorative stamp on 14 December 2025, ruled from which city?
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Correct answer: C — Tiruchirappalli
PIB 2203727: the Emperor ruled from Tiruchirappalli for nearly four decades.
The Mutharaiyar dynasty, to which Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II belonged, ruled central Tamil Nadu during which period?
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Correct answer: B — 7th–9th centuries CE
PIB 2203727: the Mutharaiyar dynasty ruled the central regions of Tamil Nadu between the 7th and 9th centuries CE.
Who released the commemorative postage stamp on Emperor Perumbidugu Mutharaiyar II on 14 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan
PIB 2203727: Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released the stamp at the Vice-President's Enclave; PIB 2203810 records the PM welcoming the release.
Who delivered the inaugural Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Craft Lecture on 14 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Rajeev Sethi
PIB 2203796: the inaugural lecture was delivered by Padma Bhushan awardee Rajeev Sethi.
What was the theme of the first Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay Craft Lecture Series held at The Kunj, New Delhi?
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Correct answer: B — Handmade for Gen-Next
PIB 2203796: the keynote lecture was on the theme 'Handmade for Gen-Next'.
In which year was the Bombay Gymkhana, honoured with a commemorative stamp on its 150th anniversary in December 2025, established?
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Correct answer: B — 1875
PIB 2203464: the Bombay Gymkhana was established in 1875.
Who released the commemorative postage stamp on the 150th anniversary of the Bombay Gymkhana on 13 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Jyotiraditya Scindia
PIB 2203464: Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia released the stamp in the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Milind Deora.
The Natyashastra, discussed at an IGNCA programme on 13 December 2025, is inscribed in which UNESCO register?
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Correct answer: B — Memory of the World Register
PIB 2203646: a short film on the inscription of the Natyashastra in UNESCO's Memory of the World Register was shown.
Where was the 20th session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage being held in December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Red Fort, Delhi
PIB 2203646: the IGNCA programme was organised during the 20th Session of the Committee at the Red Fort, Delhi.
Which Indian festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity at the 20th session of the ICH Committee held in New Delhi?
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Correct answer: D — Deepavali
PIB 2203188: one of the highlights of the session was the inscription of Deepavali on UNESCO's Representative List. Durga Puja, Kumbh Mela and Navroz were inscribed in earlier years.
Who is the Director-General of UNESCO, thanked by India at the close of the 20th ICH Committee session on 12 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Khaled El-Enany
PIB 2203188: India thanked UNESCO Director-General Dr Khaled El-Enany; Fumiko Ohinata is Secretary of the Convention.
The Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 was organised on 11 December 2025, the birth anniversary of which poet?
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Correct answer: B — Subramania Bharati
PIB 2202533: the Ministry of Education organised Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025 on the birth anniversary of Mahakavi Subramania Bharati.
'Adi Vaani', demonstrated at the Bharatiya Bhasha Utsav 2025, is:
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Correct answer: B — India's first AI-powered tribal language translator
PIB 2202533: Adi Vaani is India's first AI-powered tribal language translator, an initiative of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs; an IIT Delhi team gave a live demonstration.
On 10 December 2025, which Indian festival was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity?
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Correct answer: A — Deepavali
PIB 2201320: Deepavali was inscribed on the Representative List on 10 December 2025 at the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee.
Where was the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, at which Deepavali was inscribed, held?
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Correct answer: A — Red Fort, New Delhi
PIB 2201320: the inscription took place during the 20th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee held at the Red Fort, New Delhi.
Delegates from how many UNESCO Member States were present when Deepavali was inscribed on 10 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — 194
PIB 2201320: the inscription was adopted in the presence of delegates from 194 Member States.
The Shaheed Smarak Kshetra inaugurated in Guwahati on 10 December 2025 honours how many martyrs of the Assam Movement?
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Correct answer: D — 860
PIB 2201958: Sonowal paid homage to the 860 martyrs of the Assam Movement at the new memorial.
In which locality of Guwahati is the Shaheed Smarak Kshetra and Park, inaugurated on Shaheed Divas 2025, located?
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Correct answer: C — West Boragaon
PIB 2201958: the Shaheed Smarak Kshetra and Park is in West Boragaon, Guwahati.
How many Shilp Guru Awards were conferred by President Droupadi Murmu for 2023 and 2024 on 9 December 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 12
PIB 2200929: of the 48 awards, 12 were Shilp Guru Awards and 36 were National Awards.
Consider the following statements about the Shilp Guru and National Handicraft Awards for 2023 and 2024: 1. The awards were conferred at Vigyan Bhavan, New Delhi. 2. Twenty of the awardees are women artisans. 3. The National Awards included Design & Innovation Awards for artisan–designer collaboration. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB 2200929: the ceremony was at Vigyan Bhavan; 20 awardees are women; the 36 National Awards included 2 Design & Innovation Awards.
Where did the 20th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage open on 8 December 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Red Fort, New Delhi
PIB 2200378: the 20th Session began at the Red Fort, New Delhi, on 8 December 2025.
Who chaired the 20th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage held in New Delhi in December 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Vishal V. Sharma
PIB 2200489: Vishal V. Sharma, India's Permanent Representative to UNESCO, is the 20.COM Chairperson. Vivek Aggarwal is Culture Secretary, Ernesto Ottone is UNESCO ADG for Culture and Khaled El-Enany is UNESCO Director-General.
According to the Culture Ministry in December 2025, how many Indian elements are on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity (before the 20th session)?
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Correct answer: C — 15
PIB 2200489: the Culture Secretary underscored India's 15 elements on the Representative List, including Vedic Chanting, Kutiyattam, Yoga, Kumbh Mela, Durga Puja and Garba.