Classical & Folk Art — Dance, Music, Theatre, Painting Schools, Sculpture

What should you study in Classical & Folk Art?

• Classical dances — Bharatanatyam, Kathak, Kathakali, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri, Mohiniyattam, Sattriya
• Hindustani vs Carnatic music — key features
• Paintings — Ajanta, Mughal, Rajput, Pahari, Madhubani, Warli
• Folk theatre — Yakshagana, Jatra, Tamasha, Nautanki

How often is Classical & Folk Art asked in UPSC Prelims?

Asked in 5 of 10 years, including 3 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

1. 2016: not asked
2. 2017: asked
3. 2018: not asked
4. 2019: asked
5. 2020: not asked
6. 2021: asked
7. 2022: not asked
8. 2023: asked
9. 2024: not asked
10. 2025: asked

About the Prelims GS Paper I paper

General Studies Paper I is the Prelims paper that decides the cut-off: 100 multiple-choice questions for 200 marks, with negative marking for wrong answers. See all 88 Prelims GS Paper I topics.

Related topics to study next

• Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain MonumentsHigh-yieldasked 7/10 yrs
• Indo-Islamic & Regional Architecture — Forts, Stepwells, Mughal/Rajput StylesHigh-yieldasked 5/10 yrs
• Literature, Languages & Religio-Cultural Traditions (Bhakti/Sufi/Buddhist)asked 3/10 yrs
• Heritage Governance — UNESCO (WH/Intangible), ASI, GI Tags, PRASAD, HRIDAYHigh-yieldasked 7/10 yrs
• Gandhi & Mass Movements — NCM, CDM, Quit India MovementHigh-yieldasked 7/10 yrs
• Space Technology — ISRO Missions, Satellites, Planetary Science & Space EconomyHigh-yieldasked 7/10 yrs
• Biotechnology — Genomics, GMO, Vaccines, CRISPR, Biosafety & Health TechHigh-yieldasked 7/10 yrs
• Monsoon — Mechanism, ENSO, IOD, MJO & Indian ImpactHigh-yieldasked 6/10 yrs