Prelims GS Paper IArt & CultureHigh-yield

Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain Monuments

मंदिर स्थापत्य — नागर, द्रविड़, वेसर, बौद्ध और जैन स्मारक

Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain Monuments is part of the UPSC Prelims GS Paper I syllabus, under Art & Culture. It appeared in Prelims GS Paper I question papers in 7 of the 10 years from 2016 to 2025 (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024, 2025). It is marked high-yield: a topic worth revising more than once.

What should you study in Temple Architecture?

Nagara style — Shikhara types (Latina, Valabhi, Sekhari)
Dravida style — Vimana, Gopuram, Mandapa
Vesara style — hybrid, Chalukyan examples
Buddhist — Stupas (Sanchi), Viharas, Chaityas; Jain temples

How often is Temple Architecture asked in UPSC Prelims?

Asked in 7 of 10 years, including 4 of the last 5. Highlighted years below are the ones it appeared in.

2016: not asked
2017: asked
2018: asked
2019: asked
2020: not asked
2021: asked
2022: asked
2023: not asked
2024: asked
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.

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Temple Architecture — Nagara, Dravida, Vesara, Buddhist & Jain Monuments

What should you study in Temple Architecture?

How often is Temple Architecture asked in UPSC Prelims?

About the Prelims GS Paper I paper

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