Art & Culture Current Affairs MCQs

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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted Operation Fire Trail to stop illegal smuggling of Chinese firecrackers into India. Officers intercepted a 40-foot container at Nhava Sheva Port, declared as carrying “leggings.”
Import of firecrackers is ‘Restricted’ under the ITC (HS) Code of the Foreign Trade Policy. Such imports need license from DGFT (Directorate General of Foreign Trade) and PESO (Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organization). Smuggling these hazardous goods threatens public safety, national security, and port infrastructure. The DRI continues efforts to protect trade integrity and prevent organized smuggling.

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The Yuge Yugeen Bharat National Museum is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project. It will be the world’s largest museum, with the first gallery opening in one year and full completion in 36 months. The museum will be developed through Adaptive Reuse, in collaboration with France, known for projects like the Louvre, Grand Palais, and Hôtel de la Marine. It involves transforming the North and South Blocks into museum spaces. The museum will showcase India’s civilizational and cultural heritage, celebrating the nation’s timeless history, present, and future vision.

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Recently, archaeologists discovered a 4,000-year-old temple on Failaka Island in Kuwait, linked to the ancient Dilmun Civilization. The Dilmun Civilization, also known as Telmun, flourished in the eastern Arabian Peninsula. Its main centers were the islands of Bahrain and Failaka Island in Kuwait. It also extended to regions of Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, and the Iranian coast along the Persian Gulf. Dilmun was a powerful Bronze Age trading hub connecting Mesopotamia and the Indus Valley. Though ancient and influential, it is less known than major early civilizations like Mesopotamia, Egypt, Indus Valley, and Yellow River.

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The Chavang Kut Festival, a post-harvest celebration of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo communities, is observed every year on November 1 across Manipur. The festival marks the end of the harvesting season and expresses thanksgiving to the almighty for a good harvest. Chavang Kut was declared a State Holiday in 1982 due to its cultural significance. The festival symbolizes gratitude, unity, and harmony between humans and nature.

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A 16-day Global Peace Prayer Festival (GPPF) began on November 4, 2025, in Thimphu, Bhutan, to pray for world peace and healing of humanity amid global conflicts. The festival was launched by Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk and Chief Abbot Trulku Jigme Choedra at Changlimithang ground. It is organized by the Royal Government of Bhutan with support from the Government of India. The event marks the 70th birth anniversary of the Fourth King, Jigme Singye Wangchuk, who introduced democracy in Bhutan.

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The historic 10-day cultural festival Kartik Naach concluded recently at Patan Durbar Square, Lalitpur, Nepal, on Kartik Purnima. It is a traditional dance and drama festival celebrated annually in Nepal during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. The festival has been performed for over 300 years and is deeply rooted in Hindu epics. Local artists, who inherit the art through generations, perform in open-air evening shows combining dance, drama, and music. It was started in the 17th century by King Siddhinarsingh Malla of Patan. Patan Durbar Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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The President of India extended greetings to the people of Odisha on the occasion of the historic ‘Baliyatra’ festival. Baliyatra is an annual maritime festival celebrated in coastal Odisha on the day of Kartika Purnima. It commemorates the ancient maritime trade and cultural links between Odisha (ancient Kalinga) and Southeast Asian regions such as Bali, Java, and Sumatra. The festival is linked to the legend of ‘Taapoi’ and associated with rituals like ‘Bhalukuni Osha’ (also called ‘Khudurukuni Osha’) and ‘Bada Osha’. During the celebration, people float miniature boats with lamps on the Mahanadi River, symbolizing the sea voyages of Kalinga’s sailors and traders in ancient times

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The 9th Ganga Utsav was celebrated by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) under the Ministry of Jal Shakti, focusing on partnership and people’s participation for river rejuvenation. Two key publications—“Status of Waterbirds in the Ganga River Basin” and “Status of Island Nesting Report”—were released to assess ecological health. At Amity University, Noida, the theme “Voices and Rhythms of River: Technical and Cultural Expressions” highlighted data-driven and LiDAR-based river management. Resources like “Preventing Solid Waste Flow into Water”, “The Colors of Ganga”, and LiDAR Data Release for Riverathon 1.0 were launched.

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Shad Nongkrem, also known as Nongkrem Dance, is a major indigenous religious and cultural festival of the Khasi tribe in Meghalaya. It is celebrated annually during autumn at Smit, the headquarters of Hima Khyrim, about 20 km from Shillong. The five-day festival, called Ka Pomblang Nongkrem, is dedicated to Ka Blei Synshar, seeking blessings for a good harvest and people’s prosperity. The Syiem (king) of Khyrim and high priests perform rituals and offer oblations to Lei Shyllong, the presiding deity of Shillong Peak.

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Recently, a portion of the Piprahwa Relics of Lord Buddha from India was enshrined at Tashichhodzong Monastery in Thimpu, Bhutan. The Piprahwa Relics were discovered in 1898 at Piprahwa Stupa, Uttar Pradesh, linked to ancient Kapilavastu, Buddha’s homeland. Relics include bone fragments of Lord Buddha, crystal caskets, gold ornaments, gemstones, and a sandstone coffer. An inscription in Brahmi script links the relics to the Sakya clan, enshrined around the 3rd century BC.