1. With reference to UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register, consider the following statements:
- It aims to preserve documentary heritage of outstanding universal value.
- The Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra are the first Indian entries in this register.
- The Register includes both religious texts and secular manuscripts.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 1 and 3
[C] Only 2 and 3
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 1 and 3]
Notes:
Statement 2 is incorrect. While the Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and the Natyashastra are indeed part of the UNESCO World Register, they are not the first Indian entries. Prior Indian entries include the Rigveda manuscripts and the Archives of the Dutch East India Company.
2. Cradle of Humankind, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is located in which country?
[A] South Africa
[B] Chile
[C] France
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [South Africa]
Notes:
The Cradle of Humankind in South Africa has reopened to the public after being closed for three years due to flooding. It is a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site known for its underground limestone caves. It is located near Johannesburg, South Africa. It includes several significant sites such as Sterkfontein, Swartkrans, Kromdraai, and Taung Skull Fossil Site. The site provides critical scientific insight into human evolution, dating back over 3.5 million years.
3. Which two classical Indian texts were recently inscribed in UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in April 2025?
[A] Vedas and Ramayana
[B] Arthashastra and Manusmriti
[C] Mahabharata and Upanishads
[D] Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Shrimad Bhagavad Gita and Natyashastra]
Notes:
The classical Indian texts Natyashastra by Bharat Muni and Shrimad Bhagavad Gita have been added to the Memory of the World Register by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). This announcement was made by Union Minister for Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on 18 April 2025. With this, India now has a total of 14 inscriptions in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register. UNESCO’s Executive Board met in Paris, France, on 17 April 2025 and approved 74 new entries. These 74 documentaries come from 72 countries and four international organisations. The new entries include topics like the scientific revolution, women’s historical contributions, and global cooperation.
4. Consider the following statements with reference to the significance of Eravikulam National Park in Nilgiri Tahr conservation:
- It was the first site where Nilgiri Tahr was declared the state animal.
- It supports over half of the global population of Nilgiri Tahr.
- It is a key part of the Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 2
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 1 and 3
[D] All are correct
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only 2 and 3]
Notes:- Statement 1 is incorrect. Nilgiri Tahr was declared a state animal not by Eravikulam but by Tamil Nadu.
- Statement 2 is correct. Eravikulam does support over half of the global population of Nilgiri Thar.
- Statement 3 is correct. Eravikulam is indeed a key part of the Western Ghats UNESCO World Heritage Site.
5. Regarding tiger reserves in India, consider the following statements:
- Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located in Tamil Nadu.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve is home to the largest population of tigers in India.
- Kanha Tiger Reserve inspired the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”.
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique mangrove ecosystem.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Only two]
Notes:- Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located in Tamil Nadu: This is incorrect. Bandipur Tiger Reserve is located in Karnataka.
- Periyar Tiger Reserve is home to the largest population of tigers in India: This is incorrect. Nagarhole Tiger Reserve has a larger tiger population than Periyar.
- Kanha Tiger Reserve inspired the setting of Rudyard Kipling’s “The Jungle Book”: This is correct. The reserve is indeed the inspiration for the book.
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its unique mangrove ecosystem: This is correct. It is recognized for both its biodiversity and mangrove forests.
Thus, only one statement is correct. The correct answer is (A) Only one.
6. UNESCO की अमूर्त सांस्कृतिक धरोहर Kris किस देश से संबंधित है?
[A] इंडोनेशिया
[B] मलेशिया
[C] फिलीपींस
[D] वियतनाम
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [इंडोनेशिया]
Notes:
इंडोनेशिया की UNESCO अमूर्त सांस्कृतिक धरोहर में “Kris” नामक एक विशेष कटार शामिल है। इसे मौखिक और अमूर्त विरासत की उत्कृष्ट कृति के रूप में मान्यता मिली है। Kris एक असममित इंडोनेशियाई कटार है, जिसकी ब्लेड डिज़ाइन लोहे और निकलयुक्त लोहे की परतों से बनाई जाती है। यह अपनी लहरदार ब्लेड के लिए प्रसिद्ध है, हालांकि कुछ सीधे ब्लेड वाले भी होते हैं। यह दक्षिण पूर्व एशिया की कई समुदायों में शक्ति और सांस्कृतिक गर्व का प्रतीक है। Kris पारंपरिक मार्शल आर्ट “Pencak Silat” में भी इस्तेमाल किया जाता है, जो इस क्षेत्र की एक प्रमुख युद्धकला है।
7. In the context of Puppetry, which of the following observations is/are correct?
- Puppetry has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage.
- Puppets with sockets were found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro and are mentioned in Silappadikaaram (1st–2nd Century BC).
Select the correct option from the codes given below:
[A] Only 1
[B] Only 2
[C] Both 1 & 2
[D] Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Both 1 & 2]
Notes:- Puppetry has been recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage. Correct: Puppetry has been acknowledged as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, highlighting its significance in cultural expression and community identity.
- Puppets with sockets were found at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro and are mentioned in Silappadikaaram (1st–2nd Century BC). Correct: The excavation sites at Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro have yielded puppets with sockets attached to them. It finds mention in Silappadikaaram (composed around the 1st – 2nd Century BC)
8. संयुक्त राष्ट्र शैक्षिक, वैज्ञानिक और सांस्कृतिक संगठन (UNESCO) का मुख्यालय किस देश में स्थित है?
[A] बेल्जियम
[B] स्विट्ज़रलैंड
[C] फ्रांस
[D] कनाडा
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [फ्रांस]
Notes:
संयुक्त राष्ट्र शैक्षिक, वैज्ञानिक और सांस्कृतिक संगठन (UNESCO) का मुख्यालय फ्रांस की राजधानी पेरिस में स्थित है। यह संयुक्त राष्ट्र (UN) की एक विशेष एजेंसी है, जिसका उद्देश्य शिक्षा, विज्ञान और संस्कृति के माध्यम से अंतरराष्ट्रीय सहयोग को बढ़ावा देकर विश्व शांति और सुरक्षा सुनिश्चित करना है। इसके 193 सदस्य देश और 11 सहयोगी सदस्य हैं, साथ ही गैर-सरकारी, अंतर-सरकारी और निजी क्षेत्र के साझेदार भी शामिल हैं।
9. संयुक्त राष्ट्र शैक्षिक, वैज्ञानिक और सांस्कृतिक संगठन (UNESCO) का मुख्यालय किस देश में स्थित है?
[A] संयुक्त राज्य अमेरिका
[B] जर्मनी
[C] फ्रांस
[D] ऑस्ट्रिया
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [फ्रांस]
Notes:
संयुक्त राष्ट्र शैक्षिक, वैज्ञानिक और सांस्कृतिक संगठन (UNESCO) संयुक्त राष्ट्र की एक विशिष्ट एजेंसी है। इसका मुख्य उद्देश्य शिक्षा, विज्ञान और संस्कृति के माध्यम से अंतरराष्ट्रीय सहयोग को बढ़ावा देकर विश्व शांति और सुरक्षा को सुदृढ़ करना है।
10. Consider the following UNESCO World Heritage Sites from India:
- The architectural work of le corbusier
- Khajuraho Temples
- Ramappa Temple
- Sacred ensembles of the Hoysala
Which of the following is the correct order of the above sites from south to north?
[A] 1 2 3 4
[B] 1 3 2 4
[C] 4 3 2 1
[D] 2 4 1 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [4 3 2 1 ]
Notes:The given UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India from south to north:
- Sacred Ensembles of the Hoysala (Karnataka)
- Ramappa Temple (Telangana)
- Khajuraho Temples (Madhya Pradesh)
- The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier (Chandigarh, Punjab/Haryana)
