UPSC 2026: Full Art & Culture Revision through Current Affairs | One Shot by Abhishek Mishra

TLDR;

This session provides a comprehensive overview of art and culture current affairs from December 2024 to August 2025, focusing on static portions through current events. Key topics include UNESCO nominations, geographical indications (GI tags), archaeological discoveries, and important personalities. The session also addresses controversies and offers insights into how these topics can be relevant for the UPSC examination.

UNESCO nominations and heritage sites
GI tags and their significance
Archaeological discoveries and their impact on historical timelines
Important personalities and their contributions

Introduction to Art and Culture Timeline [0:06]

The session aims to cover art and culture through current affairs from December 2024 to August 2025, with a plan for a follow-up session covering September to February. The goal is to discuss around 50 topics, balancing current affairs with static knowledge, which is considered valuable due to its higher hit rate in exams. The presenter also mentions offers for Unacademy IAS aspirants and encourages the use of the code "I English" for access.

Sarnat's UNESCO Nomination [4:55]

Sarnat has been nominated for UNESCO World Heritage status for the 2025-26 round. The nomination process involves three steps: inclusion in the tentative list, nomination for consideration, and inclusion in the representative list. Sarnat was added to the tentative list in 1998 but was only nominated in 2025. The site's importance stems from being the place where Buddha gave his first sermon. Key monuments include the Dhamekh Stupa, known for its unique cylindrical design, the Dharmarajika Stupa, and the Sarnat capital figure, of which only the upper two components are part of the national emblem. The Chandi Stupa, installed by Todarmal's son, commemorates Humayun's visit, highlighting Sarnat's historical significance beyond the 6th century BC.

Mining Tourism in Jharkhand [19:50]

Jharkhand is the first state in India to use mining for tourism, aiming to showcase tribal culture and mining practices. This initiative, involving the CCL and the state government, seeks to promote alternative tourism, exposure, local culture, employment, and economic growth. It also aims to highlight the intangible heritage of the area, potentially leading to its recognition.

Remembering Vitalbhai Patel [22:31]

Vitalbhai Patel, the elder brother of Vallabhbhai Patel, was the first Indian speaker of the Central Legislative Council. He is first mentioned in connection with the Kheda remission campaign in 1917-18 and was a member of the Swaraj Party. The Delhi Legislative Assembly recently hosted a conference where Vitalbhai was remembered. He was elected to the Bombay Legislative Council in 1912 and the Imperial Legislative Council in 1918. In 1924, he became the first Indian president of the Central Legislative Assembly, holding the position for two terms before resigning in 1930. The Imperial Legislative Council and the Central Legislative Assembly are the same, with the name changing due to the Government of India Act 1919.

100 Years of Kakori Train Action [33:17]

The 100th anniversary of the Kakori train action was commemorated on 9th August 2025. The Kakori train action was performed by the Hindustan Republican Army (HRA) to fund an armed revolution against the British. The revolutionaries stopped the number eight down train near Kakori in Uttar Pradesh and stole money from the guard's cabin. Key figures included Ram Prasad Bismil, Ashfaqullah Khan, and Chandrasekhar Azad. The revolutionaries were caught because they could not dispose of the stolen money.

Harappan Site Discovery in Rajasthan [39:04]

The Ratandia Dihhi site discovery in Rajasthan solves a mystery regarding the concentration of Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) sites. The excavation confirms that the Thar Desert was not always arid, suggesting more sites are buried under the sands. This site indicates that the Saraswati River was equally important to the Indus River. The site has yielded artifacts indicating it was a mature Harappan site.

Fossil Discovery in Rajasthan [44:07]

A well excavation in Rajasthan has yielded a fossil, potentially of a phytosaur, a primitive ancestor of the crocodile. Confirmation from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) is pending. This discovery could confirm the presence of Jurassic era fossils in India, adding to existing evidence of hominid presence.

Maratha Military Landscape as UNESCO World Heritage Site [45:42]

The Maratha military landscape has been confirmed as a UNESCO World Heritage site for the 2024-25 cycle. This landscape includes 12 forts, 11 in Maharashtra and one in Tamil Nadu (Gingi). Not all forts are under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI); some are managed by the Maharashtra government. The forts represent different landscapes: hill forts (Salher, Shivneri), hill forest fort (Prattabgad), hill plateau fort (Panhala), coastal fort (Vijay Durg), and island forts (Suvarnadurg, Sindhudurg, Kanderi).

Gangaikonda Cholapuram Temple [58:00]

Prime Minister visited the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, a prime example of Dravida architecture made by Rajendra Chola. The temple commemorates Rajendra Chola's conquest towards the Ganga. The temple has all the major features of a Dravida style temple: gopuram, boundary wall, water tank, ardha mandap, mandap, garba, vimana, and shikhar. The temple also represents the concept of panchayatan without clusterisation.

Preah Vihear Temple Dispute [1:08:38]

The Preah Vihear Temple, located on the border of Thailand and Cambodia, was in the news due to a warlike situation between the two countries. The temple is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its five gopurams. The dispute arises from a colonial-era treaty that placed the temple on the Cambodian side, leading to ongoing conflict despite an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in favour of Cambodia.

NCERT Revisions and the Paika Rebellion [1:15:40]

NCERTs are being revised, with a new set of NCERTs omitting certain historical events. The removal of the Paika Rebellion from the new NCERTs has sparked controversy. The Paika Rebellion was a hereditary warrior class revolt against the British in Odisha. The British took away the tax-free land grants from the Paikas and asked the Paikas to give some form of tax or revenue. The most important leader associated with the Paika rebellion is Bakshi Jagabandhu Vidyadhar.

UNESCO Creative Cities Network [1:21:40]

The UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) is a project promoting cooperation among cities based on creativity. Lucknow has been added to the network. The seven criteria for inclusion are crafts, media, film, design, gastronomy, literature, and music. Indian cities that are part of the UCCN include: craft (Srinagar, Jaipur), gastronomy (Hyderabad, Lucknow), music (Gwalior, Chennai, Varanasi), film (Mumbai), and literature (Kozhikode). Media arts and design are two categories where India has no city representation.

Kiladi Excavations and Ancient Indian History [1:58:50]

The Kiladi excavations are changing the understanding of ancient Indian history. Kiladi is an urban civilization with a script, iron, copper, and trade, dating back to around 800 BC. This challenges the traditional timeline of first urbanisation in North India and suggests a second urbanisation in the Vaigai Valley civilization. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has rejected the Kiladi excavation report, leading to controversy.

The Ghumot Musical Instrument of Goa [2:05:40]

The Ghumot is a traditional Goan instrument that was in the news due to the material used for its membrane. The membrane was originally made from monitor lizard skin, but now it is made from goat hide due to environmental concerns. The Goan government declared the Ghumot a state heritage instrument in 2019.

Discovery of a Pandya-Era Shiva Temple in Tamil Nadu [2:08:46]

A Shiva temple dating to the Pandya period has been discovered in Udampati, Tamil Nadu. The temple has an inscription that talks about a land deed which happened between of a water body and adjoining land for 64 kasu ancient coins. This discovery adds to the urban nature of the southern peninsula and its sites.

Prehistoric Site Discovered in Kanyakumari District [2:12:58]

In the Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, Neolithic grooves have been found in the Bhapandi village. These grooves represent areas where Neolithic people sharpened their knives and weapons. This discovery reaffirms the Neolithic history of the Tamil culture.

UNESCO Memory of the World Register [2:15:51]

The UNESCO Memory of the World Register, launched in 1992, aims to combat collective amnesia by preserving and highlighting important global heritage. The Bhagavad Gita and Natya Shastra have been included in the register. With these additions, India has 14 entries in the Memory of the World Register.

Geographical Indications (GI) Tags [2:22:39]

GI tags are part of Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) under the WTO. GI tags are given to products with unique qualities based on their location and geography. GI tags are administered by the GI Act of 1999. Khakhra sangri is a famous Rajasthani dish which has been given geographical indication for its unique regional traditional method of making and taste.

INSV Condia and Tankai Method [2:31:10]

The Indian Navy inducted the Indian Navy sailing vessel (INSV) Condia, made using the Tankai method. The Tankai method is an ancient ship-building technique. Condia was a 1st-century Indian mariner who sailed to the Mekong Delta and co-founded the kingdom of Funan. The INSV Condia is modeled around Ajanta cave paintings. The Tankai method involves stitching planks together with coil ropes, cotton, resin, and fish oil for waterproofing, unlike Western methods using nails.

Return of Piprahwa Relics to India [2:37:25]

The Piprahwa relics, related to Buddha's life, have been returned to India after being auctioned by Sothebys. The relics were found in the Piprahwa Stupa by William Claxton Peppe in 1898. The British government divided the relics under the Indian Treasure Trove Act of 1878.

Conservation of Rajon ki Baoli [2:40:24]

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), World Monuments Fund India, and TCS Foundation have completed the conservation of Rajon ki Baoli. The World Monuments Fund India is an independent organisation. Rajon ki Baoli is a stepwell in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park, built during the reign of Sikandar Lodi.

Remembering Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair [2:45:18]

Sir Chettur Sankaran Nair was in the news because of the movie Queser 2. Sankaran Nair did not fight a case against Dyer, but against O'Dwyer. He was the youngest president of the INC in 1897. He resigned as the education minister after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. He wrote a book blaming O'Dwyer for the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.

GI Tags for Banaras Products [2:54:04]

Three items from Banaras have been given GI tags: Banarasi Shehnai, Banarasi Tabla, and Banarasi Lal Bharwa Mirch. The Banarasi Shehnai is deeply rooted in the Banaras Gharana of Indian classical music. The Banaras Tabla Gharana is recognised as one of the six principal ghanas of India. The Banarasi Lal Bharwa Mirch is known for its vibrant colour and ingredients.

GI Tag for Thiriya Tribal Handicraft from Kerala [2:57:03]

The Thiriya tribal handicraft from Kerala has received GI protection. The Thiriya is a tribal product. The Thiriya means mirror mat with a shine.

GI Tags for West Bengal Products [2:59:16]

West Bengal has achieved a significant milestone in giving seven new products GI tags. The most principle was the Nolen Gur Sesh or Shandesh. The other sweets are karamur white bond, mushidabad chennabora, vishnupur mortichur ladu. The only rice which you need to learn is the Radhuni Pagal rice.

GI Tags for Textile Products from Meghalaya [3:02:58]

The government of India has officially given GI to two textile products from Meghalaya: Reinda silk and Kasi handloom. Reinda silk is known for its distinctive hand fabric made by hand naturally dyed organic products.

GI Tag for Warangal Chattapata Chilli from Telangana [3:04:34]

The Warangal Chattapata Chilli, which is known for its very beautiful orang-ish colour, has got recognition through GI.

Remembering Girija Devi [3:06:39]

Girija Devi, a katak dancer, passed away. She was given the Padma Vibhushan on Republic Day this year. She worked in the film Umrao Jaan as the main choreographer.

Heritage Repatriation Fund [3:09:02]

The parliamentary panel has proposed a heritage repatriation fund to bring back smuggled antiquities to India. The funds are needed to establish and buy back stolen items, DNA testing, AI-based authentication, legal action, and private-public partnerships.

New Properties Proposed to UNESCO Tentative List [3:10:47]

Six new properties have been proposed to the UNESCO tentative list: Kangar Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh), Ashokan edict sites across India, Chausath Yogini temples, Gupta temples in North India, Palace Fortress of Bundelas (Orcha), and Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs.

Global Engagement Scheme [3:18:59]

The Global Engagement Scheme is by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism. The ministry of culture will promote Indian heritage, fund certain cultural interaction, and showcase Indian culture across the world.

Protecting and Preserving the Kamba Ramayana [3:20:59]

The Ministry of Culture is working to protect and preserve the Kamba Ramayana. The Kamba Ramayana is considered to be the Tamil rendition of the Sanskrit Valmiki Ramayana. It has been produced by a Tamil poet, Kambar, under a Chola ruler, Kulottunga III.

Dokra Artwork and Jumal Dance [3:22:16]

Prime Minister gifted Dokra artwork to Macron. Dokra casting is based on the lost wax technique. The prime minister also engaged himself in playing the dhumsa. The dhumsa is a traditional drum which comes from the tea garden community.

Renaming of Fort William in Kolkata [3:25:14]

Fort William in Kolkata is now called Vijaydurg. The Kitchener house is now going to be called Manika house and the St. George gate is going to be called Shivaji gate.

Republic Day Tableau and Cultural Representation [3:26:59]

The pouch in which the invitation was sent was made with pochampali cut. The Andhra Pradesh Tableau was about the eco-friendly wooden toys which come from the Etikopaka. The Bihar Tableau showcased Nalanda and British and Buddhist language and heritage. The Tripura Tableau had the ki puja. Karnataka represented the artistic temples of Lakundi. Goa represented the kavi art.

100th Anniversary of the Belgam Session [3:30:44]

The 100th anniversary of the Belgam session 1924, the only session which president was MK Gandhi. At the Belgam session, the Swarajist agenda was adopted by the INC.