UPSC Prelims (2026) Practice Questions: Gyan Bharatam Mission

 

UPSC Prelims (2026) Practice Questions: Gyan Bharatam Mission

1. Consider the following statements about the Gyan Bharatam Mission:

1. It is a flagship initiative under the Ministry of Education.

2. It was announced during the Union Budget of the current fiscal year.

3. Its primary objective is the conservation and digitization of India's monumental heritage.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer: (a) Only one

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The Gyan Bharatam Mission is under the Ministry of Culture, not the Ministry of Education.

• Statement 2 is correct. The article explicitly mentions that it "was announced during the Union Budget this year."

• Statement 3 is incorrect. Its objective is the conservation and digitization of India's manuscript heritage, not monumental heritage (which relates to structures like temples and forts).

2. The primary mandate of the Gyan Bharatam Mission is to preserve and establish a dedicated digital platform for India's:

(a) Monumental Heritage

(b) Intangible Cultural Heritage

(c) Manuscript Heritage

(d) Archaeological Artefacts

Answer: (c) Manuscript Heritage

Explanation: The article clearly states the mission's mandate is to "preserve and establish a dedicated digital platform... to share India’s manuscript heritage worldwide." This platform is known as the National Digital Repository (NDR).

3. Under the Gyan Bharatam Mission, an institution that is responsible for executing manuscript-related activities for itself and for its designated partner centres is categorized as a:

(a) Nodal Centre

(b) Independent Centre

(c) Cluster Centre

(d) Partner Centre

Answer: (c) Cluster Centre

Explanation: The article defines a "cluster centre" as an institution that "shall be responsible for executing all manuscript-related activities of its own centre, as well as those of its designated cluster partner centres."

4. Which of the following is NOT one of the key activity verticals under the Gyan Bharatam Mission?

(a) Survey and Cataloguing

(b) Conservation and Capacity Building

(c) Linguistic and Translation

(d) Monument Restoration

Answer: (d) Monument Restoration

Explanation: The listed activity verticals are Survey and Cataloguing, Conservation and Capacity Building, Technology and Digitisation, Linguistics and Translation, and Research, Publication, and Outreach. "Monument Restoration" is not mentioned and falls under a different domain, such as the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

5. The Gyan Bharatam Mission partners with various institutes across the country. In this context, consider the following institutes:

1. Asiatic Society, Kolkata

2. University of Kashmir, Srinagar

3. Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayagraj

4. Government Oriental Manuscript Library, Chennai

How many of the above are mentioned in the article as institutes set to sign MoUs with the mission?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All four

Answer: (d) All four

Explanation: The article lists all four institutions: "Some of these institutes are Asiatic Society Kolkata, University of Kashmir, Srinagar, Hindi Sahitya Sammelan, Prayagraj, and Government Oriental Manuscript Library, Chennai."

6. The financial release mechanism for the Gyan Bharatam Mission is structured in instalments. The second instalment is released upon the fulfilment of which of the following conditions?

1. Submission of progress reports

2. Submission of a detailed financial report

3. Submission of Utilisation Certificates (UCs)

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d) 1, 2 and 3

Explanation: The article states, "the second (30%) instalment shall be released only upon submission of progress reports, detailed financial report, submission of utilisation certificates (UCs) and other important documents."

7. The digital platform to be established under the Gyan Bharatam Mission for sharing India's manuscript heritage worldwide is known as:

(a) National Digital Library of India

(b) National Manuscripts Archive

(c) National Digital Repository

(d) Digital Bharatam Portal

Answer: (c) National Digital Repository

Explanation: The article explicitly mentions that the mission's mandate is to establish a dedicated digital platform known as the National Digital Repository (NDR).

8. According to the article, what is the primary purpose of the Gyan Bharatam Cell that partner institutions are asked to constitute?

(a) To manage the mission's central budget

(b) To serve as a channel of communication and ensure smooth coordination

(c) To conduct audits of other partner institutions

(d) To oversee the work of the Ministry of Culture

Answer: (b) To serve as a channel of communication and ensure smooth coordination

Explanation: The article states that the centres are to constitute a Gyan Bharatam Cell to "represent the Centre with sincerity, while also serving as a vital channel of communication to foster collaboration and ensure smooth coordination."

9. The Gyan Bharatam Mission is most closely aligned with the objectives of which of the following government initiatives?

(a) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan

(b) Digital India

(c) Make in India

(d) Skill India

Answer: (b) Digital India

Explanation: The core of the mission involves the digitization of manuscripts and the creation of a National Digital Repository. This directly aligns with the Digital India initiative's goal of making government services and India's cultural heritage digitally accessible to citizens.

10. Consider the following statements regarding the funding under Gyan Bharatam Mission:

1. The first instalment of funds is 70% of the allocated budget.

2. Funds are released in a single lump sum for ease of operation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (a) 1 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: "The first instalment (70%) shall be disbursed upon the annual budget."

• Statement 2 is incorrect: Funds are released in phased instalments, not a single lump sum, as the second instalment is contingent upon the submission of reports and UCs.