Change set
Pick exam & year, then Go.
Question map
Which one of the following was the latest inclusion in the Intangible Cultural Heritage List of UNESCO ?
Explanation
Garba of Gujarat was inscribed[1] on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2023[2], making it the latest inclusion among the given options. Chhau dance was inscribed in 2010[4], making it the earliest among these options. Based on the chronological order, Durga Puja and Kumbh Mela were also inscribed before Garba, with Durga Puja inscribed in 2021 and Kumbh Mela in 2017. Since the question was asked in 2024 and Garba was inscribed in 2023, it represents the most recent addition to UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List among the four options provided.
Sources- [1] https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/jul/doc2024715349801.pdf
- [2] https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/jul/doc2024715349801.pdf
- [3] https://ich.unesco.org/en/RL/chhau-dance-00337
- [4] https://ich.unesco.org/en/decisions/5.COM/6.15
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Guest previewThis is a pure Current Affairs question disguised as static Culture. While books define the 'Intangible List', only newspapers (Dec 2023) covered the specific addition of Garba. Strategy: Maintain a 'Last 5 Years' timeline for all UNESCO lists (World Heritage, Intangible, Creative Cities) before Prelims.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"Inscribed in 2010 ([5.COM](https://ich.unesco.org/index.php?pg=00272)) on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity"
Why this source?
- This is the UNESCO page entry for Chhau dance, explicitly stating the inscription and the year.
- It directly names the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and gives the year of inscription.
Web source
Presence: 3/5
"3. Inscribes **Chhau dance** on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity."
Why this source?
- This is the UNESCO committee decision document recording the act of inscription.
- It confirms that Chhau dance was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
- This is the UNESCO page entry for Chhau dance, explicitly stating the inscription and the year.
- It directly names the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and gives the year of inscription.
- This is the UNESCO committee decision document recording the act of inscription.
- It confirms that Chhau dance was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond ,Social Science-Class VII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 8: How the Land Becomes Sacred > DON'T MISS OUT > p. 176
Strength: 5/5
“• Prayagraj hosts the Kumbh Mela every six years. Prayag is located at the confluence of three rivers—Ganga, Yamuna and the invisible Sarasvati. A few years ago, UNESCO listed the Kumbh Mela as an 'intangible heritage of the world'.• An estimated 660 million people participated in the Kumbh Mela of 2025. What proportion of the population of India is this?”
Why relevant
Gives a clear example that UNESCO lists intangible cultural events/practices (Kumbh Mela) showing such listings exist and are recorded with dates.
How to extend
A student could consult the UNESCO Representative List (by name) and look up the entry for Chhau the same way to find its inscription year.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 7: India's Cultural Roots > a. What are the Vedas? > p. 107
Strength: 4/5
“with hardly any alterations! DON'T MISS OUT the 5th to the 2nd millennium BCE. So, for anything between 100 and 200 generations, these texts have been committed to memory through rigorous training and passed on orally This meticulous transmission over thousands of years explains why, in 2008, UNESCO recognised Vedic chanting as 'a masterpiece of the oral and intangible heritage of humanity'. The Vedic hymns were composed by rishis (male seers or sages) and rishikas (female ones) in an early form of the Sanskrit language. They were addressed in poetical form to many deities (gods or goddesses), such as Indra, Agni, Varuṇa, Mitra, Sarasvatī, Uṣhas, and many more.”
Why relevant
Notes that UNESCO recognises oral/intangible traditions with a specific year provided for Vedic chanting (2008), illustrating that inscription years are recorded and citable.
How to extend
Use the pattern of named practices with stated inscription years to search UNESCO records for Chhau's entry and year.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.14. WONTO HERITAGE SITES > p. 224
Strength: 4/5
“t I
1
I
\ ) I I 't
• This Convention, which was adopted by the UI{ESCO in 1974 (and enforced in 1975) provides a framework for international cooperation in preserving and protecting cultural treasures and natural areas throughout the world. • The convention defines the kind of sites which can be considered for inscription of the World heritage list (ancient monuments, museums, biodiversity and geological heritage etc.)
at least one of the ten criteria. The criteria are given below.”
Why relevant
Explains UNESCO conventions and the existence of formal criteria and lists for heritage inscription, implying there is an authoritative registry where inscription dates appear.
How to extend
Look up the official UNESCO registry or the Convention documents referenced to find the date when Chhau was added to the Representative List.
Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 15: Protected Area Network > 15.14. WONTO HERITAGE SITES > p. 223
Strength: 3/5
“• o World Heritage Sites means "Sites arranged of various areas or objects inscribed on the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) l{orld Heritage List". • r The sites are designated as having outstanding universal value under the Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cr.rital and Natural Heritage.
AII Rights ReserYed. No part of this naterial may be reproduced in any form or b,v any means, $'ithout permission in writlng. ffi”
Why relevant
Defines UNESCO's World Heritage List and shows that UNESCO maintains formal categorized lists of cultural/natural heritage.
How to extend
By analogy (World Heritage List) a student can infer UNESCO keeps analogous records for intangible heritage and check those records for Chhau's inscription date.
Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 4: BIODIVERSITY > World HerItAge sItes. > p. 56
Strength: 3/5
“World Heritage Sites mean 'sites any of various areas inscribed on the list of United Nations Educational, Scientifc and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
Te heritage sites are designated as having outstanding universal value under the Convention on Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritage, 1972 (enforced 1975).”
Why relevant
Reinforces that UNESCO maintains lists of heritage with designated values and that listing is a formal process tied to conventions and dates.
How to extend
Use the established practice of formal listings to search UNESCO's Representative List entries (by name or country) to locate Chhau's inscription year.
Gives a clear example that UNESCO lists intangible cultural events/practices (Kumbh Mela) showing such listings exist and are recorded with dates.
A student could consult the UNESCO Representative List (by name) and look up the entry for Chhau the same way to find its inscription year.
Notes that UNESCO recognises oral/intangible traditions with a specific year provided for Vedic chanting (2008), illustrating that inscription years are recorded and citable.
Use the pattern of named practices with stated inscription years to search UNESCO records for Chhau's entry and year.
Explains UNESCO conventions and the existence of formal criteria and lists for heritage inscription, implying there is an authoritative registry where inscription dates appear.
Look up the official UNESCO registry or the Convention documents referenced to find the date when Chhau was added to the Representative List.
Defines UNESCO's World Heritage List and shows that UNESCO maintains formal categorized lists of cultural/natural heritage.
By analogy (World Heritage List) a student can infer UNESCO keeps analogous records for intangible heritage and check those records for Chhau's inscription date.
Reinforces that UNESCO maintains lists of heritage with designated values and that listing is a formal process tied to conventions and dates.
Use the established practice of formal listings to search UNESCO's Representative List entries (by name or country) to locate Chhau's inscription year.
This tab shows concrete study steps: what to underline in books, how to map current affairs, and how to prepare for similar questions.
Login with Google to unlock study guidance.
Discover the small, exam-centric ideas hidden in this question and where they appear in your books and notes.
Login with Google to unlock micro-concepts.
Access hidden traps, elimination shortcuts, and Mains connections that give you an edge on every question.
Login with Google to unlock The Vault.