Overview:

Nitin Singhania’s bestselling book is now presented as ‘Courseware on Indian Art & Culture’. This sixth edition has been carefully designed as a structured, exam-focused resource that combines comprehensive content with modern learning tools. While retaining the scholarly depth of previous editions, it has been thoroughly updated to meet the latest requirements of the Civil Services Examination (General Studies – Paper I: Indian Heritage and Culture) as well as other competitive examinations.


The book is organised into 31 chapters across five sections, enriched with UPSC PYQs (CSE, CAPF, CDS, NDA) including the latest UPSC 2025 questions and supported by a detachable pluck-out glossary chart for quick reference and revision. It offers clear and extensive coverage of art, architecture, music, painting, science and technology, language and literature, and other aspects of India’s art & cultural heritage. The courseware is enhanced and presented with rich visuals, including infographics, maps, diagrams, flowcharts and tables and study aids in a distinctive pedagogy such as Exam Essential, Did You Know, Heritage Recall, Culture Capsule, Video Insights, and Beyond the Book.

This sixth edition further includes thoughtfully planned, exclusive 50+ author-curated conceptual videos, 400+ UPSC questions, 500+ practice questions, annual current affairs, integrated knowledge enriching content, and a full colour eBook for seamless, anytime-anywhere access-making it a most comprehensive and reliable resource creating an immersive and enriching experience for the aspirants.


Key Features:

1. Comprehensive coverage in five sections with 31 chapters: Visual Arts, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, Indian Heritage, and Indian Culture
2. Exclusive 50+ Author-curated conceptual videos: Transforming concepts into visual storytelling creating an immersive and enriching experience.
3. Distinctive Pedagogical Features such as Exam Essentials, Did You Know, Heritage Recall, Culture Capsule, Video Insights, and Beyond the Book for effective and engaging learning.
4. Thematic Visually Rich Layout enriched with study aids such as infographics, maps, diagrams, flowcharts, and tables, ensures an interactive reading experience. 
5. 400+ integrated Chapterwise UPSC PYQs (CSE, CAPF, CDS, NDA) including 2025
6. Full Colour eBook for seamless, anytime-anywhere access.
7. Integrated with knowledge Enriching Content on McGraw Hill Edge taking learning beyond the book.
8. 500+ Practice Questions on McGraw Hill Edge for self-assessment and exam readiness.
9. Access to Annual Current Affairs
10. Detachable Pluck-out Glossary Chart of important terms for quick reference and revision.

Section A: VISUAL ARTS

1. Pre-Historic Cultures in India
2. Indian Architecture
3. Sculpture and Pottery 
4. Edicts and Inscriptions 
5. Coins in India
6. Legendary Cities of India
7. Indian Paintings 
8. Indian Handicrafts
9. Geographical Indications

Section B: PERFORMING ARTS

10. Indian Music
11. Indian Dance
12. Indian Theatre, Puppetry, Circus, Martial Arts and Sports Forms
13. Indian Cinema

Section C: LITERARY ARTS

14. Languages and Scripts
15. Indian Literature

Section D: INDIAN HERITAGE

16. UNESCO World Heritage Sites
17. UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage

Section E: INDIAN CULTURE

18. Religion in India
19. Buddhism and Jainism
20. Bhakti and Sufi Traditions
21. Schools of Philosophy
22. Fairs in India
23. Festivals in India
24. Education in India
25. Science & Technology through the Ages
26. Calendar Forms
27. Cultural Institutions in India
28. Awards & Honours
29. Law & Culture
30. Trade, Traders, and Cultural Exchange
31. India through the eyes of foreign Travellers