In the AFCAT 2 2025 Exam, Static General Knowledge plays a crucial role, especially in topics related to Indian culture. Two commonly asked themes are Indian Festivals and Folk Dances, as they reflect the rich cultural heritage and diversity of India. This article will help you revise important festivals and folk dances categorized by state/region to boost your preparation.
AFCAT 2 2025 Exam Static GK – Indian Festivals & Folk Dances
🪔 Major Indian Festivals
Here is a list of important Indian festivals, their significance, and associated states or communities:
| Festival | Significance | Associated State/Community |
|---|---|---|
| Diwali | Festival of Lights; victory of good over evil | Celebrated all over India |
| Holi | Festival of Colors; onset of spring | North India (UP, Bihar, MP, etc.) |
| Pongal | Harvest festival | Tamil Nadu |
| Bihu | Harvest and New Year festival | Assam |
| Onam | Harvest festival and homecoming of King Mahabali | Kerala |
| Makar Sankranti | Harvest and Sun transition festival | Pan-India (with different names) |
| Navratri/Durga Puja | Worship of Goddess Durga | Gujarat (Garba) & West Bengal (Durga Puja) |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Birth of Lord Ganesha | Maharashtra |
| Lohri | Harvest and end-of-winter festival | Punjab |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Marks the end of Ramadan | Celebrated by the Muslim community across India |
| Christmas | Birth of Jesus Christ | Celebrated by the Christian community |
| Gurpurab | Birth anniversaries of Sikh Gurus | Punjab, Sikh Community |
| Mahavir Jayanti | Birth of Lord Mahavira | Jain Community |
| Buddha Purnima | Birth of Gautam Buddha | Buddhist Community |
| Ugadi | Telugu and Kannada New Year | Andhra Pradesh & Karnataka |
| Gudi Padwa | Marathi New Year | Maharashtra |
| Chhath Puja | Worship of Sun God | Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern UP |
| Rath Yatra | Lord Jagannath’s chariot festival | Odisha (Puri) |
💃 Folk Dances of India
Folk dances are a reflection of a region’s traditions and are commonly featured in Static GK sections. Below is a list of major folk dances by states:
| State/UT | Folk Dance(s) |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Kuchipudi, Dhimsa |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Ponung, Aji Lamu |
| Assam | Bihu, Bagurumba |
| Bihar | Jat-Jatin, Bidesia |
| Chhattisgarh | Panthi, Raut Nacha |
| Goa | Fugdi, Dhalo |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani |
| Haryana | Phag, Dhamal |
| Himachal Pradesh | Nati, Dangi |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rouf, Bhand Pather |
| Jharkhand | Chhau, Jhumar |
| Karnataka | Dollu Kunitha, Yakshagana |
| Kerala | Kathakali, Thiruvathira |
| Madhya Pradesh | Matki, Gaur Maria |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Koli |
| Manipur | Manipuri, Thang Ta |
| Meghalaya | Shad Suk Mynsiem, Wangala |
| Mizoram | Cheraw (Bamboo Dance), Khuallam |
| Nagaland | Chang Lo, Zeliang |
| Odisha | Ghumura, Gotipua |
| Punjab | Bhangra, Giddha |
| Rajasthan | Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, Bhavai |
| Sikkim | Maruni, Singhi Chaam |
| Tamil Nadu | Karagattam, Kavadi |
| Telangana | Perini Shivatandavam |
| Tripura | Hojagiri, Lebang Boomani |
| Uttar Pradesh | Raslila, Nautanki |
| Uttarakhand | Chholiya, Jhora |
| West Bengal | Chhau, Gambhira |
| Andaman & Nicobar | Nicobari dance |
| Lakshadweep | Lava Dance |
| Delhi | Dilli Ka Nautanki (urban folk theatre) |
🎯 Preparation Tips for AFCAT Static GK – Festivals & Dances
- Use Mnemonics: Group similar state dances together to remember better.
- Make Flashcards: Quick revision using mobile apps or handmade flashcards.
- Map-Based Learning: Locate festivals and dances on an India map for better retention.
- Revise Regularly: Go through this list once a week till exam day.
📝 Sample Questions for Practice
Q1. The dance form ‘Yakshagana’ is associated with which Indian state?
A. Kerala
B. Andhra Pradesh
C. Karnataka
D. Tamil Nadu
Answer: C. Karnataka
Q2. Which of the following is a harvest festival of Punjab?
A. Bihu
B. Onam
C. Pongal
D. Lohri
Answer: D. Lohri
✅ Conclusion
The topics of Festivals and Folk Dances are important from a cultural and examination perspective. For the AFCAT 2 2025 Exam, revising such high-probability topics can significantly enhance your chances of scoring well in the General Awareness section. Stay consistent with your preparation and regularly revise lists like this to ensure maximum recall during the exam.
