The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination (CSE) is one of the toughest exams in India, testing candidates on a wide range of topics. General Knowledge (GK) is a key component of both the Prelims (General Studies Paper 1) and Mains (GS Papers & Essay Writing).
To help aspirants prepare effectively, we have compiled 50+ UPSC-level GK questions with answers covering Indian history, polity, geography, economy, science, international relations, and current affairs. Test yourself and see how well you know these essential topics! 🚀
📜 Round 1: Indian History & Freedom Struggle
1️⃣ Who was the first Governor-General of India?
➡ Lord William Bentinck
2️⃣ Who founded Arya Samaj?
➡ Swami Dayananda Saraswati
3️⃣ When was the Quit India Movement launched?
➡ 1942
4️⃣ Which Mughal ruler built the Red Fort in Delhi?
➡ Shah Jahan
5️⃣ What was the main provision of the Morley-Minto Reforms (1909)?
➡ Separate electorates for Muslims
6️⃣ Who wrote Discovery of India?
➡ Jawaharlal Nehru
7️⃣ What was the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire?
➡ Hampi
8️⃣ The Battle of Plassey (1757) was fought between which two powers?
➡ British East India Company vs. Nawab of Bengal (Siraj-ud-Daulah)
9️⃣ Who was the last Viceroy of India?
➡ Lord Mountbatten
🔟 Who is known as the Grand Old Man of India?
➡ Dadabhai Naoroji
📖 Round 2: Indian Polity & Constitution
1️⃣1️⃣ Which article of the Indian Constitution grants special status to Jammu & Kashmir?
➡ (Previously) Article 370 – Removed in 2019
1️⃣2️⃣ Under which part of the Constitution are Fundamental Rights listed?
➡ Part III (Articles 12-35)
1️⃣3️⃣ What is the maximum number of members in the Lok Sabha?
➡ 552
1️⃣4️⃣ Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?
➡ Vice President of India
1️⃣5️⃣ Which amendment is known as the Mini-Constitution?
➡ 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
1️⃣6️⃣ Who appoints the Chief Minister of a state?
➡ Governor of the state
1️⃣7️⃣ What does the anti-defection law fall under?
➡ Tenth Schedule of the Constitution
1️⃣8️⃣ What is the minimum age to become a Rajya Sabha member?
➡ 30 years
1️⃣9️⃣ Which article provides for Emergency Provisions in India?
➡ Article 352, 356, and 360
2️⃣0️⃣ What is the tenure of a Governor in India?
➡ 5 years
🌍 Round 3: Geography & Environment
2️⃣1️⃣ Which is the largest state in India by area?
➡ Rajasthan
2️⃣2️⃣ What is the southernmost point of India?
➡ Indira Point
2️⃣3️⃣ Which river is known as the Dakshina Ganga (Ganga of the South)?
➡ Godavari
2️⃣4️⃣ Where is the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest located?
➡ West Bengal
2️⃣5️⃣ What is the largest freshwater lake in India?
➡ Wular Lake, Jammu & Kashmir
2️⃣6️⃣ The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
➡ 8 states
2️⃣7️⃣ What is the highest mountain peak in India?
➡ Kangchenjunga (8,586 m)
2️⃣8️⃣ Which Indian city is known as the Scotland of the East?
➡ Shillong
2️⃣9️⃣ What is the largest desert in India?
➡ Thar Desert
3️⃣0️⃣ Which is the longest river in India?
➡ Ganga
💰 Round 4: Indian Economy & Current Affairs
3️⃣1️⃣ What is the full form of GDP?
➡ Gross Domestic Product
3️⃣2️⃣ Who is the current Finance Minister of India?
➡ Nirmala Sitharaman
3️⃣3️⃣ What is the base year for GDP calculation in India?
➡ 2011-12
3️⃣4️⃣ Which organization publishes the Economic Survey of India?
➡ Ministry of Finance
3️⃣5️⃣ What is the current repo rate in India?
➡ Check the latest update from RBI
3️⃣6️⃣ What is the full form of NITI Aayog?
➡ National Institution for Transforming India
3️⃣7️⃣ What is India’s rank in the Global Innovation Index 2024?
➡ Check latest ranking
3️⃣8️⃣ Which sector contributes the most to India’s GDP?
➡ Services sector
3️⃣9️⃣ What does FRBM Act stand for?
➡ Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act
4️⃣0️⃣ What is the minimum age to open a Jan Dhan account?
➡ 10 years
🔬 Round 5: Science & Technology
4️⃣1️⃣ Who is known as the Father of the Indian Space Program?
➡ Dr. Vikram Sarabhai
4️⃣2️⃣ What is the full form of ISRO?
➡ Indian Space Research Organisation
4️⃣3️⃣ What was India’s first satellite?
➡ Aryabhata (1975)
4️⃣4️⃣ What is the chemical symbol for gold?
➡ Au
4️⃣5️⃣ What is the unit of electrical resistance?
➡ Ohm
4️⃣6️⃣ Which gas is most abundant in the Earth’s atmosphere?
➡ Nitrogen (78%)
4️⃣7️⃣ What is the full form of DNA?
➡ Deoxyribonucleic Acid
4️⃣8️⃣ What is the name of India’s human spaceflight mission?
➡ Gaganyaan
4️⃣9️⃣ Who developed the Theory of Relativity?
➡ Albert Einstein
5️⃣0️⃣ What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
➡ 299,792 km/s
🌏 Round 6: International Affairs & Organizations
5️⃣1️⃣ Where is the International Court of Justice (ICJ) located?
➡ The Hague, Netherlands
5️⃣2️⃣ Which country recently joined BRICS?
➡ UAE, Iran, Egypt, Ethiopia (2023)
5️⃣3️⃣ What is the full form of UNESCO?
➡ United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization
5️⃣4️⃣ What does OECD stand for?
➡ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development
5️⃣5️⃣ Which organization releases the Global Hunger Index?
➡ Concern Worldwide & Welthungerhilfe
5️⃣6️⃣ Where is the World Health Organization (WHO) headquartered?
➡ Geneva, Switzerland
5️⃣7️⃣ Who is the current UN Secretary-General?
➡ António Guterres
5️⃣8️⃣ Which international agreement focuses on climate change?
➡ Paris Agreement
🏆 How Did You Score?
🔹 50+ Correct – UPSC Ready! 🎯
🔹 40-49 Correct – Great Job! Keep Pushing! 💪
🔹 30-39 Correct – Good Start! More Practice Needed! 📖
🔹 Below 30 – Keep Learning! You Got This! 🚀
💡 Challenge your friends & test their UPSC knowledge! 💡