The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts one of the toughest exams in India, and a strong command of General Knowledge (GK) is essential to excel in Prelims, Mains, and the Interview round. The General Studies (GS) paper in the UPSC exam covers history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, and current affairs.
To help aspirants, we have compiled a list of important General Knowledge questions and answers that are frequently asked in UPSC Prelims and Mains.
History GK Questions for UPSC
Q1: Who was the first Governor-General of India?
A: Warren Hastings
Q2: The Quit India Movement was launched in which year?
A: 1942
Q3: Who is known as the “Architect of the Indian Constitution”?
A: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Q4: In which year did India get independence?
A: 1947
Q5: Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
A: Chandragupta Maurya
Q6: Who wrote the famous book Arthashastra?
A: Chanakya (Kautilya)
Q7: Who was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize?
A: Rabindranath Tagore (1913, Literature)
Q8: Who was the Viceroy of India during the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre?
A: Lord Chelmsford
Geography GK Questions for UPSC
Q9: What is the longest river in India?
A: Ganga River
Q10: Which is the highest peak in India?
A: Kangchenjunga (8,586 meters)
Q11: Which is the largest desert in India?
A: Thar Desert
Q12: The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
A: Eight states
Q13: Which is the smallest state in India by area?
A: Goa
Q14: Which country shares the longest border with India?
A: Bangladesh
Q15: What is the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands?
A: Port Blair
Indian Polity & Governance GK Questions for UPSC
Q16: How many fundamental rights are there in the Indian Constitution?
A: Six
Q17: What is the tenure of the President of India?
A: 5 years
Q18: Which Article of the Constitution abolishes untouchability?
A: Article 17
Q19: Who was the first female President of India?
A: Pratibha Patil
Q20: Who is the head of the Rajya Sabha?
A: The Vice President of India
Q21: How many Lok Sabha seats are there in India?
A: 543
Q22: Which constitutional amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
A: 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016
Indian Economy GK Questions for UPSC
Q23: What is the full form of GDP?
A: Gross Domestic Product
Q24: Who is known as the “Father of Indian Economic Reforms”?
A: Dr. Manmohan Singh
Q25: What does “Fiscal Deficit” mean?
A: The difference between the government’s total expenditure and revenue (excluding borrowings)
Q26: What is the full form of RBI?
A: Reserve Bank of India
Q27: What is the largest stock exchange in India?
A: Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE)
Q28: What is the full form of SEBI?
A: Securities and Exchange Board of India
Science & Technology GK Questions for UPSC
Q29: Who is known as the “Missile Man of India”?
A: Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Q30: What is the chemical formula of water?
A: H₂O
Q31: Who invented the telephone?
A: Alexander Graham Bell
Q32: What is the SI unit of force?
A: Newton (N)
Q33: Which gas is essential for photosynthesis?
A: Carbon Dioxide (CO₂)
Q34: Who was the first Indian to travel in space?
A: Rakesh Sharma
Q35: What is the name of India’s Mars Mission?
A: Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)
Environment & Ecology GK Questions for UPSC
Q36: What is the largest forest in the world?
A: Amazon Rainforest
Q37: Which national park is known as the “Land of the Royal Bengal Tiger”?
A: Sundarbans National Park
Q38: What does “Deforestation” mean?
A: The clearing of forests for human activities
Q39: Which is the only floating national park in the world?
A: Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur)
Q40: What is the full form of UNEP?
A: United Nations Environment Programme
Current Affairs & General Awareness GK Questions for UPSC
Q41: Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
A: Narendra Modi (As of 2024, check for updates)
Q42: What is the capital of Ukraine?
A: Kyiv
Q43: Who is the current President of the United States?
A: (Check the latest update for the current President)
Q44: Which Indian city hosted the G20 Summit in 2023?
A: New Delhi
Q45: What is the name of the latest Indian lunar mission?
A: Chandrayaan-3
Q46: Who is the Director-General of WHO?
A: Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (As of 2024, check for updates)
Q47: Which country has the highest population in the world?
A: India (as of 2023, surpassing China)
UPSC GK Preparation Tips
- Read Newspapers Daily – Focus on The Hindu, The Indian Express, and PIB for current affairs.
- Use Standard Books – NCERTs, Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History), and Ramesh Singh (Economy) are essential.
- Follow Government Reports – Refer to Economic Survey, Union Budget, and NITI Aayog reports.
- Attempt Mock Tests – Regular practice with UPSC previous year papers and online quizzes.
- Revise Regularly – Make concise notes and revise frequently.
A strong General Knowledge (GK) foundation is crucial for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and the Interview round. Regular practice, staying updated with current affairs, and revising static GK topics will help aspirants crack the UPSC exam successfully.
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