The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) exam is one of the toughest competitive exams in India. It tests a candidate’s knowledge of General Studies (GS), Current Affairs, and Static GK. A strong grasp of General Knowledge (GK) is crucial for UPSC Prelims, Mains, and the Interview round, as well as for other government exams like SSC, Banking, and State PSCs.
To help you prepare, we have compiled a list of top UPSC GK questions and answers covering history, geography, polity, economy, environment, science, and current affairs.
History GK Questions for UPSC
Q1: Who was the first Mughal emperor of India?
A: Babur
Q2: Who founded the Indian National Congress (INC)?
A: A.O. Hume
Q3: In which year did the Revolt of 1857 take place?
A: 1857
Q4: Who was the last Governor-General of India?
A: C. Rajagopalachari
Q5: What was the main aim of the Simon Commission (1927)?
A: To review the working of the Government of India Act, 1919
Q6: Which ancient university was destroyed by Bakhtiyar Khilji?
A: Nalanda University
Q7: Who was the first woman ruler of India?
A: Razia Sultana
Geography GK Questions for UPSC
Q8: What is the longest river in India?
A: Ganga River
Q9: Which is the largest state in India by area?
A: Rajasthan
Q10: Which Indian city is called the “Silicon Valley of India”?
A: Bengaluru
Q11: What is the name of the highest waterfall in India?
A: Kunchikal Falls (Karnataka)
Q12: What is the largest freshwater lake in India?
A: Wular Lake (Jammu & Kashmir)
Q13: Which mountain pass connects India and China in Arunachal Pradesh?
A: Bum La Pass
Indian Polity & Governance GK Questions for UPSC
Q14: How many articles were there originally in the Indian Constitution?
A: 395
Q15: What is the tenure of a Rajya Sabha member?
A: 6 years (one-third retire every 2 years)
Q16: Under which article can President’s Rule be imposed in a state?
A: Article 356
Q17: Who is the constitutional head of India?
A: The President of India
Q18: The idea of Fundamental Rights in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from which country?
A: The USA
Q19: Which Constitutional Amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST)?
A: 101st Amendment Act, 2016
Indian Economy GK Questions for UPSC
Q20: Who is known as the “Father of the Indian Green Revolution”?
A: M.S. Swaminathan
Q21: What is the full form of GDP?
A: Gross Domestic Product
Q22: What is the full form of NITI Aayog?
A: National Institution for Transforming India
Q23: Which tax was replaced by GST in India?
A: Value Added Tax (VAT), Service Tax, Excise Duty, etc.
Q24: Who is responsible for printing Indian currency notes?
A: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Science & Technology GK Questions for UPSC
Q25: Who discovered the theory of relativity?
A: Albert Einstein
Q26: What is the chemical symbol for Gold?
A: Au
Q27: Who invented the telephone?
A: Alexander Graham Bell
Q28: What is the SI unit of electric current?
A: Ampere
Q29: Which planet is known as the “Red Planet”?
A: Mars
Q30: Who was the first Indian to go into space?
A: Rakesh Sharma
Q31: What is India’s fastest supercomputer?
A: PARAM Siddhi-AI (as of 2024, check for updates)
Environment & Ecology GK Questions for UPSC
Q32: What is the largest biosphere reserve in India?
A: Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve
Q33: The Chipko Movement was started in which state?
A: Uttarakhand (then part of Uttar Pradesh)
Q34: Which is the only floating national park in the world?
A: Keibul Lamjao National Park (Manipur)
Q35: What is the full form of UNEP?
A: United Nations Environment Programme
Current Affairs & General Awareness GK Questions for UPSC
Q36: Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
A: Narendra Modi (As of 2024, check for updates)
Q37: Who is the President of India?
A: Droupadi Murmu (As of 2024, check for updates)
Q38: What is the capital of Canada?
A: Ottawa
Q39: Who hosted the G20 Summit in 2023?
A: India
Q40: What is the name of the latest Indian lunar mission?
A: Chandrayaan-3
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 IAS, IPS, and other government exams successfully.
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