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UPSC Civil Services GK Questions 2026

Static general knowledge is six of the seven lines of the General Studies Paper-I syllabus in the UPSC CSE notice: History of India and the Indian National Movement; Indian and World Geography; Indian Polity and Governance; Economic and Social Development; Environmental Ecology, Bio-diversity and Climate Change; and General Science. The Commission tests understanding rather than recall, through statements to be judged correct or incorrect, pairs to be matched and assertion-reason items, and it likes the edges of a topic: a lesser-known provision of the Constitution, a river's tributary, a species' conservation status, the mandate of a statutory body. This page holds GK24's topic-wise GK notes for UPSC, written as short facts and tables, in English and Hindi, with each note linked to the current affairs and previous-year questions on the same topic. Start with Polity and Modern History, which carry the most questions, then Geography, the Economy, Environment, Ancient and Medieval culture and Science. Read a note, solve its PYQs, take its quiz, and come back to it in your monthly revision. A candidate who knows these notes and reads the daily current affairs has covered the syllabus the notice prescribes for Paper-I.

UPSC Civil Services GK Questions with Answers

Q3781.SportsHard

Who were the Indian pair that won the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 para badminton bronze at the Asian Para Games 2026?

  1. A.Krishna Nagar and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan
  2. B.Suhas L. Yathiraj and Sanjana Kumari
  3. C.Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass
  4. D.Abhijeet Sakhuja and Manisha Ramadass
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Pramod Bhagat and Manisha Ramadass

The two won the bronze medal in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 event, and their teamwork, determination and competitive spirit through the tournament were singled out in the Prime Minister's message.

Q3783.SportsMedium

Which Indian para shuttler won two bronze medals on a single day at the Asian Para Games 2026?

  1. A.Sanjana Kumari
  2. B.Manisha Ramadass
  3. C.Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan
  4. D.Suhas L. Yathiraj
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Manisha Ramadass

She won bronze in the Women's Singles SU5 event, a bronze medal for the second consecutive edition of the Games, and then won a second bronze in the Mixed Doubles SL3-SU5 event alongside Pramod Bhagat, which gave her two medals on the same day.

Q3784.SportsMedium

Swati Chaudhary's silver medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 was notable because it was India's first ever medal in which archery category?

  1. A.Compound Open
  2. B.Recurve Open
  3. C.W1
  4. D.Barebow
Show answer
Correct answer: C. W1

Swati Chaudhary won the silver medal in Women's W1 Archery on her very first appearance at the Asian Para Games, and this was India's first ever medal in the W1 category, which is why the achievement was singled out as a special moment for Indian para archery.

Q3786.SportsEasy

In which event did Sheetal Devi defend her title and win gold at the Asian Para Games 2026?

  1. A.Women's W1 Archery
  2. B.Women's Individual Para Compound Archery
  3. C.Para Compound Mixed Team
  4. D.Women's Individual Para Recurve Archery
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Women's Individual Para Compound Archery

Sheetal Devi won the gold medal in this event at the Asian Para Games 2026 and, because she had also won it at the previous edition of the Games, the win counted as a successful defence of her title and made her champion for a second consecutive edition.

Q3787.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) is the first regulatory body set up by the Government of India. 2. One of the tasks of PNGRB is to ensure competitive markets for gas. 3. Appeals against the decisions of PNGRB go before the Appellate Tribunals for Electricity. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 and 3 only

PNGRB promotes competition in gas markets and its decisions are appealed before the electricity tribunal, but it was far from the first regulator in India.

Q3788.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to India, consider the following statements: 1. When a prisoner makes out a sufficient case, parole cannot be denied to such prisoner because it becomes a matter of his/her right. 2. State Governments have their own Prisoners Release on Parole Rules. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

Parole is a concession granted at the authorities' discretion, not a right, and each state frames its own parole rules.

Q3789.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

Which one of the following best describes the term "greenwashing" ?

  1. A.Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
  2. B.Non-inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
  3. C.Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
  4. D.Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Conveying a false impression that a company's products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound

Greenwashing is misleading green marketing. The word joins "green" with "whitewashing", which means covering up faults.

Q3790.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day : Statement-I : The Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens. Statement-II : On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

Constitution Day marks the adoption of the Constitution on 26 November 1949, not the setting up of the Drafting Committee.

Q3791.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements : 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

The International Solar Alliance was launched at the 2015 climate conference, but it does not include every UN member.

Q3792.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following is/are famous for Sun temples ? 1. Arasavalli 2. Amarakantak 3. Omkareshwar Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 only

Of the three, only Arasavalli is known for a Sun temple. Arasavalli, near Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh, has the Suryanarayana Swamy temple, one of the few living Sun temples in India; it is said to date back to the Eastern Ganga kings, and on certain days the morning rays fall…

Q3793.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following foreign travellers elaborately discussed about diamonds and diamond mines of India ?

  1. A.Francois Bernier
  2. B.Jean-Baptiste Tavernier
  3. C.Jean de Thevenot
  4. D.Abbe Barthelemy Carre
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Jean-Baptiste Tavernier

He was a French gem merchant, and his travel account describes India's diamonds and mines in detail. Tavernier made six voyages to the East between about 1630 and 1668 and visited India several times during the reigns of Shah Jahan and Aurangzeb.

Q3794.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. Judicial custody means an accused is in the custody of the concerned magistrate and such accused is locked up in police station, not in jail. 2. During judicial custody, the police officer in charge of the case is not allowed to interrogate the suspect without the approval of the court. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

In judicial custody the accused is held in jail, not in a police lock-up, and the police need the court's leave to question them.

Q3795.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IHard

In the context of the history of India, consider the following pairs : (Term : Description) 1. Eripatti : Land, revenue from which was set apart for the maintenance of the village tank 2. Taniyurs : Villages donated to a single Brahmin or a group of Brahmins 3. Ghatikas : Colleges generally attached to the temples Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. A.1 and 2
  2. B.3 only
  3. C.2 and 3
  4. D.1 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1 and 3

Eripatti and Ghatikas are described correctly, but Taniyurs were not villages gifted to Brahmins. These terms come from inscriptions of early medieval South India, especially of the Pallava and Chola periods.

Q3796.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Organic Light Emitting Diodes (OLEDs) are used to create digital display in many devices. What are the advantages of OLED displays over Liquid Crystal displays ? 1. OLED displays can be fabricated on flexible plastic substrates. 2. Roll-up displays embedded in clothing can be made using OLEDs. 3. Transparent displays are possible using OLEDs. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1 and 3 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1, 2 and 3
  4. D.None of the above statements is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1, 2 and 3

All three are real advantages of OLEDs, and they follow from the fact that each OLED pixel makes its own light.

Q3797.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following has been constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 ?

  1. A.Central Water Commission
  2. B.Central Ground Water Board
  3. C.Central Ground Water Authority
  4. D.National Water Development Agency
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Central Ground Water Authority

It is the only one of the four set up as an authority under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. The Central Ground Water Authority (CGWA) was constituted in 1997 under Section 3(3) of the Act, following a Supreme Court direction in the M.C.

Q3798.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : 7th August is declared as the National Handloom Day. Statement-II : It was in 1905 that the Swadeshi Movement was launched on the same day. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
  3. C.Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D.Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I

National Handloom Day falls on 7 August precisely to honour the Swadeshi Movement launched on that date in 1905. On 7 August 1905, a large meeting at the Calcutta Town Hall passed the boycott resolution against British goods in protest against the partition of Bengal, formally launching the Swadeshi Movement.

Q3799.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

India is an important member of the 'International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor'. If this experiment succeeds, what is the immediate advantage for India?

  1. A.It can use thorium in place of uranium for power generation
  2. B.It can attain a global role in satellite navigation
  3. C.It can drastically improve the efficiency of its fission reactors in power generation
  4. D.It can build fusion reactors for power generation
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It can build fusion reactors for power generation

ITER is an experiment to prove that nuclear fusion can work as a large-scale energy source, and every member shares its technology.

Q3800.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs : (Commonly used / consumed materials : Unwanted or controversial chemicals likely to be found in them) 1. Lipstick : Lead 2. Soft drinks : Brominated vegetable oils 3. Chinese fast food : Monosodium glutamate Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched ?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 and 3 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2 and 3

Each product has been linked to the chemical paired with it. Lead has been found as a trace contaminant in many lipsticks, coming from colour pigments; since lipstick is swallowed in small amounts, regular use raises concern because lead is a toxic heavy metal that harms the nervous system.