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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

Q3802.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), consider the following statements : 1. AIIB has more than 80 member nations. 2. India is the largest shareholder in AIIB. 3. AIIB does not have any members from outside Asia. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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

AIIB has well over 80 members, but China, not India, is its largest shareholder, and many members are outside Asia.

Q3803.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. In India, there is no law restricting the candidates from contesting in one Lok Sabha election from three constituencies. 2. In 1991 Lok Sabha Election, Shri Devi Lal contested from three Lok Sabha constituencies. 3. As per the existing rules, if a candidate contests in one Lok Sabha election from many constituencies, his/her party should bear the cost of bye-elections to the constituencies vacated by him/her in the event of him/her winning in all the constituencies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

A law now limits a candidate to two seats, and no rule makes the party pay for by-elections.

Q3804.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. The India Sanitation Coalition is a platform to promote sustainable sanitation and is funded by the Government of India and the World Health Organization. 2. The National Institute of Urban Affairs is an apex body of the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in Government of India and provides innovative solutions to address the challenges of Urban India. 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

The India Sanitation Coalition is an industry-led platform, not one funded by the Government of India and the WHO.

Q3805.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Indian History, Alexander Rea, A. H. Longhurst, Robert Sewell, James Burgess and Walter Elliot were associated with

  1. A.archaeological excavations
  2. B.establishment of English Press in Colonial India
  3. C.establishment of Churches in Princely States
  4. D.construction of railways in Colonial India
Show answer
Correct answer: A. archaeological excavations

All five were British officials and scholars who excavated and documented ancient sites, mostly in South India. Walter Elliot, a Madras civil servant, dug at the Buddhist stupa of Amaravati in the 1840s and sent its sculptures to Madras and later London.

Q3806.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) Yojana, consider the following statements : 1. The entry age group for enrolment in the scheme is 21 to 40 years. 2. Age specific contribution shall be made by the beneficiary. 3. Each subscriber under the scheme shall receive a minimum pension of ₹ 3,000 per month after attaining the age of 60 years. 4. Family pension is applicable to the spouse and unmarried daughters. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

PM-SYM is a contributory pension scheme for unorganised workers in which the worker's monthly share depends on the age at joining and the Centre matches it.

Q3807.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements about Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI): 1. MPI is calculated using Alkire-Foster methodology. 2. MPI calculated by NITI Aayog has a total of twelve indicators. 3. Maternal Health and Bank Account are common indicators in the MPI of NITI Aayog and MPI of United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Maternal health and bank account are the two indicators India added on its own, so they are not common to both indices.

Q3808.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

On which of the following can you find the Bureau of Energy Efficiency Star Label? 1. Ceiling fans 2. Electric geysers 3. Tubular fluorescent lamps Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

All three appliances carry the BEE Star Label. The Bureau of Energy Efficiency was set up in 2002 under the Energy Conservation Act, 2001, and launched its Standards and Labelling programme in 2006.

Q3809.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements : The nation-wide 'Soil Health Card Scheme' aims at 1. expanding the cultivable area under irrigation. 2. enabling the banks to assess the quantum of loans to be granted to farmers on the basis of soil quality. 3. checking the overuse of fertilizers in farmlands. Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

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

The scheme tells farmers what their soil lacks so that they apply only the fertilizer it needs.

Q3810.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Who among the following were the founders of the "Hind Mazdoor Sabha" established in 1948?

  1. A.B. Krishna Pillai, E.M.S. Namboodiripad and K.C. George
  2. B.Jayaprakash Narayan, Deen Dayal Upadhyay and M.N. Roy
  3. C.C.P. Ramaswamy Iyer, K. Kamaraj and Veeresalingam Pantulu
  4. D.Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Ashok Mehta, T.S. Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta

Ramanujam and G.G. Mehta.

Q3811.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

With reference to India's Five-Year Plans, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. From the Second Five-Year Plan, there was a determined thrust towards substitution of basic and capital good industries. 2. The Fourth Five-Year Plan adopted the objective of correcting the earlier trend of increased concentration of wealth and economic power. 3. In the Fifth Five-Year Plan, for the first time, the financial sector was included as an integral part of the Plan. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Statements 1 and 2 describe real turns in Indian planning, while statement 3 does not.

Q3812.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of it?

  1. A.This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.
  2. B.This would create a local self-governing body in that area.
  3. C.This would convert that area into a Union Territory.
  4. D.The State having such areas would be declared a Special Category State.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. This would prevent the transfer of land of tribal people to non-tribal people.

Protecting tribal land is the core purpose of a Scheduled Area. The Fifth Schedule covers Scheduled Areas in states other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.

Q3813.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements in respect of election to the President of India : 1. The members nominated to either House of the Parliament or the Legislative Assemblies of States are also eligible to be included in the Electoral College. 2. Higher the number of elective Assembly seats, higher is the value of vote of each MLA of that State. 3. The value of vote of each MLA of Madhya Pradesh is greater than that of Kerala. 4. The value of vote of each MLA of Puducherry is higher than that of Arunachal Pradesh because the ratio of total population to total number of elective seats in Puducherry is greater as compared to Arunachal Pradesh. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.Only three
  4. D.All four
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Only one

Only statement 4 is correct. Under Article 55, the value of an MLA's vote is the state's population (1971 Census) divided by its elected Assembly seats, and that result divided by 1,000.

Q3814.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the 'Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements : 1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility. 2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities. 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

The abhiyan is about antenatal check-ups during pregnancy, not six months of care after delivery.

Q3815.Banking & Financial AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements about the Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) in India : 1. NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits. 2. All the NBFCs operating in India have to be registered with the RBI. 3. NBFCs form part of the payment and settlement system and can issue cheque drawn on itself. 4. Deposit insurance facility of Deposit Insurance and Credit Guarantee Corporation (DICGC) is not available to the depositors of deposit taking NBFCs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

These are two of the three ways the RBI itself says an NBFC differs from a bank. An NBFC lends and invests like a bank, but it cannot accept demand deposits such as savings or current accounts, so statement 1 is correct.

Q3817.NationalMedium

Special Campaign 6 in the Department of Science and Technology is being implemented in accordance with the guidelines of which body?

  1. A.NITI Aayog
  2. B.Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances
  3. C.Department of Personnel and Training
  4. D.Comptroller and Auditor General
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances

The drive covers the department and its autonomous institutes, subordinate offices, field offices, Technology Innovation Hubs, missions and other affiliated organisations, and it concludes on 31 October 2026.

Q3820.DefenceMedium

Which of these buildings is NOT named among the Ministry of Defence offices where Special Campaign 6 activities are being carried out?

  1. A.Sena Bhawan
  2. B.Vayu Bhawan
  3. C.Kartavya Bhawan-II
  4. D.Nirman Bhawan
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Nirman Bhawan

The maintenance and cleaning of offices, the segregation and disposal of electronic waste and related activities are being carried out across various offices and buildings of the Ministry of Defence, including Sena Bhawan, Kartavya Bhawan-II, Vayu Bhawan and the offices on KG Marg.