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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

Q4581.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : Statement I : In India, State Governments have no power for making rules for grant of concessions in respect of extraction of minor minerals even though such minerals are located in their territories. Statement II : In India, the Central Government has the power to notify minor minerals under the relevant law. 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 explains Statement I
  2. B.Both Statement I and Statement II are correct but Statement II does not explain Statement I
  3. C.Statement I is correct but Statement II is not correct
  4. D.Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Statement I is not correct but Statement II is correct

States do make the rules for minor mineral concessions, while the Centre decides which minerals count as minor.

Q4582.Computer AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IEasy

Which one of the following best describes the key objective of India's 'Open Network for Digital Commerce' (ONDC) initiative ?

  1. A.To allow government control over all digital commerce transactions
  2. B.To replace private e-commerce players
  3. C.To break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks
  4. D.To mandate UPI-based payments for all online transactions
Show answer
Correct answer: C. To break the dominance of large e-commerce platforms by enabling interoperability across networks

ONDC lets a buyer on one app buy from a seller listed on any other app on the network.

Q4584.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following in respect of 'National Career Service' : 1. National Career Service is an initiative of the Department of Personnel and Training, Government of India. 2. National Career Service has been launched in a Mission Mode to improve the employment opportunities to uneducated youth of the country. Which of the above statements 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: D. Neither 1 nor 2

The National Career Service belongs to the Ministry of Labour and Employment, and it serves all job seekers, not only uneducated youth.

Q4585.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following phenomena : 1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surrounding space-time. Which of the above is/are the prediction/predictions of Albert Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, often discussed in media ?

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

All three follow from Einstein's General Theory of Relativity, published in 1915. General relativity explains gravity not as a force but as the curving of space-time by mass and energy; in John Wheeler's words, matter tells space-time how to curve, and space-time tells matter how to move.

Q4586.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the management of minor minerals in India, consider the following statements : 1. Sand is a 'minor mineral' according to the prevailing law in the country. 2. State Governments have the power to grant mining leases of minor minerals, but the powers regarding the formation of rules related to the grant of minor minerals lie with the Central Government. 3. State Governments have the power to frame rules to prevent illegal mining of minor minerals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Sand is a minor mineral, and the states both grant concessions for minor minerals and make the rules for them, including rules against illegal mining.

Q4587.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following : 1. Bacteria 2. Fungi 3. Virus Which of the above can be cultured in artificial/synthetic medium?

  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: A. 1 and 2 only

Bacteria and fungi grow on artificial media, but viruses multiply only inside living cells. Bacteria and fungi are living cells with their own machinery for making energy and proteins, so they grow on nutrient agar, broth or synthetic media in a laboratory.

Q4588.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Convertible Bonds, consider the following statements : 1. As there is an option to exchange the bond for equity, Convertible Bonds pay a lower rate of interest. 2. The option to convert to equity affords the bondholder a degree of indexation to rising consumer prices. 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: C. Both 1 and 2

Investors accept a lower coupon on a convertible bond in return for the option to become shareholders, and that option gives some protection against rising prices.

Q4589.Banking & Financial AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to Central Bank digital currencies, consider the following statements: 1. It is possible to make payments in a digital currency without using US dollar or SWIFT system. 2. A digital currency can be distributed with a condition programmed into it such as a time-frame for spending it. 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: C. Both 1 and 2

A central bank digital currency can settle payments directly between countries without the dollar or SWIFT, and it can be programmed with conditions on its use.

Q4591.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : I. If any question arises as to whether a Member of the House of the People has become subject to disqualification under the 10th Schedule, the President's decision in accordance with the opinion of the Council of Union Ministers shall be final. II. There is no mention of the word 'political party' in the Constitution of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Defection cases are decided by the Speaker or Chairman, not the President, and the Tenth Schedule itself uses the term 'political party'.

Q4592.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following correctly represents the three key sub-indices of the Financial Inclusion Index (FI-Index) of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) ?

  1. A.Credit access, Insurance depth, and Pension coverage
  2. B.Banking access, GDP contribution, and Financial literacy
  3. C.Access, Usage, and Quality
  4. D.Access, Affordability, and Transparency
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Access, Usage, and Quality

The RBI's FI-Index is built from these three sub-indices. The RBI introduced the Financial Inclusion Index in August 2021 to measure how far financial inclusion has spread across the country.

Q4593.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to 'Bitcoins', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. Bitcoins are tracked by the Central Banks of the countries. 2. Anyone with a Bitcoin address can send and receive Bitcoins from anyone else with a Bitcoin address. 3. Online payments can be sent without either side knowing the identity of the other. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Bitcoin is a decentralised peer-to-peer currency that no central bank issues or tracks, and payments are made between addresses rather than named people.

Q4594.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

In the context of Indian history, the principle of Dyarchy (diarchy) refers to

  1. A.Division of the central legislature into two houses.
  2. B.Introduction of double government i.e., Central and State governments.
  3. C.Having two sets of rulers; one in London and another in Delhi.
  4. D.Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Division of the subjects delegated to the provinces into two categories.

Under dyarchy the provincial subjects were split into transferred and reserved subjects. Dyarchy was introduced in the provinces by the Government of India Act, 1919, based on the Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms.

Q4595.Banking & Financial AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

The Service Area Approach was implemented under the purview of

  1. A.Integrated Rural Development Programme
  2. B.Lead Bank Scheme
  3. C.Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme
  4. D.National Skill Development Mission
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Lead Bank Scheme

The Service Area Approach, introduced by the RBI in 1989, worked within the framework of the Lead Bank Scheme to plan rural credit village by village.

Q4596.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

Bollgard I and Bollgard II technologies are mentioned in the context of

  1. A.clonal propagation of crop plants
  2. B.developing genetically modified crop plants
  3. C.production of plant growth substances
  4. D.production of biofertilizers
Show answer
Correct answer: B. developing genetically modified crop plants

Bollgard I and Bollgard II are Bt cotton technologies that make the cotton plant resistant to bollworms. Bt cotton carries genes taken from the soil bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis, which make Cry proteins that are toxic to the larvae of bollworms.

Q4597.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : Statement-I : Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe. Statement-II : Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea. 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 explains Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain 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 explains Statement-I

The pipeline is a strategic route to Europe precisely because it links the Red Sea with the Mediterranean.

Q4598.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : I. On the dissolution of the House of the People, the Speaker shall not vacate his/her office until immediately before the first meeting of the House of the People after the dissolution. II. According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, a Member of the House of the People on being elected as Speaker shall resign his/her political party immediately. III. The Speaker of the House of the People may be removed from his/her office by a resolution of the House of the People passed by a majority of all the then Members of the House, provided that no resolution shall be moved unless at least fourteen days' notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Both come word for word from Article 94, while the Constitution says nothing about the Speaker leaving his or her party.

Q4599.Computer AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IEasy

An e-commerce revenue model where the seller has control over pricing but doesn't keep products in stock and instead transfers customer orders and shipment details to a third-party supplier, who then ships the goods directly to the customer, is called :

  1. A.Dropshipping Model
  2. B.Affiliate Revenue Model
  3. C.Transaction Fee Revenue Model
  4. D.Agency Revenue Model
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Dropshipping Model

In dropshipping the seller runs the shop and sets the price, while a supplier holds the stock and ships each order straight to the buyer.

Q4600.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

What is/are common to the two historical places known as Ajanta and Mahabalipuram? 1. Both were built in the same period. 2. Both belong to the same religious denomination. 3. Both have rock-cut monuments. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Ajanta and Mahabalipuram both have monuments cut out of living rock, but they were made in different periods and for different faiths.