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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

Q4681.SportsEasy

Manish Narwal won which medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 and in which event?

  1. A.Gold in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
  2. B.Silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
  3. C.Silver in the Men’s 50m Rifle SH1
  4. D.Bronze in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1

Manish Narwal finished second in that event at the Asian Para Games 2026 on 20 October 2026, and the Prime Minister called it an impressive performance, adding that the shooter kept setting himself apart through his focus and his commitment.

Q4682.SportsEasy

Which pair correctly matches the player with the event in which the bronze medal was won on 20 October 2026?

  1. A.Jehan Dorab Madan – Women’s Singles Class 3
  2. B.Sonalben Patel – Men’s Singles Class 1
  3. C.Sonalben Patel – Women’s Singles Class 3
  4. D.Jehan Dorab Madan – Mixed Doubles Class 3
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Sonalben Patel – Women’s Singles Class 3

She took the bronze there at the Asian Para Games 2026 on 20 October 2026, and that medal was the first individual one she had added to her record at these Games.

Q4683.SportsMedium

Sonalben Patel’s bronze at the Asian Para Games 2026 was significant for which reason?

  1. A.It was her first individual medal at these Games
  2. B.It was the first medal of her entire career
  3. C.It was India’s first medal in table tennis
  4. D.It came in a mixed doubles event
Show answer
Correct answer: A. It was her first individual medal at these Games

Sonalben Patel won bronze in the Women’s Singles Class 3 event on 20 October 2026, and the medal was described as the first individual one she had added to her achievements at the Asian Para Games, which implies that her earlier record there rested on other kinds of competition.

Q4684.SportsMedium

Jehan Dorab Madan won a bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 in which event?

  1. A.Men’s Singles Class 1
  2. B.Men’s Singles Class 3
  3. C.Men’s Doubles Class 1
  4. D.Women’s Singles Class 1
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Men’s Singles Class 1

Jehan Dorab Madan won bronze there on 20 October 2026 at the Asian Para Games 2026, and the Prime Minister, congratulating him, said India’s para table tennis contingent was continuing to make the nation proud and that the result reflected the player’s passion and his skills.

Q4685.SportsEasy

What was common to the para table tennis bronze medals won by Prachi Pandey and Baby Sahana Ravi on 20 October 2026?

  1. A.Both were won in the same event
  2. B.Both were won on the athletes’ debut appearance at the Games
  3. C.Both athletes had won gold at the previous edition
  4. D.Both medals were won in doubles competition
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Both were won on the athletes’ debut appearance at the Games

Prachi Pandey’s bronze in the Women’s Singles Class 6 event and Baby Sahana Ravi’s bronze in the Women’s Singles Class 9 event both came the first time each of them competed at the Asian Para Games, and each medal was also a first of its kind for India, one in…

Q4687.SportsMedium

Prachi Pandey became the first Indian to win a medal in which event at the Asian Para Games?

  1. A.Women’s Singles Class 6
  2. B.Women’s Singles Class 9
  3. C.Women’s Singles Class 3
  4. D.Women’s Doubles Class 6
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Women’s Singles Class 6

Prachi Pandey took bronze there on 20 October 2026 and became the first Indian ever to win a medal in that class at the Asian Para Games, which is why the Prime Minister described it as a historic first for Indian para table tennis and a pathbreaking achievement.

Q4688.SportsMedium

Which statement about Deepthi Jeevanji’s gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 is correct?

  1. A.It was her first appearance in the event and her first title
  2. B.She successfully defended a title she already held
  3. C.She won it in a team relay event
  4. D.She finished second and was later awarded the gold
Show answer
Correct answer: B. She successfully defended a title she already held

The gold in the Women’s 400m T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026 was won once again by Deepthi Jeevanji, so the result was a defence rather than a maiden triumph, and the defence came with a Games Record because she improved on her earlier performance.

Q4691.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements : 1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament. 2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of 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

Demands for grants need the President's recommendation, but the Budget is laid on behalf of the President, not the Prime Minister.

Q4692.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IEasy

Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of

  1. A.silver iodide and potassium iodide
  2. B.silver nitrate and potassium iodide
  3. C.silver iodide and potassium nitrate
  4. D.silver nitrate and potassium chloride
Show answer
Correct answer: A. silver iodide and potassium iodide

These salts are the usual seeding agents in cloud seeding, the artificial way to make rain. Cloud seeding sprays tiny particles into clouds that already hold moisture, from aircraft, rockets or ground generators.

Q4693.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

  1. A.social reforms
  2. B.educational reforms
  3. C.reforms in police administration
  4. D.constitutional reforms
Show answer
Correct answer: D. constitutional reforms

The proposals led to the Government of India Act, 1919, which changed how British India was governed. Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, announced in August 1917 that Britain aimed at the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India.

Q4694.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct ? 1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. 2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only. 3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

UN-Habitat has a General Assembly mandate for sustainable cities and shelter, and it works on poverty, water and sanitation, but its partners are not limited to governments.

Q4695.Computer AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IEasy

The terms 'WannaCry, Petya and EternalBlue' sometimes mentioned in the news recently are related to

  1. A.Exoplanets
  2. B.Cryptocurrency
  3. C.Cyber attacks
  4. D.Mini satellites
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Cyber attacks

WannaCry and Petya are ransomware, and EternalBlue is the Windows exploit that helped them spread. EternalBlue was a hacking tool that exploited a flaw in Microsoft Windows' Server Message Block, the protocol computers use to share files over a network.

Q4696.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. A.Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
  2. B.The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
  3. C.The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
  4. D.It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.

The 2016 Rules set out detailed criteria for choosing sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, replaced the Municipal Solid Wastes Rules of 2000.

Q4697.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements : 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. 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

Recombinant vector vaccines are made by genetic engineering, and both viruses and bacteria serve as their vectors. In a recombinant vector vaccine, scientists take a harmless or weakened carrier, the vector, and insert into it the gene for an antigen of the disease-causing germ.

Q4698.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?

  1. A.Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
  2. B.Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
  3. C.Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
  4. D.Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go

Aerial metagenomics reads all the DNA floating in the air of a place together. Every living thing sheds traces of DNA through skin cells, hair, pollen, spores and droppings, and this environmental DNA, or eDNA, drifts in the air.

Q4699.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe. 2. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State. 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 President, not the Governor, specifies Scheduled Tribes, and the list is made state by state.

Q4700.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs : Aircraft type — Description I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster III : Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All the three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two

Pairs I and III are correct; the IL-76 is a heavy transport aircraft, not a supersonic fighter.