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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

Q6381.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Which of the following geographical features or phenomena is/are associated with the Peninsular Block of India ?

1. Submergence of parts of the western coast due to tectonic activity

2. Presence of residual mountain ranges such as the Veliconda hills and Mahendragiri hills

3. Deep, V-shaped river valleys formed by fast-flowing rivers

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

The Peninsular Block is an old, stable landmass with worn-down residual hills and a western edge that sank along faults, but its rivers flow in broad, shallow valleys.

Q6382.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

In the context of the developments in Bioinformatics, the term 'transcriptome', sometimes seen in the news, refers to

  1. A.a range of enzymes used in genome editing
  2. B.the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism
  3. C.the description of the mechanism of gene expression
  4. D.a mechanism of genetic mutations taking place in cells
Show answer
Correct answer: B. the full range of mRNA molecules expressed by an organism

The transcriptome is the complete set of RNA transcripts, chiefly messenger RNA, made from the genes at a given time.

Q6383.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

The term 'Domestic Content Requirement' is sometimes seen in the news with reference to

  1. A.Developing solar power production in our country
  2. B.Granting licences to foreign T.V. channels in our country
  3. C.Exporting our food products to other countries
  4. D.Permitting foreign educational institutions to set up their campuses in our country
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Developing solar power production in our country

Domestic Content Requirement (DCR) is the rule that certain solar projects must use solar cells and modules made in India.

Q6385.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into stratosphere?

  1. A.Creating the artificial rains in some regions
  2. B.Reducing the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones
  3. C.Reducing the adverse effects of solar wind on the Earth
  4. D.Reducing the global warming
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Reducing the global warming

Both ideas are geoengineering proposals meant to cool the planet by changing how much heat enters or leaves the Earth.

Q6386.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following have species that can establish symbiotic relationship with other organisms?

1. Cnidarians

2. Fungi

3. Protozoa

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  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: D. 1, 2 and 3

Cnidarians, fungi and protozoa all include species that live in close, mutually useful partnerships with other organisms. Symbiosis means two different species living closely together, often to the benefit of both.

Q6387.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions ?

  1. A.Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
  2. B.Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
  3. C.Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
  4. D.The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

The Levant is the land on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in West Asia. The word comes from the French 'lever', to rise, meaning the land where the sun rises, as seen from Europe.

Q6388.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements best reflects the Chief purpose of the 'Constitution' of a country?

  1. A.It determines the objective for the making of necessary laws.
  2. B.It enables the creation of political offices and a government.
  3. C.It defines and limits the powers of government.
  4. D.It secures social justice, social equality and social security.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. It defines and limits the powers of government.

The core idea of a constitution is constitutionalism: power is granted to the government, but only within set limits. A constitution sets up the organs of the State and divides power among them, but its chief purpose is to stop that power from becoming arbitrary.

Q6389.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following aircraft :

1. Rafale

2. MiG-29

3. Tejas MK-1

How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft ?

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

Rafale, MiG-29 and Tejas Mk-1 are all fourth or 4.5 generation fighters; none of them is a fifth-generation aircraft. A fifth-generation fighter is defined by all-aspect stealth, internal weapons bays, supercruise and advanced sensor fusion.

Q6390.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IHard

Regarding Peacock tarantula (Gooty tarantula), consider the following statements :

I. It is an omnivorous crustacean.

II. Its natural habitat in India is only limited to some forest areas.

III. In its natural habitat, it is an arboreal species.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

The Gooty tarantula is a tree-dwelling spider found only in a few forest patches of India; it is not a crustacean.

Q6391.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the climate of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. The climate can be defined as a humid, tropical coastal climate.

2. It receives rainfall from both South-west monsoon and North-east monsoon.

3. Maximum precipitation is between December and May.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

The islands have a warm, humid tropical maritime climate and get rain from both monsoons, but December to May is their drier part of the year.

Q6392.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Terms sometimes seen in the news — Their origin

1. Annex-I Countries — Cartagena Protocol

2. Certified Emissions Reductions — Nagoya Protocol

3. Clean Development Mechanism — Kyoto Protocol

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

  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: C. 3 only

All three terms come from the climate treaties, the UNFCCC and its Kyoto Protocol, so only the third pair is right.

Q6393.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

The object of the Butler Committee of 1927 was to

  1. A.Define the jurisdiction of the Central and Provincial Governments.
  2. B.Define the powers of the Secretary of State for India.
  3. C.Impose censorship on national press.
  4. D.Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Improve the relationship between the Government of India and the Indian States.

The Butler Committee was set up to examine the ties between the British paramount power and the princely states. The Indian States Committee was appointed in 1927 under Sir Harcourt Butler, with its report coming in 1929.

Q6394.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the provisions made under the National Food Security Act, 2013, consider the following statements :

1. The families coming under the category of 'below poverty line (BPL)' only are eligible to receive subsidised food grains.

2. The eldest woman in a household, of age 18 years or above, shall be the head of the household for the purpose of issuance of a ration card.

3. Pregnant women and lactating mothers are entitled to a 'take-home ration' of 1600 calories per day during pregnancy and for six months thereafter.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

The Act makes the eldest woman of 18 or above the head of the household for the ration card, but the other two statements misstate it.

Q6395.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

In a given year in India, official poverty lines are higher in some States than in others because

  1. A.poverty rates vary from State to State
  2. B.price levels vary from State to State
  3. C.Gross State Product varies from State to State
  4. D.quality of public distribution varies from State to State
Show answer
Correct answer: B. price levels vary from State to State

A poverty line is the money needed to buy a minimum basket of goods, and that basket costs more in some States than in others.

Q6396.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to "Blockchain Technology", consider the following statements :

1. It is a public ledger that everyone can inspect, but which no single user controls.

2. The structure and design of blockchain is such that all the data in it are about cryptocurrency only.

3. Applications that depend on basic features of blockchain can be developed without anybody's permission.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

A blockchain is an open, shared ledger that no single party controls, and anyone can build on a public blockchain without asking permission.

Q6397.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

The 'Common Carbon Metric', supported by UNEP, has been developed for

  1. A.assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world
  2. B.enabling commercial farming entities around the world to enter carbon emission trading
  3. C.enabling governments to assess the overall carbon footprint caused by their countries
  4. D.assessing the overall carbon footprint caused by the use of fossil fuels by the world in a unit time
Show answer
Correct answer: A. assessing the carbon footprint of building operations around the world

The Common Carbon Metric is a standard way to measure and report the energy use and emissions of buildings in use.

Q6398.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Peak — Mountains

1. Namcha Barwa — Garhwal Himalaya

2. Nanda Devi — Kumaon Himalaya

3. Nokrek — Sikkim Himalaya

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Nanda Devi belongs to the Kumaon Himalaya, but Namcha Barwa and Nokrek are wrongly placed. Nanda Devi (7,816 m) is the highest peak lying wholly within India and the highest in Uttarakhand.

Q6399.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IHard

With reference to 'Direct Air Capture', an emerging technology, which of the following statements is/are correct?

I. It can be used as a way of carbon sequestration.

II. It can be a valuable approach for plastic production and in food processing.

III. In aviation, it can be a source of carbon for combining with hydrogen to create synthetic low-carbon fuel.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Direct Air Capture pulls carbon dioxide straight out of the open air, and that CO2 can either be stored underground or used to make products.

Q6400.Banking & Financial AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

The term 'Core Banking Solutions' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following statements best describes/describe this term?

1. It is a networking of a bank's branches which enables customers to operate their accounts from any branch of the bank on its network regardless of where they open their accounts.

2. It is an effort to increase RBI's control over commercial banks through computerization.

3. It is a detailed procedure by which a bank with huge non-performing assets is taken over by another bank.

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

Core Banking Solutions (CBS) links all branches of a bank to one central system, so a customer can bank at any branch, not just the home branch.