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UPSC GK Questions 2026

Static general knowledge is the larger part of every UPSC general studies paper. The notices name the same areas again and again: the history of India and the national movement, Indian and world geography, polity and the Constitution, the economy and social development, and general science with environment and ecology. The balance shifts from exam to exam. NDA puts about half of its General Knowledge part on Physics, Chemistry and General Science. CSE favours polity, modern history, environment and the economy. CAPF adds security and human rights, and CDS spreads its questions across polity, history, geography, the economy and school science.

GK24's GK notes are written topic by topic in English and Hindi, as short, fact-first chapters that are easy to revise. They cover Indian Polity, Indian History, Geography, Indian Economy, General Science, Environment and Ecology, Art and Culture, Computer, and the fact lists of awards, sports, books and days. A new chapter is added in each subject as the series grows. Each note carries practice questions, and those that have appeared in an exam say which exam and year. Start with Polity and modern history, then Geography, the Economy and Science. Read a note, take its topic quiz, and come back to it in your monthly revision.

UPSC GK Questions with Answers

Q3661.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. Other than those made by humans, nanoparticles do not exist in nature.

2. Nanoparticles of some metallic oxides are used in the manufacture of some cosmetics.

3. Nanoparticles of some commercial products which enter the environment are unsafe for humans.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Metal-oxide nanoparticles are used in cosmetics and some nanoparticles released into the environment can harm people, but nanoparticles are not made only by humans.

Q3662.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements best describes the role of B cells and T cells in the human body?

  1. A.They protect the body from environmental allergens.
  2. B.They alleviate the body's pain and inflammation.
  3. C.They act as immunosuppressants in the body.
  4. D.They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. They protect the body from the diseases caused by pathogens.

B cells and T cells are lymphocytes, the white blood cells of the adaptive immune system that recognise and fight specific bacteria, viruses and other pathogens.

Q3663.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

"3D printing" has applications in which of the following?

1. Preparation of confectionery items

2. Manufacture of bionic ears

3. Automotive industry

4. Reconstructive surgeries

5. Data processing technologies

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1, 3 and 4 only
  2. B.2, 3 and 5 only
  3. C.1 and 4 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, builds objects layer by layer from a digital design, and it is used in all five fields listed.

Q3664.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

What is the purpose of 'evolved Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (eLISA)' project ?

  1. A.To detect neutrinos
  2. B.To detect gravitational waves
  3. C.To detect the effectiveness of missile defence system
  4. D.To study the effect of solar flares on our communication systems
Show answer
Correct answer: B. To detect gravitational waves

eLISA is a planned space observatory of the European Space Agency that will use laser interferometry between spacecraft to catch gravitational waves.

Q3665.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ?

  1. A.It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.
  2. B.It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and now it is impossible to prevent its extinction.
  3. C.It is endemic to a particular region of India.
  4. D.Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger.

Schedule I lists the animals that get the highest level of legal protection in India, and the tiger is one of them.

Q3666.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

"Momentum for Change : Climate Neutral Now" is an initiative launched by

  1. A.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
  2. B.The UNEP Secretariat
  3. C.The UNFCCC Secretariat
  4. D.The World Meteorological Organization
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The UNFCCC Secretariat

Both 'Momentum for Change' and 'Climate Neutral Now' are initiatives of the secretariat of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, based in Bonn.

Q3667.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements :

1. Most of the world's coral reefs are in tropical waters.

2. More than one-third of the world's coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines.

3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  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 statements about coral reefs are correct. Reef-building corals need warm, clear, shallow water, roughly between 20 °C and 30 °C, so almost all reefs lie in the tropics between about 30° N and 30° S. Indonesia, Australia and the Philippines together hold well over a third of the…

Q3668.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. The Sustainable Development Goals were first proposed in 1972 by a global think tank called the 'Club of Rome'.

2. The Sustainable Development Goals have to be achieved by 2030.

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 Sustainable Development Goals are to be met by 2030, but they were not proposed by the Club of Rome in 1972.

Q3669.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Regions sometimes mentioned in news — Country

1. Catalonia — Spain

2. Crimea — Hungary

3. Mindanao — Philippines

4. Oromia — Nigeria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

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

Catalonia is in Spain and Mindanao is in the Philippines, but Crimea and Oromia are paired with the wrong countries.

Q3670.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following is not the most likely measure the Government/RBI takes to stop the slide of Indian rupee?

  1. A.Curbing imports of non-essential goods and promoting exports
  2. B.Encouraging Indian borrowers to issue rupee denominated Masala Bonds
  3. C.Easing conditions relating to external commercial borrowing
  4. D.Following an expansionary monetary policy
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Following an expansionary monetary policy

Expansionary policy cuts interest rates and adds money to the system, which pushes capital out and weakens the rupee further, so it is not a step to defend the currency.

Q3671.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements :

1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.

2. A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.

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

A Panchayat formed after an early dissolution serves only the rest of the original term, but the minimum age to be a member is 21 years, not 25.

Q3672.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. The Election Commission of India is five-member body.

2. Union Ministry of Home Affairs decides the election schedule for the conduct of both general elections and bye-elections.

3. Election Commission resolves the disputes relating to splits/mergers of recognised political parties.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Only statement 3 is correct: the Election Commission decides disputes over splits and mergers of recognised parties. Under Article 324 the Commission superintends, directs and controls elections to Parliament, the State legislatures and the offices of President and Vice-President.

Q3673.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

In India, Judicial Review implies

  1. A.the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.
  2. B.the power of the Judiciary to question the wisdom of the laws enacted by the Legislatures.
  3. C.the power of the Judiciary to review all the legislative enactments before they are assented to by the President.
  4. D.the power of the Judiciary to review its own judgements given earlier in similar or different cases.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. the power of the Judiciary to pronounce upon the constitutionality of laws and executive orders.

Judicial review lets the Supreme Court and the High Courts strike down any law or executive action that violates the Constitution.

Q3674.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IEasy

Right to Privacy is protected as an intrinsic part of Right to Life and Personal Liberty. Which of the following in the Constitution of India correctly and appropriately imply the above statement ?

  1. A.Article 14 and the provisions under the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution
  2. B.Article 17 and the Directive Principles of State Policy in Part IV
  3. C.Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III
  4. D.Article 24 and the provisions under the 44th Amendment to the Constitution
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Article 21 and the freedoms guaranteed in Part III

The Supreme Court has held privacy to be part of the right to life and personal liberty in Article 21 and of the other freedoms in Part III.

Q3675.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events :

1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy

2. Quit India Movement launched

3. Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

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

The Second Round Table Conference came in 1931, the Quit India Movement in 1942 and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946.

Q3676.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following events :

1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India.

2. India's then largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India', was renamed 'State Bank of India'.

3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier.

4. Goa became a part of independent India.

Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

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

The events run Air India's nationalisation (1953), the birth of the State Bank of India (1955), the Kerala communist government (1957) and Goa's liberation (1961).

Q3677.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :

Institution — Founder

1. Sanskrit College at Benaras — William Jones

2. Calcutta Madarsa — Warren Hastings

3. Fort William College — Arthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs 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

Warren Hastings founded the Calcutta Madarsa, but the other two institutions are linked with the wrong founders. Hastings set up the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781 to train Muslim scholars in Arabic and Persian learning and in Islamic law, which the Company courts needed.

Q3678.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

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: A. 1 and 2 only

Somnath is a Jyotirlinga and Al-Biruni described it, but the present temple was consecrated by President Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan.

Q3679.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

  1. A.The best means of salvation was devotion.
  2. B.Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
  3. C.Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
  4. D.Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. The best means of salvation was devotion.

Ramanuja taught that loving devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu and complete surrender (prapatti) are the surest path to liberation.

GK Questions for sub-exams