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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

Q3944.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKHard

Consider the following statements with reference to the Nataraj bronze sculpture of Chola period :

1. Shiva is shown balancing himself on his right leg representing tirobhava.

2. Shiva is shown raising his left leg in bhujangatrasita stance, representing kicking away the illusion from the devotee's mind.

3. The main right hand holds the damaru, Shiva's favourite musical instrument.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

In the Chola Nataraja it is the raised left leg, in the bhujangatrasita pose, that stands for tirobhava, kicking away the veil of illusion from the devotee's mind.

Q3945.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2026, GKHard

With reference to the Junagadh inscription of Rudradaman, consider the following statements:

1. The script of this inscription is Kharosthi and the language is Prakrit.

2. The inscription records the restoration of a reservoir called Sudarshana Lake.

3. It is an undated inscription.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

The Junagadh rock inscription of the Shaka ruler Rudradaman I records how he restored the Sudarshana lake after a storm burst its dam.

Q3946.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKHard

Which one of the following is applicable to collision-coalescence process of precipitation?

  1. A.Clouds which do not extend beyond the freezing level
  2. B.Clouds which extend beyond the freezing level
  3. C.All types of clouds
  4. D.Cirrocumulus cloud
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Clouds which do not extend beyond the freezing level

Collision-coalescence is the way rain forms in warm clouds, whose tops stay below the level where water freezes. In such clouds all droplets are liquid.

Q3948.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2020, GKEasy

Saubhagya, a Government of India Scheme, relates to which of the following areas?

  1. A.Achieving universal household electrification
  2. B.Providing clean cooking fuel to poor households
  3. C.Rationalizing subsidies on LPG
  4. D.Stopping female foeticide
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Achieving universal household electrification

Saubhagya, the Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, was launched in 2017 to give an electricity connection to every household in India.

Q3949.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2021, GKEasy

Which one of the following is the correct meaning of the term 'State', as defined in Article 12 of the Constitution of India ?

  1. A.It refers only to the Government of India.
  2. B.It refers only to the Government of India and the Parliament of India.
  3. C.It refers only to the Government of India, Parliament of India, and Governments and Legislatures of each State.
  4. D.It refers to the Government of India, Parliament of India, Governments and Legislatures of each State, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It refers to the Government of India, Parliament of India, Governments and Legislatures of each State, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India.

Article 12 defines the State to include the Government and Parliament of India, the Government and Legislature of each State, and all local or other authorities within India or under the control of the Government of India.

Q3951.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKMedium

Where is the famous Gupta period Deogarh Temple situated ?

  1. A.Uttar Pradesh
  2. B.Madhya Pradesh
  3. C.Chhattisgarh
  4. D.Rajasthan
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Uttar Pradesh

The Dashavatara temple at Deogarh stands in Lalitpur district of Uttar Pradesh, on the bank of the Betwa river. Built around the early sixth century, it is one of the earliest Hindu temples in north India and is dedicated to Vishnu.

Q3952.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKEasy

Identify the type of drainage pattern on the basis of the given characteristics :

1. It represents the most common pattern of streams and their tributaries

2. It occurs in areas of uniform rock type and regular slope

3. A map, or aerial photograph, shows a pattern like the veins on a leaf— smaller streams join the main stream at an acute angle

Select the correct answer.

  1. A.Dendritic
  2. B.Radial
  3. C.Trellis
  4. D.Centripetal
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Dendritic

A pattern that looks like the branches of a tree or the veins of a leaf, formed on uniform rock with a regular slope, is dendritic.

Q3953.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2024, GKEasy

The Research Design and Standards Organization is the R&D wing of which one of the following organizations ?

  1. A.Bhabha Atomic Research Centre
  2. B.Indian Space Research Organization
  3. C.Indian Railways
  4. D.Defence Research and Development Organization
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Indian Railways

The Research Design and Standards Organisation (RDSO) is the sole research and development wing of the Ministry of Railways. RDSO is headquartered at Lucknow.

Q3954.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2025, GKHard

Consider the following statements about the literary language Apabhramsha :

1. It appeared in recognizable forms by the sixth century.

2. It developed out of mixtures of regional vernaculars with the Prakrits and Sanskrit.

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

Apabhramsha was a literary language that took recognisable shape by about the sixth century, formed from regional speech mixed with the Prakrits and Sanskrit.

Q3955.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2026, GKMedium

With reference to the Swadeshi Movement, consider the following statements :

1. The Swadeshi Movement had its genesis in the Anti-Partition movement, which was started to oppose the British decision to partition Bengal.

2. Aurobindo Ghosh was in favour of extending the movement to the rest of India and carrying it beyond the programme of just Swadeshi and Boycott to a full-fledged political mass struggle.

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

The Swadeshi Movement grew out of the protest against the partition of Bengal, and the Extremists, Aurobindo Ghosh among them, wanted to turn it into a nationwide mass struggle.

Q3956.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKEasy

India's reliance on imported energy exposes it to geopolitical supply shocks. In this context, what is the most likely short-term impact of a major disruption in crude oil imports?

  1. A.Decrease in inflation
  2. B.Strengthening of the rupee
  3. C.Higher input costs and inflation pressure
  4. D.Increase in exports
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Higher input costs and inflation pressure

When crude supply is disrupted, oil prices rise, and almost every good in India becomes costlier to make and move.

Q3957.InternationalMedium

With which body did Dr M. L. Jat highlight the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for agricultural cooperation?

  1. A.Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)
  2. B.World Food Prize Foundation
  3. C.National Academy of Agricultural Sciences
  4. D.Food and Agriculture Organization
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST)

Referring to efforts to widen international institutional partnerships, Dr Jat pointed to the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding with CAST, which is expected to open new avenues of cooperation in agricultural research, capacity development and knowledge exchange.

Q3958.InternationalMedium

The Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue is organised by which body?

  1. A.The Food and Agriculture Organization
  2. B.The World Food Prize Foundation
  3. C.The Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
  4. D.The International Food Policy Research Institute
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The World Food Prize Foundation

The roundtable that Dr M. L. Jat addressed was held on the sidelines of the Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue during the World Food Prize Foundation programme at Des Moines in the United States, and he joined it virtually.

Q3959.InternationalEasy

Who, as Secretary DARE and Director General ICAR, addressed a roundtable at the Norman E Borlaug International Dialogue?

  1. A.Dr M. L. Jat
  2. B.Dr B. S. Dwivedi
  3. C.Dr Karim Meredia
  4. D.Dr P. V. Varaprasad
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Dr M. L. Jat

He is Secretary of the Department of Agricultural Research and Education and Director General of the Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and he addressed the roundtable virtually, speaking in his capacity as President of the National Academy of Agricultural Sciences, India.

GK Questions for sub-exams