Skip to content
GK24
Prime

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

Q5621.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IEasy

What is "Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD)", sometimes seen in the news ?

  1. A.An Israeli radar system
  2. B.India's indigenous anti-missile programme
  3. C.An American anti-missile system
  4. D.A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea
Show answer
Correct answer: C. An American anti-missile system

THAAD is a United States ballistic missile defence system built to shoot down missiles in the last stage of their flight.

Q5622.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. Agricultural soils release nitrogen oxides into environment.

2. Cattle release ammonia into environment.

3. Poultry industry releases reactive nitrogen compounds into environment.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Fertilised soils, cattle and poultry are all major sources of reactive nitrogen in the environment. Reactive nitrogen means nitrogen in forms other than the inert N₂ gas of the air, such as ammonia, nitrogen oxides, nitrous oxide and nitrate.

Q5623.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IHard

In India, which of the following can be considered as public investment in agriculture?

1. Fixing Minimum Support Price for agricultural produce of all crops

2. Computerization of Primary Agricultural Credit Societies

3. Social Capital development

4. Free electricity supply to farmers

5. Waiver of agricultural loans by the banking system

6. Setting up of cold storage facilities by the governments

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1, 2 and 5 only
  2. B.1, 3, 4 and 5 only
  3. C.2, 3 and 6 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2, 3 and 6 only

Public investment means government spending that creates lasting assets or capacity, while support prices, free power and loan waivers are subsidies or transfers.

Q5624.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. A.Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.
  2. B.Sanchi Stupa lies in the gorge of Chambal river.
  3. C.Pandu-lena Cave Shrines lie in the gorge of Narmada river.
  4. D.Amaravati Stupa lies in the gorge of Godavari river.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Ajanta Caves lie in the gorge of Waghora river.

The Ajanta caves are cut into a horseshoe-shaped cliff above the Waghora river in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar (Aurangabad) district of Maharashtra.

Q5625.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

"If rainforests and tropical forests are the lungs of the Earth, then surely wetlands function as its kidneys." Which one of the following functions of wetlands best reflects the above statement ?

  1. A.The water cycle in wetlands involves surface runoff, subsoil percolation and evaporation.
  2. B.Algae form the nutrient base upon which fish, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, reptiles and mammals thrive.
  3. C.Wetlands play a vital role in maintaining sedimentation balance and soil stabilization.
  4. D.Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Aquatic plants absorb heavy metals and excess nutrients.

Kidneys filter waste from the blood, and wetlands likewise filter pollutants out of the water that passes through them.

Q5626.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following actions :

1. Detection of car crash/collision which results in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously

2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive

3. Detection of the tilt of the smartphone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode

In how many of the above actions is the function of accelerometer required?

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

An accelerometer measures acceleration, including the pull of gravity, and each of the three actions depends on reading it. An accelerometer is a small sensor, today usually a MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical system) chip, that senses changes in speed and the direction of gravity.

Q5627.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements :

1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.

2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.

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: A. 1 only

The Act of 1935 proposed an All India Federation of provinces and princely states, but kept defence and foreign affairs with the Governor-General, not the legislature.

Q5628.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following activities :

I. Production of crude oil

II. Refining, storage and distribution of petroleum

III. Marketing and sale of petroleum products

IV. Production of natural gas

How many of the above activities are regulated by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board in our country?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.Only three
  4. D.All the four
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two

The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board covers the downstream chain, refining to sale, but not the production of crude oil and natural gas.

Q5629.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Democracy's superior virtue lies in the fact that it calls into activity

  1. A.the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.
  2. B.the methods for strengthening executive leadership.
  3. C.a superior individual with dynamism and vision.
  4. D.a band of dedicated party workers.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. the intelligence and character of ordinary men and women.

Democracy rests on the idea that ordinary citizens are capable of judging public matters and taking part in their own government.

Q5630.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements :

1. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted against the Governor of a State in any court during his term of office.

2. The emoluments and allowances of the Governor of a State shall not be diminished during his term of office.

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

Article 361 shields the Governor from criminal proceedings during the term, and Article 158 protects the Governor's pay from being cut during it.

Q5631.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Indian history, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The Nizamat of Arcot emerged out of Hyderabad State.

2. The Mysore Kingdom emerged out of Vijayanagara Empire.

3. Rohilkhand Kingdom was formed out of the territories occupied by Ahmad Shah Durrani.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Arcot grew out of the Nizam's Deccan dominion and Mysore out of the Vijayanagara Empire, but Rohilkhand was carved out of Mughal land, not Durrani's. The Nawabs of Arcot, or of the Carnatic, began as deputies of the Nizam of Hyderabad, who governed the Deccan for the Mughals; Saadatullah Khan…

Q5632.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. Carbon fibres are used in the manufacture of components used in automobiles and aircrafts.

2. Carbon fibres once used cannot be recycled.

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: A. 1 only

Carbon fibre is widely used in cars and aircraft for its strength and low weight, and it can be recovered and recycled.

Q5633.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. There are no parables in Upanishads.

2. Upanishads were composed earlier than the Puranas.

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 Upanishads are full of stories and parables, and they belong to the late Vedic period, well before the Puranas took shape.

Q5634.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Indian polity, consider the following statements :

I. The Governor of a State is not answerable to any court for the exercise and performance of the powers and duties of his/her office.

II. No criminal proceedings shall be instituted or continued against the Governor during his/her term of office.

III. Members of a State Legislature are not liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said within the House.

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: D. I, II and III

Article 361 protects the Governor in both ways described, and Article 194 protects what legislators say in the House. Under Article 361(1), the President and the Governor of a State are not answerable to any court for the exercise of the powers and duties of their office.

Q5635.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements with reference to the Constitution of India :

1. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Constitution of India will be officially called the 'Constitution of India'.

2. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that specifies that the Indian Independence Act, 1947 and the Government of India Act, 1935 stand repealed.

3. There is no Article in the Constitution of India that mentions 26th January, 1950 as the date of the commencement of the Constitution of India.

Which one of the following conclusions based on the above statements is correct ?

  1. A.All three statements are correct.
  2. B.There is no correct statement.
  3. C.There are two correct statements that include statement 3.
  4. D.There is only one correct statement.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. There is no correct statement.

Each of the three matters is covered by an Article in Part XXII of the Constitution, so all three statements are false.

Q5636.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

What is/are unique about 'Kharai camel', a breed found in India?

1. It is capable of swimming up to three kilometres in seawater.

2. It survives by grazing on mangroves.

3. It lives in the wild and cannot be domesticated.

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.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only

The Kharai camel of Kutch in Gujarat can swim through seawater to reach mangrove islands, where it feeds on mangrove leaves.

Q5637.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following reflects the most appropriate relationship between law and liberty ?

  1. A.If there are more laws, there is less liberty.
  2. B.If there are no laws, there is no liberty.
  3. C.If there is liberty, laws have to be made by the people.
  4. D.If laws are changed too often, liberty is in danger.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. If there are no laws, there is no liberty.

Liberty is not the absence of rules: without law, the strong could do as they pleased and no one else would be free.

Q5638.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IEasy

In India, the use of carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos is viewed with apprehension. These chemicals are used as

  1. A.pesticides in agriculture
  2. B.preservatives in processed foods
  3. C.fruit-ripening agents
  4. D.moisturising agents in cosmetics
Show answer
Correct answer: A. pesticides in agriculture

Carbofuran, methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos are all insecticides sprayed on crops, and all are highly toxic. Carbofuran is a carbamate; methyl parathion, phorate and triazophos are organophosphates.

Q5639.Banking & Financial AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. In terms of short-term credit delivery to the agriculture sector, District Central Cooperative Banks (DCCBs) deliver more credit in comparison to Scheduled Commercial Banks and Regional Rural Banks.

2. One of the most important functions of DCCBs is to provide funds to the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies.

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

DCCBs are the middle tier that funds the Primary Agricultural Credit Societies, but the commercial banks, not the DCCBs, give the largest share of short-term farm credit.

Q5640.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IEasy

In the context of Colonial India, Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon are remembered as

  1. A.leaders of Swadeshi and Boycott Movement
  2. B.members of the Interim Government in 1946
  3. C.members of the Drafting Committee in the Constituent Assembly
  4. D.officers of the Indian National Army
Show answer
Correct answer: D. officers of the Indian National Army

These three INA officers were tried together by the British at the Red Fort in Delhi in 1945. After the Second World War, the British put Shah Nawaz Khan, Prem Kumar Sehgal and Gurbaksh Singh Dhillon on trial for "waging war against the King".

GK Questions for sub-exams