Skip to content
GK24

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

Q13041.Indian PolityAsked in: RRB NTPC · 22 Mar 2026, Shift 3Medium

What is the maximum total duration for which President’s Rule can continue in a State under Article 356, subject to parliamentary approvals and constitutional conditions?

  1. A.Up to three years
  2. B.Up to two years
  3. C.Up to four years
  4. D.Up to one year
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Up to three years

Once approved by Parliament, President's Rule lasts six months and can be extended by fresh approval for six months at a time, but never beyond three years in all.

Q13042.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC CGL · 26 Sep 2025, Shift 1Medium

What does Article 356 empower the President to do, and what are its constitutional safeguards?

  1. A.Dissolve Parliament; no further approval required
  2. B.Dismiss State government; needs approval within two months
  3. C.Declare Financial Emergency; approval by Rajya Sabha
  4. D.Suspend Fundamental Rights; needs Supreme Court approval
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Dismiss State government; needs approval within two months

Under Article 356, if the President is satisfied, on the Governor's report or otherwise, that the government of a State cannot be carried on in accordance with the Constitution, he or she can take over the functions of the State government, which in practice means dismissing the State's Council of…

Q13044.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC MTS · 5 Aug 2019, Shift 2Easy

How many times has National emergency been declared in India?

  1. A.Four times
  2. B.Three times
  3. C.Two times
  4. D.Only once
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Three times

A National Emergency under Article 352 has been proclaimed three times: in October 1962, when China attacked India; in December 1971, during the war with Pakistan that led to the creation of Bangladesh; and in June 1975, on the ground of "internal disturbance", during Indira Gandhi's government.

Q13046.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC GD Constable · 20 Feb 2025, Shift 3Medium

If a National Emergency is in place under Article 352, then the Parliament can extend the term of the Legislative Assemblies for _________ at a time.

  1. A.upto one month
  2. B.upto nine months
  3. C.upto one year
  4. D.upto six months
Show answer
Correct answer: C. upto one year

While a Proclamation of National Emergency is in operation, Parliament can by law extend the normal five-year term of a State Legislative Assembly (Article 172) and of the Lok Sabha (Article 83) by up to one year at a time.

Q13047.Indian PolityAsked in: RRB NTPC · 8 May 2026, Shift 2Medium

'Effect of Proclamation of Emergency' is explicitly provided in which of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?

  1. A.Article 353
  2. B.Article 350
  3. C.Article 256
  4. D.Article 252
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Article 353

While a National Emergency is in force, it extends the executive power of the Union to giving directions to any State on the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised, and it allows Parliament to make laws on any matter, even one in the State List.

Q13049.Indian PolityAsked in: SSC CHSL · 24 Nov 2025, Shift 3Medium

Which of the following amendment act of the Indian constitution replaced the term "internal disturbance" with "armed rebellion" in the context of a national emergency?

  1. A.41st Amendment act, 1976
  2. B.44th Amendment act, 1978
  3. C.42nd Amendment act, 1976
  4. D.43rd Amendment act, 1977
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 44th Amendment act, 1978

The Emergency of June 1975 was declared on the ground of "internal disturbance", a phrase so vague that almost any political unrest could be brought under it.

Q13052.Art & CultureAsked in: SSC MTS · 19 Jun, 2023, Shift 2Easy

Which temple is also known by the name of Black Pagoda?

  1. A.Omkareshwar Temple, Puri
  2. B.Somnath Temple, Saurashtra
  3. C.Sun Temple, Konark
  4. D.Jagannath Temple, Hyderabad
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Sun Temple, Konark

The Sun Temple at Konark in Odisha is called the Black Pagoda, a name European sailors gave it because its dark stone tower stood out as a landmark along the coast, in contrast to the whitewashed Jagannath temple at Puri, which they called the White Pagoda.

Q13053.Indian EconomyAsked in: SSC MTS · 10 May, 2023, Shift 3Easy

Which of the following unemployment is the result of depression in an economy?

  1. A.Cyclical unemployment
  2. B.Frictional unemployment
  3. C.Seasonal unemployment
  4. D.Structural unemployment
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Cyclical unemployment

Cyclical unemployment is the unemployment that a slump or depression in the economy creates: when demand falls, firms sell less, cut production and let workers go, and those jobs come back once demand recovers.

Q13054.Indian EconomyAsked in: SSC MTS · 5 July 2022, Shift 2Medium

Which of the following Acts of 1947 regulates the Indian labour law with regard to trade unions as well as individual workmen?

  1. A.Indian Councils Act
  2. B.Charter Act
  3. C.Rowlatt Act
  4. D.Industrial Disputes Act
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Industrial Disputes Act

The Industrial Disputes Act was passed in 1947 and governs how disputes between employers and workmen, including matters that concern trade unions as well as individual workmen, are raised and settled.

Q13055.Environment & EcologyAsked in: SSC MTS · 8 Oct 2021, Shift 2Medium

Which of the following is one of the six pollutants under Kyoto Protocol regulations?

  1. A.Chlorine
  2. B.Phosgene
  3. C.Carbon monoxide
  4. D.Perfluorocarbons
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Perfluorocarbons

The Kyoto Protocol, adopted in Japan in December 1997 and in force from February 2005, set binding cuts for six greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulphur hexafluoride.

Q13058.Indian HistoryAsked in: SSC MTS · 5 Oct 2021, Shift 1Medium

Which of the following Acts was enacted in British India in the year 1878?

  1. A.Indian Contract Act
  2. B.East India Stock Dividend Redemption Act
  3. C.Transfer of Property Act
  4. D.Vernacular Press Act
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Vernacular Press Act

The Vernacular Press Act was enacted in 1878 by Lord Lytton to silence Indian-language newspapers, which had begun to criticise British rule sharply, especially over the famine and the cost of the Delhi Durbar.

Q13059.Indian HistoryAsked in: SSC MTS · 2 Nov 2021, Shift 1Hard

Chola inscriptions describe Tirunamattukkani as '________'.

  1. A.land gifted to Brahmanas
  2. B.land of non-Brahmana peasant proprietors
  3. C.land donated to Jaina institutions
  4. D.land gifted to temples
Show answer
Correct answer: D. land gifted to temples

Chola inscriptions use a separate term for every kind of land grant, and tirunamattukkani is the land whose produce was set apart for a temple.

GK Questions for sub-exams