UPSC – Civil Services Exam Supreme Court: GK Questions with answers
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts several examinations each year, with the Civil Services Examination (IAS Exam) being one of the most prominent. The IAS exam recruits candidates for prestigious posts like IAS, IPS, and IFS. General Knowledge (GK) plays a crucial role in IAS preparation, as it covers a broad range of subjects including current events, history, geography, and general science.
UPSC GK articles are essential resources that help aspirants stay updated on relevant topics, trends, and developments. These articles can cover national and international current affairs, government policies, social issues, environmental challenges, economic developments, and important historical events. Regularly reading such articles strengthens aspirants’ understanding of these areas, which is critical for both the preliminary and mains examinations.
For effective preparation, it is recommended that candidates study UPSC GK topics systematically, integrate them into their notes, and regularly revise. Focus should be placed on subjects like the Indian Constitution, economic reforms, and important global developments. Additionally, analyzing previous years’ question papers can help in identifying important GK areas. Staying informed through newspapers, government reports, and relevant publications further enhances your preparation.
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UPSC Exam Eligibility:
GK Questions with Answers in English:
Q1. Who was the first woman to serve as the President of India?
Q1. भारत की राष्ट्रपति बनने वाली पहली महिला कौन थी?
Answer: A) Pratibha Patil
Explanation: Pratibha Patil served as the 12th President of India from 2007 to 2012. She was the first woman to hold the office.
Q2. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Fundamental Duties of Indian citizens?
Q2. भारतीय संविधान का कौन सा अनुच्छेद भारतीय नागरिकों के मौलिक कर्तव्यों से संबंधित है?
Answer: B) Article 51A
Explanation: The Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A, which was added by the 42nd Amendment Act of 1976.
Q3. What is the longest river in India?
Q3. भारत की सबसे लंबी नदी कौन सी है?
Answer: D) Ganga
Explanation: The Ganga is the longest river in India, flowing over 2,500 kilometers from the Himalayas to the Bay of Bengal.
Q4. Who is known as the ‘Iron Man of India’?
Q4. भारत के लौह पुरुष के नाम से किसे जाना जाता है?
Answer: C) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Explanation: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel earned this title for his role in the political integration of India post-independence.
Q5. In which year was the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) established?
Q5. भारतीय रिजर्व बैंक (आरबीआई) की स्थापना किस वर्ष हुई थी?
Answer: A) 1935
Explanation: The RBI was established on April 1, 1935, during British rule under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
Q6. What is the primary goal of the Chipko Movement?
Q6. चिपको आंदोलन का प्राथमिक लक्ष्य क्या है?
Answer: A) Forest Conservation
Explanation: The Chipko Movement, initiated in the 1970s in Uttarakhand, focused on protecting forests from deforestation by hugging trees.
Q7. Which of the following is not a Union Territory of India?
Q7. निम्नलिखित में से कौन भारत का केंद्र शासित प्रदेश नहीं है?
Answer: C) Nagaland
Explanation: Nagaland is a state in northeast India, while Ladakh, Lakshadweep, and Puducherry are Union Territories.
Q8. The Directive Principles of State Policy are enshrined in which part of the Indian
Q8. राज्य नीति के निर्देशक सिद्धांत भारतीय संविधान के किस भाग में निहित हैं?
Answer: C) Part IV
Explanation: The Directive Principles of State Policy, meant to guide the governance of the country, are listed in Part IV of the Constitution (Articles 36-51).
Q9. What is the capital of the Union Territory of Ladakh?
Q9. केंद्र शासित प्रदेश लद्दाख की राजधानी क्या है?
Answer: A) Leh
Explanation: After Ladakh became a Union Territory in 2019, Leh was designated as the capital, with Kargil as the joint administrative division.
Q10. Who wrote the famous book ‘The Discovery of India’?
Q10. प्रसिद्ध पुस्तक ‘द डिस्कवरी ऑफ इंडिया’ किसने लिखी?
Answer: B) Jawaharlal Nehru
Explanation: Jawaharlal Nehru wrote ‘The Discovery of India’ during his imprisonment in 1942–1946, focusing on Indian history and culture.
Q11. Which state in India is known as the ‘Land of Rising Sun’?
Q11. भारत में किस राज्य को ‘उगते सूरज की भूमि’ के रूप में जाना जाता है?
Answer: A) Arunachal Pradesh
Explanation: Arunachal Pradesh is called the ‘Land of Rising Sun’ because it is the easternmost state in India where the sun rises first.
Q12. In which year did India win its first Cricket World Cup?
Q12. भारत ने अपना पहला क्रिकेट विश्व कप किस वर्ष जीता था?
Answer: B) 1983
Explanation: India won its first Cricket World Cup in 1983 under the captaincy of Kapil Dev, defeating the West Indies in the final.
Q13. The term ‘GDP’ stands for which of the following?
Q13. ‘जीडीपी’ शब्द निम्नलिखित में से किसके लिए है?
Answer: A) Gross Domestic Product
Explanation: GDP refers to the total market value of all goods and services produced within a country in a given period of time.
Q14. Who was the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize?
Q14. नोबेल पुरस्कार पाने वाले पहले भारतीय कौन थे?
Answer: C) Rabindranath Tagore
Explanation: Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his work ‘Gitanjali.’
Q15. Which Article of the Indian Constitution allows the President to appoint the Prime Minister?
Q15. भारतीय संविधान का कौन सा अनुच्छेद राष्ट्रपति को प्रधान मंत्री नियुक्त करने की अनुमति देता है?
Answer: B) Article 75
Explanation: Article 75 states that the President shall appoint the Prime Minister and, on the advice of the Prime Minister, appoint other ministers.
Q16. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
Q16. कर्क रेखा भारत के कितने राज्यों से होकर गुजरती है?
Answer: B) 8
Explanation: The Tropic of Cancer passes through the Indian states of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Q17. Who is known as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’?
Q17. ‘भारतीय संविधान के जनक’ के रूप में किसे जाना जाता है?
Answer: B) B.R. Ambedkar
Explanation: B.R. Ambedkar was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and is widely regarded as its ‘Father’ for his pivotal role in its drafting.
Q18. The ‘Green Revolution’ in India primarily aimed at which of the following?
Q18. भारत में ‘हरित क्रांति’ का मुख्य उद्देश्य निम्नलिखित में से क्या था?
Answer: B) Enhancing Agricultural Production
Explanation: The Green Revolution in India, which began in the 1960s, aimed to increase agricultural production through the use of high-yielding varieties of seeds, fertilizers, and irrigation.
Q19. Which is the smallest state in India by area?
Q19. क्षेत्रफल की दृष्टि से भारत का सबसे छोटा राज्य कौन सा है?
Answer: A) Goa
Explanation: Goa is the smallest state in India by area, covering approximately 3,702 square kilometers.
Q20. The ‘Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act’ (MGNREGA) was enacted in which year?
Q20. ‘महात्मा गांधी राष्ट्रीय ग्रामीण रोजगार गारंटी अधिनियम’ (मनरेगा) किस वर्ष लागू किया गया था?
Answer: B) 2005
Explanation: MGNREGA was enacted in 2005 to provide a legal guarantee for at least 100 days of unskilled wage employment in a financial year to every rural household.
Q21. Which Indian state is known for its classical dance form called ‘Kathakali’?
Q21. कौन सा भारतीय राज्य अपने शास्त्रीय नृत्य रूप ‘कथकली’ के लिए जाना जाता है?
Answer: C) Kerala
Explanation: Kathakali is a classical dance-drama known for its elaborate costumes and facial masks, originating from Kerala.
Q22. The ‘Father of Modern India’ is often attributed to which of the following individuals?
Q22. ‘आधुनिक भारत के जनक’ का श्रेय अक्सर निम्नलिखित में से किस व्यक्ति को दिया जाता है?
Answer: B) Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Explanation: Raja Ram Mohan Roy is considered the ‘Father of Modern India’ for his significant contributions to social and religious reforms, including the abolition of sati.
Q23. What does the term ‘Satyagraha’ mean in the context of the Indian independence movement?
Q23. भारतीय स्वतंत्रता आंदोलन के संदर्भ में ‘सत्याग्रह’ शब्द का क्या अर्थ है?
Answer: A) Non-violent resistance
Explanation: ‘Satyagraha’ is a philosophy and practice of non-violent resistance developed by Mahatma Gandhi to oppose injustice and oppression.
Q24. In which year was the Right to Information Act enacted in India?
Q24. भारत में सूचना का अधिकार अधिनियम किस वर्ष लागू किया गया था?
Answer: B) 2005
Explanation: The Right to Information Act was enacted in 2005 to promote transparency and accountability in governance by allowing citizens to access information held by public authorities.
Q25. Which of the following is the largest desert in India?
Q25. निम्नलिखित में से कौन सा भारत का सबसे बड़ा रेगिस्तान है?
Answer: A) Thar Desert
Explanation: The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, spans parts of Rajasthan and is the largest desert in India.
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Q26. Who was the first Indian woman to become the Miss World?
Q26. मिस वर्ल्ड बनने वाली पहली भारतीय महिला कौन थी?
Answer: C) Reita Faria
Explanation: Reita Faria was crowned Miss World in 1966, becoming the first Indian woman to win the title.
Q27. Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of a Finance Commission?
Q27. भारतीय संविधान का कौन सा अनुच्छेद वित्त आयोग की स्थापना का प्रावधान करता है?
Answer: A) Article 280
Explanation: Article 280 mandates the establishment of a Finance Commission every five years to recommend the distribution of taxes between the central and state governments.
Q28. Which of the following issues are associated with the Chipko Movement?
Q28. चिपको आंदोलन निम्नलिखित में से किस मुद्दे से संबंधित है?
Answer: A) Environmental Conservation
Explanation: The Chipko Movement addresses issues like deforestation, environmental conservation, and the protection of local livelihoods. It empowers women in activism and challenges ineffective government policies, advocating for community rights over forest resources and sustainable management of natural environments.
Q29. Who is known as the “Father of the Indian Constitution”?
Q29. “भारतीय संविधान के जनक” के रूप में किसे जाना जाता है?
Answer: B) B.R. Ambedkar
Explanation: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution and played a pivotal role in framing it.
Q30. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the Right to Equality?
Q30. भारतीय संविधान का कौन सा अनुच्छेद समानता के अधिकार से संबंधित है?
Answer: A) Article 14
Explanation: Article 14 guarantees equality before the law and equal protection of the laws within the territory of India.
