UPSC GK Questions: 50+ General Knowledge Questions for UPSC Prelims

A strong grasp of General Knowledge is essential for clearing the UPSC Prelims, where questions test your awareness across history, polity, economy, science, geography, environment, and current affairs. 

UPSC examines how well you can connect facts, concepts, and real-world events. This curated set of 50+ UPSC General Knowledge Questions with Answers will help you practice high-yield topics, strengthen fundamentals, and improve accuracy for the exam.  Let’s get started!

General Knowledge forms the backbone of the UPSC Prelims exam. Here are high-yield, subject-wise GK questions with answers to help you revise quickly and effectively.

HISTORY 

1. Who was the founder of the Maurya Empire?

Chandragupta Maurya

2. Which Vedic text is considered the earliest?

Rigveda

3. Who built the Sun Temple at Konark?

Narasimhadeva I

4. The Indus Valley script remains classified as what?

Undeciphered

5. Which battle established British rule in Bengal?

Battle of Plassey (1757)

6. Who was the last emperor of the Mughal Empire?

Bahadur Shah II

7. The Simon Commission (1928) was appointed by which government?

British Government

8. Who authored Indica, describing Mauryan India?

Megasthenes

POLITY 

9. Which Article of the Indian Constitution defines citizenship at the commencement of the Constitution?

Article 5 

10. Which amendment lowered the voting age to 18 years?

61st Amendment

11. Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?

President of India

12. What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?

552 members

13. Which body is called the “Guardian of the Constitution”?

Supreme Court

14. The Money Bill can be introduced only in which House?

Lok Sabha

15. Which Schedule contains the list of languages?

8th Schedule

16. Who heads the Inter-State Council?

Prime Minister

GEOGRAPHY & ENVIRONMENT 

17. Which is the largest river island in India?

Majuli

18. The Western Ghats are listed under which category by UNESCO?

World Heritage Site

19. Silent Valley National Park is located in which state?

Kerala

20. What is the primary cause of coral bleaching?

Rising sea temperatures

21. Kaziranga National Park is famous for which species?

One-horned rhinoceros

22. Which winds cause winter rainfall in North India?

Western Disturbances

23. Where is India’s only active volcano located?

Barren Island, Andaman

24. The Chipko Movement was aimed at protecting what?

Forests

ART & CULTURE

25. Madhubani painting originates from which state?

Bihar

26. The Ajanta Caves are primarily known for which art form?

Buddhist fresco paintings

27. Sanchi Stupa was built under which emperor?

Ashoka

28. Which text is associated with Bharatanatyam principles?

Natyashastra

29. The ancient text “Silappadikaram” is part of the literature of which region?

Tamil Sangam tradition

30. The UNESCO-listed “Rani ki Vav” is located in which state?

Gujarat

ECONOMY 

31. Which index measures inflation at the wholesale level?

WPI (Wholesale Price Index)

32. ‘Repo Rate’ is the rate at which the RBI lends to whom?

Commercial banks

33. The term “Open Market Operations (OMOs)” refers to the buying and selling of what by the RBI?

Government securities

34. Which body publishes the “Index of Industrial Production (IIP)” in India?

National Statistical Office (NSO)

35. Who releases the Economic Survey of India?

Ministry of Finance

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 

36. The mosquito species Aedes aegypti is the vector for which viral disease?

Dengue

37. Which nanomaterial is known for its exceptional strength and conductivity, widely studied for sensors?

Graphene

38. Which biotechnology process uses living organisms to convert waste into valuable products like ethanol?

Fermentation

39. In human blood, which cells are primarily responsible for adaptive immunity?

Lymphocytes (T & B cells)

40. Which biomolecule acts as the primary “genetic material” in most viruses?

RNA

Must see: Crack UPSC Prelims 2026 with Daily UPSC MCQs Practice

Boost your preparation with these targeted UPSC MCQs designed to enhance accuracy and elimination skills. Attempt the quiz, evaluate your score, and master concepts with simple explanations.

UPSC has a consistent habit of repeating themes, ideas, and even similar question patterns from previous years. That’s why PYQs are absolute goldmines for smart preparation. Attempt these GK Prelims PYQs to sharpen your elimination skills and boost your scoring ability in the exam.

GK-based questions in the UPSC test your awareness, recall, and ability to link static topics with current affairs. Effective preparation can significantly improve both accuracy and elimination skills. Here are the tips to master GK for UPSC:

1. Integrate GK with Current Affairs

Most GK questions are based on the current relevance of static facts. A question on “Ramsar sites” may be framed from news about wetlands conservation.

Pro Tip: For every news topic, ask: Which static facts can UPSC link? E.g., news about Chandrayaan → revise ISRO missions, cryogenic engines, GSLV/PSLV differences.

2. Practice Topic-wise MCQs Daily

Consistent practice helps understand UPSC phrasing and trap options. Solve 10–20 GK MCQs every day. 

3. Revise Frequently with Smart Techniques

Use spaced repetition to retain factual GK. Revise weekly lists: national parks, constitutional articles, international organisations.

4. Use UPSC PYQs

UPSC repeats themes such as international bodies, environment, art forms, diseases, and satellites. Analyse at least 10 years of PYQs.

5. Build Interlinkages

UPSC rewards candidates who can connect the dots. A question about “Millets” links agriculture + nutrition + international years.

6. Keep GK Simple, Not Encyclopedic

Don’t try to memorise random trivia. Focus only on UPSC-relevant GK—constitutional terms, institutions, organisations, awards, ecology, science basics. Look at the last 5 years of GK questions to understand what not to study.

The 3-Step GK Learning Approach

1. Read the concept (NCERT or standard book)
2. Supplement with current affairs
3. Solve MCQs + PYQs immediately after the topic

Example: Topic: Ozone Depletion

• Step 1 → Basic chemistry of ozone
• Step 2 → Montreal Protocol updates / UNEP reports
• Step 3 → Solve PYQs on global treaties & pollutants

Also see: UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025 Paper Analysis

Cracking UPSC becomes easier when you strengthen your basics and keep testing yourself regularly. GK improves only with consistent revision and daily practice, so make MCQs a part of your routine.

Stay focused, stay steady, and keep improving one step at a time. Practice unlimited, high-quality UPSC MCQs on  SuperKalam and build exam-ready confidence every day.

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