Exams › SSC CGL (Prelims) › GK › General Awareness
73 questions with worked solutions.
Q1. National Sports University is situated in ________.
Answer: Manipur
National Sports University is located in Manipur, specifically at Imphal. It was established to promote sports education and training in India.
Q2. Shaukat Kaifi passed away in 2019. She was the mother of which famous actress?
Answer: Shabana Azmi
Shaukat Kaifi was the mother of Shabana Azmi. Shabana Azmi is a famous Indian actress known for her roles in parallel cinema and mainstream films.
Q3. Which country was the first to launch a satellite into space?
Answer: Russia
The first artificial satellite, Sputnik 1, was launched by the Soviet Union. In modern option wording, this corresponds to Russia.
Q4. Which Indian scientist won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930?
Answer: C.V. Raman
C.V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light, known as the Raman Effect. He was the first Asian and first non-white recipient of the Nobel Prize in Physics.
Q5. In which year was the 'Make in India' initiative launched?
Answer: 2014
The 'Make in India' initiative was launched in 2014 by the Government of India. It aimed to encourage manufacturing and investment in India.
Q6. Which river is known as the 'Dakshin Ganga' or 'Ganga of the South'?
Answer: Godavari
The Godavari is known as the 'Dakshin Ganga' because of its length, importance, and cultural significance in southern India. It is one of the major rivers of peninsular India.
Q7. Which Indian city is known as the "City of Joy"?
Answer: Kolkata
Kolkata is popularly known as the "City of Joy." This nickname reflects the city's cultural richness and vibrant life.
Q8. Who among the following was the 11th President of India?
Answer: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the 11th President of India, serving from 2002 to 2007. He is widely known as the "Missile Man of India."
Q9. Where is the headquarters of the International Court of Justice located?
Answer: The Hague
The International Court of Justice is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations, and its headquarters is at The Hague in the Netherlands.
Q10. What is the national aquatic animal of India?
Answer: Ganges River Dolphin
The Ganges River Dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India. It was chosen to highlight the conservation of river ecosystems.
Q11. Which Indian state has the longest coastline?
Answer: Gujarat
Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states. Its coastline is much longer than that of Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, or Andhra Pradesh.
Q12. Who among the following is a recipient of the Bharat Ratna award?
Answer: Sachin Tendulkar
Sachin Tendulkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 2014. The other listed sportspersons have not received this award.
Q13. Which planet is known as the 'Red Planet'?
Answer: Mars
Mars is called the Red Planet because iron oxide on its surface gives it a reddish color. The other planets listed are not known by this nickname.
Q14. Who is known as the "Missile Man of India"?
Answer: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is known as the "Missile Man of India" for his contributions to India’s missile development programs. He was also a scientist and the 11th President of India.
Q15. Which is the smallest continent in the world?
Answer: Australia
Australia is the smallest continent in the world by area. It is also the only continent that is a single country.
Q16. Who wrote the book ‘Discovery of India’?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
Discovery of India was written by Jawaharlal Nehru. He wrote it during his imprisonment in the 1940s.
Q17. Which city is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’?
Answer: Bengaluru
Bengaluru is widely called the Silicon Valley of India because it is a major center for information technology, startups, and software companies. The nickname is analogous to Silicon Valley in the USA.
Q18. Who is known as the ‘Iron Man of India’?
Answer: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is called the Iron Man of India because of his firm leadership and his role in uniting the princely states into the Indian Union. He is also known as the 'Bismarck of India'.
Q19. Which organ of the human body purifies blood?
Answer: Kidney
The kidneys filter blood to remove waste products and excess water. This purification process helps maintain the body's internal balance. Hence, the correct answer is Kidney.
Q20. In which state is the famous Konark Sun Temple located?
Answer: Odisha
The Konark Sun Temple is located in Odisha, near the Bay of Bengal. It is one of India's most famous historical temples and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Therefore, the correct answer is Odisha.
Q21. Which is the largest bone in the human body?
Answer: Femur
The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the human body. It is located in the thigh region. Hence, the correct answer is Femur.
Q22. Which Indian state shares its border with Bhutan?
Answer: Assam
Assam is one of the Indian states that shares a border with Bhutan. The other options do not share a border with Bhutan.
Q23. Who among the following was known as the “Father of Indian Renaissance”?
Answer: Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Raja Ram Mohan Roy is widely regarded as the Father of Indian Renaissance because of his pioneering role in social and religious reform in 19th-century India. He also founded the Brahmo Samaj.
Q24. Which monument was built by Shah Jahan in memory of his wife?
Answer: Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a famous monument in Agra.
Q25. Which Indian city is known as the ‘Steel City’?
Answer: Jamshedpur
Jamshedpur is popularly called the ‘Steel City’ because it is home to Tata Steel, one of India’s oldest and largest steel plants. This nickname is widely used in general knowledge questions.
Q26. Who invented the light bulb?
Answer: Thomas Edison
Thomas Edison is widely credited with inventing the practical incandescent light bulb. Although others contributed to earlier versions, SSC-style GK questions usually expect Edison.
Q27. Which historical structure is located in Agra and was built by Shah Jahan?
Answer: Taj Mahal
The Taj Mahal is located in Agra and was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. It is one of the most famous monuments in India.
Q28. Who was the first Indian astronaut in space?
Answer: Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma was the first Indian citizen to travel into space. He flew aboard Soyuz T-11 in 1984.
Q29. Which Indian state has Hyderabad as its capital?
Answer: Telangana
Hyderabad is the capital of Telangana. After the bifurcation of Andhra Pradesh, Hyderabad became the capital of Telangana.
Q30. Which Indian state has Gir National Park?
Answer: Gujarat
Gir National Park is located in Gujarat and is famous as the last natural habitat of the Asiatic lion. The other states listed do not contain Gir National Park.
Q31. What is the national aquatic animal of India?
Answer: River Dolphin
The Ganges river dolphin is declared the national aquatic animal of India. It symbolizes the health of river ecosystems and is found mainly in the Ganga-Brahmaputra river system.
Q32. Which Indian freedom fighter founded the Indian Home Rule League?
Answer: Bal Gangadhar Tilak
Bal Gangadhar Tilak founded the Indian Home Rule League in 1916. He was a prominent nationalist leader who advocated self-rule for India.
Q33. Which state in India is famous for Bhangra dance?
Answer: Punjab
Bhangra is a traditional folk dance of Punjab, especially associated with harvest festivals like Baisakhi. It is one of the most well-known cultural dances of the state.
Q34. Which Indian leader wrote the book 'Discovery of India'?
Answer: Jawaharlal Nehru
'Discovery of India' was written by Jawaharlal Nehru. He authored it during his imprisonment, and it is one of the most famous books on Indian history and culture.
Q35. Who was the first Indian woman to go to space?
Answer: Kalpana Chawla
Kalpana Chawla was the first Indian-born woman to go to space. She flew aboard the Space Shuttle Columbia in 1997.
Q36. Which river is considered the holiest in Hinduism?
Answer: Ganga
The Ganga is regarded as the holiest river in Hinduism and is deeply associated with religious rituals and beliefs. It is also known as the Ganges.
Q37. Which is the highest civilian award in India?
Answer: Bharat Ratna
Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award in India. It is awarded for exceptional service or performance of the highest order.
Q38. Who is known as the "Missile Man of India"?
Answer: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is popularly known as the "Missile Man of India" for his major contributions to India's missile development programmes. He also played a key role in the country's space and defence technology.
Q39. Which is the national song of India?
Answer: Vande Mataram
"Vande Mataram" is the national song of India. "Jana Gana Mana" is the national anthem, so it is not the correct choice here.
Q40. Who was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize?
Answer: Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize, receiving it in 1913 for Literature. He was also the first Asian Nobel laureate.
Q41. Which Indian state is famous for the festival of Baisakhi?
Answer: Punjab
Baisakhi is a major harvest festival, especially celebrated in Punjab. It also has religious significance in Sikh tradition.
Q42. Which state is known for the folk dance 'Lavani'?
Answer: Maharashtra
Lavani is a traditional folk dance form of Maharashtra, known for its energetic rhythm and expressive performance. The other states are associated with different folk dances.
Q43. What is the main source of energy for the Earth?
Answer: Sun
The Sun is the primary source of energy for Earth. It provides light and heat and drives many natural processes, including photosynthesis and weather systems.
Q44. Who was the first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize in Physics?
Answer: C. V. Raman
C. V. Raman received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light, known as the Raman Effect. He was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize in Physics.
Q45. In which Indian state is the city of Shillong located?
Answer: Meghalaya
Shillong is the capital city of Meghalaya. It is located in the northeastern part of India.
Q46. Who was the first President of independent India?
Answer: Dr. Rajendra Prasad
Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of independent India. He served from 1950 to 1962 and is a key figure in Indian polity.
Q47. Which Indian state is known for the classical dance ‘Odissi’?
Answer: Odisha
Odissi is one of the classical dance forms of India and is traditionally associated with Odisha. The dance takes its name from the state’s ancient cultural heritage.
Q48. Which continent is known as the ‘Dark Continent’?
Answer: Africa
The term “Dark Continent” is a historical nickname used for Africa, mainly due to early European exploration and limited knowledge of its interior. In exam context, the expected answer is Africa.
Q49. Who was the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal?
Answer: Karnam Malleswari
Karnam Malleswari won a bronze medal in weightlifting at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to win an Olympic medal.
Q50. In which Indian state is the Sun Temple of Modhera located?
Answer: Gujarat
The Sun Temple of Modhera is located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. It is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to the Sun God.