GK Questions with Answers 2026: Top Questions for Exam Prep

A strong command of General Knowledge is essential for success in India’s top competitive exams. This list of gk questions with answers is designed to be your trusted resource for the 2026-2027 exam season. Unlike current affairs, Static GK covers the foundational facts about history, geography, and polity that form the bedrock of the GK section. This curated list is more than a quiz; each answer includes a concise explanation to deepen your understanding and improve retention. Use these questions to test your knowledge, identify areas for improvement, and conduct quick, effective revisions before your exam.

Indian History GK Questions with Answers

Q1. In which year did the Battle of Plassey take place?

Answer: 1757

Explanation: This pivotal battle was fought between the British East India Company, led by Robert Clive, and the Nawab of Bengal, Siraj-ud-Daulah. The outcome established British supremacy in India.

Q2. Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?

Answer: Chandragupta Maurya

Explanation: He founded the empire around 322 BCE by defeating the Nanda Dynasty with the guidance of his advisor, Chanakya.

Q3. The famous ‘Purna Swaraj’ (Complete Independence) resolution was passed in which session of the Indian National Congress?

Answer: Lahore Session, 1929

Explanation: During this session, presided over by Jawaharlal Nehru, the Congress declared complete independence as its ultimate goal.

Q4. Which ancient Indian physician is known as the ‘Father of Surgery’?

Answer: Sushruta

Explanation: His work, the ‘Sushruta Samhita’, is a foundational text of ancient Indian medicine that describes complex surgical procedures.

Q5. The Indus Valley Civilization site of Lothal is located in which modern Indian state?

Answer: Gujarat

Explanation: Lothal is renowned for having one of the world’s earliest known docks, which indicates its importance as a trade center.

Geography GK Questions with Answers

Q6. Which is the highest peak in India?

Answer: Kangchenjunga

Explanation: Located in the Himalayas on the border between Sikkim, India, and Nepal, it is the third-highest mountain in the world.

Q7. The ‘Jog Falls’, one of the highest plunge waterfalls in India, is created by which river?

Answer: Sharavathi River

Explanation: Located in the Shimoga district of Karnataka, these spectacular falls are a major tourist attraction.

Q8. Which type of soil is most widely spread across India?

Answer: Alluvial soil

Explanation: Formed by the deposition of silt from rivers, this fertile soil covers the vast northern plains and is crucial for agriculture.

Q9. The Nathu La Pass connects India with which neighboring country?

Answer: China

Explanation: Situated in the state of Sikkim, this Himalayan pass was part of the ancient Silk Road.

Q10. Where is the Kaziranga National Park, famous for the one-horned rhinoceros, located?

Answer: Assam

Explanation: This UNESCO World Heritage Site hosts the world’s largest population of the Indian one-horned rhinoceros.

Indian Polity GK Questions with Answers

Q11. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the abolition of untouchability?

Answer: Article 17

Explanation: This article, under the Right to Equality, makes the practice of untouchability a punishable offense.

Q12. Who administers the oath of office to the President of India?

Answer: The Chief Justice of India

Explanation: In the absence of the Chief Justice, the oath is administered by the senior-most available judge of the Supreme Court.

Q13. The concept of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system was recommended by which committee?

Answer: Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

Explanation: The committee’s 1957 report recommended establishing a democratic, decentralized system of local government.

Q14. From which country’s constitution were the ‘Fundamental Duties’ inspired?

Answer: USSR (now Russia)

Explanation: The Fundamental Duties were added to the Indian Constitution by the 42nd Amendment in 1976.

Q15. What is the minimum age to be appointed as the Governor of a state in India?

Answer: 35 years

Explanation: Article 157 of the Constitution specifies that to be eligible for the post of Governor, a person must be a citizen of India and at least 35 years old.

Indian Economy GK Questions with Answers

Q16. Which institution is known as the regulator of the money supply in India?

Answer: Reserve Bank of India (RBI)

Explanation: The RBI manages the country’s currency and credit systems to ensure price stability and promote economic growth.

Q17. The Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India is an example of which type of tax?

Answer: Indirect Tax

Explanation: GST is a destination-based tax on the consumption of goods and services, levied at each stage of the supply chain.

Q18. Where is the headquarters of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) located?

Answer: Mumbai

Explanation: SEBI is the statutory regulatory body for the securities and commodity market in India.

Q19. The ‘Mahalanobis Model’ was associated with which Five-Year Plan in India?

Answer: Second Five-Year Plan (1956-61)

Explanation: This model, developed by statistician Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, emphasized the development of heavy industries.

Q20. What does the term ‘Fiscal Deficit’ mean?

Answer: The difference between the government’s total expenditure and its total receipts, excluding borrowings.

Explanation: It indicates the total amount of borrowing the government requires to meet its expenses.

General Science GK Questions with Answers

Q21. Which vitamin deficiency causes the disease ‘Scurvy’?

Answer: Vitamin C (Ascorbic acid)

Explanation: Scurvy is characterized by fatigue, gum disease, and poor wound healing.

Q22. What is the SI unit of electric current?

Answer: Ampere

Explanation: Named after French physicist André-Marie Ampère, it is one of the seven base units in the International System of Units (SI).

Q23. Which gas is commonly known as ‘Laughing Gas’?

Answer: Nitrous Oxide (N₂O)

Explanation: It has anesthetic and analgesic effects and is used in surgery and dentistry for its pain-relieving properties.

Static GK & Important Events

Q24. Who was the first Indian to receive the Nobel Prize?

Answer: Rabindranath Tagore

Explanation: He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for his collection of poems, ‘Gitanjali’.

Q25. The famous classical dance form ‘Kathakali’ originated in which state?

Answer: Kerala

Explanation: It is a “story-play” genre of art, distinguished by its elaborate costumes, makeup, and detailed gestures.

Q26. Who is the author of the book ‘Annihilation of Caste’?

Answer: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Explanation: This seminal work is based on an undelivered speech from 1936 that critiques the Hindu caste system.

Q27. The Dronacharya Award is given for excellence in which field?

Answer: Sports Coaching

Explanation: Instituted by the Government of India in 1985, it is the country’s highest official honour for sports coaches.

Q28. What was the theme of the G20 Summit hosted by India in 2023?

Answer: ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ or ‘One Earth · One Family · One Future’

Explanation: This theme, drawn from an ancient Sanskrit text, highlights the value of all life and its interconnectedness.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Static GK and Current Affairs?

Static GK refers to facts that do not change over time, such as historical dates, geographical features, and constitutional articles. Current Affairs, on the other hand, deals with recent events and developments of national and international importance, like new government schemes, international summits, or major sports victories from the current or previous year.

How can I effectively remember GK facts for exams?

To effectively remember GK, use a multi-pronged strategy. First, practice spaced repetition, revisiting topics at increasing intervals. Second, create mnemonics or stories to link related facts. Third, regularly attempt quizzes and mock tests on GK questions with answers to actively recall information. Finally, try to understand the context behind a fact rather than just memorizing it.

Which topics are most important in the Static GK section for 2026 exams?

For the 2026-2027 exam cycle, focus on high-yield Static GK topics. These include: Indian History (especially the Freedom Struggle), Indian Polity (Fundamental Rights, Duties, Parliament, key Articles), Geography (rivers, national parks, mountain ranges), Economy (RBI functions, Five-Year Plans, types of taxes), and General Science (vitamins, diseases, SI units). Also, prioritize static aspects like important awards, books by famous authors, and classical dance forms.

Are these GK questions sufficient for exams like UPSC?

While this list of GK questions provides an excellent foundation and is ideal for exams like SSC CGL, Railways, and Banking, it is not sufficient on its own for the UPSC Civil Services Examination. UPSC exams require a much deeper, more analytical understanding of subjects, demanding extensive reading of standard textbooks like NCERTs, and in-depth analysis of current affairs from newspapers and magazines. These questions are a good starting point for building foundational knowledge.