GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers
Introduction
The UPSC Civil Services Examination is one of the most prestigious and challenging exams in India, attracting thousands of aspirants each year. General Knowledge (GK) forms a critical component of the UPSC Prelims, testing candidates on a wide range of topics, including history, polity, geography, economy, science, and current affairs.
For students of SSC, CBSE, ICSE, as well as graduate and postgraduate students preparing for competitive exams, mastering GK is essential. This article provides 200+ one-liner GK questions for UPSC prelims with answers, designed to help you strengthen your knowledge base and enhance your exam readiness. These concise questions cover key areas of the UPSC syllabus, making them ideal for quick revision and self-assessment.
Why GK Questions Are Crucial for UPSC Prelims
GK questions in the UPSC Prelims are designed to evaluate a candidate’s awareness of national and international events, historical facts, constitutional provisions, and scientific advancements. These questions are typically objective (multiple-choice) and require a broad yet precise understanding of various subjects. For students across SSC, CBSE, ICSE, and higher education levels, practicing one-liner GK questions offers several benefits:
- Quick Revision: One-liners are easy to memorize and revise, saving time during preparation.
- Comprehensive Coverage: They span multiple topics, ensuring a well-rounded knowledge base.
- Exam-Oriented Practice: Familiarizes students with the question format and difficulty level of UPSC Prelims.
- Boosts Confidence: Regular practice helps identify strengths and weaknesses, building exam confidence.
Here are 200+ One-Liner GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers
Below is a curated list of 200+ one-liner GK questions for UPSC prelims with answers, categorized by subject for easy reference. These questions are tailored to suit students at various academic levels, from school to postgraduate studies.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Indian History
- Q: Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
A: Lord Mountbatten. - Q: In which year was the Battle of Plassey fought?
A: 1757. - Q: Who founded the Maurya Empire?
A: Chandragupta Maurya. - Q: What was the capital of the Gupta Empire?
A: Pataliputra. - Q: Who led the Dandi Salt March in 1930?
A: Mahatma Gandhi. - Q: Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
A: Shah Jahan. - Q: In which year did the Sepoy Mutiny take place?
A: 1857. - Q: Who was the founder of the Khilji dynasty?
A: Jalaluddin Khilji. - Q: What was the main objective of the Non-Cooperation Movement?
A: Boycott British goods and institutions. - Q: Who authored the book Discovery of India?
A: Jawaharlal Nehru. - Q: Which battle established British supremacy in Bengal?
A: Battle of Buxar (1764). - Q: Who was known as the ‘Grand Old Man of India’?
A: Dadabhai Naoroji. - Q: In which year was the Indian National Congress founded?
A: 1885. - Q: Who was the first woman president of the Indian National Congress?
A: Annie Besant. - Q: What was the slogan of the Quit India Movement?
A: Do or Die. - Q: Who was the leader of the Bardoli Satyagraha?
A: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. - Q: Which dynasty built the Khajuraho temples?
A: Chandela dynasty. - Q: Who was the first ruler of the Vijayanagara Empire?
A: Harihara I. - Q: In which year was the Jallianwala Bagh massacre?
A: 1919. - Q: Who founded the Arya Samaj?
A: Swami Dayanand Saraswati.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Indian Polity
- Q: Who is the head of the Indian state?
A: President. - Q: How many fundamental rights are there in the Indian Constitution?
A: Six. - Q: Which article of the Constitution deals with the Right to Equality?
A: Article 14-18. - Q: What is the tenure of a Lok Sabha member?
A: Five years. - Q: Who appoints the Chief Justice of India?
A: President. - Q: Which schedule of the Constitution lists the states and union territories?
A: First Schedule. - Q: What is the minimum age to become Prime Minister of India?
A: 25 years. - Q: Which article provides for the establishment of the Supreme Court?
A: Article 124. - Q: Who chairs the Rajya Sabha?
A: Vice President. - Q: What is the quorum for a Lok Sabha session?
A: One-tenth of the total members. - Q: Which amendment introduced the Right to Education?
A: 86th Amendment. - Q: Who can declare a financial emergency in India?
A: President. - Q: Which article defines the Directive Principles of State Policy?
A: Article 36-51. - Q: What is the term of the President of India?
A: Five years. - Q: Which body conducts elections in India?
A: Election Commission. - Q: Who was the first Chief Election Commissioner of India?
A: Sukumar Sen. - Q: Which article abolishes untouchability?
A: Article 17. - Q: What is the maximum strength of the Lok Sabha?
A: 552. - Q: Which part of the Constitution deals with Fundamental Duties?
A: Part IV-A. - Q: Who has the power to dissolve the Lok Sabha?
A: President.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Geography
- Q: Which is the longest river in India?
A: Ganga. - Q: What is the highest peak in India?
A: Kanchenjunga. - Q: Which state has the longest coastline in India?
A: Gujarat. - Q: What is the largest desert in India?
A: Thar Desert. - Q: Which river is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bihar’?
A: Kosi River. - Q: Which is the largest delta in the world?
A: Sundarbans Delta. - Q: What is the name of India’s northernmost point?
A: Indira Col. - Q: Which state is known as the ‘Spice Garden of India’?
A: Kerala. - Q: Which is the largest freshwater lake in India?
A: Wular Lake. - Q: What is the standard meridian of India?
A: 82.5° E. - Q: Which pass connects India and Tibet?
A: Nathu La Pass. - Q: Which is the wettest place in India?
A: Mawsynram. - Q: Which river forms the Jog Falls?
A: Sharavati River. - Q: Which state is the largest producer of coffee in India?
A: Karnataka. - Q: What is the name of India’s only active volcano?
A: Barren Island. - Q: Which soil is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
A: Black soil. - Q: Which is the largest mangrove forest in India?
A: Sundarbans. - Q: Which river is known as the ‘Lifeline of Gujarat’?
A: Narmada River. - Q: Which state has the largest forest cover in India?
A: Madhya Pradesh. - Q: What is the name of the boundary line between India and China?
A: McMahon Line.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Economy
- Q: Who presents the Union Budget in India?
A: Finance Minister. - Q: What is the full form of GST?
A: Goods and Services Tax. - Q: Which is the apex bank of India?
A: Reserve Bank of India. - Q: In which year was the Planning Commission established?
A: 1950. - Q: What replaced the Planning Commission in 2015?
A: NITI Aayog. - Q: Which sector contributes the most to India’s GDP?
A: Service sector. - Q: What is the currency of India?
A: Indian Rupee. - Q: Who is known as the father of the Indian Green Revolution?
A: M.S. Swaminathan. - Q: Which is the largest stock exchange in India?
A: Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE). - Q: What is the full form of FDI?
A: Foreign Direct Investment. - Q: Which tax is levied on agricultural income in India?
A: No tax. - Q: What is the main source of revenue for the Indian government?
A: Taxes. - Q: In which year was the first Five-Year Plan launched?
A: 1951. - Q: Which is the largest public sector bank in India?
A: State Bank of India. - Q: What is the full form of SEBI?
A: Securities and Exchange Board of India. - Q: Which scheme aims to provide financial inclusion in India?
A: Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana. - Q: What is India’s rank in the Ease of Doing Business Index 2020?
A: 63rd. - Q: Which is the largest export commodity of India?
A: Petroleum products. - Q: What is the full form of MGNREGA?
A: Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act. - Q: Which international organization provides loans to India?
A: World Bank.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Science and Technology
- Q: What is the chemical formula of water?
A: H₂O. - Q: Who discovered the theory of relativity?
A: Albert Einstein. - Q: What is the SI unit of force?
A: Newton. - Q: Which gas is most abundant in Earth’s atmosphere?
A: Nitrogen. - Q: What is the powerhouse of the cell?
A: Mitochondria. - Q: Which Indian satellite was launched to study the Moon?
A: Chandrayaan. - Q: What is the full form of ISRO?
A: Indian Space Research Organisation. - Q: Who invented the polio vaccine?
A: Jonas Salk. - Q: What is the main source of energy for Earth’s climate system?
A: Sun. - Q: Which element is known as the ‘King of Chemicals’?
A: Sulphuric acid. - Q: What is the full form of DNA?
A: Deoxyribonucleic Acid. - Q: Which planet is known as the Red Planet?
A: Mars. - Q: What is the speed of light in a vacuum?
A: 3 × 10⁸ m/s. - Q: Which gas is used in balloons to make them float?
A: Helium. - Q: What is the primary source of Vitamin D?
A: Sunlight. - Q: Which Indian scientist is known as the ‘Missile Man’?
A: A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. - Q: What is the name of India’s first nuclear reactor?
A: Apsara. - Q: Which device converts sound energy into electrical energy?
A: Microphone. - Q: What is the main component of the Sun?
A: Hydrogen. - Q: Which mission aims to clean the Ganga River?
A: Namami Gange.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Current Affairs
- Q: Who is the current Prime Minister of India (as of April 2025)?
A: Narendra Modi. - Q: What is the theme of India’s G20 Presidency in 2023?
A: Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam. - Q: Which country hosted the COP28 climate summit?
A: UAE. - Q: What is the name of India’s first indigenous aircraft carrier?
A: INS Vikrant. - Q: Which Indian city hosted the 2023 Commonwealth Games?
A: None (India did not host). - Q: Who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024?
A: Nihon Hidankyo. - Q: What is the full form of PM MITRA scheme?
A: Mega Integrated Textile Region and Apparel. - Q: Which Indian state launched the Sachet mobile app for disaster preparedness?
A: Launched by NDMA (national level). - Q: Who is the current Chief Justice of India (as of April 2025)?
A: Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud. - Q: Which Indian airport was ranked the best in the world in 2024?
A: Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi. - Q: What is the name of India’s COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Covaxin. - Q: Which country is India’s largest trading partner in 2024?
A: United States. - Q: What is the full form of AUKUS?
A: Australia, United Kingdom, United States. - Q: Which Indian scheme promotes digital payments?
A: BHIM UPI. - Q: Who won the 2024 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup?
A: India. - Q: Which Indian state topped the NITI Aayog’s Sustainable Development Goals Index 2023-24?
A: Kerala. - Q: What is the name of India’s first manned space mission?
A: Gaganyaan. - Q: Which international organization did India join as a full member in 2023?
A: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO). - Q: Who is the current President of India (as of April 2025)?
A: Droupadi Murmu. - Q: Which Indian city was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2024?
A: None in 2024.
GK Questions for UPSC Prelims with Answers on Environment
- Q: What is the main gas responsible for global warming?
A: Carbon dioxide. - Q: Which international agreement aims to combat climate change?
A: Paris Agreement. - Q: What is the largest coral reef system in the world?
A: Great Barrier Reef. - Q: Which Indian national park is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger?
A: Sundarbans National Park. - Q: What is the full form of CPCB?
A: Central Pollution Control Board. - Q: Which gas is responsible for ozone depletion?
A: Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). - Q: Which Indian state has the largest number of wildlife sanctuaries?
A: Maharashtra. - Q: What is the name of India’s first biosphere reserve?
A: Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. - Q: Which animal is the symbol of the WWF?
A: Giant Panda. - Q: What is the main objective of the Green India Mission?
A: Increase forest cover. - Q: Which river is known as the ‘Ganga of the South’?
A: Godavari. - Q: What is the primary source of air pollution in Indian cities?
A: Vehicular emissions. - Q: Which Indian state is known for the Olive Ridley turtle nesting?
A: Odisha. - Q: What is the full form of UNEP?
A: United Nations Environment Programme. - Q: Which Indian project aims to conserve the Ganges River Dolphin?
A: Project Dolphin. - Q: What is the name of India’s first carbon-neutral village?
A: Phayeng, Manipur. - Q: Which gas is known as laughing gas?
A: Nitrous oxide. - Q: What is the main cause of acid rain?
A: Sulphur dioxide emissions. - Q: Which Indian state has the highest renewable energy capacity?
A: Gujarat. - Q: What is the name of the global movement to plant a trillion trees?
A: Trillion Trees Initiative.
Miscellaneous
- Q: Who is the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize?
A: Rabindranath Tagore. - Q: What is the national animal of India?
A: Bengal Tiger. - Q: Which is the largest state in India by area?
A: Rajasthan. - Q: What is the national flower of India?
A: Lotus. - Q: Who composed the national anthem of India?
A: Rabindranath Tagore. - Q: What is the full form of UNESCO?
A: United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. - Q: Which is the smallest state in India by area?
A: Goa. - Q: What is the national bird of India?
A: Indian Peacock. - Q: Who is known as the ‘Father of the Nation’ in India?
A: Mahatma Gandhi. - Q: Which Indian festival is known as the Festival of Lights?
A: Diwali. - Q: What is the name of India’s national flag?
A: Tiranga. - Q: Which Indian state is known as the ‘Land of Five Rivers’?
A: Punjab. - Q: What is the full form of SAARC?
A: South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation. - Q: Who was the first Indian woman to climb Mount Everest?
A: Bachendri Pal. - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘Pink City’?
A: Jaipur. - Q: What is the national sport of India?
A: Hockey. - Q: Which Indian monument is a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
A: Taj Mahal. - Q: Who is the first Indian astronaut to travel to space?
A: Rakesh Sharma. - Q: What is the full form of DRDO?
A: Defence Research and Development Organisation. - Q: Which Indian state is known as the ‘Tea Garden of India’?
A: Assam.
Additional Questions
- Q: Which article of the Constitution provides for the formation of new states?
A: Article 3. - Q: Who was the first Indian to win an Oscar?
A: Bhanu Athaiya. - Q: What is the name of India’s first supercomputer?
A: PARAM 8000. - Q: Which Indian state is the largest producer of rice?
A: West Bengal. - Q: What is the full form of NATO?
A: North Atlantic Treaty Organization. - Q: Who wrote the book India Wins Freedom?
A: Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. - Q: Which is the largest gland in the human body?
A: Liver. - Q: What is the capital of Lakshadweep?
A: Kavaratti. - Q: Which Indian state is known as the ‘Land of Festivals’?
A: Odisha. - Q: What is the full form of ASEAN?
A: Association of Southeast Asian Nations. - Q: Who was the first Indian to win a Grammy Award?
A: Ravi Shankar. - Q: Which is the longest national highway in India?
A: NH-44. - Q: What is the name of India’s first nuclear-powered submarine?
A: INS Arihant. - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘Silicon Valley of India’?
A: Bengaluru. - Q: What is the full form of WHO?
A: World Health Organization. - Q: Who was the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics?
A: Karnam Malleswari. - Q: Which Indian state is the largest producer of sugarcane?
A: Uttar Pradesh. - Q: What is the name of the Indian Parliament building?
A: Sansad Bhavan. - Q: Which Indian river is known as the ‘Sorrow of Bengal’?
A: Damodar River. - Q: What is the full form of IMF?
A: International Monetary Fund. - Q: Who was the first Indian to win the Booker Prize?
A: Salman Rushdie. - Q: Which Indian state is known as the ‘Land of Rising Sun’?
A: Arunachal Pradesh. - Q: What is the name of India’s first aircraft carrier?
A: INS Vikrant (decommissioned). - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘City of Joy’?
A: Kolkata. - Q: What is the full form of NASA?
A: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. - Q: Who was the first Indian woman to become a pilot?
A: Sarla Thakral. - Q: Which Indian state is the largest producer of tea?
A: Assam. - Q: What is the name of India’s first talkie film?
A: Alam Ara. - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘Manchester of India’?
A: Ahmedabad. - Q: What is the full form of WTO?
A: World Trade Organization. - Q: Who was the first Indian to win a chess world championship?
A: Viswanathan Anand. - Q: Which Indian state is known as the ‘Rice Bowl of India’?
A: Andhra Pradesh. - Q: What is the name of India’s first satellite?
A: Aryabhata. - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘Garden City’?
A: Bengaluru. - Q: What is the full form of UNICEF?
A: United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund. - Q: Who was the first Indian woman to win a Grand Slam title?
A: Sania Mirza. - Q: Which Indian state is the largest producer of cotton?
A: Gujarat. - Q: What is the name of India’s first indigenous COVID-19 vaccine?
A: Covaxin. - Q: Which Indian city is known as the ‘Venice of the East’?
A: Alappuzha. - Q: What is the full form of ADB?
A: Asian Development Bank.
Tips to Prepare for GK Questions for UPSC Prelims
- Read Newspapers Daily: Stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers like The Hindu or Indian Express.
- Refer to Standard Books: Use books like Lucent’s GK, Manorama Yearbook, and NCERTs for static GK.
- Practice Mock Tests: Solve previous years’ UPSC papers and take online quizzes to gauge your preparation.
- Make Short Notes: Summarize important facts and revise them regularly.
- Focus on Current Affairs: Follow monthly magazines like Yojana or Kurukshetra for in-depth analysis.
Conclusion
Mastering GK questions for UPSC prelims with answers is a game-changer for aspirants aiming to crack one of India’s toughest exams. The 200+ one-liner questions provided in this article cover essential topics, making them a valuable resource for SSC, CBSE, ICSE, graduate, and postgraduate students. By practicing these questions and following the preparation tips, you can build a strong foundation in General Knowledge and boost your confidence for the UPSC Prelims 2025. Start your preparation today and take a step closer to achieving your dream of becoming a civil servant!
Disclaimer
The information provided in this article, including the 200+ one-liner GK questions for UPSC prelims with answers, is intended for educational and informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the content, the author and publisher are not responsible for any errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in the questions or answers. Aspirants are advised to cross-check facts with authentic sources and refer to official UPSC resources for exam preparation. This article does not guarantee success in the UPSC examination or any other competitive exam.