GK Quiz: 20 General Knowledge Questions For Competitive Exams
GK takes less time than other sections since it doesn't call for computations or logical thinking. Here are some GK questions that could prove to useful while appearing for exams.
In competitive exams such as the UPSC, SBI Bank PO, and other government tests, the General Knowledge (GK) section is sometimes seen as making all the difference. GK takes less time than other sections since it doesn't call for computations or logical thinking. Here are some GK questions that could prove to useful while appearing for exams.
Answer: It is about 80 million years old and is considered to be the oldest desert in the world.
2: How much sunflower oil did India import from Argentina in the year 2023?
Answer: India imported about 5.35 lakh tonnes of sunflower oil from Argentina in the year 2023, worth an estimated US$566 million.
3: In which city of India was the G20 Summit 2023 organised?
Answer: New Delhi
4: Who started 'Navodaya Vidyalaya'?
Answer: Rajiv Gandhi
5: In medieval India, the term 'Amir-i-Chahalgani' referred to whom?
6: Who among the following established the 'Mahila Seva Mandal' and 'Native Female School' in Pune?
Answer: January 10
8: What is the name of the weak zone of the earth's crust?
Answer: Seismic
9: In 2019, which popular singer was awarded the Bharat Ratna award?
Answer: Bhupen Hazarika
10: What is the full form of DRDL?
11: Who is known as Father of Indian Constitution?
12: Who is the father of Indian missile technology?
13: What is the name of the first Indian woman who wins the Man Booker Prize?
Answer: Arundhati Roy
14: What was the first national animal?
Answer: Till 1972, the national animal of India was the lion, but in 1973 the Indian government changed it and declared the tiger as the national animal.
15: What is the chemical symbol of gold?
16: Who was the first Indian to pass the ICS exam?
17: In which year was the Indian Constituent Assembly formed?
Answer: 1946
18: Which is the longest river in India?
Answer: Ganga
19: Cauvery water dispute is between which states?
Answer: Tamil Nadu and Karnataka
20: When was the Paris Agreement on Climate Change signed?
Answer: 2015
view comments
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
an hour ago
- News18
Success Story: Jabalpur Potter's Son Who Helped Sell Pots Becomes Scientist At BARC
Last Updated: Speaking to Local18, Ajay recalled juggling studies with shop duties, often selling pots and using customer-free time to prepare for exams while his parents were away In a remarkable turn of events, the son of a poor potter from Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh, is set to become a scientist. Ajay, a 23-year-old resident of Jabalpur's Tripuri Chowk, who once moulded clay pots with his hands, has been selected as a scientist at Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC). The entire family is ecstatic after receiving the offer letter. When Local18 visited Ajay's home, the atmosphere was filled with the tangible joy of success amidst the familiar scent of clay. Despite his recent success, Ajay was found tending to the family's shop. He shared the story of his family's struggles, detailing how his father has sold clay pots by the roadside for years, while his mother sold them door-to-door. Seeing his parents' hardships, Ajay realised that education was his only way to support his family and gain nationwide recognition. He confessed that although the journey was tough, the sight of his parents' relentless efforts kept him motivated. Today, his hard work has paid off, bringing tears of joy to his family's eyes, he shared. Ajay's academic journey began at Saraswati Vidya Mandir, where he secured the 9th position in Madhya Pradesh in his 10th-grade exams. He then completed his 12th grade and graduated in Chemistry from Science College. Aiming for higher studies, Ajay cleared the postgraduate entrance exam at IIT Bombay, ranking 19th in the country. He subsequently secured the 10th rank in the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) and passed the interview at BARC. Ajay's father, Bihari Lal Chakraborty, expressed his pride, noting that Ajay's mother had never attended school, and he himself had only studied until the 11th grade. Their dream was for their son to achieve more and not sell pots by the roadside. They worked tirelessly to support his education. Ajay's sister now works in a bank, and with Ajay's new role as a scientist, their perseverance has truly paid off, he said. Ajay recounted the challenges he faced during his studies, often managing the shop and selling pots when his parents were away. He used the time without customers to study. Ajay attributed his achievements to the unwavering support of his parents, friends, and teachers. 'When I was in school and college, my top priority was to honour the hard work of my parents. The circumstances at home were far from ideal, but hard work was all I had. It kept me going, and today, that very perseverance has led to my talent being recognised and respected," Ajay told Local18. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Mains answer practice — GS 3 : Questions on spacecraft splashdown and renewable energy (Week 114)
UPSC Essentials brings to you its initiative for the practice of Mains answer writing. It covers essential topics of static and dynamic parts of the UPSC Civil Services syllabus covered under various GS papers. This answer-writing practice is designed to help you as a value addition to your UPSC CSE Mains. Attempt today's answer writing on questions related to topics of GS-3 to check your progress. 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for July 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at Discuss why rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity has not translated into substantial reductions in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions at the global level. Discuss the merits and demerits of splashdown (water landings) versus runway (ground) landings for crewed spacecraft with reference to recent missions such as Axiom‑4. Introduction — The introduction of the answer is essential and should be restricted to 3-5 lines. Remember, a one-liner is not a standard introduction. — It may consist of basic information by giving some definitions from the trusted source and authentic facts. Body — It is the central part of the answer and one should understand the demand of the question to provide rich content. — The answer must be preferably written as a mix of points and short paragraphs rather than using long paragraphs or just points. — Using facts from authentic government sources makes your answer more comprehensive. Analysis is important based on the demand of the question, but do not over analyse. — Underlining keywords gives you an edge over other candidates and enhances presentation of the answer. — Using flowcharts/tree-diagram in the answers saves much time and boosts your score. However, it should be used logically and only where it is required. Way forward/ conclusion — The ending of the answer should be on a positive note and it should have a forward-looking approach. However, if you feel that an important problem must be highlighted, you may add it in your conclusion. Try not to repeat any point from body or introduction. — You may use the findings of reports or surveys conducted at national and international levels, quotes etc. in your answers. Self Evaluation — It is the most important part of our Mains answer writing practice. UPSC Essentials will provide some guiding points or ideas as a thought process that will help you to evaluate your answers. QUESTION 1: Discuss why rapid expansion of renewable energy capacity has not translated into substantial reductions in fossil fuel use and greenhouse gas emissions at the global level. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — The world added about 582 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity in 2024, representing an increase of 15% over the previous year, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Association (IRENA). This was the largest annual increase in renewable energy capacity in any single year. — Currently, the installed capacity of renewable energy worldwide exceeds 4,442 GW, and renewable sources generate almost 30% of the world's electricity. — According to a new IRENA report, with the present rate of expansion, the world will be close to meeting its 2030 aim of tripling renewable energy installed capacity. This aim is deemed critical for controlling global warming and was included in the accord reached at the COP28 summit in Dubai in 2023. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — The rapid expansion of renewable energy may give the impression that the world has made significant progress towards fulfilling its climate goals. However, renewable energy has yet to displace fossil fuels on a global scale. — While fossil fuels accounted for only around 10% of new power installed capacity in 2024, their use is still increasing, according to the IRENA report. — Between 2012 and 2023, global power generation increased by 2.5% per year on average, while renewable energy expanded at a rate of approximately 6%. This has resulted in a continuous increase in the proportion of renewables in the power generation mix. However, fossil fuels today generate more than 70% of worldwide electrical generation. — In absolute terms, more fossil fuels are consumed today than ten years ago to generate power. To make matters worse, the growth in the consumption of fossil fuels is projected to last for at least a few years. As a result, greenhouse gas emissions have reached historic levels in recent years. — In some nations, particularly in the Nordic region, renewables make for a substantially larger share of overall energy use. However, the unique conditions found in these countries are difficult to recreate elsewhere. According to forecasts, by 2050, renewable energy will account for no more than 40% to 45% of total global energy consumption. Conclusion: — The IRENA report pointed out that while renewable capacity increased by 15% globally in 2024, in Africa it grew by just 7%, and that too from a very low base. Africa is where the largest number of people without access live. — China's management of the renewable energy system has begun to resemble the OPEC countries' influence over global oil supplies. Energy security has emerged as one of the most pressing problems for governments, prompting many of them to secure whatever option is available to them, clean or not. — The move to clean and renewable energy systems is not as simple as some claim. There are multiple levels of complexity that make the objective of reducing global temperatures to below 2 degrees Celsius appear more unattainable. (Source: Why increasing renewable energy alone can't solve climate crisis) Points to Ponder Read more about renewable energy and its sources Why do Nordic countries produce more green electricity? Related Previous Year Questions The adoption of electric vehicles is rapidly growing worldwide. How do electric vehicles contribute to reducing carbon emissions and what are the key benefits they offer compared to traditional combustion engine vehicles? (2023) Industrial pollution of river water is a significant environmental issue in India. Discuss the various mitigation measures to deal with this problem and also the government's initiatives in this regard. (2024) QUESTION 2: Discuss the merits and demerits of splashdown (water landings) versus runway (ground) landings for crewed spacecraft with reference to recent missions such as Axiom‑4. Note: This is not a model answer. It only provides you with thought process which you may incorporate into the answers. Introduction: — Landing in the ocean is the preferred method of returning humans from space, while some spacecraft do land on a runway, just like an aeroplane. However, the latter has unique requirements, necessitates more advanced technology, and is typically more expensive. — The spacecraft carrying Indian astronaut Shubhanshu Shukla and his three Axiom-4 mission colleagues splashed down in the Pacific Ocean following a 20-hour voyage from the International Space Station. Body: You may incorporate some of the following points in your answer: — Splashdown is often a simpler and safer alternative. When a spacecraft begins to re-enter the Earth's atmosphere at an altitude of 110-120 km, it typically travels at speeds of up to 27,359 km/h. There isn't enough time for it to slow down to speeds appropriate for a vertical landing on the ground. Additional braking devices and structures, such as landing legs, will be necessary. — It is safer to land a spacecraft in water, even if it is moving at 25-30 km/h – the speed of the Axiom-4 spacecraft at splashdown. Water's low viscosity and high density provide a far bigger cushion. While it does not guarantee a perfect landing, it absorbs enough shock from the impact to prevent damage to the spacecraft's construction, payload, or crew. — The other cause is the abundance of large open spaces. On the ground, the landing point must be exactly defined; in the ocean, even if the spacecraft is carried slightly off course by air or sea currents, there is no risk of colliding with anything else. — The capsules are designed to float in water. They are conical in shape, with rounded metal on either the top or bottom (depending on how they fall), similar to a ship's hull, that keeps them bobbing on the surface. Conclusion: How is landing done? — When a spacecraft re-enters the Earth's atmosphere, it decelerates owing to friction. However, extra precautions are required to slow it to a safe speed. One such method is to employ parachutes. Spacecraft often deploy two drag (or drogue) parachutes first, which stabilise the vehicle during re-entry and lower speed. These parachutes are deployed by the Dragon spacecraft at an altitude of around 18,000. — At approximately 6,500 feet, the drogue parachutes are removed, and the four main parachutes are released, further slowing the ship. — The spaceship does not fly vertically to Earth, but rather descends at an angle. From re-entry to touchdown, it travels 5,000-7,000 kilometres. During this period, its speed drops to around 25-30 km/h, which is safe for a splashdown in the ocean. (Source: Why spacecraft prefer splashdowns over landing on ground) Points to Ponder Read more about Axiom-4 mission Read about proposed Gaganyaan mission Related Previous Year Questions What is the main task of India's third moon mission which could not be achieved in its earlier mission? List the countries that have achieved this task. Introduce the subsystems in the spacecraft launched and explain the role of the Virtual Launch Control Centre' at the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre which contributed to the successful launch from Sriharikota. (2023) India has achieved remarkable successes in unmanned space missions including the Chandrayaan and Mars Orbiter Mission, but has not ventured into manned space mission. What are the main obstacles to launching a manned space mission, both in terms of technology and logistics? Examine critically. (2017) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 3 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 2 (Week 113) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 112) UPSC Essentials: Mains answer practice — GS 1 (Week 113) Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
These 6 Habits May Help 'Reverse Cancer', Claims US Expert After 30 Years Of Research
According to Dr Seyfried, these steps aren't a substitute for treatment but may aid the body alongside therapy by creating an internal environment where cancer struggles to survive US-based biology professor Dr. Thomas Seyfried has claimed that cancer may be reversible through certain lifestyle and dietary interventions. His assertions present a controversial and unconventional perspective on the disease. Dr. Seyfried, who has spent nearly three decades studying cancer, argues that the growth of cancer cells can be influenced by relatively simple changes to daily habits. He maintains that these approaches are not intended as replacements for medical treatments but could be considered complementary. A report by The Economic Times quotes Dr. Seyfried as suggesting that cancer should be viewed not only as a genetic condition but also as a metabolic disorder. His research claims that cancer cells rely heavily on glucose for survival, and therefore, strategies that limit glucose availability might help control their growth. He further asserts that changes to diet and lifestyle could create an internal environment that is less conducive to cancer cell proliferation. According to him, these changes might also reduce the risk of cancer in otherwise healthy individuals. Dr. Seyfried has reiterated that these lifestyle measures are not cures or alternatives to established medical treatments. He advises that any such changes should be made in consultation with qualified healthcare professionals. His views have sparked interest and debate, especially regarding the idea that daily habits—such as managing stress, staying active, and maintaining a specific diet—could play a role in the body's resistance to cancer. However, medical experts caution that such claims should be approached with critical scrutiny and evaluated within the broader context of peer-reviewed scientific research. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
