UPSC GK Questions for IAS 2026: History, Geography, Economics, and Indian Polity with Answers

UPSC GK Questions are an important part of preparation for the Civil Services Examination. These questions test awareness, understanding, and clarity across multiple subjects. A strong command over General Knowledge helps aspirants perform well in both Prelims and Mains. GK Questions also help in developing analytical thinking and better recall of concepts.

General Knowledge Questions for IAS cover history, geography, economics, polity, science, and current affairs. Regular practice of GK Questions builds confidence and improves accuracy. 

UPSC GK Questions with Answers

UPSC GK Questions with answers help aspirants check their preparation level. Practising upsc general knowledge questions daily makes concepts stronger. The questions below are aligned with the exam pattern and are useful for revision. These questions will focus on UPSC GK Questions for 2026, keeping future aspirants in mind.

UPSC GK Questions for History

UPSC GK Questions for History test knowledge of ancient, medieval, and modern India. These questions are factual but also concept-based. Regular revision of history helps in a better understanding of India’s past and its impact on the present.

Q1. The Indus Valley Civilization is mainly known for which feature?
a) Rock-cut caves
b) Planned urban settlements
c) Temple architecture
d) Iron tools
Answer: b

Q2. Who among the following was the founder of the Maurya Empire?
a) Ashoka
b) Bindusara
c) Chandragupta Maurya
d) Bimbisara
Answer: c

Q3. The term ‘Satyagraha’ was first used during which movement?
a) Non-Cooperation Movement
b) Civil Disobedience Movement
c) Champaran Movement
d) Quit India Movement
Answer: c

Q4. Which Mughal ruler built the Red Fort in Delhi?
a) Akbar
b) Jahangir
c) Shah Jahan
d) Aurangzeb
Answer: c

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Q5. The Battle of Plassey was fought in which year?
a) 1757
b) 1764
c) 1773
d) 1784
Answer: a

Q6. Who introduced the Permanent Settlement system in India?
a) Lord Curzon
b) Lord Cornwallis
c) Lord Dalhousie
d) Lord Wellesley
Answer: b

Q7. The Swadeshi Movement started after which event?
a) Jallianwala Bagh incident
b) Partition of Bengal
c) Simon Commission
d) Rowlatt Act
Answer: b

Q8. Which ancient text is associated with Chanakya?
a) Arthashastra
b) Manusmriti
c) Rigveda
d) Upanishads
Answer: a

Q9. Who was the first Governor-General of independent India?
a) Lord Mountbatten
b) Rajendra Prasad
c) C. Rajagopalachari
d) Jawaharlal Nehru
Answer: a

Q10. The Quit India Movement was launched in which year?
a) 1935
b) 1939
c) 1942
d) 1945
Answer: c

UPSC GK Questions for Geography

UPSC GK Questions for geography cover physical, human, and economic geography. These questions improve map-based understanding and awareness of natural processes. Geography questions are scoring when concepts are clear.

Q1. Which is the longest river in India?
a) Yamuna
b) Ganga
c) Godavari
d) Brahmaputra
Answer: b

Q2. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
a) Six
b) Seven
c) Eight
d) Nine
Answer: c

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Q3. Which type of rainfall is common in coastal regions of India?
a) Convectional rainfall
b) Cyclonic rainfall
c) Orographic rainfall
d) Frontal rainfall
Answer: c

Q4. The Deccan Plateau is mainly composed of which rocks?
a) Sedimentary
b) Metamorphic
c) Igneous
d) Alluvial
Answer: c

Q5. Which Indian state has the longest coastline?
a) Tamil Nadu
b) Andhra Pradesh
c) Gujarat
d) Maharashtra
Answer: c

Q6. The Sundarbans are famous for which feature?
a) Coral reefs
b) Mangrove forests
c) Desert vegetation
d) Grasslands
Answer: b

Q7. Which latitude divides the Earth into Northern and Southern Hemispheres?
a) Tropic of Cancer
b) Tropic of Capricorn
c) Equator
d) Arctic Circle
Answer: c

Q8. Which soil type is most suitable for cotton cultivation?
a) Alluvial soil
b) Red soil
c) Black soil
d) Laterite soil
Answer: c

Q9. Which ocean is the deepest in the world?
a) Indian Ocean
b) Atlantic Ocean
c) Arctic Ocean
d) Pacific Ocean
Answer: d

Q10. The Western Ghats are also known as:
a) Sahyadris
b) Aravallis
c) Vindhyas
d) Satpuras
Answer: a

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UPSC GK Questions for Economics

UPSC GK Questions for economics focus on basic concepts of the Indian economy. These questions help aspirants understand growth, development, and policy-related issues. Clarity in economics helps in both objective and descriptive answers.

Q1. GDP stands for:
a) Gross Domestic Product
b) General Development Process
c) Gross Demand Price
d) Global Development Plan
Answer: a

Q2. Which institution controls monetary policy in India?
a) Ministry of Finance
b) NITI Aayog
c) Reserve Bank of India
d) SEBI
Answer: c

Q3. Inflation refers to:
a) Rise in employment
b) Fall in prices
c) Rise in general price level
d) Increase in production
Answer: c

Q4. Which tax is levied on income?
a) GST
b) Customs duty
c) Income tax
d) Excise duty
Answer: c

Q5. What does fiscal policy relate to?
a) Banking rules
b) Government revenue and spending
c) Foreign trade only
d) Stock market
Answer: b

Q6. Which sector employs the largest workforce in India?
a) Industrial sector
b) Service sector
c) Agricultural sector
d) Mining sector
Answer: c

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Q7. Repo rate is decided by which body?
a) Parliament
b) RBI
c) SEBI
d) NABARD
Answer: b

Q8. Which organisation prepares the Union Budget?
a) RBI
b) Finance Commission
c) Ministry of Finance
d) NITI Aayog
Answer: c

Q9. Balance of Payments records:
a) Only imports
b) Only exports
c) Economic transactions with other countries
d) Domestic trade
Answer: c

Q10. Which of the following is a direct tax?
a) GST
b) Customs duty
c) Income tax
d) Excise duty
Answer: c

UPSC GK Questions for Indian Polity

UPSC GK Questions for Indian polity focus on the Constitution, governance, and political system. These questions strengthen understanding of rights, duties, and institutions. Indian polity is one of the most reliable scoring areas.

Q1. The Constitution of India came into force on:
a) 15 August 1947
b) 26 January 1950
c) 2 October 1949
d) 26 November 1949
Answer: b

Q2. Who is the head of the Indian State?
a) Prime Minister
b) Chief Justice
c) President
d) Vice-President
Answer: c

Q3. How many Fundamental Rights are currently there?
a) Five
b) Six
c) Seven
d) Eight
Answer: b

Q4. The Rajya Sabha represents:
a) The people
b) The states
c) The judiciary
d) The executive
Answer: b

Q5. Who appoints the Prime Minister of India?
a) Parliament
b) Supreme Court
c) President
d) Election Commission
Answer: c

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Q6. The concept of Directive Principles is borrowed from:
a) USA
b) UK
c) Ireland
d) France
Answer: c

Q7. Which body conducts elections in India?
a) UPSC
b) Election Commission
c) Parliament
d) Supreme Court
Answer: b

Q8. Fundamental Duties were added by which amendment?
a) 42nd Amendment
b) 44th Amendment
c) 52nd Amendment
d) 61st Amendment
Answer: a

Q9. The Supreme Court of India is located in:
a) Mumbai
b) Kolkata
c) New Delhi
d) Chennai
Answer: c

Q10. Which article deals with the Right to Equality?
a) Article 14
b) Article 19
c) Article 21
d) Article 32
Answer: a

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Rules of UPSC GK Preparation

Preparing for UPSC General Knowledge questions needs a structured approach. Students should focus on current affairs and consistent revision.

• Read Regularly: Start reading newspapers and magazines daily to stay updated on current affairs. This is crucial for General Knowledge Questions for IAS.
• Self-Assessment: Use online or offline GK quizzes to test your knowledge. Identify weak areas for improvement.
• Group Study: Join study groups to discuss questions. Learn from other aspirants’ perspectives.
• Fact Memorisation: Create flashcards or notes for important facts and figures. This aids retention for UPSC GK Questions for History, Geography, Economics, and Indian Polity.
• Timed Practice: Practice answering GK questions under timed conditions. This helps adapt to the exam format.
• Resource Utilisation: Refer to standard GK books and reliable online sources.

Regular practice of UPSC GK Questions improves retention and understanding. This set of questions is useful for revising General Knowledge Questions for IAS in a simple way. Aspirants preparing for UPSC GK Questions for 2026 should revise such questions often and focus on clarity rather than memorisation.

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