This article focuses on most probable questions based on SSC CGL previous year papers (PYQ’s). Whether you're preparing for Tier 1 or Tier 2, this GS revision post provides concise facts that are ideal for last-minute revision. This post covers Static GK and important topics from History, Polity, Geography, Economy, Science.
Indian National Congress (1885): Founded by A.O. Hume at Bombay; W.C. Bonnerjee was the first President. The first session had 72 delegates.
Article 370: Granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir; abrogated on 5 August 2019. Post-abrogation, J&K was reorganized under Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019 into two Union Territories: J&K and Ladakh.
Longest Bone in Human Body – Femur: Located in the thigh; supports the body's weight during standing and walking. The femur connects the hip joint and the knee; it also contains red bone marrow responsible for producing red blood cells.
Tropic of Cancer: Passes through 8 Indian states including Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, WB, Tripura, Mizoram. Tropic of Cancer lies at 23°30′N; it divides India almost into two equal halves — tropical south and subtropical north.
Treaty of Versailles (1919): Ended World War I; imposed heavy penalties and reparations on Germany. The treaty included the War Guilt Clause (Article 231), which held Germany solely responsible for the war — one of the causes for WWII.
Article 19(1)(a): Grants freedom of speech and expression to all citizens. Reasonable restrictions can be imposed under Article 19(2) on grounds like sovereignty, public order, decency, etc.
Bhakra Nangal Dam: Built on the Sutlej River in Himachal Pradesh. Bhakra Dam is 226 m tall — one of the highest gravity dams in the world. Reservoir formed is called Gobind Sagar.
Galvanization: Galvanization is the process of coating iron/steel with zinc to prevent rusting. Zinc reacts with atmospheric oxygen to form a protective layer of zinc oxide (ZnO), which prevents corrosion.
Battle of Buxar (1764): Fought between British East India Company and combined forces of Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daula, and Shah Alam II. After Buxar, the Treaty of Allahabad (1765) gave the British Diwani rights (revenue collection) of Bengal, Bihar, and Orissa.
Battle of Plassey (1757): Fought between British East India Company led by Robert Clive and Siraj-ud-Daulah; Robert Clive won the battle.
Article 324 of the Indian Constitution: Grants authority to the Election Commission of India to conduct free and fair elections.
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin): Water-soluble vitamin essential for red blood cell formation; deficiency causes pernicious anemia.
Dronacharya Award: Given by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports for excellence in sports coaching in India; first awarded in 1985.
‘One Nation, One Ration Card’ Scheme: Launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, enables migrant workers to access subsidized food across India using a single ration card.
Fundamental Duty – Article 51A(j): It is a citizen's duty to strive towards excellence in all spheres of individual and collective activity.
Gandhara School of Art: Flourished during the Kushan period; known for Greco-Roman influence and depiction of Buddha in human form.
Rukmini Devi Arundale: Renowned for reviving Bharatanatyam dance form and founder of Kalakshetra Foundation, Chennai.
Panchayati Raj – Article 40: Directive Principle of State Policy instructing the State to organize village panchayats.
Peninsular Plateau: Composed of igneous and metamorphic rocks; Deccan and Central Highlands are its main divisions.
Ilbert Bill Controversy (1883): Proposed during the viceroyship of Lord Ripon in 1883, allowing Indian judges to try British offenders.
Dandi March: Started on 12 March 1930 from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi; led by Mahatma Gandhi to break the salt law: The march covered 390 km in 24 days; it triggered the Civil Disobedience Movement across India.
Article 17 of the Constitution: Abolishes untouchability and forbids its practice in any form: It is an absolute right; punishable under the Protection of Civil Rights Act, 1955.
Red Soil: Found in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Odisha; formed by weathering of ancient crystalline rocks: Rich in iron oxide but deficient in nitrogen, phosphorus, and humus; suitable for cotton cultivation.
Quit India Movement: Launched on 8 August 1942 by Mahatma Gandhi at Bombay session of Congress with the call “Do or Die”: Aruna Asaf Ali hoisted the tricolour at Gowalia Tank Maidan.
RBI Establishment: Reserve Bank of India established on 1 April 1935 under RBI Act, 1934: Originally headquartered in Kolkata, shifted to Mumbai in 1937; nationalized in 1949.
Earth’s Shape – Geoid: The Earth is not a perfect sphere but an oblate spheroid, flattened at poles and bulging at the equator.
Quit India Movement (1942): Launched at Bombay under Gandhi’s leadership; demand: “Do or Die”; triggered mass arrests.
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve: First designated biosphere reserve in 1986; spreads across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.
Currency Printing in India: ₹ notes are printed at four presses: Nashik, Dewas, Mysuru, and Salboni; managed by RBI and SPMCIL.
Kuchipudi Dance: Classical dance form originating from Andhra Pradesh; traditionally performed by male Brahmins.
Mansabdari System: Introduced by Akbar to organize the military and bureaucracy; mansabdars were ranked based on zat and sawar: The system determined civil and military responsibilities as well as salaries; abolished under the later Mughals due to inefficiency.
Rupee Symbol (₹): Officially adopted in 2010; designed by Udaya Kumar to represent the Indian rupee: It combines the Devanagari ‘Ra’ (र) and the Latin ‘R’.
Blood Groups: Classified into A, B, AB, and O based on antigens on Red Blood Cells: Discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901; O-negative is universal donor and AB-positive is universal recipient.
Hoysala Architecture: Flourished in Karnataka between 11th–14th centuries; known for soapstone temples with star-shaped platforms: Famous temples include Chennakesava Temple (Belur) and Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebidu); known for detailed sculptures and ornate ceilings.
National Income: Calculated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), now merged into NSO: Three methods used—Production method, Income method, and Expenditure method.
Montagu-Chelmsford Reforms (1919): Introduced dyarchy in provinces; transferred subjects included education, health, agriculture.
NABARD: Established in 1982 for rural development financing; full form – National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development.
Sun Temple, Konark: Built by King Narasimhadeva I (Eastern Ganga dynasty) in 13th century; designed in shape of a chariot.
Dandi March (1930): Started from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi; 24-day march led by Mahatma Gandhi to break the salt law.
Mansabdari System: Introduced by Akbar to organize the military and bureaucracy; mansabdars were ranked based on zat and sawar: The system determined civil and military responsibilities as well as salaries; abolished under the later Mughals due to inefficiency.
Rupee Symbol (₹): Officially adopted in 2010; designed by Udaya Kumar to represent the Indian rupee: It combines the Devanagari ‘Ra’ (र) and the Latin ‘R’; reflects the Indian and international identity of the currency.
Blood Groups: Classified into A, B, AB, and O based on antigens on red blood cells: Discovered by Karl Landsteiner in 1901; O-negative is universal donor and AB-positive is universal recipient.
Hoysala Architecture: Flourished in Karnataka between 11th–14th centuries; known for soapstone temples with star-shaped platforms: Famous temples include Chennakesava Temple (Belur) and Hoysaleswara Temple (Halebidu).
National Income Calculation: Calculated by the Central Statistical Organisation (CSO), now merged into NSO: Three methods used—production method, income method, and expenditure method.
World Trade Organization (WTO): Established on 1 January 1995; headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
Article 32 – Right to Constitutional Remedies: Called the "heart and soul" of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
Bandipur National Park: Located in Karnataka; part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve and Project Tiger.
Acid Rain: Caused by oxides of sulfur and nitrogen combining with water vapour; damages soil, buildings, and vegetation.
Raja Ram Mohan Roy: Founded Brahmo Samaj in 1828; opposed Sati and promoted widow remarriage.
First Lok Sabha Elections: Held in 1951–52; Indian National Congress won a majority under Jawaharlal Nehru’s leadership: The Election Commission used symbols for parties due to widespread illiteracy; voter turnout was approximately 45%.
Narmada River: Originates from Amarkantak Plateau in Madhya Pradesh; flows westward into the Arabian Sea: Forms the natural boundary between Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra; major projects include Sardar Sarovar Dam and Indira Sagar Dam.
Planning Commission: Estd. in 1950 by a resolution of the Government of India; first chairman was Jawaharlal Nehru: Replaced by NITI Aayog on 1 January 2015.
Meiosis: A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes: Occurs in germ cells for sexual reproduction; maintains chromosome number across generations.
Simon Commission (1927): A British committee sent to India to review constitutional reforms; faced widespread boycott: It had no Indian members.
National Voters’ Day: Celebrated on 25 January to mark the foundation day of the Election Commission of India (established in 1950).
Panna Biosphere Reserve: Located in Madhya Pradesh; known for diamond reserves and tiger population.
Direct Tax: Levied directly on individuals or organizations (e.g., Income Tax); non-transferable to others.
Atomic Number: Number of protons in the nucleus of an atom.
First Five-Year Plan (1951–56): Focused on agriculture, irrigation, and power; based on the Harrod-Domar model.
Jallianwala Bagh Massacre: Occurred on 13 April 1919 in Amritsar when General Dyer ordered open fire on a peaceful gathering; the incident led to the formation of the Hunter Commission by the British Government.
Right to Education – Article 21A: Provides free and compulsory education to all children aged 6–14 years: Inserted by the 86th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2002; implemented through the RTE Act, 2009.
Maithili Language: An Indo-Aryan language spoken in Bihar and parts of Nepal; included in the 8th Schedule of the Indian Constitution: Recognized as one of the 22 official languages; uses the Tirhuta script historically, though now mostly written in Devanagari.
Bhopal Gas Tragedy: Occurred on the night of 2–3 December 1984 due to a gas leak of methyl isocyanate from Union Carbide plant: It is considered the world’s worst industrial disaster.
Himalayas: Fold mountains formed by the collision of the Indian and Eurasian plates; The Himalayas are divided into Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwalik ranges; Mount Everest (8848.86 m) is its highest peak.
Rowlatt Act (1919): Allowed arrest without warrant and detention without trial.
Coriolis Force: Caused by Earth’s rotation; deflects winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern.
Ryotwari System: Introduced by Thomas Munro in 1820 in Madras and Bombay Presidencies; direct revenue settlement with cultivators.
Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize: India’s top science award for research in physical and biological sciences; instituted in 1958.
Anemometer: Instrument used to measure wind speed and velocity.
Aryabhata Satellite: India’s first satellite, launched on 19 April 1975 from the Soviet Union using a Kosmos-3M launch vehicle: Built by ISRO; named after the 5th-century Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata; mission focused on X-ray astronomy and solar physics.
Swadeshi Movement: Began in 1905 to oppose the partition of Bengal by promoting Indian goods and boycotting British products: Major leaders included Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Lala Lajpat Rai, and Bipin Chandra Pal; Vande Mataram became its slogan.
Fundamental Duty – Article 51A(g): It is the duty of every citizen to protect and improve the natural environment: This duty was added by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976, based on the recommendations of the Swaran Singh Committee.
Lactometer: Instrument used to measure the purity or density of milk: It works on Archimedes’ principle; impure milk has lower density and causes the lactometer to sink more.
Bhitarakanika National Park: Located in Odisha; famous for estuarine crocodiles, mangroves, and migratory birds: Declared a Ramsar Wetland in 2002; second-largest mangrove ecosystem in India after Sundarbans.
NITI Aayog: Formed on 1 January 2015, replacing Planning Commission; chaired by the Prime Minister.
Fundamental Right under Article 21A: Provides free and compulsory education to children aged 6–14 years.
Green Revolution: Introduced in India during the 1960s; focused on wheat production using HYV seeds and fertilizers.
Hampi Monuments: Located in Karnataka; capital of Vijayanagara Empire; recognized as UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Ozone Layer: Located in the stratosphere (10–50 km); absorbs harmful UV-B and UV-C radiation.
Vande Bharat Express: India’s semi-high-speed train; first launched in February 2019 between Delhi and Varanasi. Manufactured by Integral Coach Factory (Chennai) under the "Make in India" initiative; capable of 180 km/h.
Tsunami: Caused by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides displacing huge volumes of water. The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami was triggered by a 9.1 magnitude quake off the coast of Sumatra.
Kabir Das: 15th-century Bhakti saint and poet; promoted Nirguna Bhakti (formless God); criticized ritualism and casteism. His verses are included in Guru Granth Sahib; famous works compiled in Bijak; followers are known as Kabir Panthis.
Non-Cooperation Movement (1920): Launched after the Jallianwala Bagh massacre and Rowlatt Act; suspended after Chauri Chaura incident in 1922.
Khelo India Programme: Launched in 2018 to strengthen the sports ecosystem at the grassroots level.
GDP at Constant Prices: Also called “Real GDP”; adjusted for inflation using base year prices.
Meenakshi Temple: Located in Madurai, Tamil Nadu; example of Dravidian architecture dedicated to Goddess Meenakshi (Parvati).
INS Vikrant (IAC-1): India’s first indigenously built aircraft carrier; commissioned in September 2022.
Project Tiger: Launched in 1973 to protect tigers; coordinated by NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority).
Indus Valley Civilization: Urban planning, drainage system, use of baked bricks. Major sites: Mohenjo-daro, Harappa, Dholavira. Dholavira (Gujarat) is the only IVC site divided into three parts (Citadel, Middle Town, Lower Town) — added to UNESCO World Heritage List in 2021.
