Concept

National symbols represent the identity and heritage of India. Each was officially adopted and is a frequent source of one-mark questions.

Learn the symbol together with any associated fact.

Key Points & Formulas

• National Anthem: Jana Gana Mana (Rabindranath Tagore); National Song: Vande Mataram (Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay).
• National Animal: Royal Bengal Tiger; National Bird: Indian Peacock.
• National Flower: Lotus; National Tree: Banyan; National Fruit: Mango.
• National Emblem: Lion Capital of Ashoka (Sarnath); motto 'Satyameva Jayate'.

Worked Example

Q. What is the difference between the National Anthem and the National Song of India?

The National Anthem is 'Jana Gana Mana', written by Rabindranath Tagore.

The National Song is 'Vande Mataram', written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.

Both have equal status, but the Anthem is sung on official occasions.

Practice MCQs

Q1. The National Song of India is

(A) Vande Mataram (B) Jana Gana Mana (C) Sare Jahan Se Achha (D) Vaishnav Jan To

Answer: A. 'Vande Mataram' is the National Song; 'Jana Gana Mana' is the Anthem.

Q2. The National Emblem of India is adapted from the Lion Capital at

(A) Sarnath (B) Sanchi (C) Ajanta (D) Ellora

Answer: A. It is taken from Ashoka's Lion Capital at Sarnath.

Concept

'Firsts' are persons or events that hold the first position in a field — a popular static-GK category. They are best learnt in grouped lists.

Focus on the most commonly asked firsts.

Key Points & Formulas

• First President of India: Dr. Rajendra Prasad; First Prime Minister: Jawaharlal Nehru.
• First woman Prime Minister: Indira Gandhi; first woman President: Pratibha Patil.
• First Indian to win a Nobel Prize: Rabindranath Tagore (Literature, 1913).
• First Field Marshal of India: Sam Manekshaw.

Worked Example

Q. Who was the first President of independent India?

After India became a republic in 1950, a President was elected.

Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India.

He served two terms.

Practice MCQs

Q1. The first Prime Minister of India was

(A) Jawaharlal Nehru (B) Sardar Patel (C) Dr. Rajendra Prasad (D) Lal Bahadur Shastri

Answer: A. Jawaharlal Nehru was independent India's first Prime Minister.

Q2. The first Indian to receive a Nobel Prize was

(A) Rabindranath Tagore (B) C. V. Raman (C) Mother Teresa (D) Amartya Sen

Answer: A. Tagore won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1913.

Concept

Superlatives — the largest, longest, highest and biggest features — are a staple of static GK. They cover geography, structures and institutions.

Group them by category for quick recall.

Key Points & Formulas

• Longest river in India: the Ganga; largest state by area: Rajasthan.
• Highest mountain peak in India: Kangchenjunga; largest lake: Wular (freshwater).
• Most populous state: Uttar Pradesh; longest national highway: NH 44.
• Largest desert: the Thar; highest waterfall: Kunchikal.

Worked Example

Q. Which is the largest state of India by area?

Comparing the area of Indian states.

Rajasthan has the greatest land area.

So Rajasthan is the largest state by area (Uttar Pradesh is largest by population).

Practice MCQs

Q1. The largest Indian state by area is

(A) Rajasthan (B) Madhya Pradesh (C) Maharashtra (D) Uttar Pradesh

Answer: A. Rajasthan is the largest state by area.

Q2. The most populous state in India is

(A) Uttar Pradesh (B) Maharashtra (C) Bihar (D) West Bengal

Answer: A. Uttar Pradesh has the largest population.

Concept

National and international days commemorate important events and causes. They are frequently asked and easy to score if memorised.

Group them by month for easy revision.

Key Points & Formulas

• 26 January: Republic Day; 15 August: Independence Day; 2 October: Gandhi Jayanti.
• 5 September: Teachers' Day; 14 November: Children's Day.
• World days: 22 April Earth Day, 5 June Environment Day, 8 March Women's Day.
• National Science Day: 28 February; Army Day: 15 January.

Worked Example

Q. Why is 15 January celebrated as Army Day in India?

Army Day marks the day Field Marshal K. M. Cariappa became the first Indian Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army (1949).

It is celebrated on 15 January each year to honour the Army.

Practice MCQs

Q1. World Environment Day is observed on

(A) 5 June (B) 22 April (C) 8 March (D) 2 October

Answer: A. World Environment Day is on 5 June; Earth Day is 22 April.

Q2. Teachers' Day in India is celebrated on

(A) 5 September (B) 14 November (C) 15 August (D) 2 October

Answer: A. 5 September marks the birthday of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan.

Concept

International organisations coordinate cooperation among nations in health, finance, trade and security. Their headquarters and functions are commonly tested.

Link each body with its purpose and headquarters.

Key Points & Formulas

• United Nations (UN): New York, USA; maintains world peace.
• World Health Organization (WHO): Geneva, Switzerland.
• International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank: Washington, D.C., USA.
• UNESCO: Paris; Interpol: Lyon, France.

Worked Example

Q. Where is the headquarters of the World Health Organization?

The WHO is the UN agency for international public health.

Its headquarters are in Geneva, Switzerland.

It coordinates global responses to health issues.

Practice MCQs

Q1. The headquarters of the United Nations is in

(A) New York (B) Geneva (C) Paris (D) London

Answer: A. The UN is headquartered in New York, USA.

Q2. The World Health Organization (WHO) is headquartered in

(A) Geneva (B) New York (C) Washington (D) Vienna

Answer: A. The WHO is based in Geneva, Switzerland.

Concept

This catch-all covers defence general knowledge, civilian and gallantry awards, and other frequently asked static facts useful for both the written exam and the SSB interview.

These facts are durable and worth memorising.

Key Points & Formulas

• Highest civilian award: Bharat Ratna; highest wartime gallantry award: Param Vir Chakra.
• Highest peacetime gallantry award: Ashoka Chakra.
• Defence academies: NDA (Khadakwasla, Pune), IMA (Dehradun), AFA (Hyderabad), INA (Ezhimala).
• Army Day 15 January; Navy Day 4 December; Air Force Day 8 October.

Worked Example

Q. Name India's highest civilian and highest wartime gallantry awards.

The highest civilian award is the Bharat Ratna.

The highest wartime gallantry award is the Param Vir Chakra.

(The Ashoka Chakra is the highest peacetime gallantry award.)

Practice MCQs

Q1. India's highest civilian award is the

(A) Bharat Ratna (B) Padma Vibhushan (C) Param Vir Chakra (D) Ashoka Chakra

Answer: A. The Bharat Ratna is the highest civilian award.

Q2. The Indian Naval Academy is located at

(A) Ezhimala (B) Dehradun (C) Khadakwasla (D) Hyderabad

Answer: A. The Indian Naval Academy is at Ezhimala, Kerala.