India General Knowledge: questions and answers
Study every question with its correct answer and explanation.
1. Which animal was declared the National Aquatic Animal of India in 2009?
- A. Olive ridley turtle
- B. Dugong
- C. Ganges river dolphin
- D. Mahseer
Answer: Ganges river dolphin
The Ganges river dolphin was declared India's National Aquatic Animal in 2009; it is nearly blind and navigates using echolocation. The tiger is the National Animal of India, and Project Tiger was launched in 1973.
2. India's national song 'Vande Mataram' is taken from which novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay?
- A. Anandamath
- B. Gitanjali
- C. Durgeshnandini
- D. Godaan
Answer: Anandamath
'Vande Mataram' appears in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath, published in 1882. On 24 January 1950 the Constituent Assembly adopted 'Jana Gana Mana' as the national anthem and gave 'Vande Mataram' equal honour as the national song.
3. Indian Standard Time (IST) is based on which longitude?
- A. 75° E
- B. 80° E
- C. 85° E
- D. 82.5° E
Answer: 82.5° E
IST is calculated from the 82.5° E meridian, which passes near Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh. Because every 15° of longitude equals one hour, IST is 5 hours 30 minutes ahead of UTC.
4. The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
- A. 6
- B. 8
- C. 9
- D. 10
Answer: 8
The Tropic of Cancer (about 23.5° N) passes through eight states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura and Mizoram. It roughly divides India into a northern subtropical part and a southern tropical part.
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5. The Palk Strait separates which two landmasses?
- A. India and the Maldives
- B. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
- C. India and Sri Lanka
- D. Lakshadweep and the Maldives
Answer: India and Sri Lanka
The Palk Strait lies between Tamil Nadu in India and the northern coast of Sri Lanka. The Ten Degree Channel separates the Andaman Islands from the Nicobar Islands.
6. Which Indian state has the longest coastline?
- A. Gujarat
- B. Tamil Nadu
- C. Andhra Pradesh
- D. Maharashtra
Answer: Gujarat
Gujarat has the longest coastline of any Indian state. Its coast is indented by two large gulfs, the Gulf of Kachchh and the Gulf of Khambhat.
7. In which year was the Battle of Plassey fought?
- A. 1764
- B. 1857
- C. 1761
- D. 1757
Answer: 1757
On 23 June 1757, the East India Company's forces under Robert Clive defeated Siraj-ud-Daulah, the Nawab of Bengal, at Plassey. The Battle of Buxar in 1764 further consolidated British power in Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.
8. Who was the first and only Indian Governor-General of independent India?
- A. Lord Mountbatten
- B. C. Rajagopalachari
- C. Rajendra Prasad
- D. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
Answer: C. Rajagopalachari
C. Rajagopalachari served as Governor-General from 1948 to 1950, succeeding Lord Mountbatten, the first Governor-General of independent India. The post was abolished on 26 January 1950, when Dr. Rajendra Prasad became the first President of India.
9. The Bhagirathi, the source stream of the Ganga, originates from which glacier?
- A. Gangotri
- B. Yamunotri
- C. Siachen
- D. Zemu
Answer: Gangotri
The Bhagirathi emerges from the Gangotri glacier at Gaumukh in Uttarakhand and meets the Alaknanda at Devprayag, after which the river is called the Ganga. The Ganga was declared India's National River in 2008.
10. Which was the first state in India to be formed on a linguistic basis?
- A. Kerala
- B. Gujarat
- C. Andhra State
- D. Punjab
Answer: Andhra State
Andhra State was created on 1 October 1953 for Telugu speakers, following the death of Potti Sriramulu after a fast for a separate state. The States Reorganisation Act of 1956 then reorganised Indian states largely along linguistic lines.