GK Questions with Answers Part-1 – Previous Year MCQs Explained

General Knowledge (GK) plays a vital role in competitive examinations, government job tests, and academic assessments. This section presents Part-1 of the GK Question and Answer series, featuring carefully selected and reshuffled questions from previous examination papers. The questions cover a wide range of subjects including science, current affairs, history, literature, economics, and general awareness. Each question is provided with the correct answer and a brief explanation to help readers understand the concept clearly and improve their exam preparation. Practicing these GK questions regularly can enhance analytical thinking, factual knowledge, and confidence for upcoming competitive exams such as government recruitment tests, entrance exams, and scholarship assessments.

1. Where is the SAARC Secretariat situated?

A. Islamabad
B. Colombo
C. New Delhi
D. Kathmandu

? Answer: D. Kathmandu

Explanation:
The Secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is located in Kathmandu, Nepal and coordinates activities of member countries.

2. Genetic engineering is concerned with the alteration of:

A. Carbohydrates
B. Organic acids
C. Nucleic acids
D. Lipids

? Answer: C. Nucleic acids

Explanation:
Genetic engineering modifies DNA or RNA, which are nucleic acids responsible for heredity.

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3. The Nobel Prize for Economics in 2015 was awarded to:

A. Angus Deaton
B. Robert J. Aumann
C. Aziz Sancar
D. None of these

? Answer: A. Angus Deaton

Explanation:
Angus Deaton received the 2015 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences for his work on consumption, poverty, and welfare.

4. Which book was NOT written by A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

A. Turning Points
B. Rebooting India
C. Wings of Fire
D. India 2020

? Answer: B. Rebooting India

Explanation:
Rebooting India was written by Nandan Nilekani, not A.P.J. Abdul Kalam.

5. In the production of soap, the by-product is:

A. Fatty acid
B. Sodium hydroxide
C. Sodium salts
D. Glycerol

? Answer: D. Glycerol

Explanation:
Soap production occurs through saponification, producing soap and glycerol as a by-product.

6. Which alloy is used for welding electrical wires together?

A. Lead and Tin
B. Copper and Lead
C. Copper and Zinc
D. Lead and Zinc

? Answer: A. Lead and Tin

Explanation:
The lead–tin alloy is used as solder for joining electrical wires because of its low melting point.

7. The velocity of light is highest in:

A. Water
B. Air
C. Vacuum
D. Glass

? Answer: C. Vacuum

Explanation:
Light travels fastest in a vacuum (3 × 10? m/s). Any medium reduces its speed.

8. Bt in Bt plant stands for:

A. Biotechnology
B. Bacillus thuringiensis
C. Botanical technology
D. Bharat technology

? Answer: B. Bacillus thuringiensis

Explanation:
Bt plants contain a gene from Bacillus thuringiensis, a bacterium producing insecticidal proteins.

9. A peacock eats snakes, which eat insects that feed on plants. The peacock is:

A. Primary consumer
B. Primary decomposer
C. Final decomposer
D. Apex of the food pyramid

? Answer: D. Apex of the food pyramid

Explanation:
Peacock is at the top trophic level of this food chain, making it the apex consumer.

10. Which city ranked first in the first round of the Smart City Plan?

A. Gwalior
B. Bhubaneswar
C. Bhopal
D. Allahabad

? Answer: B. Bhubaneswar

Explanation:
Bhubaneswar topped the Smart Cities Mission first-round ranking in 2016.

11. The code name of the Air Force exercise held at Pokhran in March 2016 was:

A. Operation Iron Fist
B. Operation Steel Curtain
C. Operation Sard Hawa
D. Operation Garuda V

? Answer: A. Operation Iron Fist

Explanation:
Iron Fist is an Indian Air Force firepower demonstration exercise held at Pokhran.

12. Genetic modification in crops like Bt cotton helps mainly in:

A. Increasing taste
B. Increasing size
C. Pest resistance
D. Increasing color

? Answer: C. Pest resistance

Explanation:
Bt crops produce toxins that kill specific insect pests, reducing pesticide use.

13. Which literary work received the Sahitya Akademi Award 2015 in Rajasthani language?

A. Joon Jatra
B. Gawaad
C. Sunder Nain Sudha
D. Anthyoi Nahi Din Hal

? Answer: A. Joon Jatra

Explanation:
The 2015 Sahitya Akademi Award (Rajasthani) was awarded for Joon Jatra.

14. The book The Accidental Prime Minister: The Making and Unmaking of Manmohan Singh was written by:

A. Sanjaya Baru
B. Chetan Bhagat
C. Kuldip Nayar
D. E.K. Nayanar

? Answer: A. Sanjaya Baru

Explanation:
The book is written by Sanjaya Baru, former media advisor to Manmohan Singh.

15. Who recently received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (around this exam period)?

A. Manoj Kumar
B. Shashi Kapoor
C. Gulzar
D. Dilip Kumar

? Answer: A. Manoj Kumar

Explanation:
Actor Manoj Kumar received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.

16. Which statement about SAARC is correct?

A. It was formed in 1995
B. It includes South Asian countries
C. Headquarters in Delhi
D. It has only 5 members

? Answer: B. It includes South Asian countries

Explanation:
SAARC promotes regional cooperation among South Asian nations.

17. Which raw materials are used in commercial manufacture of DDT?

A. Chlorobenzene and Chloroform
B. Chlorobenzene and Chloromethane
C. Chlorobenzene and Chloral
D. Chlorobenzene and BHC

? Answer: C. Chlorobenzene and Chloral

Explanation:
DDT is produced by reacting chlorobenzene with chloral in acidic conditions.

18. Which scheme won the National Gold Award for e-Governance (2015–16) for Rajasthan?

A. NREGA
B. Bhamashah Scheme
C. Janani Suraksha Yojana
D. Mid-Day Meal

? Answer: B. Bhamashah Scheme

Explanation:
The Bhamashah Scheme was recognized for improving digital governance and direct benefit transfer.

19. The word for “undue favour shown by a person in power to relatives” is:

A. Nepotism
B. Oligarchy
C. Perjury
D. Vandalism

? Answer: A. Nepotism

Explanation:
Nepotism means favoritism toward relatives, especially in jobs or promotions.

20. The correct adjective form of “Hazard” is:

A. ous
B. ly
C. y
D. ing

? Answer: A. ous

Explanation:
Adding –ous makes the adjective hazardous, meaning dangerous or risky.