General Awareness Questions and Answers

The Goods and Services Tax (GST) came into force across India on which date?

• 1 July 2017
• 1 April 2017
• 8 November 2016
• 1 January 2018

Answer: 1 July 2017. GST was rolled out at midnight on 1 July 2017, replacing many central and state indirect taxes. 8 November 2016 was the date of demonetisation.

The Unified Payments Interface (UPI) was developed by which organisation?

• State Bank of India
• National Payments Corporation of India
• SEBI
• Ministry of Finance

Answer: National Payments Corporation of India. NPCI, an initiative of the RBI and the Indian Banks' Association, launched UPI in 2016. It also runs RuPay and FASTag.

In August 2023, Chandrayaan-3's Vikram lander touched down near which part of the Moon?

• The equator
• The far side's centre
• The south pole region
• The north pole region

Answer: The south pole region. Vikram landed near the lunar south pole on 23 August 2023, making India the first country to land there. The date is now celebrated as National Space Day.

NITI Aayog, set up on 1 January 2015, replaced which body?

• Finance Commission
• National Development Council
• Inter-State Council
• Planning Commission

Answer: Planning Commission. NITI Aayog replaced the Planning Commission, which had been formed in 1950. The Prime Minister is its ex-officio chairperson.

Who is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha?

• The Vice-President
• The President
• The Prime Minister
• The Speaker of the Lok Sabha

Answer: The Vice-President. Under Article 64, the Vice-President of India is the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha. The Speaker presides over the Lok Sabha.

The Reserve Bank of India's central office is located in which city?

• New Delhi
• Mumbai
• Kolkata
• Chennai

Answer: Mumbai. The RBI began in Kolkata in 1935 and moved its central office permanently to Mumbai in 1937.

International Day of Yoga is observed every year on which date?

• 5 June
• 2 October
• 21 June
• 14 November

Answer: 21 June. The UN declared 21 June, the longest day in the Northern Hemisphere, as International Day of Yoga in 2014. 5 June is World Environment Day.

What is the minimum age to become a member of the Lok Sabha?

• 18 years
• 21 years
• 30 years
• 25 years

Answer: 25 years. Article 84 sets 25 years for the Lok Sabha. The minimum age for the Rajya Sabha is 30 years.

Which is India's highest civilian award?

• Bharat Ratna
• Padma Vibhushan
• Param Vir Chakra
• Padma Shri

Answer: Bharat Ratna. The Bharat Ratna, instituted in 1954, is India's highest civilian honour. The Param Vir Chakra is the highest wartime gallantry award.

The Swachh Bharat Mission was launched in 2014 on which day?

• 15 August
• 2 October
• 26 January
• 14 April

Answer: 2 October. It was launched on 2 October 2014, Gandhi Jayanti, as a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi's emphasis on cleanliness.

Which city hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit during India's G20 presidency in September 2023?

• Mumbai
• Bengaluru
• New Delhi
• Hyderabad

Answer: New Delhi. The summit was held on 9-10 September 2023 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, where the African Union was admitted as a permanent G20 member.

The 'World Economic Outlook' report is published by which organisation?

• World Bank
• World Trade Organization
• World Economic Forum
• International Monetary Fund

Answer: International Monetary Fund. The IMF publishes the World Economic Outlook, usually in April and October. The World Economic Forum is known for the Global Competitiveness and Gender Gap reports.

The logo of the 'Make in India' initiative shows which animal?

• A lion
• A tiger
• An elephant
• A peacock

Answer: A lion. The logo is a striding lion made of cogs and gears, symbolising strength and manufacturing. The campaign was launched on 25 September 2014.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Neeraj Chopra won which medal in the men's javelin throw?

• Gold
• Silver
• Bronze
• He did not win a medal

Answer: Silver. Neeraj Chopra won silver with a throw of 89.45 m, after his gold at Tokyo 2020. Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem won gold.

How many members can the President nominate to the Rajya Sabha?

• 2
• 10
• 12
• 14

Answer: 12. Article 80 lets the President nominate 12 members with special knowledge of literature, science, art and social service.