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BPSC 2023 — General Knowledge Questions with Answers

All 25 General Knowledge previous-year questions from BPSC 2023, each with the correct answer and a full explanation. Practise them as a free, timed mock test with instant scoring.

1. Q1.National Events

   The Ministry of Home Affairs completed the Indian Mother Tongue Survey (MTSI) work with field videography of how many languages of the country in November 2022?

   • a)40
   • b)233
   • c)576
   • d)More than one of the above
2. Q2.Defence

   On the 90th Indian Air Force Day celebrated on 8 October 2022, an aerial display of eighty aircraft was organized at which of the following places?

   • a)Gateway of India, Mumbai
   • b)Dal Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
   • c)Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
   • d)More than one of the above
   • e)None of the above
3. Q3.Fibres & Textiles

   Match List-I (Cloth) with List-II (Origin): a. Linen b. Coir c. Mohair d. Down ; 1. Coconut plant 2. Flax plant 3. Feathers of duck and geese 4. Angora goat. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

   • a)a-1, b-3, c-2, d-4
   • b)a-4, b-3, c-1, d-2
   • c)a-2, b-1, c-4, d-3
   • d)a-4, b-1, c-3, d-2

   Explanation: Linen is derived from the flax plant, coir from the coconut plant, mohair from the Angora goat, and down from the feathers of ducks and geese.

4. Q4.Defence

   What is/are the full form(s) of HMX? 1. High Melting Explosive 2. High-Density Monoatomic Xenon 3. Hedge Monetizing Xeno-currency 4. Her Majesty's Explosive. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

   • a)1 and 2
   • b)2 and 3
   • c)Only 1
   • d)1 and 4

   Explanation: HMX is a powerful explosive with two commonly recognized full forms: High Melting Explosive and, historically, Her Majesty's Explosive.

5. Q5.World History

   What is the 'Manhattan Project'?

   • a)A research and development undertaking that produced the first nuclear weapons
   • b)One of the largest art auctions of the world
   • c)A real estate project in New York City
   • d)A famous theme park

   Explanation: The Manhattan Project was a secret World War II research and development project that led to the creation of the first atomic bombs.

6. Q6.Tourism / Geography

   In the context of 'Shipwreck Tourism', shipwrecks in Indian waters have been explored at Sunchi Reef, Amee Shoals and Grande Island. Where are these locations?

   • a)Off the coast of Goa
   • b)Off the coast of Lakshadweep
   • c)Off the coast of Tamil Nadu
   • d)Off the coast of Odisha

   Explanation: Sunchi Reef, Amee Shoals, and Grande Island are popular sites for shipwreck diving and tourism, all located off the coast of Goa, India.

7. Q7.International Organisations

   The G20 members represent 1. around 85% of the global GDP 2. about 50% of the global trade 3. about two-thirds of the world population. Which of the above statistics is/are correct?

   • a)Only 1
   • b)Only 1 and 3
   • c)1, 2 and 3
   • d)Only 1 and 2

   Explanation: The G20 members collectively account for approximately 85% of the global GDP and about two-thirds of the world population. They represent around 75% of global trade, not 50%.

8. Q8.International Affairs

   Who is the Head of Russia's Wagner Mercenary Group?

   • a)Sergei Shoigu
   • b)Yevgeny Prigozhin
   • c)Aleksandr Lukashenko
   • d)Volodymyr Zelenskyy
9. Q9.Reports & Indices

   The Global Gender Gap Report is released by

   • a)the World Bank
   • b)the UN Women
   • c)the World Economic Forum
   • d)the UNDP
10. Q10.International Affairs

    Which one of the following statements regarding Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is correct?

    • a)She reigned for 70 years and died at the age of 96 years.
    • b)She reigned for 68 years and died at the age of 94 years.
    • c)She reigned for 72 years and died at the age of 92 years.
    • d)She reigned for 66 years and died at the age of 90 years.
11. Q11.Defence

    What was the theme of DefExpo-2022, held in Gujarat?

    • a)India : The Emerging Defence Manufacturing Hub
    • b)Path to Pride
    • c)Synergy for Defence
    • d)Aatmanirbharta
12. Q12.Festivals

    The three-day celebration of Thadingyut Festival is celebrated in which country?

    • a)Chile
    • b)Nepal
    • c)Germany
    • d)Myanmar
13. Q13.World Facts

    Consider the following statements regarding 'White House': 1. The address of the White House is 1800 Pennsylvania Avenue. 2. It is the official residence and workplace of the President of USA. 3. On November 1, 1800, John Adams became the first President to take residence in the building. 4. It is a symbol of American Democracy. Which of the above statements are correct?

    • a)1, 3 and 4
    • b)Only 2 and 3
    • c)Only 3 and 4
    • d)2, 3 and 4
14. Q14.Energy

    'Net Metering' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting

    • a)the installation of CNG kits in motorcars
    • b)the installation of water meters in urban households
    • c)a billing mechanism for solar energy by consumers for the electricity they add to the grid
    • d)the use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households

    Explanation: Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. It allows consumers who generate their own electricity (e.g., with solar panels) to feed excess power back into the grid and receive credits for it.

15. Q15.Current Affairs (static)

    What is the name of the deep-sea submersible that imploded during an underwater voyage to the Titanic wreckage?

    • a)Alvin
    • b)Falcon
    • c)Trident
    • d)Titan

    Explanation: The deep-sea submersible that imploded during an underwater voyage to the Titanic wreckage in June 2023, resulting in the deaths of all five people on board, was named Titan.

16. Q16.Fashion & Lifestyle

    Match List-I (Footwear/Fashion Accessory) with List-II (Description): a. Beret b. Stilettos c. Aviators d. Chignon e. Brogue ; 1. A type of men's footwear 2. A type of sunglasses 3. A type of hat 4. A type of women's footwear 5. A type of hairstyle. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    • a)a-3, b-2, c-1, d-4, e-5
    • b)a-3, b-4, c-2, d-5, e-1
    • c)a-5, b-3, c-2, d-4, e-1
    • d)a-1, b-2, c-3, d-4, e-5

    Explanation: A Beret is a soft, round, flat-crowned hat. Stilettos are a type of women's shoe with a long, thin, high heel. Aviators are a style of sunglasses designed to be worn under headgear. A Chignon is a knot or coil of hair worn at the back of the head. Brogues are a style of low-heeled shoe or boot traditionally characterized by multiple-piece leather uppers with decorative perforations (broguing). They are typically men's footwear.

17. Q17.International Affairs

    Where did the former President of the USA give his interview recently?

    • a)Rome
    • b)Sarajevo
    • c)Athens
    • d)Amsterdam

    Explanation: Former US President Barack Obama gave an interview in Athens, Greece, in June 2023, during the SNF Nostos Conference.

18. Q18.Sports

    In the context of sports, which of the following pairs are correctly matched? 1. Flushing Meadows : French Open 2. Venus Rosewater Dish : Wimbledon Trophy (Women) 3. Roland Garros : US Open 4. Australian Open (Women) : Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    • a)1 and 2
    • b)2 and 3
    • c)3 and 4
    • d)2 and 4

    Explanation: Flushing Meadows is the venue for the US Open. The Venus Rosewater Dish is the trophy awarded to the women's singles champion at Wimbledon. Roland Garros is the venue for the French Open. The Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup is the trophy awarded to the women's singles champion at the Australian Open.

19. Q19.Government Surveys

    The Ministry of Home Affairs has completed the Mother Tongue Survey of India (MTSI) in November 2022 with field videography of the country's how many languages?

    • a)40
    • b)233
    • c)576
    • d)984

    Explanation: The Ministry of Home Affairs completed the Mother Tongue Survey of India (MTSI) in November 2022. The survey involved field videography of 576 mother tongues across the country.

20. Q20.International Relations

    Which country has recently reaffirmed Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India?

    • a)USA
    • b)Australia
    • c)Germany
    • d)Russia

    Explanation: The United States has consistently recognized Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India. This position was reiterated by the US in March 2024, amidst ongoing border disputes between India and China.

21. Q21.Sports

    India's Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil won which medal in Men's 10 m Air Rifle at the ISSF World Championship in Cairo?

    • a)Gold
    • b)Silver
    • c)Bronze
    • d)None of the above

    Explanation: Rudrankksh Balasaheb Patil won the Gold medal in the Men's 10m Air Rifle event at the ISSF World Championship in Cairo in October 2022, securing India's first quota for the 2024 Paris Olympics in shooting.

22. Q22.Education Policy

    The National Education Policy, 2020 emphasizes the integration of vocational education into mainstream education from which grade onwards?

    • a)Grade 6
    • b)Grade 8
    • c)Grade 10
    • d)Grade 12

    Explanation: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to integrate vocational education into mainstream education from Grade 6 onwards, including internships, to provide students with practical skills and career readiness.

23. Q23.International Trade

    India signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with which country?

    • a)UAE
    • b)Australia
    • c)USA
    • d)UK

    Explanation: India signed the Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA) with Australia in April 2022. This agreement aims to boost bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.

24. Q24.International Affairs

    The Plain Language Act was passed by which of the following countries recently, which requires Government officials to use simple and easily understandable English language in official documents and websites?

    • a)Australia
    • b)Ireland
    • c)New Zealand
    • d)Germany

    Explanation: New Zealand passed the Plain Language Act in October 2022. This law requires government agencies to use clear, concise, and jargon-free language in official documents and websites to make information more accessible to the public.

25. Q25.World Explorers

    Match List-I (Explorer) with List-II (Birthplace): a. Christopher Columbus b. Jacques Cartier c. Sir Francis Drake d. Ferdinand Magellan ; 1. Portugal 2. United Kingdom 3. Italy 4. France. Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

    • a)a-3, b-4, c-2, d-1
    • b)a-1, b-2, c-4, d-3
    • c)a-3, b-4, c-1, d-2
    • d)a-1, b-4, c-2, d-3

    Explanation: Christopher Columbus was born in Italy, Jacques Cartier in France, Sir Francis Drake in the United Kingdom, and Ferdinand Magellan in Portugal.