GK Questions for Class 12 with Answers (Free)
Free General Knowledge questions and answers for Class 12 — GK across history, geography, polity, science and current affairs, with clear explanations for Indian students.
TL;DR: Free General Knowledge questions and answers for Class 12 — GK across history, geography, polity, science and current affairs, with clear explanations…
Written & reviewed by the Syllab.in Academic Team (CBSE/NCERT subject experts) · Updated
119 General Knowledge questions suitable for Class 12, across 6 areas — history, geography, polity & civics, science, static gk, current affairs. Every question carries its four options, the correct answer and an explanation of why it is right.
43 of them are set out in full below, and 76 more that you should already know are listed with their answers underneath.
Questions in Full — 43
History (8)
1. Who led the Khilafat Movement in India?
- Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
- Muhammad Ali Jinnah
- Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
- Syed Ahmed Khan
Answer: Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali
Shaukat Ali and Muhammad Ali brothers led the Khilafat Movement (1919-1924) to support the Ottoman Caliphate.
2. The Indian National Army was formed by:
- Bhagat Singh
- Subhas Chandra Bose
- Keshab Chandra Sen
- Aurobindo Ghosh
Answer: Subhas Chandra Bose
Subhas Chandra Bose formed the Indian National Army (INA) to liberate India through armed struggle.
3. Which battle is considered a turning point in the 1857 Revolt?
- Battle of Delhi
- Battle of Kanpur
- Battle of Lucknow
- Battle of Meerut
Answer: Battle of Delhi
The Battle of Delhi (1857) was pivotal as the British recapture of Delhi helped suppress the revolt.
4. The Champaran Satyagraha was related to:
- Salt production
- Indigo plantation
- Textile mills
- Wheat farming
Answer: Indigo plantation
The Champaran Satyagraha (1917) was Gandhi's movement against exploitative indigo plantation practices.
5. Who was the founder of the Indian Civil Service?
- Lord Cornwallis
- Lord Clive
- Lord Hastings
- Lord Curzon
Answer: Lord Cornwallis
Lord Cornwallis established the Indian Civil Service, centralizing British administrative control.
6. The Swaraj Party was formed by:
- Gandhi
- Tilak
- C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru
- Gopal Krishna Gokhale
Answer: C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru
C.R. Das and Motilal Nehru formed the Swaraj Party in 1923 advocating for self-government.
7. The Indigo Revolt took place in:
- 1850
- 1860
- 1875
- 1878
Answer: 1875
The Indigo Revolt (also called Neel Vidroha) occurred in Bengal in 1875 against indigo planters.
8. The Rowlatt Act was passed in which year?
- 1917
- 1918
- 1919
- 1920
Answer: 1919
The Rowlatt Act was passed in 1919, allowing arrest without trial, sparking mass protests.
Polity & Civics (21)
1. The Indian Constitution has how many parts?
- 18
- 20
- 22
- 24
Answer: 22
The Indian Constitution is divided into 22 parts (originally 8 parts, later reorganized).
2. How many members can the Prime Minister appoint to the Lok Sabha?
- 2
- 3
- 5
- 10
Answer: 2
The Prime Minister can nominate 2 members from the Anglo-Indian community to the Lok Sabha.
3. What is the maximum strength of Lok Sabha members?
- 500
- 530
- 545
- 552
Answer: 545
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 545 members (including nominated members).
4. What is the maximum strength of Rajya Sabha members?
- 200
- 220
- 245
- 250
Answer: 245
The maximum strength of the Rajya Sabha is 245 members.
5. Which article grants universal adult suffrage in India?
- Article 326
- Article 324
- Article 328
- Article 330
Answer: Article 326
Article 326 of the Indian Constitution grants universal adult suffrage to all citizens above 18 years.
6. The Fundamental Duty to protect environment is in which article?
- Article 47
- Article 48A
- Article 51A
- Article 52
Answer: Article 48A
Article 48A is a Directive Principle of State Policy to protect and improve the natural environment.
7. How many Schedules does the Indian Constitution have?
- 8
- 10
- 12
- 14
Answer: 12
The Indian Constitution has 12 Schedules which contain different provisions and lists.
8. Which Union Territory does not have a Lieutenant Governor?
- Delhi
- Puducherry
- Lakshadweep
- Ladakh
Answer: Delhi
Delhi has a Lieutenant Governor, but this question may vary based on administrative changes. Currently, all UTs have chief administrators.
9. How many articles does the Indian Constitution have originally?
- 370
- 395
- 400
- 420
Answer: 395
The original Indian Constitution had 395 articles (now 470+ after amendments).
10. Which article grants rights to minorities in India?
- Article 28
- Article 29
- Article 30
- Article 32
Answer: Article 29
Article 29 grants cultural and educational rights to religious and linguistic minorities.
11. The Vice President of India is ex-officio:
- Chief of Army
- Speaker of Lok Sabha
- Chairman of Rajya Sabha
- Chief Justice
Answer: Chairman of Rajya Sabha
The Vice President of India automatically serves as the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
12. Which article empowers the President to declare National Emergency?
- Article 352
- Article 356
- Article 360
- Article 368
Answer: Article 352
Article 352 allows the President to declare a National Emergency on grounds of war or external aggression.
13. Which directive principle relates to uniform civil code?
- Article 43
- Article 44
- Article 45
- Article 46
Answer: Article 44
Article 44 requires the State to endeavor to secure a uniform civil code throughout India.
14. The minimum age to be a Prime Minister of India is:
- 30 years
- 35 years
- 40 years
- 45 years
Answer: 35 years
A person must be at least 35 years old to be eligible for the office of Prime Minister.
15. Which schedule lists the Union territories of India?
- First Schedule
- Second Schedule
- Third Schedule
- Fourth Schedule
Answer: First Schedule
The First Schedule lists the States and Union Territories of India.
16. The Comptroller and Auditor General is appointed by the:
- Prime Minister
- President
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
Answer: President
The CAG is appointed by the President of India and reports to Parliament.
17. Which article provides the right to constitutional remedies?
- Article 29
- Article 31
- Article 32
- Article 35
Answer: Article 32
Article 32 grants citizens the right to move the Supreme Court for constitutional remedies.
18. The Lok Sabha has a maximum strength of:
- 525
- 530
- 545
- 552
Answer: 545
The maximum strength of the Lok Sabha is 545 members (543 elected + 2 nominated).
19. A constitutional amendment requires approval from:
- Simple majority
- Two-thirds majority
- Three-fourths majority
- Unanimous vote
Answer: Two-thirds majority
Constitutional amendments require approval from two-thirds majority in both houses.
20. The 44th Amendment to the Constitution removed:
- Right to life
- Right to property
- Right to equality
- Right to freedom
Answer: Right to property
The 44th Amendment (1978) removed the right to property from fundamental rights to directive principles.
21. Which is NOT a fundamental duty as per Article 51A?
- To abide by Constitution
- To vote in elections
- To cherish national heritage
- To protect environment
Answer: To vote in elections
Voting is a right, not a fundamental duty. Fundamental duties include abiding by Constitution, protecting heritage, and environment.
Science (3)
1. Which element has the highest atomic number?
- Uranium
- Plutonium
- Oganesson
- Livermorium
Answer: Oganesson
Oganesson (Og) has atomic number 118 and is the heaviest element on the periodic table.
2. Who proposed the theory of relativity?
- Marie Curie
- Albert Einstein
- Niels Bohr
- Max Planck
Answer: Albert Einstein
Albert Einstein proposed the theories of special relativity (1905) and general relativity (1915).
3. The process of splitting a nucleus is called:
- Fusion
- Fission
- Decay
- Ionization
Answer: Fission
Nuclear fission is the splitting of a nucleus into smaller nuclei, releasing energy.
Current Affairs (11)
1. Who won the Nobel Peace Prize 2024?
- Narendra Modi
- Malala Yousafzai
- Juan Manuel Santos
- TBD - recent award
Answer: TBD - recent award
The 2024 Nobel Peace Prize winner will be announced in October 2024.
2. BRICS expanded in 2023 to include how many members?
- 7
- 10
- 11
- 13
Answer: 11
BRICS expanded from 5 to 11 members in 2023, adding Saudi Arabia, Iran, Egypt, UAE, Argentina, and Ethiopia.
3. The Nobel Prize in Physics 2024 was awarded for work in:
- Quantum computing
- AI and machine learning
- Not yet awarded
- Climate science
Answer: Not yet awarded
The 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics has not yet been awarded (decision pending).
4. India-China border tensions are primarily in:
- Kashmir
- Ladakh
- Arunachal Pradesh
- All of the above
Answer: All of the above
Border disputes between India and China exist in multiple regions including Ladakh and Arunachal Pradesh.
5. India's ranking in Global Hunger Index 2024 is approximately:
- 31st
- 101st
- 105th
- 120th
Answer: 105th
India ranks around 105th in the Global Hunger Index 2024.
6. India's FDI in 2024 was expected to be:
- Below $50 billion
- $50-75 billion
- $75-100 billion
- Above $100 billion
Answer: $75-100 billion
India received substantial FDI in 2024, estimated between $75-100 billion.
7. The World Bank's growth projection for India 2024 was approximately:
- 5%
- 6%
- 7%
- 8%
Answer: 7%
The World Bank projected India's GDP growth around 7% for 2024.
8. The UN Climate Change Conference COP29 was held in:
- Egypt
- Dubai
- Baku
- Bangkok
Answer: Baku
COP29 was held in Baku, Azerbaijan, in November 2024.
9. India's PM Modi visited how many nations in 2024?
- 5-10
- 10-15
- 15-25
- 25+
Answer: 25+
PM Modi conducted extensive diplomatic tours, visiting more than 25 nations in 2024.
10. The RBI's inflation target for India is:
- 2%
- 4%
- 6%
- 8%
Answer: 4%
The RBI's medium-term inflation target is 4% with a tolerance band of +/- 2%.
11. India's space missions in 2024 included launches of:
- Chandrayaan
- Aditya-L1
- XRISM
- Multiple missions
Answer: Multiple missions
India conducted multiple space missions in 2024 as part of its space exploration program.
Also Applicable at This Level (76)
These first appear in an earlier class and are worth revising before an exam or quiz.
History (22)
- Who is known as the "Father of the Indian Independence Movement"?
Mahatma Gandhi — Mahatma Gandhi led India's non-violent independence movement and is considered the father of Indian Independence. (set out in full in Class 6) - In which year did India gain independence?
1947 — India gained independence on August 15, 1947, ending 200 years of British rule. (set out in full in Class 5) - Who was the first Prime Minister of independent India?
Jawaharlal Nehru — Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister of India from 1947 to 1964. (set out in full in Class 5) - The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred in which year?
1919 — The Jallianwala Bagh massacre occurred on April 13, 1919, when British soldiers killed hundreds of Indian civilians in Amritsar. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire?
Chandragupta Maurya — Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire around 322 BCE with the help of Chanakya. (set out in full in Class 7) - Which Mughal emperor is known for building the Taj Mahal?
Shah Jahan — Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in Agra as a mausoleum for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. (set out in full in Class 6) - The Bengal Partition was implemented by which British Viceroy?
Lord Curzon — Lord Curzon implemented the Bengal Partition in 1905, dividing Bengal into two provinces. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Revolt of 1857 is also known as:
All of the above — The Revolt of 1857 is known by all these names. It was the first major uprising against British rule. (set out in full in Class 8) - Who was the first President of independent India?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad — Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first President of India (1950-1962). (set out in full in Class 6) - Which freedom fighter gave up his title "Rai Bahadur" in protest?
Motilal Nehru — Motilal Nehru renounced his title "Rai Bahadur" in protest against British rule. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Quit India Movement was launched in which year?
1942 — The Quit India Movement was launched on August 8, 1942, demanding immediate British withdrawal from India. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who was known as the "Iron Man of India"?
Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel — Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel is known as the "Iron Man of India" for his role in unifying India. (set out in full in Class 7) - Which empire was known for the Ashoka Chakra?
Mauryan Empire — The Mauryan Empire under Emperor Ashoka is known for the Ashoka Chakra, which appears on the Indian flag. (set out in full in Class 6) - The Indian National Congress was founded in which year?
1885 — The Indian National Congress was founded on December 28, 1885, by A.O. Hume. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who was the last Mughal Emperor of India?
Bahadur Shah II — Bahadur Shah II was the last Mughal Emperor, ruling until his deposition after the 1857 Revolt. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which was the first printing press established in India?
Goa — The first printing press in India was established in Goa by the Portuguese in the 16th century. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who founded the Gupta Empire?
Chandragupta I — Chandragupta I founded the Gupta Empire around 320 CE, marking the golden age of India. (set out in full in Class 9) - Rani Lakshmibai fought against British rule from which fort?
Gwalior Fort — Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi fought from Gwalior Fort during the 1857 Revolt. (set out in full in Class 8) - Bhagat Singh was executed in which year?
1931 — Bhagat Singh was hanged on March 23, 1931, becoming a symbol of revolutionary patriotism. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who started the Brahmo Samaj movement?
Ram Mohan Roy — Ram Mohan Roy founded the Brahmo Samaj in 1828 to reform Hindu society. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which ancient university was known as "Nalanda"?
Center of Buddhist learning — Nalanda was a renowned ancient Buddhist university in Bihar, founded in 5th century CE. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who is known as the "Nightingale of India"?
Sarojini Naidu — Sarojini Naidu, the Indian freedom fighter and poet, was called the "Nightingale of India". (set out in full in Class 9)
Geography (10)
- What is the capital of India?
Delhi — New Delhi is the capital of India and is located on the banks of the Yamuna River. (set out in full in Class 5) - The Tropic of Cancer passes through how many Indian states?
8 — The Tropic of Cancer passes through 8 Indian states: Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Tripura, and Mizoram. (set out in full in Class 8) - How many states and union territories are there in India (as of 2024)?
29 — India has 28 states and 8 union territories (as of 2024). (set out in full in Class 6) - What is the total area of India approximately?
2.97 million sq km — India has a total area of approximately 3.287 million square kilometers, making it the 7th largest country by area. (set out in full in Class 8) - The Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in:
West Bengal and Bangladesh — The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is shared between West Bengal and Bangladesh. (set out in full in Class 8) - The Brahmaputra River flows through which countries?
China, India, and Bangladesh — The Brahmaputra originates in Tibet (China), flows through India, and enters Bangladesh. (set out in full in Class 9) - How many union territories did India have after 2019?
8 — After the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganization Act 2019, India has 8 union territories. (set out in full in Class 8) - Which river forms the boundary between India and Bangladesh?
All of the above — Multiple rivers form the boundary between India and Bangladesh including Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which lake is the largest freshwater lake in India?
Wular Lake — Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir is the largest freshwater lake in India. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Indus River flows through which countries?
China, India, and Pakistan — The Indus originates in Tibet (China), flows through India, and enters Pakistan. (set out in full in Class 9)
Polity & Civics (9)
- When was the Indian Constitution adopted?
November 26, 1949 — The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. (set out in full in Class 8) - Who is the chief architect of the Indian Constitution?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is known as the "chief architect of the Indian Constitution" and was the chairman of the drafting committee. (set out in full in Class 8) - How many fundamental rights are guaranteed by the Indian Constitution?
6 — The Indian Constitution originally had 7 fundamental rights, but after the 44th Amendment in 1978, it has 6 fundamental rights. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which article of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability?
Article 17 — Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes "Untouchability" and makes its practice illegal. (set out in full in Class 9) - The President of India is the head of:
Executive — The President is the constitutional head of the Executive branch of the Indian government. (set out in full in Class 8) - The term of a Lok Sabha member is:
5 years — A member of the Lok Sabha serves a term of 5 years. (set out in full in Class 8) - The Council of Ministers is headed by:
Prime Minister — The Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister, who is the chief executive. (set out in full in Class 8) - The Election Commission of India was established in:
1947 — The Election Commission of India was established on January 25, 1950. (set out in full in Class 9) - A bill becomes law after:
Presidential assent — A bill becomes law after it passes both houses and receives the President's assent. (set out in full in Class 9)
Science (10)
- What is the speed of light in vacuum?
3 × 10^8 m/s — The speed of light in vacuum is approximately 3 × 10^8 m/s or 300,000 km/s. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who discovered the electron?
J.J. Thomson — J.J. Thomson discovered the electron in 1897 through his cathode ray experiments. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who proposed the theory of evolution?
Charles Darwin — Charles Darwin proposed the theory of evolution through natural selection, published in "On the Origin of Species" in 1859. (set out in full in Class 8) - How many chromosomes does a human have?
46 — A human has 46 chromosomes in total: 23 pairs (22 pairs of autosomes and 1 pair of sex chromosomes). (set out in full in Class 8) - What is Ohm's Law?
V=IR — Ohm's Law states that voltage (V) equals current (I) times resistance (R). (set out in full in Class 9) - Who discovered penicillin?
Alexander Fleming — Alexander Fleming discovered penicillin in 1928, the first widely used antibiotic. (set out in full in Class 8) - What is the SI unit of energy?
Joule — The Joule (J) is the SI unit of energy and work. (set out in full in Class 9) - The speed of sound in air at 20°C is approximately:
343 m/s — The speed of sound in air at 20°C is approximately 343 m/s. (set out in full in Class 9) - What is the process of converting gas directly to solid?
Deposition — Deposition is the phase transition from gas to solid without passing through liquid. (set out in full in Class 9) - What does ATP stand for in cellular biology?
Adenosine Triphosphate — ATP (Adenosine Triphosphate) is the primary energy currency in cells. (set out in full in Class 9)
Static GK (6)
- Who is the author of "Mein Kampf"?
Adolf Hitler — "Mein Kampf" (My Struggle) was written by Adolf Hitler, the Nazi leader of Germany. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who won the first Bharat Ratna award?
Dr. Rajendra Prasad — Dr. Rajendra Prasad was the first recipient of the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1954. (set out in full in Class 8) - Which country has the most number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites?
Italy — Italy has the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites (58 as of 2024), followed by China and France. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which Indian scientist won the Nobel Prize in Physics?
Both A and C — Both CV Raman (1930) and Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar (1983) won Nobel Prize in Physics. (set out in full in Class 9) - Who was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize?
Rabindranath Tagore — Rabindranath Tagore was the first Indian to win a Nobel Prize (Literature, 1913). (set out in full in Class 9) - The Padma Shri award is given for:
Any field of achievement — The Padma Shri is awarded for outstanding achievement in any field including arts, science, sports, and service. (set out in full in Class 9)
Current Affairs (19)
- When is the Paris Olympics 2024 scheduled?
July 2024 — The Paris Olympics 2024 are scheduled to be held from July 26 to August 11, 2024. (set out in full in Class 8) - Who is the current Prime Minister of India (as of 2026)?
Narendra Modi — Narendra Modi has been serving as Prime Minister of India since 2014. (set out in full in Class 8) - Which country hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022?
Qatar — Qatar hosted the FIFA World Cup 2022, the first World Cup in the Middle East. (set out in full in Class 8) - What is the theme of ISRO's Chandrayaan-3 mission?
Lunar landing — Chandrayaan-3 aimed to land a spacecraft on the Moon's south pole, which was successfully accomplished in 2023. (set out in full in Class 9) - India's Aditya-L1 mission studies:
The Sun — Aditya-L1 is India's solar observatory mission to study the Sun's corona and solar phenomena. (set out in full in Class 9) - The AFC Asian Cup 2024 football tournament was hosted by:
Saudi Arabia — The AFC Asian Cup 2024 was held in Saudi Arabia, making it the second time the country hosted the tournament. (set out in full in Class 9) - Vikram Sarabhai is known for pioneering:
Space program — Vikram Sarabhai founded the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and is the father of the Indian space program. (set out in full in Class 9) - Which Indian state recently achieved 100% electrification?
Gujarat — Gujarat achieved 100% electrification in 2022 under the Saubhagya scheme. (set out in full in Class 9) - AI tools like ChatGPT were first introduced by:
OpenAI — OpenAI developed and released ChatGPT in November 2022, which revolutionized AI accessibility. (set out in full in Class 9) - India hosted the G20 presidency in which year?
2023 — India held the G20 presidency in 2023 and issued the New Delhi Declaration. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Asian Games 2023 were hosted in:
Hangzhou — The Asian Games 2023 were held in Hangzhou, China, where India won 107 medals. (set out in full in Class 9) - Neeraj Chopra won a medal at Paris Olympics 2024 in:
Javelin Throw — Neeraj Chopra won a silver medal in Javelin Throw at the Paris Olympics 2024. (set out in full in Class 9) - Manu Bhaker won India's first medal at Paris 2024 in:
Shooting — Manu Bhaker won a bronze medal in 10m air pistol at Paris Olympics 2024. (set out in full in Class 9) - The 2024 general elections in India resulted in:
Coalition government — The 2024 Indian elections resulted in a coalition government led by Prime Minister Modi. (set out in full in Class 9) - India's Gaganyaan mission aims to:
Send humans to space — Gaganyaan is India's human spaceflight program to send Indian astronauts to space. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Artemis program aims to:
Return to the Moon — NASA's Artemis program aims to return humans to the Moon and establish lunar bases. (set out in full in Class 9) - The 2024 Paris Olympics medal tally leader was:
China — China topped the Paris Olympics 2024 medal table with the most gold medals. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed on Moon's:
South Pole — Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed near the Moon's South Pole in August 2023. (set out in full in Class 9) - The Indian hockey team's ranking in world standings (2024) is:
10th — India's hockey team maintained a ranking around 10th in world standings in 2024. (set out in full in Class 9)
GK Questions by Class
| Class | Questions | New at this level |
|---|---|---|
| Class 5 GK | 13 | 13 |
| Class 6 GK | 37 | 24 |
| Class 7 GK | 55 | 18 |
| Class 8 GK | 88 | 33 |
| Class 9 GK | 137 | 49 |
| Class 10 GK | 179 | 43 |
| Class 11 GK | 140 | — |
| Class 12 GK | 119 | — |
How to Use These
Read the question, commit to one option before you look down, then read the explanation whether you were right or wrong. The explanation is the part that carries over to the next question; the answer on its own does not. Questions you get wrong are worth writing out by hand — a fact you have written once is recalled far more reliably than one you have read five times.
For quizzes and olympiads, work through a single category end to end rather than skipping between them. Static GK and geography reward exactly that kind of blocked practice, because the facts sit in the same mental map. History and current affairs reward the opposite — spacing them out over weeks, since both are about sequence and cause rather than isolated names.