Static GK for Competitive Exams

Static GK for Competitive Exams

When preparing for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Railways, Banking, or State PSCs, Static General Knowledge (Static GK) plays a crucial role. Unlike current affairs, Static GK is timeless and unchanging. Mastering it helps build a strong foundation for scoring well in the general awareness sections.

What is Static GK?

Static GK includes facts that do not change over time. These are constants—like the capital of a country or the author of a famous book—that remain the same regardless of when you’re tested.

Why Static GK Matters

1. High Weightage in Exams: It regularly appears in multiple-choice questions.
2. Low Preparation Cost: It requires memorization, not constant updates.
3. Boosts Confidence: A solid grasp helps in interviews and group discussions.

Complete List of Static GK Topics for Competitive Exams : Download Free PDFs

1. List of Chief Ministers & Governors of Indian States / Union Territory
2. Cabinet Ministers of India and their Portfolios & Constituencies
3. List of Prime Ministers of India
4. List of Presidents of India
5. List of Vice Presidents of India
6. List of First Chief Minister of Indian State
7. List of Chief Justice of India
8. Nobel Prize Winners from India
9. List of Indian Oscar Award Winners
10. List of Bharat Ratna Winners
11. List of Important Dams, Reservoirs, and Rivers in India
12. Chemical Names of Vitamins, Their Sources, and Deficiency Diseases
13. Father’s of Various Fields & Subjects
14. List of Folk Dances of Different States in India
15. List of the Indian Cities Situated on River Banks
16. List of Important Days and Dates
17. Important Full Forms (A to Z)
18. Important Full Forms (Categories Wise)
19. India’s Largest, Longest, Tallest and Smallest
20. List of International Organizations and Their Headquarters
21. List of Various Inventions and Their Inventors
22. List of Sports and Related Trophies
23. Important Organizations and Their Founders
24. List of National Parks in India
25. List of Famous Personalities & their Nicknames
26. List of Scientific Instruments and Their Uses
27. List of Words Associated With Various Sports
28. Foundation Day of Indian States and UTs
29. List of Important Lakes in India
30. List of Hydro, Thermal & Nuclear Power Plants in India
31. List of Tiger Reserves in India
32. List of Wildlife Sanctuaries in India
33. List of Bird Sanctuaries in India
34. List of Ramsar Convention Sites in India
35. List of Important Revolutions in India
36. List of Banks & Their Taglines
37. List of Airports in India
38. List of major countries of the world, capitals and their currencies
39. List of Stadiums in India
40. List of Major Sea Ports in India
41. List of Important Boundary Lines around the World
42. List of Important Festivals in India
43. List of Mountain Ranges in India
44. List of important awards of India
45. List of Important Forts & Palaces in India
46. List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
47. List of Famous Temples in India
48. List of High Courts in India and its Location
49. List of Cemeteries of Famous People in India
50. List of Symbols of States and Union Territories of India
51. Public Sector Companies and Headquarters
52. List of Research & Educational Institutes in India
53. List of Autobiography of Famous Personalities
54. List of major musical instruments of India and their players
55. List of Famous Books & Authors
56. List of the Important Mountain Passes of India
57. List of First Indians in Various Fields
58. List of Slogans of Famous Persons of India
59. List of Countries and Their Parliaments
60. Important Dates in Indian History
61. List of Governors General & Viceroys of India
62. List of important battles in Indian history
63. List of Different Dynasties of India
64. List of National Highway in India
65. Important Articles of the Indian Constitution
66. List of Diseases Caused by Virus in Human Beings
67. List of Diseases Caused by Bacteria in Human Beings
68. List of Various Acts Passed in British India
69. List Of Indian Armed Forces Units And Their Mottos
70. List of Navratna Companies in India
71. List of Indian Rivers and Their Tributaries

Key Topics in Static GK

“Static GK” (Static General Knowledge) refers to general knowledge that doesn’t change over time. It includes facts, data, and information that remain constant. Here are some key categories under Static GK:

1. Indian History:

• Major events: Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Maurya and Gupta Empires, Mughal Era, British Rule, Indian Independence (1947).
• Important figures: Ashoka, Akbar, Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel.
• Key dates: Battle of Plassey (1757), Sepoy Mutiny (1857), Dandi Salt March (1930)

2. Indian Geography:

• Physical features: Himalayas, Gangetic Plains, Deccan Plateau, Thar Desert.
• Rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna.
• States and Capitals: 28 states, 8 Union Territories (e.g., Uttar Pradesh – Lucknow, Ladakh – Leh).
• National Parks: Jim Corbett (Uttarakhand), Kaziranga (Assam), Sundarbans (West Bengal).

3. Indian Polity:

• Constitution: Adopted on January 26, 1950; key amendments (e.g., 42nd Amendment, 1976).
• Structure: President (head of state), Prime Minister (head of government), Parliament (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha).
• Fundamental Rights and Duties: 6 Fundamental Rights (e.g., Right to Equality), 11 Fundamental Duties.

4. Economy:

• Currency: Indian Rupee (INR, ₹).
• Major institutions: Reserve Bank of India (RBI, est. 1935), SEBI (Securities and Exchange Board of India).
• Five-Year Plans: 12th Plan (2012–2017) was the last; now NITI Aayog (est. 2015) overseas development.

5. World Geography:

• Continents: 7 (Asia, Africa, Europe, Australia, Antarctica, North America, South America).
• Major rivers: Nile (Africa), Amazon (South America), Yangtze (China).
• Highest peaks: Mount Everest (Nepal, 8,848 m), K2 (Pakistan/China).

6. International Organizations:

• United Nations (UN): Founded 1945, HQ in New York, 193 member states.
• Others: World Bank (Washington, D.C.), IMF, WHO (Geneva), ASEAN, SAARC (Kathmandu).

7. Science and Technology:

• Inventions: Telephone (Alexander Graham Bell), Light Bulb (Thomas Edison).
• Basic concepts: Laws of Motion (Newton), Periodic Table (Mendeleev).
• Indian contributions: ISRO (est. 1969), Chandrayaan missions.

8. Sports and Culture:

• National symbols: Flag (Tricolour with Ashoka Chakra), Emblem (Lion Capital), Anthem (Jana Gana Mana).
• Sports: Cricket (India’s 1983, 2011 World Cup wins), Hockey (national sport).
• Festivals: Diwali, Eid, Christmas, Pongal, Onam.

9. Books and Authors:

• Indian classics: “Discovery of India” (Jawaharlal Nehru), “Midnight’s Children” (Salman Rushdie).
• Historical texts: “Arthashastra” (Kautilya), “Ain-i-Akbari” (Abul Fazl).

10. Awards and Honours:

• India: Bharat Ratna (highest civilian award, e.g., Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam), Padma Awards.
• International: Nobel Prize, Pulitzer Prize, Oscar Awards.

Best Books for Static GK

Here are some of the best books for Static GK (General Knowledge), especially useful for competitive exams like UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other government exams:

Top Static GK Books (English & Hindi):

1. Lucent’s General Knowledge

• Language: English & Hindi

• Why it’s good: Covers a wide range of static topics — History, Geography, Polity, Economy, Science, etc.

• Ideal for: SSC, Railway, Bank, and other exams.

2. Manorama Yearbook (by Malayala Manorama)

• Language: English & regional languages

• Why it’s good: Updated yearly, includes current and static GK with detailed analysis.

• Ideal for: Civil Services, State PSCs, and other major exams.

3. Arihant’s General Knowledge

• Language: English & Hindi

• Why it’s good: Concise and exam-oriented with updated facts.

• Ideal for: SSC, Banking, NDA, CDS.

4. NCERT Books (Class 6–12)

• Why it’s good: Essential for building a strong foundation in History, Geography, Polity, and Science.

• Recommended subjects: Polity (Class 9–12), Geography (6–12), History (6–12), Economics (9–12).

5. Objective General Knowledge (by Lucent)

• Why it’s good: MCQ-based format, excellent for practice.

• Ideal for: Fast revision before exams.

6. General Knowledge by Disha Publication

• Why it’s good: Well-organized with updated facts and static data.

• Ideal for: Competitive exam aspirants.

How to Prepare Static GK: A Complete Strategy

1. Understand the Syllabus

First, know what to study. Key topics include:

• Countries, capitals & currencies
• Indian states & capitals
• Important days & dates
• Indian history & freedom movements
• Indian geography (rivers, mountains, dams)
• National symbols & awards
• Books and authors
• Organizations (UN, WHO, etc.)

2. Use Trusted Study Material

Some of the best sources:

• Lucent’s General Knowledge (Most recommended)

• NCERT books (Class 6–10 History, Geography, Civics)

• Manorama Yearbook

• Arihant GK books

• Online apps/websites

3. Make Topic-Wise Notes

Break Static GK into smaller topics. Create your own handwritten or digital notes:

• Make tables for capitals and currencies

• Use bullet points for national symbols, days, and awards

• Color-coded maps for geography

4. Revise Regularly

Static GK is all about memory. So:

• Revise weekly

• Use flashcards or sticky notes

• Take revision tests every Sunday

5. Practice Quizzes and Mock Tests

• Attempt daily GK quizzes from website or apps.

• Practice from previous years’ question papers

• Join Telegram groups for daily quiz challenges

6. Use Mnemonics and Visual Aids

Memory tricks help:

• For example, “JAM – Jharkhand, Andhra, Maharashtra” for major coal-producing states

• Use apps like Anki or make your own flashcards

7. Stay Consistent

Static GK takes time but gives results. A 15–20 minute daily routine is enough:

• Monday: Indian History

• Tuesday: Indian Geography

• Wednesday: Books & Authors, Awards

• Thursday: International Organizations

• Friday: Important Days & Dates

• Saturday: Quizzes & Revision

• Sunday: Full-length test or review

Final Tips

• Combine Static GK with Current Affairs for context

• Create a Static GK Journal

• Don’t try to cram too much in one day

Difference between static GK and current affairs 

1. Static GK is timeless knowledge, such as the national symbols or famous books, whereas current affairs involve recent happenings like government schemes and international events.
2. If you study the names of Indian rivers or classical dances, you’re learning Static GK; if you follow the latest cabinet reshuffle, that’s current affairs.
3. Competitive exams test both: Static GK checks your long-term memory, and current affairs check how updated you are with the world.
4. While Static GK remains the same year after year, current affairs change every day and need regular updates.
5. A strong grip on Static GK helps in scoring consistent marks, but keeping up with current affairs gives you an edge in interviews and descriptive papers.