STATIC GK NOTES
Static GK Notes for SSC, Railway & Competitive Exams
Static General Knowledge (Static GK) is one of the most important sections of SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence, Police and State Government examinations. These notes cover important national symbols, constitutional facts, awards, geography, culture and other frequently asked topics in a simple and exam-oriented manner.
Introduction to Static GK
Static GK consists of facts that generally remain unchanged over a long period. Unlike Current Affairs, Static GK focuses on permanent information such as national symbols, capitals, rivers, mountains, important organizations, historical monuments and cultural facts.
Questions from Static GK are regularly asked in SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence, Police and other competitive examinations.
🎯 Exam Focus
- National Symbols
- States & Capitals
- Important Days
- National Parks
- Important Rivers & Dams
- UNESCO Sites
- Classical Dances
- Organizations & Headquarters
National Symbols of India
| National Symbol | Name |
|---|---|
| National Flag | Tiranga |
| National Emblem | Lion Capital of Ashoka |
| National Anthem | Jana Gana Mana |
| National Song | Vande Mataram |
| National Animal | Royal Bengal Tiger |
| National Bird | Indian Peacock |
| National Flower | Lotus |
| National Tree | Banyan |
| National Fruit | Mango |
| National River | Ganga |
| National Aquatic Animal | Ganges River Dolphin |
| National Heritage Animal | Indian Elephant |
| National Reptile | King Cobra |
| National Calendar | Saka Calendar |
⭐ Important Facts
- The National Emblem was adopted on 26 January 1950.
- The National Anthem was written by Rabindranath Tagore.
- The National Song was written by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay.
National Flag of India
The National Flag of India is popularly known as the Tiranga. It consists of three horizontal stripes of saffron, white and green with the navy blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Tiranga |
| Ratio | 3 : 2 |
| Designer | Pingali Venkayya |
| Ashoka Chakra | 24 Spokes |
🧠 Remember
Saffron → Courage & Sacrifice
White → Peace & Truth
Green → Prosperity
White → Peace & Truth
Green → Prosperity
Quick Revision
- Designer → Pingali Venkayya
- Ratio → 3 : 2
- Ashoka Chakra → 24 Spokes
National Anthem and National Song
| Feature | National Anthem | National Song |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Jana Gana Mana | Vande Mataram |
| Writer | Rabindranath Tagore | Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay |
| Official Duration | Approximately 52 Seconds | Not Prescribed |
⭐ Important Facts
- “Jana Gana Mana” was adopted as the National Anthem on 24 January 1950.
- “Vande Mataram” is taken from the novel Anandamath.
National Emblem of India
The National Emblem of India is an adaptation of the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath. It symbolizes power, courage, confidence and pride.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Origin | Lion Capital of Ashoka |
| Location | Sarnath, Uttar Pradesh |
| Motto | Satyameva Jayate |
| Language | Devanagari |
⭐ Important Facts
- “Satyameva Jayate” means “Truth Alone Triumphs”.
- The motto is taken from the Mundaka Upanishad.
- The National Emblem was adopted on 26 January 1950.
Quick Revision
- Motto → Satyameva Jayate
- Origin → Sarnath
- Adopted → 26 January 1950
Most Frequently Asked Static GK Facts
National Animal → Royal Bengal Tiger
National Bird → Indian Peacock
National Flower → Lotus
National Tree → Banyan
National Fruit → Mango
National River → Ganga
National Aquatic Animal → Ganges River Dolphin
National Heritage Animal → Indian Elephant
National Reptile → King Cobra
National Calendar → Saka Calendar
National Anthem → Jana Gana Mana
National Song → Vande Mataram
National Emblem → Lion Capital of Ashoka
Flag Ratio → 3 : 2
Ashoka Chakra → 24 Spokes
States and Capitals of India
India has 28 States and 8 Union Territories. Questions related to states, capitals and administrative divisions are frequently asked in competitive examinations.
| State | Capital |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Amaravati |
| Arunachal Pradesh | Itanagar |
| Assam | Dispur |
| Bihar | Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Raipur |
| Goa | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Gandhinagar |
| Haryana | Chandigarh |
| Himachal Pradesh | Shimla |
| Jharkhand | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Bengaluru |
| Kerala | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Madhya Pradesh | Bhopal |
| Maharashtra | Mumbai |
⭐ Important Facts
- India has 28 States.
- Chandigarh is the capital of both Punjab and Haryana.
- Bhopal is known as the City of Lakes.
Union Territories and Capitals
| Union Territory | Capital |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar Islands | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | Chandigarh |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Daman |
| Delhi (NCT) | New Delhi |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Srinagar (Summer), Jammu (Winter) |
| Ladakh | Leh |
| Lakshadweep | Kavaratti |
| Puducherry | Puducherry |
Quick Revision
- Total States → 28
- Total Union Territories → 8
- Capital of Ladakh → Leh
- Capital of Lakshadweep → Kavaratti
Important National & International Days
| Date | Important Day |
|---|---|
| 12 January | National Youth Day |
| 26 January | Republic Day |
| 28 February | National Science Day |
| 8 March | International Women’s Day |
| 22 April | Earth Day |
| 5 June | World Environment Day |
| 21 June | International Day of Yoga |
| 15 August | Independence Day |
| 5 September | Teachers’ Day |
| 2 October | Gandhi Jayanti |
| 31 October | National Unity Day |
| 14 November | Children’s Day |
🎯 Exam Tip
Important Days and Dates are among the most frequently asked topics in SSC, Railway and Banking examinations.
Important National Parks
| National Park | State |
|---|---|
| Jim Corbett | Uttarakhand |
| Kaziranga | Assam |
| Gir | Gujarat |
| Ranthambore | Rajasthan |
| Kanha | Madhya Pradesh |
| Bandhavgarh | Madhya Pradesh |
| Periyar | Kerala |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal |
⭐ Important Facts
- Jim Corbett is India’s oldest national park.
- Gir National Park is famous for Asiatic Lions.
- Kaziranga National Park is famous for the One-Horned Rhinoceros.
- Sundarbans National Park is known for the Royal Bengal Tiger.
Important Wildlife Sanctuaries
| Sanctuary | State |
|---|---|
| Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary (Keoladeo) | Rajasthan |
| Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary | Tamil Nadu |
| Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary | Karnataka |
| Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary | Gujarat |
| Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary | Kerala |
Quick Revision
- Asiatic Lion → Gir
- One-Horned Rhino → Kaziranga
- Royal Bengal Tiger → Sundarbans
- Oldest National Park → Jim Corbett
Important Biosphere Reserves of India
| Biosphere Reserve | State |
|---|---|
| Nilgiri | Tamil Nadu, Kerala & Karnataka |
| Nanda Devi | Uttarakhand |
| Sundarbans | West Bengal |
| Pachmarhi | Madhya Pradesh |
| Gulf of Mannar | Tamil Nadu |
| Simlipal | Odisha |
⭐ Important Facts
- Nilgiri was India’s first Biosphere Reserve.
- The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve is a UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves site.
- Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve is located in Madhya Pradesh.
Quick Revision
- First Biosphere Reserve → Nilgiri
- Madhya Pradesh → Pachmarhi
- West Bengal → Sundarbans
Important Dams of India
Dams are constructed across rivers for irrigation, hydroelectric power generation, flood control and water storage. Questions on major dams and their rivers are common in competitive exams.
| Dam | River | State |
|---|---|---|
| Bhakra Nangal | Sutlej | Himachal Pradesh / Punjab |
| Hirakud | Mahanadi | Odisha |
| Tehri | Bhagirathi | Uttarakhand |
| Sardar Sarovar | Narmada | Gujarat |
| Nagarjuna Sagar | Krishna | Telangana |
| Indira Sagar | Narmada | Madhya Pradesh |
| Rihand | Rihand | Uttar Pradesh |
⭐ Important Facts
- Hirakud Dam is one of the longest earthen dams in the world.
- Tehri Dam is one of the tallest dams in India.
- Sardar Sarovar Dam is built on the Narmada River.
Quick Revision
- Bhakra Nangal → Sutlej
- Hirakud → Mahanadi
- Tehri → Bhagirathi
- Sardar Sarovar → Narmada
Important Lakes of India
| Lake | State | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Wular Lake | Jammu & Kashmir | Largest freshwater lake in India. |
| Chilika Lake | Odisha | Largest brackish water lagoon. |
| Loktak Lake | Manipur | Famous for floating islands (Phumdis). |
| Sambhar Lake | Rajasthan | Largest inland salt lake. |
| Dal Lake | Jammu & Kashmir | Famous for houseboats. |
| Vembanad Lake | Kerala | Longest lake in India. |
Quick Revision
- Largest Freshwater Lake → Wular
- Largest Brackish Lake → Chilika
- Largest Salt Lake → Sambhar
- Floating Islands → Loktak
Important Mountain Passes
| Pass | State / Region |
|---|---|
| Zoji La | Ladakh |
| Nathu La | Sikkim |
| Jelep La | Sikkim |
| Shipki La | Himachal Pradesh |
| Rohtang Pass | Himachal Pradesh |
| Banihal Pass | Jammu & Kashmir |
⭐ Important Facts
- Nathu La connects India with China.
- Rohtang Pass connects Kullu Valley with Lahaul-Spiti.
- Zoji La connects Kashmir Valley with Ladakh.
Important Airports of India
| Airport | City |
|---|---|
| Indira Gandhi International Airport | New Delhi |
| Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport | Mumbai |
| Kempegowda International Airport | Bengaluru |
| Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport | Kolkata |
| Chennai International Airport | Chennai |
| Rajiv Gandhi International Airport | Hyderabad |
Quick Revision
- Delhi → Indira Gandhi Airport
- Mumbai → Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Airport
- Bengaluru → Kempegowda Airport
Major Ports of India
| Port | State |
|---|---|
| Mumbai Port | Maharashtra |
| Jawaharlal Nehru Port (Nhava Sheva) | Maharashtra |
| Paradip Port | Odisha |
| Visakhapatnam Port | Andhra Pradesh |
| Kandla (Deendayal) Port | Gujarat |
| Kochi Port | Kerala |
| Chennai Port | Tamil Nadu |
⭐ Important Facts
- Jawaharlal Nehru Port is India’s largest container port.
- Kandla (Deendayal) Port is an important port on the west coast.
- Visakhapatnam is one of India’s deepest natural ports.
Famous UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
| World Heritage Site | State |
|---|---|
| Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh |
| Qutub Minar | Delhi |
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra |
| Ellora Caves | Maharashtra |
| Khajuraho Group of Monuments | Madhya Pradesh |
| Sun Temple, Konark | Odisha |
| Hampi | Karnataka |
| Kaziranga National Park | Assam |
| Keoladeo National Park | Rajasthan |
| Great Living Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu |
🎯 Exam Tip
Questions often ask you to match UNESCO World Heritage Sites with their respective states. Learning them in table format makes revision easier.
Quick Revision
- Taj Mahal → Uttar Pradesh
- Qutub Minar → Delhi
- Hampi → Karnataka
- Konark Sun Temple → Odisha
- Khajuraho → Madhya Pradesh
Classical Dances of India
India has eight classical dance forms recognized by the Government of India. Questions related to dance forms and their states are frequently asked in competitive examinations.
| Dance Form | State |
|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh |
| Kathakali | Kerala |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Odissi | Odisha |
| Manipuri | Manipur |
| Mohiniyattam | Kerala |
| Sattriya | Assam |
Quick Revision
- Kathak → Uttar Pradesh
- Odissi → Odisha
- Kathakali → Kerala
- Bharatanatyam → Tamil Nadu
Important Folk Dances of India
| Dance | State |
|---|---|
| Bhangra | Punjab |
| Giddha | Punjab |
| Garba | Gujarat |
| Dandiya Raas | Gujarat |
| Ghoomar | Rajasthan |
| Bihu | Assam |
| Lavani | Maharashtra |
| Yakshagana | Karnataka |
| Rouf | Jammu & Kashmir |
| Cheraw | Mizoram |
Important Festivals of India
| Festival | State / Region |
|---|---|
| Onam | Kerala |
| Pongal | Tamil Nadu |
| Bihu | Assam |
| Hornbill Festival | Nagaland |
| Durga Puja | West Bengal |
| Ganesh Chaturthi | Maharashtra |
| Losar | Ladakh |
| Pushkar Fair | Rajasthan |
⭐ Important Facts
- Onam is the most famous festival of Kerala.
- Hornbill Festival is known as the “Festival of Festivals” of Nagaland.
- Pushkar Fair is one of the largest camel fairs in the world.
Highest, Largest and Longest in India
| Feature | Name |
|---|---|
| Highest Peak | Kanchenjunga |
| Longest River | Ganga |
| Largest State (Area) | Rajasthan |
| Largest State (Population) | Uttar Pradesh |
| Smallest State (Area) | Goa |
| Largest Desert | Thar Desert |
| Largest Freshwater Lake | Wular Lake |
| Largest Brackish Water Lake | Chilika Lake |
| Longest Dam | Hirakud Dam |
| Highest Waterfall | Kunchikal Falls |
World Superlatives
| Feature | Name |
|---|---|
| Largest Continent | Asia |
| Smallest Continent | Australia |
| Largest Ocean | Pacific Ocean |
| Smallest Ocean | Arctic Ocean |
| Highest Mountain | Mount Everest |
| Largest Desert | Antarctic Desert |
| Largest Hot Desert | Sahara Desert |
| Longest River | Nile |
| Largest River (Water Volume) | Amazon |
| Largest Rainforest | Amazon Rainforest |
Important Organizations and Headquarters
| Organization | Headquarters |
|---|---|
| United Nations (UN) | New York, USA |
| World Health Organization (WHO) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| UNESCO | Paris, France |
| UNICEF | New York, USA |
| International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Washington, D.C., USA |
| World Bank | Washington, D.C., USA |
| International Labour Organization (ILO) | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) | Rome, Italy |
📌 One-Minute Revision
- ✔ National Animal → Royal Bengal Tiger
- ✔ National Bird → Indian Peacock
- ✔ National Flower → Lotus
- ✔ National River → Ganga
- ✔ National Anthem → Jana Gana Mana
- ✔ National Song → Vande Mataram
- ✔ Flag Ratio → 3 : 2
- ✔ Largest State (Area) → Rajasthan
- ✔ Largest State (Population) → Uttar Pradesh
- ✔ Smallest State → Goa
- ✔ Highest Peak in India → Kanchenjunga
- ✔ Largest Continent → Asia
- ✔ Largest Ocean → Pacific Ocean
- ✔ Largest Hot Desert → Sahara Desert
- ✔ WHO Headquarters → Geneva
- ✔ UNESCO Headquarters → Paris
- ✔ World Bank Headquarters → Washington, D.C.
- ✔ Bharatanatyam → Tamil Nadu
- ✔ Kathak → Uttar Pradesh
- ✔ Onam → Kerala
Conclusion
Static GK is one of the most scoring sections in SSC, Railway, Banking, Defence, Police and State Government examinations. Topics such as national symbols, states and capitals, important rivers, dams, national parks, classical dances, festivals and international organizations are frequently asked in competitive exams.
Regular revision of tables, fact cards and important one-liners will help you remember key information for a long time. Along with these notes, practicing topic-wise Static GK MCQs will improve both your accuracy and speed.
These Static GK Notes are prepared in a simple, table-based and exam-oriented format for quick revision. Bookmark this page and revise it regularly to strengthen your General Awareness preparation and perform better in competitive examinations.