CMAT General Awareness Syllabus

General Awareness syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for General Awareness in CMAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Static General Knowledge

   4 topics

   • Indian History & Culture
     • Freedom movement milestones
     • Art, dance and heritage
   • Geography
     • Indian physical and economic geography
     • World geography essentials
   • Indian Polity & Constitution
     • Fundamental rights and duties
     • Parliament and governance structure
   • General Science & Technology
     • Basic physics, chemistry and biology facts
     • Space and defence developments
2. 2

   Economy & Business Environment

   3 topics

   • Indian Economy Fundamentals
     • GDP, inflation and fiscal terms
     • Banking and monetary policy
   • Business & Corporate Affairs
     • Major companies, CEOs and mergers
     • Brands, taglines and logos
   • International Economic Bodies
     • IMF, World Bank and WTO
3. 3

   Current Affairs & National-International Events

   5 topics

   • National Affairs
     • Government schemes and policies
     • Appointments and resignations
   • International Affairs
     • Summits, treaties and global events
   • Awards & Honours
     • National and international awards
   • Sports
     • Major tournaments and records
   • Books, Authors & Personalities
     • Recent publications and notable figures

General Awareness flashcards for CMAT

19 of 51 cards from the General Awareness deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Which Indus Valley Civilization site, located in Gujarat, is famous for its advanced dockyard, indicating maritime trade?

   Lothal.

2. Who was the founder of the Mauryan Empire, and who was his chief advisor credited with the Arthashastra?

   Chandragupta Maurya founded the empire; his advisor was Chanakya (Kautilya), author of the Arthashastra.

3. The Gupta period is often called the 'Golden Age of India.' Name two of its renowned scholars.

   Aryabhata (astronomy/mathematics) and Kalidasa (Sanskrit literature). Others include Varahamihira and Brahmagupta.

4. Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal, and in whose memory?

   Shah Jahan built it in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.

5. Name the classical dance form associated with each region: Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

   Tamil Nadu - Bharatanatyam; Kerala - Kathakali (and Mohiniyattam).

6. Which river is the longest in India, and which is the longest that flows entirely within India?

   The Ganga is the longest river in India; the Godavari is the longest river flowing entirely within India.

7. What is the southernmost point of mainland India, and the southernmost point of India including islands?

   Mainland: Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin); including islands: Indira Point in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

8. Which line of latitude passes through the middle of India, roughly dividing it into north and south?

   The Tropic of Cancer (about 23.5 deg N).

9. Which Indian state has the longest coastline?

   Gujarat has the longest coastline among Indian states.

10. What is the highest mountain peak entirely within India?

    Kanchenjunga (in Sikkim), at about 8,586 m, is the highest peak entirely within India and the third-highest in the world.

11. How many fundamental rights are currently guaranteed by the Indian Constitution, and name them.

    Six: Right to Equality, Right to Freedom, Right against Exploitation, Right to Freedom of Religion, Cultural and Educational Rights, and Right to Constitutional Remedies.

12. Which part and articles of the Constitution contain the Directive Principles of State Policy?

    Part IV, Articles 36 to 51.

13. From which two countries' constitutions did India borrow the 'Fundamental Rights' and the 'Directive Principles of State Policy' respectively?

    Fundamental Rights from the USA; Directive Principles of State Policy from Ireland.

14. What is the minimum age to become President of India and to become a member of the Lok Sabha?

    President: 35 years; Lok Sabha member: 25 years.

15. Who is the constitutional head of state of India, and who is the head of government?

    The President is the head of state; the Prime Minister is the head of government.

16. Which constitutional amendment added the words 'Socialist', 'Secular', and 'Integrity' to the Preamble?

    The 42nd Amendment Act, 1976.

17. What is Newton's second law of motion expressed as a formula?

    Force = mass x acceleration (F = ma).

18. What is the chemical formula of common table salt and of baking soda?

    Table salt is sodium chloride (NaCl); baking soda is sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3).

19. Which vitamin deficiency causes scurvy, and which causes rickets?

    Scurvy is caused by Vitamin C deficiency; rickets by Vitamin D deficiency.

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