SSC CGL 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 SSC CGL, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Current Affairs

   3 topics

   • National
   • International
   • Economic
2. 2

   India & Its Neighboring Countries

   4 topics

   • History
   • Culture
   • Geography
   • Economic Scene
3. 3

   General Policy & Scientific Research

   2 topics

   • Indian Constitution
   • Science & Technology

General Awareness flashcards for SSC CGL

19 of 50 cards from the General Awareness deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. Who founded the Mauryan Empire and in which year did he establish it?

   Chandragupta Maurya founded the Mauryan Empire around 322 BCE, with help from his mentor Chanakya (Kautilya).

2. Which Indus Valley Civilisation site is known for its Great Bath, and where is it located?

   Mohenjo-daro, located in present-day Sindh, Pakistan (on the Indus river).

3. During whose reign did the Battle of Kalinga take place, leading him to embrace Buddhism?

   Ashoka the Great (Mauryan emperor); the Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE) led to his conversion to Buddhism.

4. Who founded the Delhi Sultanate's first dynasty (the Slave/Mamluk dynasty) in 1206?

   Qutb-ud-din Aibak, a general of Muhammad Ghori.

5. Who founded the Mughal Empire and which battle established it in 1526?

   Babur founded the Mughal Empire by defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat (1526).

6. Which Mughal emperor introduced the Mansabdari system and the religion Din-i-Ilahi?

   Akbar (the Great).

7. In which year was the First War of Indian Independence (the Revolt/Sepoy Mutiny) fought?

   1857.

8. Who founded the Indian National Congress in 1885 and who was its first president?

   A.O. Hume founded it; W.C. Bonnerjee (Womesh Chunder Bonnerjee) was its first president.

9. In which year did Mahatma Gandhi lead the Dandi Salt March, launching the Civil Disobedience Movement?

   1930 (the Salt Satyagraha began on 12 March 1930).

10. Which mountain range separates India from Central Asia and contains the highest peaks?

    The Himalayas (Himalayan ranges: Himadri, Himachal, and Shiwaliks).

11. What is the highest mountain peak located entirely within India, and where is it?

    Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), located in Sikkim; it is the world's third-highest peak.

12. Which river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its frequent flooding?

    The Kosi river.

13. India's black soil (regur), ideal for cotton, is mainly found in which region?

    The Deccan Plateau (Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat) - formed from Deccan Trap lava.

14. Which Indian state is the largest producer of tea?

    Assam.

15. What is the term for the seasonal reversal of winds that brings rain to the Indian subcontinent?

    The Monsoon (Southwest Monsoon, June-September, brings most of India's rainfall).

16. Which is the longest river in the world?

    The Nile (approximately 6,650 km), in Africa.

17. Which line of latitude passes through the middle of India, and at what degree?

    The Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees North.

18. What is the deepest oceanic point on Earth and in which ocean is it?

    The Mariana Trench (Challenger Deep), in the Pacific Ocean (~11,000 m deep).

19. What does 'biodiversity hotspot' mean, and name one located in India?

    A region with exceptional species richness and high endemism that is under threat; the Western Ghats is one such hotspot in India.

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Planning General Awareness for SSC CGL

General Awareness (SSC CGL) FAQ