Static GK for UPSC — National Symbols, States, Firsts & Facts — UPSC Notes

What is Static GK? Static GK refers to fixed, non-changing facts about India — national symbols, constitutional provisions, geographical data, historical firsts. UPSC Prelims tests these directly as factual MCQs. Unlike current affairs, these facts don't change and can be memorised once.

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All 28 chapters in a single print-ready PDF — cover page, table of contents, every chapter with tables and exam traps. Verified to April 2026.

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National Symbols

National animal, bird, flower, tree, anthem, song, motto, flag, currency symbol and more — with key exam notes.

16 symbols

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States & Capitals

All 28 states and 8 union territories with their capitals, statehood years, and key facts for quick recall.

28 states · 8 UTs

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India's Firsts

First President, PM, CJI, Lok Sabha Speaker — plus women firsts, awards firsts, and space firsts frequently asked in Prelims.

30+ entries

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Classical Languages

All 11 Classical Languages (6 original + 5 added Oct 2024: Marathi, Pali, Prakrit, Assamese, Bengali) — year of recognition, criteria, and 8th Schedule comparison.

11 languages · 2024 update

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UNESCO World Heritage Sites

All 44 WHS — 36 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed (Khangchendzonga). Latest: Maratha Military Landscapes (2025, 44th). State-wise count, exam traps.

44 sites · updated July 2025

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Protected Areas & Conservation

Tiger Reserves (58), Biosphere Reserves (18 GoI / 13 UNESCO MAB), Ramsar Wetlands (98), National Parks (107), Wildlife Sanctuaries (573), Elephant Reserves (33) — with Project Tiger, Project Elephant and exam traps.

6 categories · Feb 2026

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Scheduled Languages

All 22 languages in the 8th Schedule — with the amendment that added each, and their constitutional significance.

22 languages

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Geographical Facts

Geographical extremes, India's dimensions, longest rivers, highest peaks, largest/smallest states by area and population.

Extremes & rankings

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Important Days

Month-wise national and international days — India's national holidays, UN observances, founding context, and common exam traps. Updated to April 2026.

12 months · 80+ days

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Constitutional Provisions

Key articles cheat sheet — Parts overview, Fundamental Rights (12–35), DPSP (36–51), Fundamental Duties, emergency provisions, and landmark amendments.

106 amendments · key articles

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Committees & Commissions

Chairman · Year · Key recommendations — Sarkaria, Mandal, Balwant Rai Mehta, Kothari, Narasimham, Justice Verma and 20+ others across all GS papers.

22+ committees

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Constitutional & Statutory Bodies

Type · Article/Act · Appointment · Tenure · Removal — ECI, CAG, UPSC, Finance Commission, NHRC, CVC, CIC, Lokpal, NCSC, NCST, NCBC and more.

20+ bodies

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International Organisations

UN, IMF, World Bank, WTO, WHO, BRICS, SCO, G20, ASEAN, Commonwealth, NAM, SAARC, BIMSTEC, Quad, ILO, IAEA — HQ, members, India's status. Updated April 2026.

16 organisations · April 2026

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ISRO & Space Missions

All launch vehicles (SLV to LVM3/SSLV) · Chandrayaan-3 (23 Aug 2023, Statio Shiv Shakti) · Mangalyaan (first Asian, first maiden-attempt Mars) · Aditya-L1 · SpaDeX (4th country to dock) · Gaganyaan · NavIC. Updated April 2026.

All missions · April 2026

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Nuclear Programme

AEC (1948) · DAE (1954) · Three-stage programme (Bhabha) · Pokhran-I (1974) & II (1998) · All 7 nuclear plants (Tarapur to Kudankulam) · BARC, IGCAR, NPCIL, BHAVINI · NPT, CTBT, NSG · No First Use doctrine · 100 GW target by 2047.

~8,880 MW · SIPRI 2025

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Major Ports of India

13 notified major ports (12 operational + Galathea Bay Sep 2024) + Vadhavan under construction. Oldest (Kolkata 1870), deepest (Vizag), only riverine port, only corporatised port (Kamarajar). Major Port Authorities Act 2021 + Indian Ports Act 2025 + Sagarmala 2.0.

13 ports · April 2026

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Five Year Plans & NITI Aayog

All 12 Plans (1951–2017), Plan Holiday, Rolling Plans, Planning Commission vs NITI Aayog comparison — theme, growth targets, Mahalanobis, Garibi Hatao, LPG reforms.

12 plans · Plan Holiday · NITI Aayog

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Viceroys & Governors-General

1773–1950 — every G-G and Viceroy: company rule (Warren Hastings to Canning), all Viceroys (Elgin I to Mountbatten), post-independence G-Gs. Fact-checked, expanded with Shore, Barlow, Metcalfe, Auckland, Ellenborough, Hardinge I, Northbrook, Elgin II. 55+ quick-recall associations.

All officials · fact-checked

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Rivers of India

Himalayan vs Peninsular systems; east vs west-flowing; Godavari, Krishna, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Narmada, Tapi origins and lengths; Indus Waters Treaty (RBS → India; IJC → Pakistan); sacred rivers; key dam records; 12 exam traps.

IWT · Dams · Exam traps

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Presidents of India

All 15 Presidents (1950–present) — exact tenures, party backing, acting presidents, key firsts, constitutional provisions (Articles 52–72), electoral college, impeachment, pardoning powers.

15 Presidents · April 2026

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Prime Ministers of India

All 14 individuals / 21 tenures (1947–present) — exact dates, party, key events, records. Deputy PMs list. Articles 74/75/78. Exam traps on Charan Singh, Vajpayee 13 days, LPG reforms.

14 individuals · April 2026

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Lok Sabha Speakers

All 18 Speakers (1952–present) — constitutional articles 93–96, Speaker's powers, Pro Tem Speaker, anti-defection (Kihoto Hollohan), money bills (Rojer Mathew 2019), Deputy Speaker vacancy crisis, and exam traps.

18 Speakers · April 2026

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Chief Justices of India

All CJIs (1950–present) — tenures, appointment process, collegium system (Three Judges Cases), landmark judgments, acting CJIs, and high-yield UPSC exam traps.

All CJIs · April 2026

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Bharat Ratna

All 53 recipients (1954–2024) — year, field, firsts, posthumous awards, non-Indian recipients, and top UPSC exam traps.

53 recipients · 18 posthumous

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Padma Awards

Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri — instituted 1954, annual limit 120, eligibility rules (no sitting MPs/Govt servants), suspensions (1978–79 & 1993–97), and 2025/2026 recipients.

3 awards · Jan 2026

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Schedules of the Constitution

All 12 Schedules — subjects, related articles, key counts, exam traps, landmark cases (Kihoto Hollohan, IR Coelho) and amendment history.

12 schedules · 22 languages · 3 lists

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Gallantry Awards

Complete hierarchy: PVC, Maha Vir Chakra, Vir Chakra (wartime) + Ashoka Chakra, Kirti Chakra, Shaurya Chakra (peacetime). All 21 PVC recipients, Savitri Khanolkar (Swiss designer), sole IAF PVC (Sekhon 1971), 3 living awardees.

21 PVC recipients · April 2026

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Classical Dance Forms

All 8 SNA-recognised classical dances — state origins, distinguishing features, key exponents, and UNESCO ICH status (Chhau 2010, Kalbelia 2010, Garba 2023). Plus major folk dances by state.

8 classical · 3 UNESCO ICH

Must-Know Quick Facts

The most frequently tested static facts in UPSC Prelims. Review before the exam.

Total States

28 States

+ 8 Union Territories

Scheduled Languages (8th Schedule)

22 Languages

Last added by 92nd Amendment, 2003

National Animal

Bengal Tiger

Panthera tigris tigris · Project Tiger 1973

National Bird

Indian Peacock

Pavo cristatus · Designated 1963

National Sport

None officially

Confirmed by RTI (Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, 2020)

First President of India

Dr. Rajendra Prasad

1950–1962 · Only President to serve two terms

Largest State (Area)

Rajasthan

3,42,239 sq km

Southernmost Point (mainland)

Kanyakumari

Cape Comorin, Tamil Nadu · 8°4'N

Currency Symbol

₹ (Indian Rupee)

National Motto

Satyameva Jayate

From Mundaka Upanishad · "Truth Alone Triumphs"

Exam strategy: UPSC Prelims tests static GK through direct factual questions and negative marking traps. Focus on what is not officially designated (e.g., no national sport, no official national language — Hindi is the official language of the Union under Article 343, not a "national language"). These distinctions are high-yield.