Territory & Representation
1: States/UTs. 2: Emoluments. 3: Oaths. 4: Rajya Sabha Seats.
Indian History
Ancient, Medieval, Modern Chronology & Battles
1. Major Historical Battles of India
| Battle & Year | Parties Involved | Result & Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Hydaspes (326 BC) | Alexander vs Porus | Alexander won but impressed by Porus. Marked limit of Greek expansion. |
| Kalinga (261 BC) | Ashoka vs Kalinga King | Ashoka won. Vast bloodshed led him to embrace Buddhism and non-violence. |
| First Tarain (1191) | Prithviraj Chauhan vs Md. Ghori | Prithviraj won. Ghori was defeated. |
| Second Tarain (1192) | Prithviraj Chauhan vs Md. Ghori | Ghori won. Established Muslim rule in North India. |
| First Panipat (1526) | Babur vs Ibrahim Lodi | Babur won. End of Delhi Sultanate. Foundation of Mughal Empire. |
| Khanwa (1527) | Babur vs Rana Sanga | Babur won. Consolidated Mughal rule. |
| Second Panipat (1556) | Akbar (Bairam Khan) vs Hemu | Akbar won. Re-established Mughal empire. |
| Talikota (1565) | Deccan Sultanates vs Vijayanagara | Sultanates won. Collapse of the glorious Vijayanagara Empire. |
| Haldighati (1576) | Akbar (Man Singh) vs Maharana Pratap | Inconclusive/Mughal victory mechanically, but Pratap escaped to fight on. |
| Plassey (1757) | British (Clive) vs Siraj-ud-Daulah | British won. Foundation of British Rule in India. Mir Jafar betrayed Siraj. |
| Third Panipat (1761) | Ahmad Shah Abdali vs Marathas | Abdali won. Huge blow to Maratha power. |
| Buxar (1764) | British (Munro) vs Mir Qasim, Shuja-ud-Daulah, Shah Alam II | British won. Treaty of Allahabad (1765). Diwani rights of Bengal obtained. |
2. Important Dynasties & Founders
Ancient History
Ancient Dynasties
Haryanka Bimbisara
Nanda Mahapadma Nanda
Maurya Chandragupta Maurya
Gupta Sri Gupta (Real: Chandragupta I)
Satavahana Simuka
Pallava Simhavishnu
Medieval History
Delhi Sultanate
Slave (Mamluk) Qutb-ud-din Aibak
Khilji Jalal-ud-din Khilji
Tughlaq Ghiyas-ud-din Tughlaq
Sayyid Khizr Khan
Lodi Bahlul Lodi
Modern History
Key Organizations
Brahmo Samaj Raja Ram Mohan Roy (1828)
Arya Samaj Dayanand Saraswati (1875)
Ramakrishna Mission Swami Vivekananda (1897)
INC A.O. Hume (1885)
Muslim League Salimullah & Aga Khan (1906)
3. Indian National Congress: Key Sessions
| Year | Place | President | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1885 | Bombay | W.C. Banerjee | First Session. 72 delegates attended. |
| 1896 | Calcutta | Rahimtullah Sayani | 'Vande Mataram' sung for first time. |
| 1906 | Calcutta | Dadabhai Naoroji | Word 'Swaraj' used for first time. |
| 1907 | Surat | Rash Behari Ghosh | Surat Split (Moderates vs Extremists). |
| 1911 | Calcutta | B.N. Dhar | 'Jana Gana Mana' sung for first time. |
| 1916 | Lucknow | A.C. Majumdar | Lucknow Pact (Congress-League unity). |
| 1917 | Calcutta | Annie Besant | First Woman President. |
| 1924 | Belgaum | M.K. Gandhi | Only session presided by Gandhi. |
| 1925 | Kanpur | Sarojini Naidu | First Indian Woman President. |
| 1929 | Lahore | J.L. Nehru | Purna Swaraj Resolution. |
| 1931 | Karachi | Vallabhbhai Patel | Resolution on Fundamental Rights. |
| 1938 | Haripura | Subhash C. Bose | Bose elected President. |
Art & Culture
Classical Dances, Folk Forms, Music, Painting & Heritage
1. Classical Dances of India
Tamil Nadu
Bharatanatyam
Oldest classical dance. Features fixed upper torso, bent legs (Aramandi), and intricate footwork.
Origin Sadir (Temple Dancers)
Key Element Fire Dance (Element)
Exponents Rukmini Devi, Yamini Krishnamurthy
Uttar Pradesh
Kathak
Derived from 'Katha' (Story). Only classical dance of North India. Known for spins (Chakkars).
Influences Persian & Mughal
Gharanas Lucknow, Jaipur, Banaras
Exponents Pt. Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi
Kerala
Kathakali
'Story Play'. Famous for elaborate makeup (Pacha, Kathi), costumes, and face masks.
Theme Ramayana, Mahabharata
Key Feature Eye Movements (Navarasas)
Gender Traditionally Male Only
Odisha
Odissi
Known for the 'Tribhanga' (three-bend) posture representing feminine grace.
Ancient Text Natya Shastra
Element Water
Exponents Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sonal Mansingh
Andhra Pradesh
Kuchipudi
Dance-drama. Unique feature is 'Tarangam' – dancing on the rim of a brass plate.
Village Kuchipudi (Krishna Dist)
Element Earth
Exponents Raja & Radha Reddy
Manipur
Manipuri
Graceful, fluid movements. Dancers do not wear ankle bells. Focus on 'Raslila'.
Theme Vaishnavism (Krishna)
Costume Stiff Barrel Skirt
Exponents Jhaveri Sisters
Kerala
Mohiniyattam
Dance of the Enchantress. Solo dance by women. Gentle, swaying movements.
Costume White/Off-white Gold Sari
Element Air
Exponents Sunanda Nair
Assam
Sattriya
Introduced by Srimanta Sankardev in the 15th century as part of Vaishnavite movement.
Origin Sattras (Monasteries)
Status Newest Classical Dance (2000)
Theme Krishna-Bhakti
2. Important Folk Dances & Festivals
| State | Folk Dances & Festivals (Exam Favourites) |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Vilasini Natyam, Bhamakalpam, Veeranatyam, Lambadi, Dhimsa. Fest: Ugadi, Flemingo. |
| Assam | Bihu, Bichhua, Natpuja, Bagurumba, Naga dance. Fest: Ambubachi Mela (Kamakhya). |
| Bihar | Jata-Jatin, Bakho-Bakhain, Panwariya, Bidesia. Fest: Chhath Puja. |
| Chhattisgarh | Pandwani (Teejan Bai), Raut Nacha. Fest: Bastar Dussehra. |
| Gujarat | Garba, Dandiya Ras, Tippani Juriun, Bhavai. Fest: Rann Utsav. |
| Haryana | Jhumar, Phag, Daph, Dhamal, Loor, Gugga. |
| Himachal Pradesh | Jhora, Jhali, Chharhi, Nati. Fest: Losar (Tibetan New Year). |
| Jammu & Kashmir | Rauf, Hikat, Mandjas, Kud Dandi Nach. Fest: Tulip Festival. |
| Karnataka | Yakshagana, Huttari, Suggi, Kunitha, Karga. Fest: Kambala (Buffalo Race). |
| Kerala | Ottam Thullal, Kaikottikali. Fest: Onam (Snake Boat Race), Vishu. |
| Maharashtra | Lavani, Nakata, Koli, Lezim, Tamasha. Fest: Ganesh Chaturthi. |
| Mizoram | Cheraw (Bamboo Dance). Fest: Chapchar Kut. |
| Nagaland | Chang Lo. Fest: Hornbill Festival (Festival of Festivals). |
| Odisha | Ghumura, Chhau (Mayurbhanj). Fest: Nuakhai, Rath Yatra. |
| Punjab | Bhangra (Men), Giddha (Women). Fest: Baisakhi, Lohri. |
| Rajasthan | Ghumar, Kalbelia (UNESCO), Chakri. Fest: Pushkar Camel Fair. |
| Tamil Nadu | Kumi, Kolattam, Kavadi. Fest: Pongal (Jallikattu), Thaipusam. |
| Telangana | Perini Sivatandavam. Fest: Bonalu, Bathukamma (Flower Fest). |
| Uttar Pradesh | Nautanki, Raslila, Kajri, Charkula. |
| West Bengal | Kathi, Gambhira, Dhali, Baul (Singing). Fest: Durga Puja (UNESCO). |
3. Indian Paintings & Musical Instruments
Visual Arts
Folk Paintings
Madhubani Bihar (Mithila)
Warli Maharashtra
Pattachitra Odisha
Kalamkari Andhra Pradesh
Thanjavur Tamil Nadu (Gold Leaf)
Phad/Kishangarh Rajasthan (Bani Thani)
Music
Instruments & Maestros
Sitar Pt. Ravi Shankar
Tabla Zakir Hussain, Alla Rakha
Flute Hariprasad Chaurasia
Sarod Amjad Ali Khan
Shehnai Ustad Bismillah Khan
Santoor Shiv Kumar Sharma
4. UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Selected)
| Site | State | Significance / Built By |
|---|---|---|
| Ajanta Caves | Maharashtra | Buddhist Caves, Fresco Paintings (Gupta Period). |
| Ellora Caves | Maharashtra | Hindu, Buddhist, Jain. Kailasa Temple (Rashtrakutas). |
| Taj Mahal | Uttar Pradesh | Mughal Architecture. Shah Jahan (1631-1648). |
| Sun Temple | Odisha | Black Pagoda. King Narasimhadeva I (Ganga Dynasty). |
| Mahabalipuram | Tamil Nadu | Pallava Dynasty. Shore Temple, Rathas, Descent of Ganges. |
| Khajuraho | Madhya Pradesh | Chandela Dynasty. Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. |
| Hampi | Karnataka | Vijayanagara Empire. Virupaksha Temple, Stone Chariot. |
| Fatehpur Sikri | Uttar Pradesh | Akbar's Capital. Buland Darwaza, Salim Chishti Tomb. |
| Chola Temples | Tamil Nadu | Brihadeeswarar (Thanjavur), Gangaikonda Cholapuram. |
| Sanchi Stupa | Madhya Pradesh | Mauryan (Ashoka). Buddhist Monument. |
| Rani-ki-Vav | Gujarat | Stepwell. Solanki Dynasty. (On ₹100 Note). |
| Ramappa Temple | Telangana | Kakatiya Dynasty. Sandbox Technology. |
| Dholavira | Gujarat | Harappan City. Water Management System. |
| Shantiniketan | West Bengal | Est. by Rabindranath Tagore (Added 2023). |
| Hoysala Temples | Karnataka | Belur, Halebid, Somnathpura (Added 2023). |
Indian Polity & Constitution
Articles, Schedules, Amendments & Dignitaries
The 12 Schedules
1-4
5-6
Scheduled Areas
5: Administration of SC/ST Areas. 6: Tribal Areas of ATM M (Assam, Tripura, Meghalaya, Mizoram).
7-8
Lists & Languages
7: Union, State, Concurrent Lists. 8: Official Languages (22).
9-10
Validation & Defection
9: Land Reforms (1st Amend). 10: Anti-Defection Law (52nd Amend).
11-12
Local Government
11: Panchayats (73rd Amend). 12: Municipalities (74th Amend).
Borrowed Features
| Country | Features Borrowed |
|---|---|
| UK | Parliamentary Govt, Rule of Law, Single Citizenship, Writs, Bi-cameralism. |
| USA | Fundamental Rights, Judicial Review, Impeachment of President, Preamble. |
| Ireland | DPSP, Nomination to RS, Presidential Election. |
| Canada | Federation with strong Centre, Residuary Powers, Appointment of Governors. |
| Australia | Concurrent List, Joint Sitting (Art 108), Trade & Commerce. |
| Germany | Suspension of Fundamental Rights during Emergency. |
| USSR | Fundamental Duties, Ideals of Justice. |
| S. Africa | Amendment Procedure (Art 368), Election of RS members. |
| France | Republic, Ideals of Liberty, Equality, Fraternity. |
Most Asked Articles
Fundamental Rights
Part III (12-35)
Art 14 Equality before Law
Art 17 Abolition of Untouchability
Art 18 Abolition of Titles
Art 19 Freedom of Speech (6 Rights)
Art 21 Right to Life & Liberty
Art 21A Right to Education (86th Amd)
Art 24 Prohibition of Child Labour
Art 32 Const. Remedies (Writs)
DPSP & Duties
Part IV & IV-A
Art 40 Village Panchayats
Art 44 Uniform Civil Code
Art 45 Early Childhood Care
Art 50 Separation of Judiciary
Art 51 International Peace
Art 51A Fundamental Duties (42nd Amd)
Union Executive
Part V (52-151)
Art 52 President of India
Art 61 Impeachment of President
Art 72 Pardoning Power
Art 76 Attorney General
Art 108 Joint Sitting
Art 110 Money Bill
Art 112 Budget
Art 123 President's Ordinance
Const. Bodies & Misc
Misc Important
Art 148 CAG of India
Art 280 Finance Commission
Art 324 Election Commission
Art 343 Official Language (Hindi)
Art 352 National Emergency
Art 356 President's Rule
Art 360 Financial Emergency
Art 368 Amendment Power
Important Constitutional Amendments
| Amen. | Year | Key Provision |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | 1951 | Added 9th Schedule (Land Reforms). |
| 7th | 1956 | State Reorganization (Linguistic basis). |
| 42nd | 1976 | "Mini Constitution". Added Socialist, Secular, Integrity. Fundamental Duties. |
| 44th | 1978 | Right to Property removed from FR. Restored democracy after Emergency. |
| 52nd | 1985 | Anti-Defection Law (10th Schedule). |
| 61st | 1989 | Voting age reduced from 21 to 18 years. |
| 73rd/74th | 1992 | Panchayati Raj and Municipalities. |
| 86th | 2002 | Right to Education (Art 21A). |
| 101st | 2016 | GST (Goods and Services Tax). |
| 103rd | 2019 | 10% Reservation for EWS. |
| 106th | 2023 | Women's Reservation Bill (Nari Shakti Vandan). |
Geography & Environment
Parks, Rivers, Peaks, Solar System & World Geo
Important National Parks (State-wise)
| State | National Parks & Key Species |
|---|---|
| Andaman & Nicobar | Campbell Bay, Galathea, Mahatma Gandhi Marine, Saddle Peak, South Button (Smallest). |
| Assam | Kaziranga (Rhino), Manas, Nameri, Orang, Dibru-Saikhowa, Raimona, Dihing Patkai. |
| Bihar | Valmiki. |
| Gujarat | Gir (Asiatic Lion), Blackbuck, Marine (Gulf of Kutch), Vansda. |
| J & K | Dachigam (Hangul), Kishtwar, Salim Ali. (Hemis is in Ladakh - Largest NP). |
| Karnataka | Bandipur, Bannerghatta, Kudremukh, Nagarhole, Anshi. |
| Kerala | Periyar, Silent Valley, Eravikulam, Anamudi Shola. |
| Madhya Pradesh | Kanha, Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura, Kuno (Cheetah), Van Vihar. |
| Manipur | Keibul Lamjao (Floating Park, Sangai). |
| Meghalaya | Balphakram, Nokrek Ridge. |
| Odisha | Simlipal, Bhitarkanika (Mangroves/Crocodiles). |
| Rajasthan | Ranthambore, Keoladeo, Sariska, Desert NP. |
| Sikkim | Khangchendzonga (UNESCO Mixed). |
| Tamil Nadu | Guindy, Gulf of Mannar, Indira Gandhi (Anaimalai), Mudumalai, Mukurthi. |
| Uttarakhand | Jim Corbett (Ramganga), Nanda Devi, Rajaji, Valley of Flowers. |
| West Bengal | Sundarbans (Tiger), Buxa, Gorumara, Jaldapara, Neora Valley. |
River System
Indus
Origin Bokhar Chu (Tibet)
Length 2880 km
Tributaries Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Satluj
Dams Bhakra Nangal, Baglihar
River System
Ganga
Origin Gangotri (Bhagirathi)
Length 2525 km (Longest)
Right Bank Yamuna, Son, Damodar
Left Bank Ramganga, Gomti, Kosi
River System
Godavari
Title Dakshin Ganga
Origin Trimbakeshwar (Nasik)
Length 1465 km (2nd Longest)
Tributaries Penganga, Indravati
River System
Brahmaputra
Tibet Name Yarlung Tsangpo
Arunachal Siang/Dihang
Bangladesh Jamuna
Island Majuli (World's Largest Riverine)
Solar System & World Geography
| Category | Facts |
|---|---|
| Planets | Mercury: Smallest, No atmosphere. Venus: Hottest, Morning Star, Twin of Earth. Mars: Red Planet (Iron Oxide). Jupiter: Largest, Ganymede (Largest moon). Saturn: Rings, Titan. |
| Atmosphere | Troposphere (Weather), Stratosphere (Ozone Layer), Mesosphere (Coldest), Ionosphere (Radio waves), Exosphere. |
| Grasslands | Prairies (N. America), Pampas (S. America), Veld (S. Africa), Downs (Australia), Steppes (Eurasia), Savanna (Africa - Tropical). |
| Straits | Malacca: Andaman Sea & S. China Sea. Palk: India & Sri Lanka. Gibraltar: Atlantic & Mediterranean. Bering: Asia & America. |
| Deserts | Sahara (Africa - Largest Hot), Gobi (China/Mongolia - Cold), Atacama (S. America - Driest), Thar (India/Pak). |
Indian Economy
Planning, Banking, Schemes, Census & Organizations
International Organizations & Headquarters
| Organization | Headquarters | Key Fact |
|---|---|---|
| UN (United Nations) | New York, USA | Est. 24 Oct 1945. |
| UNICEF | New York, USA | Children's Fund. |
| WHO | Geneva, Switzerland | Est. 7 April 1948. |
| WTO | Geneva, Switzerland | Replaced GATT in 1995. |
| ILO | Geneva, Switzerland | Oldest UN agency (1919). |
| UNESCO | Paris, France | Education, Science, Culture. |
| OECD | Paris, France | Economic Cooperation. |
| World Bank / IMF | Washington DC, USA | "Bretton Woods Twins". |
| NATO | Brussels, Belgium | Military Alliance. |
| ASEAN | Jakarta, Indonesia | 10 SE Asian Nations. |
| SAARC | Kathmandu, Nepal | South Asian (Est in Dhaka). |
| OPEC | Vienna, Austria | Petroleum Exporting. |
| ADB | Manila, Philippines | Asian Development Bank. |
Census 2011 (Most Asked Data)
Demography
Population Stats
Total Pop 121.08 Cr
Growth Rate 17.7% (Decadal)
Most Pop State Uttar Pradesh
Least Pop State Sikkim
Density 382 per sq km
Demography
Literacy & Sex Ratio
Literacy Rate 74.04%
Highest Lit Kerala (94%)
Lowest Lit Bihar (61.8%)
Sex Ratio 943 Females/1000 Males
Highest SR Kerala (1084)
Lowest SR Haryana (879)
Flagship Government Schemes
2014
PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Financial Inclusion. Zero balance, OD facility, RuPay card insurance.
Min of FinanceGuinness Record
2015
MUDRA Yojana
Loans for small businesses. Shishu (50k), Kishore (5L), Tarun (10L).
MSME Support
2016
PM Ujjwala Yojana
LPG connections to women of BPL families. Ujjwala 2.0 (2021).
Clean Fuel
2018
Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY)
World's largest health insurance. ₹5 Lakh cover per family/year.
Health
2019
PM-KISAN
₹6,000/year income support to farmers in 3 installments.
Agriculture
2019
Jal Jeevan Mission
Har Ghar Jal. Tap water to every rural household by 2024.
2020
PM SVANidhi
Micro-credit for Street Vendors (₹10k, ₹20k, ₹50k).
2023
PM Vishwakarma
Support for artisans (18 trades). Loans at 5%, toolkit incentive.
General Science
Biology, Physics, Chemistry & Diseases
Biology
Vitamins & Deficiency
Vit A (Retinol) Night Blindness
Vit B1 (Thiamine) Beri Beri
Vit C (Ascorbic) Scurvy
Vit D (Calciferol) Rickets
Vit K Non-Clotting
Physics
Important SI Units
Force Newton
Frequency Hertz
Power Watt
Work Joule
Pressure Pascal
Luminous Intensity Candela
Chemistry
Common Names
Baking Soda Sodium Bicarbonate
Washing Soda Sodium Carbonate
Vinegar Acetic Acid
Laughing Gas Nitrous Oxide
Plaster of Paris Ca Sulphate Hemi.
Biology
Human Diseases
Bacteria TB, Cholera, Typhoid
Virus AIDS, Dengue, Polio
Protozoa Malaria, Kala-azar
Vector (Malaria) Female Anopheles
Vector (Dengue) Aedes Aegypti
Sports GK
Trophies, Terminologies, and Major Events
| Sport | Associated Trophies/Cups | Key Terms |
|---|---|---|
| Cricket | Ranji, Duleep, Deodhar, Ashes, Vijay Hazare, Irani. | Googly, Silly Point, Maiden, Duck, DRS, Bouncer. |
| Football | Santosh, Durand (Oldest in Asia), Rovers, Copa America. | Dribble, Offside, Penalty, Free Kick, Corner, Hattrick. |
| Hockey | Aga Khan, Dhyan Chand, Sultan Azlan Shah, Rangaswamy. | Scoop, Bully, Penalty Corner, Drag Flick. |
| Badminton | Thomas (Men), Uber (Women), Sudirman, Yonex. | Smash, Drop, Deuce, Love, Service. |
| Tennis | Davis (Men), Fed (Women), Grand Slams (Aus, Fr, Wim, US). | Ace, Deuce, Volley, Backhand, Smash. |
| Golf | Ryder Cup, Walker Cup, Augusta Masters. | Birdie, Eagle, Bogey, Tee, Putt, Caddie. |
Computer Awareness
Shortcuts, Full Forms & Memory Units
Shortcuts
MS Office Keys
Ctrl + Z Undo
Ctrl + Y Redo
Ctrl + X / C / V Cut / Copy / Paste
F7 Spell Check
F2 Rename / Edit Cell
Abbreviations
Full Forms
HTTP HyperText Transfer Protocol
URL Uniform Resource Locator
USB Universal Serial Bus
GUI Graphical User Interface
ASCII American Standard Code...
Storage
Memory Units
1 Nibble 4 Bits
1 Byte 8 Bits
1 KB 1024 Bytes
1 MB 1024 KB
1 GB 1024 MB