SSC GD 2026 18 May 2026 Shift 2 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

Correct Answer: 4°C — Option (b)
Water exhibits a unique property called anomalous expansion: unlike most liquids, water expands (becomes less dense) when cooled below 4°C and also when heated above 4°C. At 4°C, water reaches its maximum density of approximately 1000 kg/m³ (1 g/cm³). Above 4°C, water expands normally as temperature increases (density decreases). Below 4°C, as temperature drops toward 0°C, water molecules begin to form hydrogen bonds that push them apart into the open hexagonal crystal lattice structure of ice — causing water to expand and become less dense. This is why ice floats on water (ice is less dense than liquid water at 4°C). This anomalous expansion has significant ecological importance as it ensures water bodies freeze from the top down, preserving aquatic life.
Option (a) 0°C — Incorrect: At 0°C, water either freezes into ice or is just at the freezing point; it has lower density than at 4°C because the hydrogen-bonded lattice structure begins forming below 4°C.
Option (c) 25°C — Incorrect: At room temperature (25°C), water is well above 4°C and has a density of approximately 997 kg/m³, which is less than the maximum density at 4°C.
Option (d) 100°C — Incorrect: At 100°C, water is at its boiling point and has a density of about 958 kg/m³, which is significantly lower than the maximum density at 4°C.

Correct Answer: Parallel straight lines inside the solenoid and concentric circles outside — Option (b)
A solenoid is a cylindrical coil of wire through which current flows. The magnetic field of a current-carrying solenoid has the following characteristics: Inside the solenoid — the magnetic field lines are parallel, straight, and uniform (equidistant), indicating a strong, uniform magnetic field similar to that inside a bar magnet. The field inside is strong and nearly uniform. Outside the solenoid — the magnetic field lines emerge from one end, loop around the outside, and re-enter from the other end, forming closed loops similar to those of a bar magnet (which is what a solenoid essentially acts as). These external field lines spread out and are not uniform. One end of the solenoid behaves like a North pole and the other like a South pole.
Option (a) Random and irregular — Incorrect: The magnetic field of a solenoid is highly organised — uniform and parallel inside, and loop-shaped outside. It is definitely not random or irregular.
Option (c) Concentric circles centered on the solenoid — Incorrect: Concentric circles describe the magnetic field around a long, straight current-carrying wire (not a solenoid). A solenoid's field is parallel inside and bar-magnet-like outside.
Option (d) Radial lines extending outward from the solenoid — Incorrect: Radial lines are not characteristic of a solenoid's magnetic field; radial lines describe the electric field of a point charge or the field pattern between poles of a cyclotron magnet.

Correct Answer: Nidhi Tewari — Option (a)
Nidhi Tewari, a 2001-batch IAS officer of the Uttarakhand cadre, was appointed as the Private Secretary to Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2025. She became the first woman to serve as Private Secretary to the Prime Minister of India. Prior to this appointment, she had served in various key positions in the central government. Her appointment was significant as it marked a historic milestone for women in India's bureaucracy. The Private Secretary to the Prime Minister is a crucial position responsible for managing the PM's official correspondence, appointments, and coordination with various ministries and departments.
Option (b) Sunita Williams — Incorrect: Sunita Williams is an Indian-American NASA astronaut, not related to Indian bureaucratic appointments. She is known for her multiple space missions aboard the International Space Station.
Option (c) Danish Mahajan — Incorrect: Danish Mahajan is not the person appointed as private secretary to PM Modi in March 2025; that appointment went to Nidhi Tewari.
Option (d) Anju Rathi Rana — Incorrect: Anju Rathi Rana was appointed as Union Law Secretary in March 2025 (a different appointment); Nidhi Tewari became PM Modi's private secretary.

Correct Answer: Anju Rathi Rana — Option (a)
Anju Rathi Rana was appointed as the Union Law Secretary (Secretary, Department of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Law and Justice) in March 2025. The Law Secretary heads the Department of Legal Affairs under the Union Ministry of Law and Justice, which is responsible for providing legal advice to the Government of India, managing litigation, and overseeing various legal and judicial matters. Anju Rathi Rana's appointment was noteworthy as she became one of the senior-most IAS officers to hold this important position responsible for the nation's legal administration.
Option (b) Shubhanshu Shukla — Incorrect: Shubhanshu Shukla is an Indian Air Force astronaut selected for the Axiom Space mission (Ax-4) to the ISS; he is not the Union Law Secretary.
Option (c) K. Vinod Chandran — Incorrect: K. Vinod Chandran is a Kerala High Court judge; he was not appointed as Union Law Secretary in March 2025.
Option (d) Danish Mahajan — Incorrect: Danish Mahajan was not appointed as Union Law Secretary in March 2025; that appointment was given to Anju Rathi Rana.

Correct Answer: UPSC — Option (a)
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) launched 'Pratibha Setu' in August 2025. 'Pratibha Setu' (meaning 'Bridge of Talent') is an initiative designed to connect highly qualified candidates — particularly those who cleared UPSC preliminary or main examinations but did not make the final selection — with employers from both the public and private sectors. The platform serves as a bridge between skilled, top- calibre talent that has demonstrated high aptitude through competitive examination performance and organisations looking for such candidates. This initiative acknowledges that a large number of exceptionally talented individuals who appear for UPSC examinations do not make the final cut due to limited vacancies, and ensures their talent is channelled productively.
Option (b) CBSE — Incorrect: The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) conducts school-level examinations and certification; it did not launch Pratibha Setu.
Option (c) AICTE — Incorrect: The All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regulates technical education institutions; it did not launch Pratibha Setu.
Option (d) UGC — Incorrect: The University Grants Commission (UGC) regulates higher education and university standards; it did not launch Pratibha Setu. UPSC launched this initiative.

Correct Answer: Haryana — Option (a)
The Haryana government announced plans to develop Asia's largest jungle safari in the Aravalli hills. The proposed jungle safari is planned in the Aravalli range within Haryana, spread over a large area in the Gurugram-Faridabad region. The project aims to create a world-class wildlife safari that would conserve the Aravalli biodiversity while also serving as an eco-tourism destination. The Aravalli range is one of the world's oldest mountain ranges and spans across Rajasthan, Haryana, Delhi, and Gujarat; the safari project specifically pertains to the Haryana portion. The initiative is part of Haryana's push for eco-tourism and conservation of the Aravalli ecosystem.
Option (b) Rajasthan — Incorrect: While the Aravalli range passes through Rajasthan as well, the announcement of Asia's largest jungle safari in the Aravalli hills was by the Haryana government.
Option (c) Gujarat — Incorrect: Gujarat is known for Gir National Park (Asiatic lions) and Marine National Park; the Aravalli jungle safari project is in Haryana.
Option (d) Delhi — Incorrect: The Aravalli range touches Delhi's southern border, but the jungle safari project was announced by the Haryana government, not Delhi.

Correct Answer: IIT Ropar — Option (b)
IIT Ropar (Indian Institute of Technology Ropar, Punjab) unveiled a cost-effective Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Gateway with advanced data security features in December 2024. The BLE Gateway developed by IIT Ropar is designed to enhance IoT (Internet of Things) applications by providing a secure, energy-efficient, and affordable solution for connecting BLE-enabled devices to the internet or cloud platforms. Bluetooth Low Energy is widely used in IoT devices such as smart home appliances, wearables, healthcare monitors, and industrial sensors. The advanced data security features embedded in IIT Ropar's BLE Gateway address one of the critical challenges in IoT deployment — securing data transmission from numerous connected devices.
Option (a) IIT Delhi — Incorrect: IIT Delhi is a premier technology institute, but the BLE Gateway for IoT announced in December 2024 was developed by IIT Ropar.
Option (c) IIT Madras — Incorrect: IIT Madras is known for the SHAKTI microprocessor and other technology projects, but the BLE Gateway announcement in December 2024 was from IIT Ropar.
Option (d) IIT Bombay — Incorrect: IIT Bombay conducts research in IoT and electronics, but this specific BLE Gateway for IoT was unveiled by IIT Ropar in December 2024.

Correct Answer: Gandhinagar — Option (b)
The BIMSTEC Youth Summit-2025 was held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India from 7–11 February 2025. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organisation comprising seven member states: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. The Youth Summit brought together young delegates from BIMSTEC member countries to discuss regional cooperation, sustainable development, and youth-led initiatives. Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat, is a planned city and a growing hub for international summits and events, hosting various BIMSTEC and other international gatherings. India held the BIMSTEC chairmanship during this period.
Option (a) Chennai — Incorrect: Chennai is a major metropolitan city in Tamil Nadu; the BIMSTEC Youth Summit 2025 was held in Gandhinagar, not Chennai.
Option (c) Dhaka — Incorrect: Dhaka is the capital of Bangladesh (a BIMSTEC member); the 2025 BIMSTEC Youth Summit was hosted by India in Gandhinagar, not in Dhaka.
Option (d) Colombo — Incorrect: Colombo is the capital of Sri Lanka (another BIMSTEC member); the Youth Summit 2025 was held in Gandhinagar, India.

Correct Answer: 985 CE — Option (a)
Rajaraja I (also called Rajaraja the Great) became the king of the Chola Empire in 985 CE. He ruled until 1014 CE and is considered one of the greatest rulers in Indian history. During his reign, he expanded the Chola Empire significantly: conquered Sri Lanka, the Maldives, parts of the Deccan, and territories in Southeast Asia. He built the famous Brihadeeswara Temple ( Peruvudaiyar Kovil) in Thanjavur (Tanjore), a UNESCO World Heritage Site. He also reorganised the administration and introduced systematic land surveys. Rajaraja I's reign marked the beginning of the golden age of the Chola Empire, which was continued by his son Rajendra Chola I.
Option (b) 1008 — Incorrect: 1008 CE falls within Rajaraja I's reign (985–1014 CE), not the year he became king. By 1008, he had already been ruling for 23 years.
Option (c) 1028 — Incorrect: 1028 CE is well after Rajaraja I's death (c. 1014 CE); by 1028, his son Rajendra Chola I was already on the Chola throne.
Option (d) 1045 — Incorrect: 1045 CE falls during the reign of Rajadhiraja I (son of Rajendra I); it is far too late to be the accession year of Rajaraja I.

Correct Answer: Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions — Option (b)
SWAYATT stands for 'Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions.' It is an initiative launched by the Government e-Marketplace ( GeM ) portal in February 2019 with the objective of promoting and onboarding Startups, Women Entrepreneurs, and Youth on the GeM platform. GeM (Government e-Marketplace) is a digital platform for procurement of goods and services by government ministries and departments. SWAYATT aims to enable these special categories of sellers — startups, women-led businesses, and youth entrepreneurs — to access the large government procurement market through e-transactions, thereby promoting inclusive economic growth, women's entrepreneurship, and youth-led startups. In February 2025, the Government of India celebrated 6 years of this initiative.
Option (a) Strengthening Women and Youth Against Trade Threats — Incorrect: This is a fabricated expansion; SWAYATT stands for Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions.
Option (c) Supporting Workers and Young Adults Through Training — Incorrect: This expansion is incorrect; SWAYATT is a GeM initiative for e-transactions, not a worker training programme .
Option (d) Sustainable Work and Youth Alliance for Technological Trade — Incorrect: This is not the correct expansion of SWAYATT; the correct full form is Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions.

Correct Answer: Mayil Aattam — Option (d)
Mayil Aattam (also spelled Mayilattam , meaning 'Peacock Dance') is a classical folk dance performed in Tamil Nadu, particularly in temples dedicated to Lord Murugan (the peacock is Lord Murugan's vehicle/vahana). Dancers wear elaborate costumes made of peacock feathers, with a peacock-shaped headgear, and mimic the movements and grace of a peacock. The dance is performed as a religious offering to Lord Murugan to seek his blessings and is a form of devotional worship. It is a traditional art form often performed at festivals and religious events in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Sri Lanka.
Option (a) Gambhira — Incorrect: Gambhira is a traditional folk dance-drama of West Bengal (particularly Malda district), associated with the worship of Lord Shiva/Gajan festival; it is not related to Tamil Nadu or Lord Murugan.
Option (b) Pung Cholom — Incorrect: Pung Cholom is a classical drum dance of Manipur, performed while playing the Pung (Manipuri drum); it has no connection to Tamil Nadu or Lord Murugan.
Option (c) Theru Koothu — Incorrect: Theru Koothu (Street Theatre) is also a folk art of Tamil Nadu, but it is a form of street theatre/drama performed at festivals, not specifically the peacock dance performed in Murugan temples.

Correct Answer: Chhattisgarh — Option (c)
Hareli is the first major festival of the Chhattisgarh calendar and marks the beginning of the festival season in the state. It is celebrated on the new moon day (Amavasya) of the month of Shravan (July–August). ' Hareli ' means 'green' or 'greenery' — the festival celebrates the lush green fields during the onset of the monsoon and is essentially an agricultural festival. Farmers worship their agricultural tools, implements, and cattle. People also celebrate by playing with ' gedi ' (bamboo stilts) — a tradition unique to Hareli . The festival holds cultural and agricultural significance for the farming communities of Chhattisgarh.
Option (a) Assam — Incorrect: Assam is known for festivals like Bihu ( Bohag / Rongali Bihu, Magh Bihu, Kongali Bihu), Ambubachi Mela, and Ali Ai Ligang ; Hareli is not an Assamese festival.
Option (b) Himachal Pradesh — Incorrect: Himachal Pradesh is known for festivals like Kullu Dussehra, Minjar Fair, and Shivratri Mela in Mandi; Hareli is not a Himachali festival.
Option (d) Gujarat — Incorrect: Gujarat is famous for Navratri, Uttarayan (Kite Festival), and Rann Utsav; Hareli is the festival of Chhattisgarh, not Gujarat.

Correct Answer: 320 tonnes — Option (c)
The PSLV-XL (Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle — Extra Large) is the most powerful variant of ISRO's workhorse PSLV rocket. Its gross lift-off mass (gross weight at launch) is approximately 320 tonnes . The PSLV-XL uses six strap-on solid rocket boosters (each 12 metres long, 1 metre diameter) which provide additional thrust during the initial phase of launch, making it more powerful than the standard PSLV. The PSLV-XL can carry heavier payloads to higher orbits. Notable missions using PSLV-XL include Chandrayaan-1 (2008), Mars Orbiter Mission/Mangalyaan (2013), IRNSS-1 satellites, and Aditya-L1 (India's first solar mission, 2023).
Option (a) 120 tonnes — Incorrect: 120 tonnes is significantly less than the actual gross weight of PSLV-XL; the correct gross lift-off mass is approximately 320 tonnes .
Option (b) 1040 tonnes — Incorrect: 1040 tonnes is much heavier than PSLV-XL; this figure is closer to the gross weight of India's LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3), formerly known as GSLV Mk III (~640 tonnes ).
Option (d) 560 tonnes — Incorrect: 560 tonnes exceeds the actual gross weight of PSLV-XL (320 tonnes ); it is close to the weight of heavier launch vehicles like GSLV Mk II (~414 tonnes ) or LVM3.

Correct Answer: Both I and II — Option (c)
AstroSat is India's first dedicated multi-wavelength space observatory launched by ISRO on September 28, 2015. It carries five scientific payloads covering ultraviolet, optical, and X-ray wavelengths simultaneously. Both discoveries mentioned have been made using AstroSat : Statement I — AstroSat detected UV emissions from distant/remote galaxies using its UVIT (Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope), including the detection of extreme ultraviolet (Lyman continuum) photons from ancient galaxies; Statement II — AstroSat detected X-ray polarisation in supernova remnants (such as in Crab Nebula and Cassiopeia A) using its CZT Imager and SXT instruments. These multi-wavelength observations make AstroSat uniquely capable of conducting comprehensive astronomical studies.
Option (a) Only I — Incorrect: AstroSat has made both the UV emission detection (Statement I) AND X-ray polarisation discoveries (Statement II), so 'Only I' is incomplete.
Option (b) Only II — Incorrect: AstroSat has made discoveries in both UV (Statement I) and X-ray polarisation (Statement II) domains; 'Only II' is incomplete.
Option (d) Neither I nor II — Incorrect: Both statements describe real discoveries made with AstroSat ; this option is entirely incorrect.

Correct Answer: 2025 — Option (d)
Dev Meena, an Indian track and field athlete specialising in pole vault, set the national record of 5.40 metres in 2025. This clearance established a new national record for India in the men's pole vault event, surpassing the previous national record. Dev Meena's achievement placed him among India's elite athletes in field events and highlighted India's growing strength in track and field athletics. Pole vault requires exceptional speed, strength, flexibility, and technical skill — the athlete uses a flexible pole to vault over a horizontal bar. Setting a national record in pole vault at 5.40m is a significant achievement for Indian athletics.
Option (a) 2019 — Incorrect: The national pole vault record of 5.40m by Dev Meena was set in 2025, not 2019.
Option (b) 2023 — Incorrect: The 5.40m national pole vault record was established in 2025, not 2023.
Option (c) 2014 — Incorrect: The national record of 5.40m in pole vault by Dev Meena was set in 2025; 2014 is more than a decade before this achievement.

Correct Answer: Only I — Option (a)
In athletics, all running events — sprints (100m, 200m, 400m), middle distance (800m, 1500m), long distance (5000m, 10000m, marathon), hurdles (110m, 400m), steeplechase, and relays — come under Track events, NOT Ground events. Athletics is broadly divided into Track events (all running events conducted on the oval running track) and Field events (jumping and throwing events conducted on the infield — long jump, high jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, discus throw, hammer throw, javelin). 'Ground events' is not a standard classification used in athletics; the correct term for non-running events is 'Field events.'
Option (b) Only II — Incorrect: 'Ground events' is not the standard classification for running events in athletics; running events are called Track events.
Option (c) Both I and II — Incorrect: Running events are classified under Track events only; 'Ground events' is not a recognised category in athletics classification.
Option (d) Neither I nor II — Incorrect: Running events in athletics are indeed called Track events (Statement I is correct). Statement II is incorrect, but Statement I is accurate.

Correct Answer: Bihar — Option (a)
The Kosi- Mechi Intra-state river link project is associated with Bihar. It is a major water resources project aimed at linking the Kosi river (which flows through north Bihar and is prone to flooding) with the Mechi river (on Bihar's eastern border with Nepal) through a canal. The project's primary objectives are: flood control in the Kosi basin (the Kosi river is known as the 'Sorrow of Bihar' due to its devastating floods); irrigation of agricultural land in north Bihar; and improving water management in the region. The project is part of India's National River Linking Project (NRLP) and is one of the prioritised intra-state river link projects under the National Water Development Agency (NWDA).
Option (b) Madhya Pradesh — Incorrect: Madhya Pradesh has its own river linking projects (like Ken-Betwa), but the Kosi- Mechi project specifically pertains to rivers in Bihar.
Option (c) Kerala — Incorrect: Kerala's rivers are short and flow westward; the Kosi and Mechi rivers are located in north Bihar/eastern Nepal region.
Option (d) Tamil Nadu — Incorrect: Tamil Nadu's major river link projects involve Cauvery, Palar, and Vaigai rivers; the Kosi- Mechi project is in Bihar.

Correct Answer: IIT Madras — Option (c)
IIT Madras is leading the development of the 'Shakti' microprocessor — India's indigenous processor project. The SHAKTI (Secure Hardware Advancement for Key Technologies Initiative) project is being developed by the RISE (Reconfigurable Intelligent Systems Engineering) lab at IIT Madras. SHAKTI is based on the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture (ISA). The project aims to develop a family of processors for various applications including IoT devices, embedded systems, network processors, and mobile computing. In 2018, ISRO used SHAKTI microprocessors for space applications, and the project has received support from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This represents India's effort toward ' Atmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliance) in semiconductor design.
Option (a) IIT Bombay — Incorrect: IIT Bombay conducts semiconductor research, but the SHAKTI microprocessor project is led by IIT Madras's RISE group.
Option (b) IIT Delhi — Incorrect: IIT Delhi has strong electronics and chip design programmes , but the SHAKTI indigenous microprocessor project is specifically at IIT Madras.
Option (d) IIT Kanpur — Incorrect: IIT Kanpur is known for computer science and electronics research, but the SHAKTI microprocessor initiative is led by IIT Madras.

Correct Answer: Fuel for home and industry — Option (d)
LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) is primarily used as fuel for home cooking (domestic use) and industrial applications. LPG is a mixture of propane and butane that is stored and transported in liquid form under moderate pressure. It is used in: domestic cooking stoves and ovens, water heaters, and home heating systems; industrial furnaces, cutting and welding torches, and heating applications; commercial catering and restaurants. In India, LPG is widely distributed through Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) for domestic cooking fuel. LPG burns cleanly with a high calorific value, making it an efficient fuel for home and industrial use.
Option (a) Ointments, candles, vaseline etc. — Incorrect: These products are made from paraffin wax and petroleum jelly — heavier fractions/derivatives of petroleum, not from LPG (propane/butane gas).
Option (b) Fuel for heavy motor vehicles, electric generators — Incorrect: Heavy vehicles and generators typically run on diesel (a heavier petroleum fraction); LPG is used in some vehicles as CNG/LPG conversion kits, but its primary use is for home and industrial fuel, not heavy vehicles.
Option (c) Paints, road surfacing — Incorrect: Paints use mineral spirits or turpentine as solvents; road surfacing uses bitumen/asphalt (residual heavy fractions of petroleum). These are not uses of LPG.