SSC GD 2026 9 May 2026 Shift 3 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

Correct Answer: Gujarat — Option (b)
Tippani is a traditional folk dance from Gujarat, predominantly performed by women from the Koli (and other coastal/rural) communities. The dance is named after a wooden pole (' Tippani ') used by labourers while tamping the ground during construction. Women originally performed this dance while working, using the poles rhythmically. Over time, it evolved into a vibrant cultural performance with colourful costumes and energetic footwork. The dancers tap the ground with the Tippani poles in rhythmic patterns while singing folk songs. Tippani is especially popular in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
Option (a) Maharashtra — Incorrect: Maharashtra has its own folk dances like Lavani, Tamasha, and Dhangari Gaja; Tippani is not a Maharashtra dance.
Option (c) Rajasthan — Incorrect: Rajasthan is known for folk dances like Ghoomar, Kalbeliya , and Chari; Tippani belongs to Gujarat.
Option (d) Odisha — Incorrect: Odisha has its own folk dances like Gotipua , Sambalpuri, and Chhau ; Tippani is a traditional folk dance of Gujarat.

Correct Answer: Siachen — Option (a)
Siachen Glacier is the longest glacier in India and the second longest glacier in the world outside the polar regions (after the Fedchenko Glacier in Tajikistan). It is approximately 70 km long and is located in the Eastern Karakoram range of the Himalayas at an elevation of approximately 5,400 metres . Siachen is the highest battlefield in the world and has been under Indian Army control since Operation Meghdoot (1984). The glacier feeds the Nubra River in Ladakh, which eventually drains into the Indus River.
Option (b) Pindari — Incorrect: Pindari Glacier is located in the Kumaon Himalayas of Uttarakhand (about 3.5 km long); it is much shorter than the Siachen Glacier.
Option (c) Gangotri — Incorrect: Gangotri Glacier in Uttarakhand (about 30 km long) is the source of the Ganges River; while significant, it is shorter than the Siachen Glacier.
Option (d) Zemu — Incorrect: Zemu Glacier in Sikkim (about 26 km long) is the largest glacier in the Eastern Himalayas but is shorter than the Siachen Glacier.

Correct Answer: West Bengal — Option (d)
Mahesh Rath Yatra, celebrated in Mahesh (a town in Serampore , Hooghly district), is considered India's second oldest Rath Yatra (after the Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha) and Bengal's oldest Rath Yatra. It dates back to 1396 CE — over 620 years of continuous tradition. The chariot festival was established by Dhruvananda Brahmachari after a divine dream. The Jagannath temple at Mahesh is one of the oldest in West Bengal. The Mahesh Rath Yatra attracts hundreds of thousands of devotees annually and has historical significance — even the British era Governor Generals attended it.
Option (a) Odisha — Incorrect: The Puri Rath Yatra in Odisha is the oldest and most famous chariot festival; the Mahesh Rath Yatra (India's second oldest) is in West Bengal.
Option (b) Gujarat — Incorrect: Gujarat has its own temple traditions and festivals, but the Mahesh Rath Yatra is celebrated in West Bengal.
Option (c) Jharkhand — Incorrect: Jharkhand was carved from Bihar in 2000; the Mahesh Rath Yatra is celebrated in West Bengal, not Jharkhand.

Correct Answer: 1975 — Option (c)
India entered the space age on April 19, 1975, when Aryabhata — India's first satellite — was successfully launched. It was launched by the Soviet Union using a Cosmos-3M rocket from the Kapustin Yar launch site in Russia. Aryabhata was named after the famous Indian mathematician and astronomer Aryabhata (476–550 CE). The satellite was built by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation ) and was primarily experimental in nature, conducting experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomics , and solar physics. Although Aryabhata lost contact after 4 days due to a power failure, it successfully placed India on the global space map.
Option (a) 1961 — Incorrect: In 1961, INCOSPAR (Indian National Committee for Space Research — the predecessor to ISRO) was established; India did not launch its first satellite in 1961.
Option (b) 1971 — Incorrect: ISRO was formally established in 1969; India's first satellite (Aryabhata) was launched in 1975, not 1971.
Option (d) 1989 — Incorrect: By 1989, India had launched multiple satellites; the first Indian satellite (Aryabhata) was launched in 1975.

Correct Answer: Agnikul — Option (a)
Agnikul Cosmos, an Indian space startup based in Chennai, launched Agnibaan SOrTeD (Sub-Orbital Technology Demonstrator) on May 30, 2024, from the Sriharikota space centre — making it the world's first rocket powered by a fully 3D-printed engine ( Agnilet ). The Agnilet engine was entirely 3D-printed as a single piece, using no welds, bolts, or rivets. This was a major technological achievement in space manufacturing, demonstrating the potential of additive manufacturing (3D printing) for rocket engines. Agnikul Cosmos also built the world's first private launchpad (Dhanush) at SDSC SHAR, Sriharikota .
Option (b) SpaceX — Incorrect: SpaceX is the American rocket company founded by Elon Musk; it did not launch the world's first fully 3D-printed engine rocket. That achievement belongs to Agnikul Cosmos (India).
Option (c) Blue Origin — Incorrect: Blue Origin is the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos; it was not responsible for launching the world's first fully 3D-printed engine rocket.
Option (d) Skyroot Aerospace — Incorrect: Skyroot Aerospace is another Indian space startup that launched Vikram-S (India's first private rocket) in 2022; but the 3D-printed engine rocket achievement belongs to Agnikul Cosmos.

Correct Answer: Singapore — Option (c)
Singapore is a founding member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand by five founding members: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The current 10 ASEAN member states are: Brunei (1984), Cambodia (1999), Indonesia (1967), Laos (1997), Malaysia (1967), Myanmar (1997), Philippines (1967), Singapore (1967), Thailand (1967), and Vietnam (1995). ASEAN's headquarters is in Jakarta, Indonesia. East Timor (Timor-Leste) is in the process of becoming the 11th member.
Option (a) Iran — Incorrect: Iran is a Middle Eastern country and is not a member of ASEAN; Iran is a member of the OIC, ECO, and other regional organisations .
Option (b) France — Incorrect: France is a Western European country and is not an ASEAN member. France is a Dialogue Partner of ASEAN but not a full member.
Option (d) Iraq — Incorrect: Iraq is a Middle Eastern country and is not a member of ASEAN.

Correct Answer: 100 — Option (a)
Dutee Chand holds the national record in the 100 metres sprint in the women's category in India. She is India's fastest woman sprinter and has been the national champion in 100m multiple times. Dutee Chand set the Indian national record in 100m at 11.17 seconds at the Asian Athletics Championships 2019 in Doha. She was also the first Indian woman to qualify for the 100m event at the Olympics (Rio 2016) in 32 years. Her achievements have made her an icon of Indian athletics and women's empowerment in sports.
Option (b) 200 — Incorrect: Dutee Chand also competes in 200m, but her primary national record achievement is in 100m, not 200m.
Option (c) 400 — Incorrect: The 400m is a different event; Dutee Chand specialises in sprints (100m and 200m) and her national record is in 100m.
Option (d) 800 — Incorrect: 800m is a middle-distance event, not Dutee Chand's specialty. She is a sprinter and her national record is in 100m.

Correct Answer: 4 — Option (b)
In international Judo competitions (as per IJF — International Judo Federation rules), each match (contest) lasts 4 minutes for senior-level (adult) competitions. The match can end before 4 minutes if a judoka scores an Ippon (full point — equivalent to a knockout), which immediately ends the contest. If no Ippon is scored within 4 minutes, the judoka with the most scoring techniques (Waza-ari) wins. If scores are equal after 4 minutes, the match goes into Golden Score (sudden death extra time) where the first score wins. Junior competitions may have different duration rules.
Option (a) 2 — Incorrect: 2 minutes is not the standard duration of international Judo matches for seniors; the correct duration is 4 minutes.
Option (c) 8 — Incorrect: 8 minutes is not the duration of a Judo match; senior international matches last 4 minutes.
Option (d) 10 — Incorrect: 10 minutes is not the duration of a Judo match; senior international matches are 4 minutes long.

Correct Answer: Tanpura — Option (a)
The Tanpura (also spelled Tambura or Tanpuri) is a traditional long-necked, plucked stringed instrument widely used across India — especially in North Indian (Hindustani) classical music. It does not play melody or rhythm but provides a continuous harmonic drone that sets the tonal foundation (basic shruti or swara ) for a musical performance. A Tanpura typically has 4–6 strings, all tuned to specific notes (usually the root note 'Sa' and its fifth 'Pa' or fourth 'Ma'). Both vocalists and instrumentalists use the Tanpura as an accompaniment to establish the tonal base during performances.
Option (b) Khartal — Incorrect: Khartal is a traditional percussion instrument (wooden clappers) used in devotional music (bhajans, kirtans) — it is not a stringed instrument and does not provide shruti/drone.
Option (c) Pavo — Incorrect: Pavo (or Pavai) is a traditional flute-like instrument from Gujarat; it is a wind instrument, not a stringed drone instrument like the Tanpura.
Option (d) Pakhawaj — Incorrect: Pakhawaj is a traditional barrel-shaped double-headed percussion (drum) instrument used in Dhrupad music; it is not a stringed instrument and does not provide shruti/drone.

Correct Answer: 0.93% — Option (b)
Argon ( Ar ) constitutes approximately 0.93% of the Earth's atmosphere by volume. The approximate composition of dry air is: Nitrogen (N₂) — 78.09%; Oxygen (O₂) — 20.95%; Argon ( Ar ) — 0.93%; Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) — 0.04%; and trace amounts of other noble gases (Neon, Helium, Krypton, Xenon), Hydrogen, and Methane. Argon is the most abundant noble gas in the atmosphere and is used in welding, electric light bulbs, and as an inert atmosphere in various industrial processes.
Option (a) 0.03% — Incorrect: 0.03% (or approximately 0.04%) is the percentage of Carbon Dioxide (CO₂) in the atmosphere, not Argon.
Option (c) 21% — Incorrect: 21% is the approximate percentage of Oxygen (O₂) in the atmosphere, not Argon.
Option (d) 78% — Incorrect: 78% is the approximate percentage of Nitrogen (N₂) in the atmosphere — the most abundant gas in air.

Correct Answer: 2030 — Option (b)
At COP-26 (26th Conference of Parties, held in Glasgow, Scotland in November 2021), India announced its ' Panchamrit ' (five elements) climate commitments: (1) Achieve 500 GW of non-fossil fuel electricity capacity by 2030; (2) Meet 50% of energy requirements from renewable energy by 2030; (3) Reduce total projected carbon emissions by 1 billion tonnes by 2030; (4) Reduce the carbon intensity of the economy by 45% by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels); (5) Achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2070. These commitments were submitted as India's updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
Option (a) 2027 — Incorrect: India's target for 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity is 2030, not 2027.
Option (c) 2035 — Incorrect: The 500 GW non-fossil fuel target year is 2030, not 2035.
Option (d) 2040 — Incorrect: India's Panchamrit commitment at COP-26 set 2030 as the target year for 500 GW non-fossil fuel electricity capacity.

Correct Answer: Distance — Option (b)
A light year is a unit of Distance — it is defined as the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum. Since light travels at approximately 3 × 10⁸ metres per second, one light year equals approximately 9.461 × 10¹⁵ metres (about 9.46 trillion kilometres or 5.88 trillion miles). Light years are used to measure vast astronomical distances between stars and galaxies. For example, the nearest star system to Earth (Proxima Centauri) is about 4.24 light years away. Despite containing the word 'year' (a unit of time), a light year is emphatically a unit of distance.
Option (a) Time — Incorrect: Although the word 'year' appears in 'light year', it is NOT a unit of time; it is a unit of distance (the distance light travels in one year).
Option (c) Speed — Incorrect: The speed of light is measured in metres per second (or km/s); a light year is the distance covered at the speed of light in one year.
Option (d) Mass — Incorrect: Mass is measured in kilograms; a light year measures astronomical distances, not mass.

Correct Answer: Gunjan Soni — Option (b)
Gunjan Soni was appointed as the Country Managing Director (Country MD) of YouTube India in April 2025. In this role, she oversees YouTube's business operations, partnerships, and growth strategies in India. India is one of YouTube's largest markets globally, with hundreds of millions of users and a thriving creator economy. Gunjan Soni brought extensive experience in the digital media and technology sector to this leadership role. YouTube is a subsidiary of Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.) and is the world's largest video-sharing platform.
Option (a) Ishan Chatterjee — Incorrect: Ishan Chatterjee was a previous Managing Director at YouTube India; Gunjan Soni was appointed as Country MD in April 2025.
Option (c) Mansi Subramaniam — Incorrect: Mansi Subramaniam is associated with YouTube India's content operations but was not appointed as Country Managing Director in April 2025.
Option (d) Natarajan Shankar — Incorrect: Natarajan Shankar was not appointed as YouTube India's Country Managing Director in April 2025; it was Gunjan Soni.

Correct Answer: Leander Paes — Option (a)
Leander Paes, the legendary Indian tennis player, was awarded the P.C. Chandra Award for lifetime sporting excellence in 2025. Leander Paes is one of India's greatest sportspersons — he won a Bronze medal at the Atlanta Olympics 1996 in singles tennis (India's first individual Olympic medal in 44 years), and went on to become one of the world's greatest doubles players, winning 18 Grand Slam titles (8 men's doubles and 10 mixed doubles). He represented India at 7 consecutive Olympic Games (1992–2016) — a remarkable record. The P.C. Chandra Award recognises outstanding lifetime contribution to sports.
Option (b) Colonel R.S. Jamwal — Incorrect: Colonel R.S. Jamwal was not the recipient of the P.C. Chandra Award for lifetime sporting excellence in 2025.
Option (c) Major Kalita — Incorrect: Major Kalita was not awarded the P.C. Chandra Award for lifetime sporting excellence in 2025.
Option (d) Ravi Kishan — Incorrect: Ravi Kishan is a Bhojpuri actor and politician, not a sportsperson. The P.C. Chandra Award for lifetime sporting excellence was won by Leander Paes in 2025.

Correct Answer: July — Option (b)
In July 2025, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved India's National Sports Policy 2025. The policy aims to transform India into a global sporting powerhouse by 2047 (Viksit Bharat). Key objectives include: increasing India's performance in international competitions (especially Olympics), developing grassroots sports infrastructure, creating a talent identification system, supporting athletes through the entire sporting lifecycle, promoting sports as a career, and leveraging sports for national development, health, and unity. The policy replaced the earlier National Sports Policy of 2001.
Option (a) January — Incorrect: The National Sports Policy 2025 was not approved in January 2025; it was approved in July 2025.
Option (c) April — Incorrect: The Cabinet approval of the National Sports Policy 2025 came in July, not April 2025.
Option (d) May — Incorrect: The National Sports Policy 2025 was approved by the Cabinet in July 2025, not May.

Correct Answer: Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self Esteem Hub — Option (b)
TALASH stands for Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self Esteem Hub. The TALASH initiative was launched in July 2025 as part of the Government of India's efforts to empower tribal youth and communities. The programme focuses on identifying aptitude and potential among tribal students and youth, developing life skills necessary for their overall development and economic empowerment, and building self-esteem and confidence. TALASH aims to bridge the gap between tribal communities and mainstream opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Option (a) Tribal Access, Leadership and Skill Hub — Incorrect: This is not the correct full form of TALASH; the correct expansion begins with 'Tribal Aptitude'.
Option (c) Tribal Advancement and Learning Support Hub — Incorrect: This is not the correct full form of TALASH.
Option (d) Tribal Awareness, Learning and Social Empowerment Hub — Incorrect: This is not the correct full form of TALASH; the correct full form is Tribal Aptitude, Life Skills and Self Esteem Hub.

Correct Answer: ICMR-SHINE — Option (a)
The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) launched the ICMR-SHINE initiative in August 2025 to connect school students with science and biomedical research. SHINE stands for Students' Hub for Innovation and Excellence (or a similar expansion). The initiative aims to inspire the next generation of scientists and researchers by exposing school students to cutting-edge medical research, providing mentorship from ICMR scientists, organising science camps and laboratory visits, and encouraging scientific thinking and innovation from an early age. ICMR is India's apex body for the formulation, coordination, and promotion of biomedical research.
Option (b) ICMR-EDUCATE — Incorrect: ICMR-EDUCATE was not the initiative launched in August 2025 for connecting school students with science; it was ICMR-SHINE.
Option (c) ICMR-INSPIRE — Incorrect: INSPIRE (Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research) is a programme of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), not ICMR. ICMR's initiative was ICMR-SHINE.
Option (d) ICMR-DISCOVER — Incorrect: ICMR-DISCOVER was not the initiative launched by ICMR in August 2025 for school students; the correct initiative is ICMR-SHINE.

Correct Answer: Raja Todar Mal — Option (c)
Raja Todar Mal was Emperor Akbar's Finance and Revenue Minister (Diwan), who is credited with introducing revolutionary land revenue reforms in the Mughal Empire. He introduced the Zabti System (also called Ain- i - Dahsala or the Ten-Year Settlement), which standardized land measurement using a uniform measurement rod (Gaz- i -Ilahi), classified land into four categories based on productivity (Polaj, Parauti , Chachar, Banjar), and fixed revenue rates based on the average yield of the previous 10 years. His reforms ensured fair and efficient taxation, reduced corruption, and became the foundation of subsequent land revenue systems in India including the British system.
Option (a) Abul Fazal — Incorrect: Abul Fazal was Akbar's chief court historian and author of 'Ain- i -Akbari' and ' Akbarnama '; he was not the revenue minister.
Option (b) Birbal — Incorrect: Birbal (Mahesh Das) was Akbar's court jester and one of the Navaratnas famous for wit and wisdom; he was not the revenue minister.
Option (d) Tansen — Incorrect: Tansen was one of the greatest musicians in Akbar's court (one of the Navaratnas ); he was not the revenue minister.

Correct Answer: Attracts the iron strip towards itself — Option (a)
In an electric bell, when the circuit is closed (switch pressed): The current flows through the coil of wire wound around an iron core, creating an electromagnet. The activated electromagnet attracts the iron strip (armature) towards itself. This pulls the hammer (attached to the iron strip) to strike the bell/gong, producing the ringing sound. As the iron strip moves towards the electromagnet, it breaks the contact at the spring contact point, breaking the circuit. Without current, the electromagnet deactivates, releasing the iron strip. The spring restores the iron strip to its original position, re-completing the circuit. This cycle repeats rapidly, producing continuous ringing.
Option (b) Pulls the contact screw — Incorrect: The electromagnet attracts the iron strip (armature), not the contact screw. The contact screw is the fixed point; the iron strip moves towards the electromagnet.
Option (c) Switches off the bell — Incorrect: The electromagnet activating attracts the iron strip to ring the bell; it is the BREAKING of the contact (as the iron strip moves) that temporarily interrupts the circuit.
Option (d) Melts the coil — Incorrect: In normal operation, the electromagnet does not melt the coil. The coil is designed to handle the current flowing through it safely.

Correct Answer: Hydrogen and its isotopes — Option (c)
Nuclear fusion reactions commonly use Hydrogen and its isotopes — specifically Deuterium (²H or D) and Tritium (³H or T). In fusion, light nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing enormous energy (E = mc²). The most common fusion reaction is: Deuterium + Tritium → Helium-4 + Neutron + Energy (17.6 MeV). The Sun and other stars produce energy through the proton-proton chain (fusion of hydrogen isotopes). Hydrogen bombs (thermonuclear weapons) use deuterium and tritium. ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) in France uses D-T fusion. Hydrogen isotopes are used because they have the lowest Coulomb barrier for fusion among all elements.
Option (a) Uranium and Thorium — Incorrect: Uranium and Thorium are heavy elements used in nuclear FISSION reactions (where heavy nuclei split into lighter ones), not fusion. U-235 is used in nuclear reactors.
Option (b) Carbon and Nitrogen — Incorrect: While carbon and nitrogen participate in the CNO cycle (Carbon-Nitrogen-Oxygen cycle) in stars as catalysts for hydrogen fusion, they themselves are not the primary fuel for fusion.
Option (d) Oxygen and Helium — Incorrect: These are products or byproducts of various nuclear reactions; the primary fuel for nuclear fusion reactions is Hydrogen and its isotopes (Deuterium and Tritium).