SSC MTS 2025 10 February 2026 Shift 3 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

The correct answer is Chalukyas of Gujarat and Gahadavalas (Option 2). When the Chauhan rulers (based in Ajmer and later Delhi) attempted to expand westward, they faced opposition from the Chalukyas (Solankis) of Gujarat, and eastward expansion was resisted by the Gahadavalas of Varanasi/Kannauj. Option 1 is incorrect as Gahadavalas were the eastern rivals, not Turks in this context. Options 3 and 4 are incorrect as Tughlaqs and Khiljis were later Sultanate dynasties who had no conflict with the Chauhans in territorial expansion.

The correct answer is Qutbuddin Aybak → Shamsuddin Iltutmish → Ghiyasuddin Balban (Option 1). Qutbuddin Aybak (1206–1210) was the founder of the Delhi Sultanate. Shamsuddin Iltutmish (1211–1236) was his son-in-law and successor. Ghiyasuddin Balban (1266–1287) ruled later. Options 2, 3, and 4 place these rulers in incorrect order, contradicting historical records.

The correct answer is Indian Statistical Institute (Option 3). Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis (1893–1972) founded the Indian Statistical Institute (ISI) in Kolkata in 1931. He is known for the Mahalanobis distance, a statistical measure. Option 1 is incorrect as RBI was established by the RBI Act, 1934. Option 2 is incorrect as SBI was formed in 1955. Option 4 is incorrect as NSSO (now NSO) is a government body, not founded by Mahalanobis.

The correct answer is 23 feet (Option 1). The Iron Pillar at Mehrauli, Delhi, is approximately 23 feet (about 7.21 metres) in height and dates back to the Gupta period (4th–5th century CE). It is famous for its remarkable resistance to corrosion over centuries. Option 2 (50 feet) is an overestimate. Options 3 and 4 (8 and 12 feet) are too short.

The correct answer is Karnataka (Option 2). 'Gaarudi Gombe' is a traditional folk dance of Karnataka performed during major festivals and processions. It involves performers dressed as giant puppets or dolls. Option 1 is incorrect as West Bengal is known for dances like Chhau and Gambhira. Option 3 is incorrect as Tripura's folk dances include Hojagiri and Garia. Option 4 is incorrect as Jammu and Kashmir is known for Rouf and Dumhal.

The correct answer is Goa (Option 1). The 'Three Kings Feast' (Feast of the Three Kings / Epiphany) is a unique festival celebrated in Goa, reflecting the strong Portuguese-Christian cultural influence in the region. It is held on January 6th every year in Cansaulim, Chandor, and Reis Magos. Option 2 (Ladakh), Option 3 (Nagaland), and Option 4 (Assam) do not celebrate this festival.

The correct answer is Moon (Option 1). 'Shiv Shakti Point' is the name given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the landing site of India's Chandrayaan-3 mission's Vikram lander on the Moon's south polar region. The landing took place on August 23, 2023, making India the first country to land near the lunar south pole. Options 2, 3, and 4 (Mars, Venus, Jupiter) are incorrect as India's missions to those planets have different names.

The correct answer is NASA (Option 2). The Hubble Space Telescope (HST) is operated by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in collaboration with ESA. It captured the image of a rare 'bullseye galaxy' (AM 0644-741) featuring nine rings, caused by a collision between galaxies. Option 1 is incorrect as ISRO is India's space agency and does not operate Hubble. Option 3 (CNES) is France's space agency. Option 4 (JAXA) is Japan's space agency.

The correct answer is Low (Option 2). 'Low' is a poetry collection authored by Jeet Thayil, an Indian poet and novelist. Jeet Thayil is also known for his Booker Prize-shortlisted novel 'Narcopolis' (2012). Option 1 ('Fury') is a novel by Salman Rushdie. Option 3 ('Shame') is also by Salman Rushdie. Option 4 ('Countdown') is not a book by Jeet Thayil.

The correct answer is 9 years (Option 3). The Red Fort (Lal Qila) in Delhi was commissioned by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Construction began in 1639 and was completed in 1648 — taking exactly 9 years. It served as the main residence of Mughal emperors. Option 1 (3 years) and Option 2 (5 years) are too short. Option 4 (14 years) is an overestimate.

The correct answer is Bargu (Option 3). Sushir Vadya refers to wind instruments (aerophones) in Indian classical music. Bargu is a traditional wind instrument (flute-type) from the tribal communities of Odisha/Jharkhand. Option 1 (Hath ghanti / handbell) is a Ghana Vadya (percussion/idiophone). Option 2 (Pena) is a string instrument (Tata Vadya) from Manipur. Option 4 (Sagna) is a percussion instrument (Avanaddha Vadya).

The correct answer is Eleventh Five Year Plan (Option 4). The Eleventh Five Year Plan (2007–2012) had the theme "Towards Faster and More Inclusive Growth." It was chaired by Manmohan Singh and focused on reducing poverty while achieving rapid economic growth. Option 1 (First Plan, 1951–56) focused on agriculture and Damodar Valley project. Option 2 (Fifth Plan) focused on removal of poverty. Option 3 (Seventh Plan) focused on food, work, and productivity.

The correct answer is Philippines (Option 1). The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is headquartered in Mandaluyong City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It was established in 1966. Option 2 (USA) is incorrect as the World Bank and IMF are headquartered in Washington D.C. Option 3 (India) is incorrect. Option 4 (China) is incorrect; however, China is a major shareholder.

The correct answer is Palk Strait (Option 1). The Palk Strait separates the southeastern tip of India (Tamil Nadu) from the northern part of Sri Lanka. It is approximately 53–80 km wide. Option 2 is incorrect as Malacca Strait separates the Malay Peninsula from Sumatra (Indonesia). Option 3 is incorrect as Hormuz Strait is between Oman and Iran, connecting the Persian Gulf to the Arabian Sea. Option 4 is incorrect as Cook Strait separates the North and South Islands of New Zealand.

The correct answer is 3.28 million square km (Option 3). India covers a total geographical area of approximately 3.28 million square kilometres, making it the 7th largest country in the world by area. Option 1 (1.28) is too small. Option 2 (2.28) is also incorrect. Option 4 (4.38) is an overestimate.

The correct answer is Kerala (Option 2). According to Census 2011, Kerala had the highest sex ratio in India at 1084 females per 1000 males among states. Option 1 is incorrect as Tamil Nadu had a sex ratio of 996. Option 3 is a Union Territory and not a state; among UTs, Puducherry had a high ratio but the question asks about states. Option 4 (Goa) had a sex ratio of 973.

The correct answer is Teachers (Option 3). The 2011 Census classifies workers into four major categories: (1) Cultivators, (2) Agricultural Labourers, (3) Workers in Household Industry, and (4) Other Workers. 'Teachers' is not a separate occupational category in Census 2011 classification — they fall under 'Other Workers.' Options 1, 2, and 4 are all part of the official Census classification.

The correct answer is Maharashtra (Option 1). Maharashtra has two principal mineral-bearing belts: the Vidarbha region (rich in coal, manganese, and limestone) and the Konkan coastal belt (known for silica sand and other minerals). Option 2 (Goa) is known for iron ore mining but does not have Vidarbha or Konkan as defined mineral belts. Options 3 and 4 (Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat) have their own mineral belts but not Vidarbha or Konkan.

The correct answer is Article 250 (Option 2). Article 250 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to legislate on any matter in the State List during the operation of a National Emergency (Proclamation of Emergency under Article 352). Option 1 is incorrect as Article 282 deals with expenditure from the Consolidated Fund for public purpose. Option 3 is incorrect as Article 263 deals with Inter-State Council. Option 4 is incorrect as Article 173 deals with qualifications for membership of the State Legislature.

The correct answer is 2006 (Option 1). The National Statistical Commission (NSC) was set up by the Government of India in 2006, based on the recommendations of the Rangarajan Commission (2001). It is a permanent body that oversees statistical standards and coordination in India. Options 2, 3, and 4 (2008, 2010, 2012) are incorrect years.

The correct answer is 3 (Option 2). Meristematic tissue is classified into three types based on position: (1) Apical meristem – present at the tips of roots and shoots, responsible for primary growth; (2) Lateral meristem – present on the sides, responsible for increase in girth (e.g., cambium); (3) Intercalary meristem – present at the base of internodes, responsible for elongation. Option 1 (2 types) and Options 3 and 4 (4 or 5 types) are incorrect.

The correct answer is Newton's third law of motion (Option 3). Newton's third law states: 'For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.' When a bullet is fired forward, the gun experiences an equal and opposite force backward — this is the recoil. Option 1 (Second law: F=ma) relates to force and acceleration, not recoil. Option 2 (Law of Gravitation) relates to gravitational force between masses. Option 4 (First law: law of inertia) relates to objects remaining at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon.

The correct answer is Gopal Krishna Gokhale (Option 4). Mahatma Gandhi considered Gopal Krishna Gokhale as his political mentor and guide. Gokhale was a moderate leader of the Indian National Congress and founder of the Servants of India Society. Gandhi acknowledged Gokhale's influence in shaping his political philosophy upon returning from South Africa. Option 1 (Lala Lajpat Rai) was a radical Congressman. Option 2 (Dadabhai Naoroji) was Gandhi's elder though not his mentor. Option 3 (Subhash Chandra Bose) was junior to Gandhi and had ideological differences.