SSC MTS 2025 13 February 2026 Shift 2 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

The Mahatma Gandhi Series of banknotes was launched in 1996 by the Reserve Bank of India. This series features the portrait of Mahatma Gandhi on the obverse and replaced the earlier Mahatma Gandhi Series (1987–1996) with enhanced security features.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 1976: The Mahatma Gandhi Series had not yet been introduced at this time.
- 1992: The series was not launched in 1992.
- 1984: Incorrect; this predates the series.

During the Liberalisation, Privatisation, and Globalisation (LPG) reforms initiated in 1991, India committed to reducing or abolishing tariffs on imports as part of opening its economy and complying with WTO obligations. This involved dismantling trade barriers and integrating with the global economy.
Why other options are incorrect:
- To increase tariffs: This would be protectionist, contrary to the spirit of LPG reforms.
- To impose quantitative restrictions: Such restrictions were phased out under WTO agreements.
- To increase non-tariff barriers: This would also contradict globalisation commitments.

Ajatashatru (c. 492–460 BC) was an early and powerful king of the Haryanka dynasty of Magadha. He expanded the Magadha kingdom significantly by defeating Kosala and the Vajjian Confederacy.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Dhana Nanda: The last ruler of the Nanda dynasty, a much later dynasty than the early Magadha period.
- Samudra Gupta: A Gupta dynasty emperor (4th century AD), not an early king of Magadha.
- Mahapadma Nanda: Founder of the Nanda dynasty, a later period king of Magadha.

The Vedic hymns (Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda) were composed in Vedic Sanskrit, an archaic form of the Sanskrit language dating back to approximately 1500–500 BC.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Pali: A Middle Indo-Aryan language associated with Buddhist texts, not Vedic hymns.
- Prakrit: A group of vernacular Middle Indo-Aryan languages, used in later texts and inscriptions.
- Tamil: A Dravidian language of South India; has no connection to the composition of Vedic hymns.

According to the Mahabharata and historical tradition, Indraprastha was the capital city of the Pandavas, built on the banks of the Yamuna River. It is believed to correspond to the site of present-day Delhi (near Purana Qila). Archaeological excavations at Purana Qila have revealed evidence of ancient habitation supporting this association.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Ayodhya: Associated with Lord Rama and the Ramayana, located in Uttar Pradesh; not connected to the Pandavas or Delhi.
- Hastinapur: The capital of the Kaurava kingdom in the Mahabharata, located in present-day Meerut district, UP; not Delhi.
- Mathura: Associated with Lord Krishna; located in Uttar Pradesh, not Delhi.

Under Article 61 of the Indian Constitution, the President of India can be impeached by Parliament. The process requires a charge to be preferred by either House of Parliament, passed by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the total membership of that House, and then tried by the other House.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Prime Minister of India: The PM is the head of government but has no constitutional power to impeach the President.
- Supreme Court of India: The Supreme Court interprets the Constitution but cannot impeach the President.
- Election Commission of India: The ECI conducts elections but has no role in impeachment proceedings.

Nervous tissue is composed of neurons (nerve cells) and supporting glial cells. Neurons are the basic structural and functional units of the nervous system, forming an organised network that transmits electrical and chemical signals throughout the body.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Capillary: Capillaries are the smallest blood vessels; they are part of the circulatory system, not nervous tissue.
- Lymph vessels: Part of the lymphatic system, responsible for fluid transport and immune function.
- Epithelial cells: Form the lining of body surfaces and cavities; they are not components of nervous tissue.

Ahmad Shah Abdali (Durrani) seized Punjab from the Mughal Empire during his repeated invasions of India (1748–1767). He did not seize Awadh; Awadh remained under the control of its Nawabs, who were nominally under the Mughals and later the British.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Only II: Awadh was not seized by Abdali.
- Both I and II: Abdali did not take Awadh.
- Neither I nor II: Punjab was indeed seized by Abdali.

Weight (W) is the gravitational force acting on an object. It is calculated using the formula W = m × g, where 'm' is the mass of the object (in kg) and 'g' is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth). Weight is measured in Newtons (N).
Why other options are incorrect:
- W = m / g: This does not represent any standard physical formula for weight.
- W = m / (g × g): Incorrect; no such physical relationship exists for weight.
- W = m × g × g: Incorrect; multiplying by g twice gives units of m/s⁴, which is not weight.

A Hydrometer is an instrument used to measure the specific gravity (relative density) of liquids. It works on the principle of Archimedes and floats at different levels depending on the density of the liquid.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Lactometer: A specific type of hydrometer used only to test the purity of milk, not liquids in general.
- Ammeter: Used to measure electric current in a circuit; not related to density.
- Barometer: Used to measure atmospheric pressure; has no role in measuring liquid density.

Urali (also called Uraly) is a Dravidian language spoken primarily by the Urali tribal community in Kerala and Tamil Nadu, both in Southern India. It belongs to the Tamil-Kannada branch of the Dravidian language family.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Northern India: Urali has no significant presence in northern India.
- Western India: Urali is not spoken in western states like Gujarat or Maharashtra.
- Eastern India: Urali is not associated with eastern India.

Burrakatha is a traditional Telugu folk art form from Andhra Pradesh. The lead singer (Kathakadudu) plays the Tambura (also called Tamburi or Jamidika — a small drum worn around the neck), while narrating stories, usually of epic or mythological themes. Two supporting performers (Hasyakadudu and Rajakudu) assist with comic and narrative elements.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Flute: Not the instrument of the lead singer in Burrakatha.
- Guitar: A Western stringed instrument not associated with this folk form.
- Veena: A classical Indian string instrument; not used in Burrakatha performance.

'Second Thoughts' is a novel written by Shobha De, published in 1996. It is a story of a young Bengali bride adjusting to life in Mumbai after marriage and explores themes of marital expectations and individual identity.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Sudha Murty: A well-known Indian author, but 'Second Thoughts' is not her work.
- Chetan Bhagat: Known for novels like 'Five Point Someone' and '2 States'; he did not write 'Second Thoughts'.
- Faraaz Kazi: A contemporary Indian author; 'Second Thoughts' is not associated with him.

'The Vault of Vishnu' is a thriller novel by Ashwin Sanghi, part of his Bharat Series that blends history, mythology, and contemporary thriller elements. Ashwin Sanghi is known for his historical fiction novels such as 'The Rozabal Line', 'Chanakya's Chant', and 'The Krishna Key'.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Akash Banerjee: A popular commentator and YouTuber, not associated with this book.
- Rohit Lal: Not the author of 'The Vault of Vishnu'.
- Tanya Selvaratnam: An American activist and author; not related to this work.

Shin guards (or shin pads) are protective equipment worn on the front of the shin (lower leg) to protect against impacts. They are mandatory equipment in Football (Soccer) as per FIFA rules, used to protect players during tackles and collisions.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Badminton: A racket sport; no shin guards are required or used.
- Long jump: A track and field event; no shin guards are used.
- Handball: While contact is involved, shin guards are not standard equipment in handball.

Bharatpur Fort (Lohagarh Fort) is located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan. It was built by Maharaja Suraj Mal of the Jat dynasty and is famous for its strong earthen ramparts that resisted British attacks.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Gwalior Fort: Located in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
- Sinhagad Fort: Located near Pune, Maharashtra.
- Daulatabad Fort: Located near Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

The Khelo India Winter Games 2024 (4th edition) was held in Leh, Ladakh. The opening ceremony took place in Leh. The games featured winter sports such as ice hockey, ice skating, skiing, and snow-based athletics.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Jammu: While Jammu is part of the Jammu & Kashmir UT, the 2024 KIWG opening was held in Leh.
- Kargil: Not the venue for the KIWG 2024 opening ceremony.
- Darjeeling: Located in West Bengal; not related to KIWG 2024.

The First World Conference on Doping in Sport was held in Lausanne, Switzerland in February 1999. This landmark conference was convened by the IOC and resulted in the Lausanne Declaration on Doping in Sport, which led to the establishment of the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in November 1999.
Why other options are incorrect:
- France: The conference was held in Switzerland, not France.
- Germany: Not the venue for this conference.
- Poland: Not related to this particular IOC conference.

Marie Curie is the first and, to date, the only woman to have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice. She received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1903 (shared with Pierre Curie and Henri Becquerel) for research on radiation, and the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1911 for the discovery of radium and polonium.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Golda Meir: Former Prime Minister of Israel; she never received a Nobel Prize.
- Rosa Parks: An American civil rights activist; she did not receive a Nobel Prize.
- Mother Teresa: Received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979, but only once.

The first Singh Sabha was established in Amritsar on 1 October 1873. It was founded to reform Sikhism and counter the influence of Christian missionaries and Hindu reform movements. The Singh Sabha movement eventually led to the standardisation of Sikh religious practices.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Delhi: The first Singh Sabha was not founded in Delhi.
- Karachi: Not the location of the founding of the Singh Sabha.
- Hyderabad: The Singh Sabha movement originated in Punjab, not in Hyderabad.

As per the Census of India classification, a Class-I city (Urban Agglomeration or town) has a population of 1 lakh (100,000) and above. These are the largest urban centres in India.
Why other options are incorrect:
- 10,000 - 19,999: This corresponds to Class-III towns as per Census classification.
- Below 5,000: This corresponds to Class-VI towns.
- 50,000 - 99,999: This corresponds to Class-II towns.

Tertiary coal (Eocene to Miocene age) is found in northeastern India, particularly in both Meghalaya (Garo Hills, Jaintia Hills) and Assam (Makum, Jorhat, Nazira coalfields). It is characterised by high moisture and sulphur content.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Only I: Assam also has significant tertiary coal deposits.
- Only II: Meghalaya also has tertiary coal.
- Neither I nor II: Both states have known tertiary coal occurrences.

Reliance Industries announced a collaboration with Google to build a dedicated cloud facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Jamnagar is a major industrial hub for Reliance and the planned facility is intended to be powered by clean/renewable energy, aligning with Reliance's green energy ambitions.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Patna: No such Reliance-Google cloud project is associated with Patna.
- Amritsar: Not related to this collaboration.
- Cuttack: Not the location of this clean energy cloud project.

The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue was held in January 2025. The Prime Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxon, was the chief guest at this edition. The Raisina Dialogue is India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, organised by the Ministry of External Affairs and the Observer Research Foundation (ORF).
Why other options are incorrect:
- Brazil: The Brazilian PM was not the chief guest at the 10th Raisina Dialogue.
- Italy: Italy's leader was not the chief guest of this edition.
- France: France's PM was not the chief guest of the 10th Raisina Dialogue.

Coke is produced by the destructive distillation (carbonisation) of coal in the absence of air. This process drives off water, tar, and volatile gases, leaving behind a solid residue that is almost pure carbon (about 85-90% carbon content). Coke is widely used as a fuel and reducing agent in the iron and steel industry.
Why other options are incorrect:
- Phosphorus: Coke contains no significant amount of phosphorus as its primary constituent.
- Sulphur: While coal may contain sulphur, coke is not a pure form of sulphur.
- Nitrogen: Nitrogen is a gaseous element; coke is a solid carbon-based material.