SSC MTS 2025 9 February 2026 Shift 1 GK Questions – with answers & solutions

Correct Answer: 3 (Salt and water)
When an acid reacts with a base, the reaction is called a neutralisation reaction. The products formed are salt and water.
Acid + Base → Salt + Water
Example: HCl + NaOH → NaCl + H2O (Hydrochloric acid + Sodium hydroxide → Sodium chloride + Water)
Option 1 (Acid and water) is incorrect - acid is consumed in the reaction, not produced.
Option 2 (Base and water) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; base is consumed, not produced.
Option 4 (Gas and water) is incorrect - some reactions produce gas, but the general rule for acid-base neutralisation is salt and water.

Correct Answer: 2 (The water absorbs the heat, preventing the paper from reaching its ignition temperature)
Water has a very high specific heat capacity (4200 J/kg/K), meaning it absorbs large amounts of heat without a significant rise in temperature. When a paper cup filled with water is heated, the water continuously absorbs the heat being supplied, keeping the temperature of the paper below its ignition temperature (approximately 233°C or 451°F). Since paper cannot reach its ignition point, it does not burn.
Option 1 (Water evaporates and cools) is partially true but not the primary scientific reason - the main reason is heat absorption below ignition point.
Option 3 (Paper becomes fireproof when wet) is incorrect - wet paper is not fireproof; once dried it can burn normally.
Option 4 (Steam extinguishes flame) is incorrect - steam from boiling water at 100°C does not extinguish the external flame.

Correct Answer: 2 (1:8)
Water (H2O) always has a fixed mass ratio of Hydrogen to Oxygen:
- H: 2 atoms × atomic mass 1 = 2 g
- O: 1 atom × atomic mass 16 = 16 g
- Ratio H:O = 2:16 = 1:8
This is in accordance with the Law of Definite Proportions (Law of Constant Composition), which states that a chemical compound always contains its component elements in fixed ratio by mass.
Option 1 (1:14) is incorrect.
Option 3 (1:2) is incorrect - this would be the ratio by number of atoms, not mass.
Option 4 (8:1) is incorrect - this is the reverse ratio (O:H).

Correct Answer: 2 (Hydrogen)
Mendeleev faced difficulty in correctly placing Hydrogen in his Periodic Table. Hydrogen shows dual behaviour - it resembles alkali metals (Group IA) in some properties (e.g., it forms H+ ions, combines with non-metals) but also resembles halogens (Group VIIA) in other properties (e.g., it is diatomic, forms hydrides like HCl similar to halides). Due to this dual nature, Mendeleev could not assign hydrogen a definitive correct position.
Option 1 (Helium) is incorrect - Helium was discovered after Mendeleev's table but was correctly placed in the noble gas group.
Option 3 (Oxygen) is incorrect - Oxygen was correctly placed.
Option 4 (Chlorine) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; Chlorine was correctly placed in Group VIIA.

Correct Answer: 3 (1979)
TRYSEM (Training of Rural Youth for Self-Employment) was launched in August 1979 as a sub-scheme under the Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP). Its aim was to provide technical and entrepreneurial skills to rural youth between 18-35 years of age from families below the poverty line, enabling them to become self-employed.
Option 1 (1965) is incorrect.
Option 2 (1971) is incorrect.
Option 4 (1983) is incorrect.

Correct Answer: 4 (Fishing)
The Primary Sector involves activities that directly extract or harvest natural resources from nature. These include agriculture, fishing, forestry, mining, animal husbandry, and hunting. Fishing involves direct extraction of aquatic resources from nature.
Option 1 (Trade and logistics) is incorrect - these belong to the Tertiary (Services) sector.
Option 2 (Healthcare) is incorrect - healthcare is a Tertiary sector activity.
Option 3 (Manufacturing) is incorrect - manufacturing involves processing raw materials and belongs to the Secondary sector.

Correct Answer: 2 (2016)
The National Capital Goods Policy was launched by the Government of India in 2016. It aims to increase production of capital goods from Rs 2.3 lakh crore (2014-15) to Rs 7.5 lakh crore by 2025, increase exports from 27% to 40% of production, and create an additional 30 lakh jobs in the capital goods sector. Capital goods are machinery and equipment used in the production of other goods.
Option 1 (2013) is incorrect.
Option 3 (2019) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option.
Option 4 (2021) is incorrect.

Correct Answer: 1 (2003)
FX-CLEAR is an electronic foreign exchange (forex) dealing system launched by Clearcorp Dealing Systems (India) Ltd. on August 7, 2003. It was developed as an anonymous order matching system for inter-bank forex transactions in India. Clearcorp is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Clearing Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIL).
Option 2 (2005) is incorrect.
Option 3 (2007) is incorrect.
Option 4 (2009) is incorrect.

Correct Answer: 4 (Adrenal gland)
Among the four options, the Adrenal glands are located at the lowermost position in the body:
- Pineal gland: located in the brain (epithalamus region)
- Pituitary gland: located at the base of the brain
- Thyroid gland: located in the neck region
- Adrenal gland: located on top of each kidney, in the abdominal/lumbar region (lower than all the above)
Option 1 (Pineal gland) is incorrect - it is located in the brain.
Option 2 (Pituitary gland) is incorrect - it is at the base of the brain.
Option 3 (Thyroid gland) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; the thyroid is in the neck.

Correct Answer: 3 ( Pulakesin II)
Pulakesin II (610-642 AD), the greatest ruler of the Chalukya dynasty of Vatapi (Badami), earned the title ' Dakshinapatheshvara ' meaning 'Lord of the South/Deccan'. He is famous for defeating the powerful Emperor Harshavardhana of the north on the banks of the Narmada river , thus stopping his southward expansion.
Option 1 (Upagupta) is incorrect - Upagupta was a Buddhist monk, not a king.
Option 2 ( Kharavela ) is incorrect - Kharavela was a Kalinga ruler known for the Hathigumpha inscription.
Option 4 (Mahapadma Nanda) is incorrect - Mahapadma Nanda was the founder of the Nanda dynasty of Magadha.

Correct Answer: 4 (Himachal Pradesh)
Jhanjhar (also spelled Jhanjar) is a popular folk dance of Himachal Pradesh. It is performed during festive occasions and is part of the rich cultural heritage of the hill state.
Option 1 (Jharkhand) is incorrect - Jharkhand's popular folk dances include Chhau , Jhumair , and Domkach .
Option 2 (Madhya Pradesh) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; MP is known for Karma, Saila, and Matki dances.
Option 3 (Maharashtra) is incorrect - Maharashtra is known for Lavani, Tamasha, and Koli dances.

Correct Answer: 4 (Makar Sankranti)
The International Kite Festival ( Uttarayan ) in Gujarat is celebrated on Makar Sankranti, which falls on January 14 every year. This festival marks the transition of the Sun into the zodiac sign of Capricorn (Makara). Ahmedabad is particularly famous for its grand kite-flying celebrations during this festival, attracting participants from across the world.
Option 1 (Holi) is incorrect - Holi is the festival of colours celebrated in February/March.
Option 2 (Diwali) is incorrect - Diwali is the festival of lights celebrated in October/November.
Option 3 (Krishna Janmashtami) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; Janmashtami celebrates Lord Krishna's birth.

Correct Answer: 1 (400)
The International Space Station (ISS) orbits the Earth in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) at an altitude of approximately 400 km (ranging from about 370 km to 460 km) above the Earth's surface. At this altitude, it completes one orbit every 90 minutes and travels at about 28,000 km/h.
Option 2 (1000 km) is incorrect - this would be above the ISS orbit.
Option 3 (5000 km) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option.
Option 4 (22000 km) is incorrect - approximately 36,000 km is the altitude of geostationary satellites.

Correct Answer: 3 (1950)
India qualified for the 1950 FIFA World Cup held in Brazil (the first post-WWII World Cup). However, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) withdrew the team, citing reasons including disagreements over team selection, insufficient practice time, and financial constraints. Some sources also mention that FIFA did not allow Indian players to play barefoot.
This remains a significant event in Indian football history - the only time India qualified for a FIFA World Cup.
Option 1 (1942) is incorrect - no World Cup was held in 1942 (WWII period).
Option 2 (1962) is incorrect - India did not qualify for the 1962 World Cup.
Option 4 (1954) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option.

Correct Answer: 1 (Sudha Murty)
'The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk' is a collection of simple, heartwarming short stories written by Sudha Murty, the renowned Indian author, philanthropist, and Chairperson of the Infosys Foundation. She is known for writing stories that convey moral and social values in simple language, making them accessible to young adults and general readers alike.
Option 2 (Chetan Bhagat) is incorrect - Chetan Bhagat is known for novels like '2 States' and 'Five Point Someone'.
Option 3 (Anita Desai) is incorrect - Anita Desai is known for literary novels like 'Clear Light of Day' and 'Fire on the Mountain'.
Option 4 (Samit Basu) is incorrect - Samit Basu is known for fantasy/science fiction novels.

Correct Answer: 4 (Anuja Chandramouli)
'Shakti: The Divine Feminine' is written by Anuja Chandramouli, a popular Indian author known for her mythological fiction. She has written several books based on Indian mythology and legends, including 'Arjuna', 'Kamadeva', and 'Priya: In Shadow and in Light'.
Option 1 (Rupa Bajwa) is incorrect - Rupa Bajwa is known for 'The Sari Shop'.
Option 2 (Sudha Murty) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; Sudha Murty wrote 'The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk' etc.
Option 3 (Arundhati Roy) is incorrect - Arundhati Roy is known for 'The God of Small Things' and 'The Ministry of Utmost Happiness'.

Correct Answer: 4 (Kabaddi)
In the sport of Kabaddi, 'ankle hold' and 'knee hold' are specific tackling techniques used by defenders to stop the raider. The defenders grab the raider's ankle or knee to prevent them from returning to their half of the court. These terms are part of the official Kabaddi terminology.
Option 1 (Basketball) is incorrect - Basketball terminology includes dribble, layup, three-pointer, etc., not holds.
Option 2 (Gymnastics) is incorrect - Gymnastics uses terms like somersault, vault, beam, etc.
Option 3 (Swimming) is incorrect - Swimming uses terms like freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly, etc.

Correct Answer: 4 (Telangana)
The Thousand Pillar Temple (Sri Rudreshwara Swamy Temple), also known as the Veyyi Sthambala Gudi, is located at Hanamkonda (near Warangal) in Telangana. It was built in 1163 AD by the Kakatiya ruler Rudra Deva. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, and Lord Surya, and is famous for its intricate stone carvings and star-shaped platform.
Option 1 (Punjab) is incorrect - Punjab is known for the Golden Temple and other Sikh shrines.
Option 2 (Kerala) is incorrect - the candidate was attracted by this option; Kerala's famous temples include Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
Option 3 (Gujarat) is incorrect - Gujarat has the Somnath and Dwarka temples.

Correct Answer: 2 (Sasaram)
The tomb of Sher Shah Suri is located in Sasaram, Bihar. It is a magnificent mausoleum built in 1545 AD in the Sur dynasty's architectural style. The tomb stands in the middle of an artificial lake and is considered one of the finest examples of Afghan architecture in India.
Option 1 (Sikandra) is incorrect - Sikandra (near Agra) is the location of Akbar's tomb.
Option 3 (Lahore) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; Jahangir's tomb is in Lahore (now Pakistan).
Option 4 (Aurangabad) is incorrect - Aurangzeb's tomb is in Khuldabad near Aurangabad.

Correct Answer: 1 (musicians)
M.S. Subbulakshmi (Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi, 1916-2004) was a legendary Carnatic vocalist who became the first musician to receive the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, in 1998. She was also the first Indian musician to perform at the United Nations General Assembly (1966). She is renowned for her devotional music, particularly her rendition of ' Suprabhatam ' and the 'Bhaja Govindam '.
Option 2 (sportsperson) is incorrect - the first sportsperson to receive Bharat Ratna was Sachin Tendulkar (2014).
Option 3 (painter) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option.
Option 4 (author) is incorrect - M.S. Subbulakshmi was a musician, not an author.

Correct Answer: 2 (Mir Jafar)
Mir Jafar was the Commander-in-Chief of Sirajuddaulah's army who conspired with the British (Robert Clive) against his own master. At the crucial Battle of Plassey (1757), Mir Jafar treacherously withdrew his troops from the battlefield, leading directly to Sirajuddaulah's defeat. After the battle, Mir Jafar was made the Nawab of Bengal by the British as a reward for his betrayal.
Option 1 ( Alivardi Khan) is incorrect - Alivardi Khan was Sirajuddaulah's grandfather and predecessor as Nawab.
Option 3 (Mulla Qutb Shah) is incorrect - he was a religious scholar, not a commander at Plassey.
Option 4 (Jagat Seth) is incorrect - Jagat Seth was a wealthy banker who conspired against Sirajuddaulah but was not a commander.

Correct Answer: 1 (10%)
In the 2024 Indian General Elections (Lok Sabha), approximately 797 women candidates contested out of a total of around 8,360 candidates, which amounts to approximately 10% of all contesting candidates. This represented a new high in terms of women's participation in Indian electoral politics.
Option 2 (14%) is incorrect.
Option 3 (16%) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option.
Option 4 (21%) is incorrect.

Correct Answer: 2 (Google)
FireSat is a wildfire detection satellite project backed by Google (through Google.org and Alphabet). The constellation of small satellites, launched aboard SpaceX rockets, aims to detect wildfires within minutes of ignition anywhere on Earth, using infrared sensors to spot heat signatures that indicate fires.
Option 1 (Apple) is incorrect - Apple is not involved in the FireSat project.
Option 3 (Amazon) is incorrect - the candidate chose this wrong option; Amazon has its own Project Kuiper satellite constellation.
Option 4 (Infosys) is incorrect - Infosys is an Indian IT company not involved in satellite projects.

Correct Answer: 1 (Deforestation)
Deforestation (cutting down trees and forests) disrupts the balance between soil formation and soil erosion. Trees and their root systems hold soil together, reduce surface runoff, and maintain soil structure. When forests are removed, the soil becomes vulnerable to erosion by wind and water, and soil formation cannot keep pace with the accelerated erosion, leading to soil degradation and desertification.
Option 2 (Afforestation) is incorrect - afforestation (planting trees) helps restore balance and reduce erosion.
Option 3 (Organic farming) is incorrect - organic farming improves soil health and reduces erosion.
Option 4 (Intercropping) is incorrect - intercropping helps maintain soil cover and reduces erosion.