States PCS: Uttar Pradesh GK Questions for UPPSC Examinations
For all Uttar Pradesh Public Service Commission (UPPSC) exams including PCS, RO/ARO, Assistant Engineer, and other major state exams.
1. Which initiative was launched by K.M. Munshi in 1950 for tree plantation?
[A] Van Mahotsav
[B] Green India Mission
[C] National Afforestation Programme
[D] Tree Plantation Drive
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Van Mahotsav]
Notes:
Van Mahotsav, started by K.M. Munshi in 1950, is a week-long festival to promote tree plantation and environmental conservation across India.
2. Which statement is true about Kushinagar’s Parinirvana Stupa?
[A] The Parinirvana Stupa was excavated by Carlleyle in 1876, revealing a copper plate with the Nidana Sutra text.
[B] The Ramagrama stupa in Nepal is the only intact stupa containing relics of the Buddha.
[C] The reclining Buddha statue in the Parinirvana Temple is carved from a single block of red sandstone.
[D] A 3-meter tall seated Buddha statue carved from blue stone represents the Buddha in bhumi sparsh mudra.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [The Parinirvana Stupa was excavated by Carlleyle in 1876, revealing a copper plate with the Nidana Sutra text.]
Notes:
In 1876, archaeologist Carlleyle excavated the Parinirvana Stupa at Kushinagar and discovered a copper plate bearing the Nidana Sutra text, one of the important early epigraphic evidences from the site.
3. Who commanded the rebel side in the Second Battle of Cawnpore, 1857?
[A] Tantya Tope
[B] Nana Sahib
[C] Sir Colin Campbell
[D] Begum Hazrat Mahal
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Nana Sahib]
Notes:
Nana Sahib led rebels in the Second Battle of Cawnpore, 1857, during the Indian Rebellion; British commander was Sir Colin Campbell. Tantya Tope supported Nana Sahib but was not the chief commander at Cawnpore. Nana Sahib’s leadership marked a key phase of the revolt in present-day Uttar Pradesh.
4. Who authored the 779 CE Prakrit novel Kuvalaya-mālā, a didactic Jain text illustrating rebirths and liberation?
[A] Banabhatta
[B] Haribhadra
[C] Hemachandra
[D] Uddyotana-sūri
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Uddyotana-sūri]
Notes:
Kuvalaya-mālā was written by Jain monk Uddyotana-sūri in 779 CE, featuring multiple languages and Jain philosophy.
5. Which 1916 agreement marked the first notable cooperation between the Indian National Congress and the All-India Muslim League, symbolizing early Hindu-Muslim unity?
[A] Lucknow Pact
[B] Poona Pact
[C] Simla Agreement
[D] Gandhi-Irwin Pact
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Lucknow Pact]
Notes:
The 1916 Lucknow Pact brought Congress and the Muslim League together on constitutional reforms, marking significant Hindu-Muslim unity in India’s freedom struggle.
6. Why does the Bangar region have lower soil fertility compared to the Khadar region?
[A] Leaching of nutrients and absence of annual silt deposition
[B] Higher water table
[C] Increased clay content
[D] Excessive organic matter
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Leaching of nutrients and absence of annual silt deposition]
Notes:
Bangar is older alluvium subjected to leaching and lacks the fresh, nutrient-rich silt deposited annually in Khadar.
7. Why is Bhabar soil, found near Himalayan rivers, generally unsuitable for agriculture?
[A] It contains high levels of clay, making plowing difficult.
[B] It frequently gets waterlogged due to poor drainage.
[C] It is extremely porous, causing water to drain quickly beyond plant root reach.
[D] It is highly acidic, affecting crop growth adversely.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [It is extremely porous, causing water to drain quickly beyond plant root reach.]
Notes:
Bhabar soil is coarse and porous, leading to rapid water percolation and lack of moisture retention for crops.
8. Consider the following pairs regarding mineral resources in Uttar Pradesh:
- Bauxite – Sonbhadra
- Coal – Singrauli
- Rock Phosphate – Jhansi
- Glass Sand – Allahabad (Lalapur)
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
[A] Only 1, 2 and 4
[B] Only 1 and 2
[C] Only 2 and 4
[D] 1, 2 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [1, 2 and 4]
Notes:
Rock Phosphate is not found in Jhansi; it is mainly found in Lalitpur and Banda in Uttar Pradesh. Jhansi is better known for rare earth metals and China clay. The other pairs – Bauxite in Sonbhadra, Coal in Singrauli, and Glass Sand in Allahabad (Lalapur) – are correct matches.
9. Who first recorded Hindu bathing rituals at Prayag?
[A] Fa-Hien
[B] Xuanzang
[C] Marco Polo
[D] Ibn Battuta
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Xuanzang]
Notes:
Xuanzang, a Chinese Buddhist monk, visited India in the 7th century and documented Hindu bathing rituals at Prayag during King Harsha’s reign, making him the earliest known historian to record this practice.
10. Which ancient kingdom covered Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh?
[A] Magadha Kingdom
[B] Kuru Kingdom
[C] Vatsa Kingdom
[D] Salva Kingdom
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Kuru Kingdom]
Notes:
The Kuru Kingdom (c. 1200–900 BCE) was the earliest state-level society in northern Iron Age India, covering areas of modern Haryana, Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. It played a key role in Vedic culture, Brahmanical traditions, and developing the fourfold varna system.
