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 endangered animal inhabits Upper Gangetic Plains’ major rivers?
[A] Indian rhinoceros
[B] Mugger crocodile
[C] Lesser florican
[D] Ganges river dolphin
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Ganges river dolphin]
Notes:
The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica) is endemic to the Ganges-Brahmaputra river system, classified as endangered by IUCN. It serves as an ecological health indicator and is legally protected under Indian law. Other listed species prefer different habitats outside this ecoregion’s major rivers.
2. Which protest did Shrinarayan Chaturvedi make against UP’s language policy?
[A] Resigned from All India Radio
[B] Declined the Bharat Bharti Award
[C] Stopped writing poetry
[D] Refused to edit Saraswati magazine
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Declined the Bharat Bharti Award]
Notes:
Shrinarayan Chaturvedi declined the Bharat Bharti Award in protest against Uttar Pradesh’s decision to accord Urdu the status of second official language in the state.
3. Why is Uttar Pradesh often called the “Cradle of Buddhism”?
[A] It is the birthplace of Buddha.
[B] The first Buddhist council was held here.
[C] It is home to the oldest Buddhist temple in India.
[D] Buddha spent much of his life and taught extensively in the region.
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [Buddha spent much of his life and taught extensively in the region.]
Notes:
Buddha delivered many sermons and spent significant time in Uttar Pradesh, including Sarnath and Kushinagar, making it pivotal in Buddhism’s early history.
4. Consider the following statements regarding Nizamuddin Auliya:
- He was born in Delhi and later migrated to Budaun after his father's death.
- He belonged to the Suhrawardi Sufi order.
- He was a spiritual mentor to Amir Khusro.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
[A] Only 1 and 3
[B] Only 2 and 3
[C] Only 3
[D] 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Only 3]
Notes:Only statement 3 is correct. Nizamuddin Auliya was born in Budaun, not Delhi, and belonged to the Chishti Sufi order, not Suhrawardi. He was indeed the spiritual mentor of the famous poet Amir Khusro.
- Statement 1 is incorrect (born in Budaun).
- Statement 2 is incorrect (Chishti order).
- Statement 3 is correct.
5. Which of the following personalities was associated with both Sher Shah Suri and Emperor Akbar?
[A] Raja Man Singh
[B] Birbal
[C] Todarmal
[D] Tansen
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Todarmal]
Notes:
Todarmal served in Sher Shah Suri’s administration and later became Akbar’s finance minister, introducing important revenue reforms.
6. Which prominent medieval scholar from Uttar Pradesh was fluent in Turkish, Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Hindi?
[A] Amir Khusrau
[B] Rahim Khan-i-Khana
[C] Abul Fazl
[D] Tulsidas
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Abul Fazl]
Notes:
Abul Fazl, from Uttar Pradesh, was a key courtier of Akbar and author of Ain-i-Akbari; he mastered multiple languages including Turkish, Persian, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Hindi.
7. Who founded Agra in 1504 AD?
[A] Babur
[B] Akbar
[C] Sikandar Lodhi
[D] Firoz Shah
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Sikandar Lodhi]
Notes:
Agra was founded in 1504 AD by Sultan Sikandar Lodhi of the Delhi Sultanate. Later, it gained significance under the Mughal Empire and became a major administrative and cultural center of northern India.
8. Consider the following regarding Magadha’s dynasties and their contributions:
- The Haryanka dynasty was founded by Bimbisara.
- The Shishunaga dynasty succeeded the Haryanka dynasty.
- The Nanda dynasty was established by Mahapadmananda.
- The Nanda dynasty preceded the Mauryan Empire.
Which of the above statements is / are correct?
[A] All are correct statements
[B] Only 1, 2 and 3
[C] Only 1, 3 and 4
[D] Only 2 and 4
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [All are correct statements]
Notes:All four statements are accurate:
- Haryanka dynasty was founded by King Bimbisara.
- The Shishunaga dynasty followed the Haryanka dynasty.
- The Nanda dynasty was established by Mahapadmananda.
- The Nanda dynasty directly preceded the Mauryan Empire.
These dynasties played significant roles in the history and expansion of Magadha.
9. Which Mughal emperor made Erich a sarkar seat in Agra Subah?
[A] Shah Jahan
[B] Akbar
[C] Jahangir
[D] Aurangzeb
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Akbar]
Notes:
Akbar designated Erich as a sarkar seat in Agra Subah, which then included regions like Jhansi and parts of Jalaun.
10. Which nautch figure from Sardhana near Meerut is noted in Uttar Pradesh’s arts history?
[A] Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi
[B] Begum Rokeya of Aligarh
[C] Begum Samru of Sardhana
[D] Roopmati of Saharanpur
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Begum Samru of Sardhana]
Notes:
Begum Samru ruled Sardhana near Meerut in the 18th-19th century, was a celebrated performer, and became the only Catholic ruler in India. Her palace was a cultural hub and she significantly impacted performing arts and political life in Uttar Pradesh.