General Knowledge and Current Affairs (Rajasthan and India)
The GK paper tests static knowledge of Rajasthan and India plus current affairs of roughly the preceding year. Expect Rajasthan integration and history, geography, art and culture, polity and economy, then national polity, geography, science, sports, awards, appointments and schemes.
Rajasthan: dates and geography
- Integration chain: Matsya Union 17 March 1948; United State of Rajasthan 18 April 1948 (capital Udaipur); Greater Rajasthan 30 March 1949 - celebrated as Rajasthan Day, with Jaipur as capital; present boundaries on 1 November 1956 when Ajmer-Merwara merged and Sironj went to Madhya Pradesh.
- The Aravalli separates the Thar from the eastern plains; Luni is the river of the Thar basin; Chambal and Mahi drain the south-east; Sambhar is the large inland salt lake.
- Culture: Ghoomar and Kalbelia (UNESCO 2010), Manganiyar and Langa musicians, folk deities Pabuji, Tejaji and Gogaji, Pushkar and Teej fairs.
India: high-yield static
- Constitution structure and key articles, states and capitals, rivers and passes, national parks, space and defence missions, RBI functions and budget terms, and flagship schemes with their ministries.
Worked example
In which integration stage did Jaipur become the capital of Rajasthan? Reasoning: Jaipur acceded at the Greater Rajasthan stage, inaugurated on 30 March 1949, when the capital shifted from Udaipur; the earlier United State of Rajasthan of 1948 had Udaipur as capital. Answer: Greater Rajasthan, 30 March 1949.
Traps
- Writing 30 March 1948 for Rajasthan Day; the correct year is 1949.
- Mixing folk deities - Pabuji belongs to the western desert belt, Tejaji to the Nagaur region.
- Quoting outdated district or tehsil counts; use the latest official notification.