General Knowledge

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your exam.

General Knowledge — Key Facts for CUET Indian geography: 28 states, 8 union territories; Himalayas in north, Indo-Gangetic plain, Peninsular plateau, Thar desert in west Major rivers: Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Godavari, Krishna, Narmada, Mahanadi, Kaveri Neighbouring countries: Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India: 42 (as of 2024) — Taj Mahal, Konark Sun Temple, Khajuraho, Hampi, Ajanta-Ellora caves National symbols: National Animal = Tiger (Panthera tigris), Bird = Peacock, Flower = Lotus, Fruit = Mango, Tree = Banyan, River = Ganga Currency: Indian Rupee (₹); 1 USD ≈ ₹83; Currency sign created by D. Udaya Kumar (2010) ⚡ Exam tip: Know the newest UNESCO sites in India (2023-24) and recent additions to the list

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Standard content for students with a few days to months.

General Knowledge — CUET General Test Study Guide

General Knowledge in CUET covers a broad range of topics including Indian history, geography, culture, economy, science, and important national/international institutions. The questions are typically factual — requiring recall rather than deep analysis.

Indian Geography:

Physical Divisions:

• Himalayan Mountains: Three ranges — Himadri (Greater Himalayas, ~6000–7000m, contains peaks), Himachal (Lesser Himalayas, 3000–4000m, popular hill stations), Shivaliks (Outer Himalayas, 1000–1500m). Major passes: Rohtang, Nathu La, Khardung La.
• Indo-Gangetic Plain: Alluvial fertile plains of Punjab, Haryana, UP, Bihar, West Bengal. Three divisions: Bhabar (north), Tarai (marshy), Alluvial (Khadar and Bhangar).
• Peninsular Plateau:ivided into Central Highlands (Malwa, Bundelkhand, Chota Nagpur, Deccan Plateau) and South of Vindhya ranges. Major rivers: Narmada, Tapti, Mahanadi, Godavari, Krishna, Kaveri — all flow east or west (not south).
• Thar Desert: In Rajasthan; sandy desert; extreme temperature variation.

Major Rivers:

• Ganga: Flows through India and Bangladesh; tributaries: Yamuna (confluence at Prayagraj/Allahabad), Ghaghara, Gandak, Kosi; holy cities: Haridwar, Varanasi, Allahabad
• Brahmaputra: Flows from Tibet (called Tsangpo), enters India in Arunachal Pradesh (called Dihang), joins Ganga in Bangladesh (called Meghna) → forms world’s largest delta (Sunderbans)
• Godavari: India’s second longest river (1465 km); flows through Maharashtra, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh; called “Dakshina Ganga”
• Narmada: Flows from Amarkantak (MP); major project Sardar Sarovar Dam; ends in Gulf of Khambhat

Climate of India:

• Monsoon climate — South-West monsoon (June-September), North-East monsoon (October-December for Tamil Nadu)
• Factors affecting climate: Latitude, altitude, distance from sea, monsoon winds, Western Disturbances
• Köppen’s climate types: Aw (tropical savanna — most of peninsula), Cwg (humid subtropical — Northern plains), Dfc (subalpine — Himalayas), BWh (hot desert — Rajasthan)

Indian History — Key Events:

• Indus Valley Civilization: 3300–1300 BCE; major sites: Harappa (Punjab), Mohenjo-Daro (Sindh), Lothal (Gujarat), Dholavira (Gujarat)
• Vedic Period: 1500–500 BCE; Rigveda composed; Varna system (Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras); concepts of Dharma and Karma
• Mahajanapadas: 16 powerful kingdoms; republics existed (Vajjis, Mallas)
• Maurya Empire: Chandragupta Maurya (322 BCE); Ashoka (268–232 BCE); Kalinga War (261 BCE); spread of Buddhism
• Gupta Empire: Golden Age of India; Samudragupta, Chandragupta II; Kalidasa, Aryabhata; universities at Nalanda, Valabhi
• Medieval: Delhi Sultanate (1206–1526); Vijayanagara and Bahmani kingdoms; Mughal Empire (1526–1857); Taj Mahal (1632-1653)

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India (selected):

• Agra Fort (UP), Ajanta Caves (Maharashtra), Ellora Caves (Maharashtra), Taj Mahal (UP)
• Sun Temple Konark (Odisha), Khajuraho Group of Monuments (MP), Hampi Monuments (Karnataka)
• Elephanta Caves (Maharashtra), Sanchi Stupa (MP), Hill Forts of Rajasthan
• Santiniketan (West Bengal), Ramappa Temple (Telangana — newest, 2021)

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🔴 Extended — Deep Study (3mo+)

Comprehensive coverage for students on a longer study timeline.

General Knowledge — Comprehensive CUET General Test Notes

Indian Economy — Key Facts:

Five-Year Plans: India used five-year plans from 1951 to 2017 (12th Five-Year Plan). NITI Aayog replaced Planning Commission in 2015. Current: 3-year Programme for槽velopment Action.

Major Industries:

• Iron and Steel: SAIL (Steel Authority of India), Tata Steel, JSW Steel; plants in Bokaro, Bhilai, Durgapur, Rourkela, Burnpur
• IT and Software: Bangalore (“Silicon Valley of India”), Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune; major companies: TCS, Infosys, Wipro, HCL
• Textiles: Cotton (Gujarat, Maharashtra), Jute (West Bengal, Odisha), Silk (Karnataka — Bangalore silk, Assam — muga silk)
• Automobiles: Maruti Suzuki (Gurgaon), Hyundai (Chennai), Tata Motors (Pune, Jamshedpur)

Agricultural Facts:

• Rice: West Bengal, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh (kharif crop, requires heavy rainfall)
• Wheat: Punjab, Haryana, UP, Madhya Pradesh (rabi crop)
• Pulses: Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra
• Sugarcane: Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu
• Cotton: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Telangana, Rajasthan
• Tea: Assam (largest), West Bengal (Darjeeling), Tamil Nadu (Nilgiris)
• Coffee: Karnataka (70% of India’s coffee), Kerala, Tamil Nadu

States and Their Specialties:

• Assam: Tea, petroleum, silk
• Gujarat: Cotton, chemicals, salt (Rann of Kutch)
• Karnataka: Silk, sandalwood, coffee, IT
• Kerala: Spices (cardamom, pepper, cinnamon), coir, tea
• Maharashtra: Sugarcane, oranges, grapes, Bollywood
• Punjab: Wheat, rice, milk (“India’s breadbasket”)
• Rajasthan: Oilseeds, pulses, tourism (desert)

Important Inventions and Discoveries:

• Zero: Aryabhata (5th century CE)
• Decimal system: Brahmagupta
• Plastic surgery: Sushruta Samhita (Ayurvedic text, 600 BCE)
• Wootz steel: Ancient India (Coromandel coast — made Damascus steel)
• Cataract surgery: Sushruta
• Button lung: Ancient India

Important Days:

• 21 June: International Yoga Day (declared by UN in 2014; first celebrated 2015)
• 15 July: World Youth Skills Day
• 26 November: Constitution Day (celebrated as Samvidhan Divas)
• 5 September: Teacher’s Day (Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan’s birthday)
• 2 October: Gandhi Jayanti + International Non-Violence Day
• 14 November: Children’s Day (Pt. Nehru’s birthday)
• 26 January: Republic Day
• 15 August: Independence Day

CUET Exam Patterns (2022–2024):

• Geography questions focus on Indian rivers, mountains, climate, and agricultural patterns
• History questions are moderate difficulty — major dynasties, rulers, and cultural achievements
• Current national achievements and government initiatives are increasingly tested
• National parks, biosphere reserves, and wildlife frequently appear
• UNESCO sites — newest additions are commonly tested
• Common mistakes: confusing one state with its neighbouring state; misremembering which river belongs to which region; forgetting the number of states and union territories

⚡ Key insight: General Knowledge for CUET has a strong India focus. When preparing geography, mentally map India’s physical features — trace rivers on a blank map, identify mountain ranges and passes. For history, focus on cultural achievements, major empires, and famous rulers. Read the newspaper’s “In Brief” section daily for the 3 months before the exam.

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