Top 50 General Knowledge Facts Everyone Should Know

General Knowledge (GK) is not just for competitive exams—it’s a lifelong skill that sharpens your thinking and makes you aware of the world around you. Whether you’re preparing for UPSC, SSC, bank exams, or just love learning, these 50 general knowledge facts cover history, science, geography, sports, and more.

History & Politics

1. The Constitution of India came into effect on 26 January 1950, making India a republic.
2. Mohenjo-Daro in present-day Pakistan is one of the world’s oldest planned cities from the Indus Valley Civilization.
3. Ashoka the Great was a Mauryan emperor who embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War.
4. World War II lasted from 1939 to 1945 and involved over 30 countries.
5. The United Nations was founded on 24 October 1945 to promote peace and cooperation.
6. The Right to Education Act in India came into force in 2010, making education a fundamental right.
7. Raja Ram Mohan Roy is known as the father of the Indian Renaissance for his social reforms.
8. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution declares India as a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.
9. Mahatma Gandhi led the Salt March in 1930 as a protest against the British salt tax.
10. The First Lok Sabha elections in India were held in 1951–52.

Science & Technology

11. The speed of light is approximately 299,792 kilometers per second.
12. The human brain has about 86 billion nerve cells (neurons).
13. Water boils at 100°C (212°F) at sea level.
14. DNA stands for Deoxyribonucleic Acid, the genetic blueprint of life.
15. Albert Einstein developed the theory of relativity, changing modern physics.
16. The ozone layer protects the Earth from harmful ultraviolet rays.
17. Isaac Newton formulated the laws of motion and universal gravitation.
18. The first computer was the ENIAC, developed in 1945.
19. Vaccines work by training the immune system to fight diseases.
20. The internet was publicly available from the early 1990s, revolutionizing communication.

Geography

21. Mount Everest is the highest mountain peak in the world at 8,849 meters.
22. The Nile River in Africa is the longest river in the world.
23. The Sahara Desert is the largest hot desert in the world.
24. Russia is the largest country by area.
25. Vatican City is the smallest country in the world.
26. India has 28 states and 8 Union Territories.
27. The Amazon Rainforest produces about 20% of the world’s oxygen.
28. Greenland is the largest island in the world.
29. The Dead Sea has the highest salt concentration, making it easy to float.
30. Antarctica is the coldest place on Earth.

Sports & Entertainment

31. Cricket is the most popular sport in India.
32. Sachin Tendulkar is the highest run-scorer in international cricket.
33. The Olympics are held every four years with summer and winter editions.
34. Usain Bolt holds the world record for the 100m sprint at 9.58 seconds.
35. The FIFA World Cup is the most-watched sporting event globally.
36. Lata Mangeshkar is one of India’s most celebrated playback singers.
37. Walt Disney created the first synchronized sound cartoon, “Steamboat Willie.”
38. The first feature-length film in the world was “The Story of the Kelly Gang” (1906).
39. The Grammy Awards honor outstanding achievements in the music industry.
40. The Academy Awards (Oscars) celebrate excellence in film.

Current Affairs & Miscellaneous

41. India’s Chandrayaan-3 successfully landed on the Moon’s south pole in 2023.
42. The World Health Organization (WHO) is responsible for global public health.
43. Bitcoin was the first cryptocurrency, created in 2009.
44. Climate change is a major global challenge caused by greenhouse gas emissions.
45. The G20 Summit brings together the world’s major economies to discuss global issues.
46. Renewable energy sources include solar, wind, and hydro power.
47. The International Space Station (ISS) is a joint project of multiple countries.
48. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming industries worldwide.
49. Yoga originated in ancient India and is practiced globally for health benefits.
50. World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5 June.

These 50 general knowledge facts offer a mix of history, science, geography, sports, and current affairs—helping you stay informed and ready for any quiz or competitive exam. Knowledge is power, and building it daily makes you not just smarter, but also more aware of the world.

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