Current Affairs and Static GK Capsule

5B.1 Important National Days

Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), Gandhi Jayanti (2 October), and National Science Day (28 February) are among the key national observances tested regularly in banking exams.

5B.2 National Symbols

India's national symbols include the national emblem (the Lion Capital of Ashoka), the national bird (peacock), the national animal (Bengal tiger), the national flower (lotus), and the national aquatic animal (Ganges river dolphin).

5B.3 Constitutional Facts

The Indian Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. It is the longest written constitution in the world. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.

5B.4 Awards and Honours

The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award. The Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Shri form the next tier of civilian honours, in descending order of distinction.

5B.5 Sports and Games

The Olympic Games are held every four years. India's national sport is often popularly cited as hockey, though India does not have an officially declared national sport. The Ranji Trophy is India's premier domestic cricket tournament.

5B.6 Books and Authors

"Discovery of India" was written by Jawaharlal Nehru. "Wings of Fire" is the autobiography of Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. "My Experiments with Truth" is the autobiography of Mahatma Gandhi.

5B.7 Practice Set (10 MCQs)

1. Which day is celebrated as Independence Day in India?
   (a) 15 August (b) 26 January (c) 2 October (d) 26 November
2. What is the national emblem of India based on?
   (a) The Lotus (b) The Lion Capital of Ashoka (c) The Peacock (d) The Ashoka Chakra alone
3. Which is the national aquatic animal of India?
   (a) Ganges river dolphin (b) Blue whale (c) Gharial (d) Olive ridley turtle
4. The Indian Constitution came into effect on which date?
   (a) 26 January 1950 (b) 26 November 1949 (c) 15 August 1947 (d) 2 October 1950
5. Who chaired the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution?
   (a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (b) Jawaharlal Nehru (c) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (d) Dr. Rajendra Prasad
6. Which is India's highest civilian award?
   (a) Padma Vibhushan (b) Bharat Ratna (c) Padma Bhushan (d) Padma Shri
7. The Olympic Games are held every how many years?
   (a) Two years (b) Three years (c) Four years (d) Five years
8. Who wrote "Wings of Fire"?
   (a) Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam (b) Jawaharlal Nehru (c) Mahatma Gandhi (d) Rabindranath Tagore
9. Which is India's premier domestic cricket tournament?
   (a) Ranji Trophy (b) Duleep Trophy (c) Irani Cup (d) Vijay Hazare Trophy
10. National Science Day is celebrated on which date, commemorating the discovery of the Raman Effect?
    (a) 28 February (b) 14 November (c) 5 September (d) 22 April

Answer Key:

1.(a) India celebrates Independence Day on 15 August.

2.(b) The national emblem of India is based on the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.

3.(a) The Ganges river dolphin is the national aquatic animal of India.

4.(a) The Constitution came into effect on 26 January 1950, though it was adopted on 26 November 1949.

5.(a) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee.

6.(b) The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian award.

7.(c) The Olympic Games are held every four years.

8.(a) Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam wrote "Wings of Fire."

9.(a) The Ranji Trophy is India's premier domestic cricket tournament.

10.(a) National Science Day is celebrated on 28 February, commemorating the discovery of the Raman Effect by Sir C. V. Raman.