Static GK — Awards, Books, Days, Art and Culture, Sports — SSC CGL General Awareness
"Static" GK is the knowledge that doesn't change — India's national animal, the highest civilian award, which state Bharatanatyam belongs to, which sport the Ranji Trophy is played in. Because it never updates, every hour of memorisation is permanent marks. The trick is revising the specific lists SSC repeats — symbols, awards, days, dances, trophies, firsts — rather than an endless trivia pile.
1. What SSC actually asks
Tier 1: 2–3 Q · Tier 2: 1–2 Q (within GA). Themes: national symbols, civilian/military/field awards, important national and international days, classical and folk dances by state, sports trophies and terms, famous books/authors, superlatives (tallest statue), and "firsts" (first President, first woman PM).
2. National symbols
| Symbol | India's |
|---|---|
| National animal | Tiger |
| National bird | Peacock (Indian peafowl) |
| National flower | Lotus |
| National tree | Banyan |
| National fruit | Mango |
| National river | Ganga |
| National aquatic animal | River dolphin |
| National emblem | Lion Capital of Ashoka (Sarnath) |
3. Awards (know the field)
- Bharat Ratna — highest civilian award; then Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri.
- Param Vir Chakra — highest military/gallantry award (wartime).
- Dadasaheb Phalke Award — highest award in cinema.
- Jnanpith Award — highest literary award.
- Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna — highest sports award; Arjuna Award for consistent excellence.
- Nobel Prize, Oscar, Booker — key international awards worth recognising by field.
4. Important days
| Day | Date |
|---|---|
| Republic Day | 26 January |
| Independence Day | 15 August |
| Gandhi Jayanti | 2 October |
| International Women's Day | 8 March |
| World Health Day | 7 April |
| World Environment Day | 5 June |
| International Yoga Day | 21 June |
| Teachers' Day | 5 September |
| Children's Day | 14 November |
5. Art and culture — classical dances by state
| Dance | State |
|---|---|
| Bharatanatyam | Tamil Nadu |
| Kathak | Uttar Pradesh / North India |
| Kathakali & Mohiniyattam | Kerala |
| Kuchipudi | Andhra Pradesh |
| Odissi | Odisha |
| Manipuri | Manipur |
| Sattriya | Assam |
Folk dances: Bhangra (Punjab), Garba (Gujarat), Bihu (Assam), Ghoomar (Rajasthan).
6. Sports and superlatives
- Trophies by sport: Ranji Trophy — cricket; Durand Cup — football; Davis Cup — tennis; Thomas Cup — badminton; Ryder Cup — golf.
- Tallest statue in the world: the Statue of Unity (Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Gujarat, 182 m).
- Firsts: first President — Dr Rajendra Prasad; first PM — Jawaharlal Nehru; first woman PM — Indira Gandhi; first woman President — Pratibha Patil.
7. Solved PYQ-style examples
Q1. The highest civilian award of India is: Solution. Bharat Ratna.
Q2. Bharatanatyam is the classical dance of which state? Solution. Tamil Nadu.
Q3. The Ranji Trophy is associated with which sport? Solution. Cricket.
Q4. World Environment Day is observed on: Solution. 5 June.
Q5. The Statue of Unity is a statue of: Solution. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Q6. The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is given in the field of: Solution. Cinema (films).
8. Exam protocol
- Revise by list — symbols, awards, days, dances, trophies, firsts.
- For awards, memorise the field (cinema, literature, sport) and the highest in each.
- Dances: fix the state pairing; Kerala and Andhra are common confusables.
- Trophies: link each to its one sport (Thomas Cup = badminton, Durand Cup = football).
- Learn the "firsts" and superlatives cold — they're near-certain, unchanging marks.
