India civics quiz: questions and answers
All 22 general civics quiz questions about India with answers and explanations, grouped by topic. This is a learning quiz, not an official exam. Select a question to see the answer.
Constitution and government 7 questions
Head of state, parliament, courts and the constitution.
Practise only: Constitution and government →
When did the Constitution of India come into force?
26 January 1950
The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day.
Who is the head of state of India?
The President
The President is the constitutional head of state; executive power is exercised on the advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Prime Minister.
How long is the President of India’s term of office?
Five years
Article 56 fixes a five-year term; the President is chosen by an electoral college.
Which body is the upper house of India’s Parliament?
Rajya Sabha
The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is the upper house; the Lok Sabha is directly elected.
Which is the highest court in India?
The Supreme Court of India
Article 124 establishes the Supreme Court; High Courts sit at state level.
What is the capital of India?
New Delhi
New Delhi is the capital and the seat of Parliament, the President and the Supreme Court.
Who chaired the Drafting Committee of India’s Constitution?
B. R. Ambedkar
Dr B. R. Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee. Rajendra Prasad was President of the Constituent Assembly.
History and national symbols 9 questions
Independence, key dates, flag, anthem and other national symbols.
Practise only: History and national symbols →
What is the 24-spoke wheel on the Indian flag called?
The Ashoka Chakra
It comes from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath.
Who wrote India’s national anthem, Jana Gana Mana?
Rabindranath Tagore
Tagore wrote the anthem; Bankim Chandra Chatterjee wrote the national song Vande Mataram.
What is India’s national animal?
The Bengal tiger
The tiger is the national animal; the peacock is the national bird.
Who was the first President of India?
Dr Rajendra Prasad
Rajendra Prasad served from 1950 to 1962; Ambedkar chaired the Constitution's Drafting Committee.
On what date did India become independent?
15 August 1947
India gained independence from British rule on 15 August 1947, celebrated each year as Independence Day.
Who was India’s first Prime Minister?
Jawaharlal Nehru
Jawaharlal Nehru served as Prime Minister from independence in 1947 until 1964. Rajendra Prasad was the first President.
In which year did Gandhi lead the Salt March to Dandi?
1930
Gandhi's Salt March in March and April 1930 protested against the British salt tax.
Which Mughal emperor built the Taj Mahal?
Shah Jahan
Shah Jahan built the Taj Mahal in Agra as a tomb for his wife Mumtaz Mahal. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
In which year was the Quit India Movement launched?
1942
The Indian National Congress launched the Quit India Movement in August 1942, calling for an end to British rule.
Geography and society 5 questions
Capital, geography, languages, currency and public holidays.
Practise only: Geography and society →
How many languages are listed in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution?
22
The Eighth Schedule lists 22 scheduled languages after the 92nd Amendment of 2003.
How many states does India have?
28
India has 28 states and 8 union territories since the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019.
What is the currency of India?
The Indian rupee
India's currency is the Indian rupee, issued by the Reserve Bank of India.
How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra on India’s flag have?
24
The navy blue Ashoka Chakra at the centre of the tricolour has 24 spokes.
Which sacred river flows past the city of Varanasi?
The Ganges
Varanasi lies on the banks of the Ganges (Ganga), one of India's most sacred rivers.
Naturalisation rules 1 questions
What the law requires for citizenship: residence, language, tests, fees and dual nationality.
Practise only: Naturalisation rules →
Under the Citizenship Act 1955, how many years of aggregate residence in the previous 14 years are generally required for naturalisation?
11
The Third Schedule requires 11 of the previous 14 years plus the 12 months immediately before applying; the CAA route (section 6B) needs 5 years.
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