1
The national animal of India is the:
Correct answer: A. Bengal tiger
The tiger (Panthera tigris) is the national animal. The elephant was declared the national heritage animal in 2010.
easy
National Symbols and Indian Firsts MCQs
Solved MCQs on India's national symbols (flag, emblem, anthem, song, animal, bird, calendar) and well-known Indian firsts, with short explanations.
20 MCQsUpdated 27 October 2026
Revise India's national symbols, including the national animal, anthem, flag and emblem, and the people who were India's first in different fields.
These are among the most repeated static GK questions in every exam. Make sure you can answer each one confidently, including details such as the Ashoka Chakra's spokes and the flag's proportions.
- 2
The national bird of India is the:
Correct answer: A. Indian peafowl (peacock)
The Indian peafowl was declared the national bird in 1963.
easy - 3
Which animal is India's national aquatic animal?
Correct answer: A. Ganges river dolphin
The Ganges river dolphin was declared the national aquatic animal in 2009.
medium - 4
The national song "Vande Mataram" was written by:
Correct answer: D. Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay
It appears in Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay's novel Anandamath (1882).
easy - 5
The national anthem "Jana Gana Mana" was adopted by the Constituent Assembly on:
Correct answer: C. 24 January 1950
It was adopted on 24 January 1950. The song was written by Rabindranath Tagore.
medium - 6
The full version of the national anthem takes about:
Correct answer: A. 52 seconds
The full version takes about 52 seconds; a short version of the first and last lines takes about 20 seconds.
medium - 7
The national emblem of India is adapted from the Lion Capital of Ashoka at:
Correct answer: C. Sarnath
It was adopted on 26 January 1950 from the Lion Capital found at Sarnath.
easy - 8
The motto "Satyameva Jayate" written below the national emblem is taken from the:
Correct answer: D. Mundaka Upanishad
"Truth alone triumphs" comes from the Mundaka Upanishad.
medium - 9
How many spokes does the Ashoka Chakra on the national flag have?
Correct answer: C. 24
The navy-blue wheel in the centre of the white band has 24 spokes.
easy - 10
The national calendar of India, adopted in 1957, is based on the:
Correct answer: D. Saka era
The Saka calendar (starting with Chaitra) is used alongside the Gregorian calendar for official purposes.
medium - 11
The national fruit of India is the:
Correct answer: B. mango
The mango (Mangifera indica) is the national fruit.
easy - 12
The national tree of India is the:
Correct answer: D. banyan
The banyan (Ficus benghalensis) is the national tree.
easy - 13
The ratio of the length to the width of the Indian national flag is:
Correct answer: B. 3 : 2
The flag's length and width are in the ratio 3 : 2.
easy - 14
Who was the first President of India?
Correct answer: C. Dr Rajendra Prasad
Dr Rajendra Prasad served from 1950 to 1962, the only President elected twice.
easy - 15
Who was the first woman President of India?
Correct answer: B. Pratibha Patil
Pratibha Patil served as President from 2007 to 2012.
easy - 16
The first Indian to win a Nobel Prize was:
Correct answer: B. Rabindranath Tagore
Rabindranath Tagore won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1913 for Gitanjali. C. V. Raman won the Physics prize in 1930.
easy - 17
Who was India's first woman Prime Minister?
Correct answer: B. Indira Gandhi
Indira Gandhi became Prime Minister in 1966. Sucheta Kripalani was India's first woman Chief Minister.
easy - 18
The first Indian to travel into space was:
Correct answer: A. Rakesh Sharma
Rakesh Sharma flew aboard the Soviet Soyuz T-11 in April 1984.
easy - 19
The Bharat Ratna was first awarded in:
Correct answer: C. 1954
The first awards in 1954 went to C. Rajagopalachari, Dr S. Radhakrishnan and C. V. Raman.
medium - 20
The national river of India is the:
Correct answer: D. Ganga
The Ganga was declared the national river in 2008.
easy