【 STATIC GK 】
Award-Winning Indian Books & Their Authors
Book Title Author Award / Recognition
The White Tiger Aravind Adiga Man Booker Prize 2008
God of Small Things Arundhati Roy Booker Prize 1997
Ret Samadhi / Tomb Geetanjali Shree International Booker Prize
of Sand 2022
The Inheritance of Kiran Desai Man Booker Prize 2006
Loss
Midnight's Children Salman Rushdie Booker Prize 1981; Booker
of Bookers
Jasmine Days Benyamin (translated by JCB Prize for Literature
Shahnaz Habib) 2018
Blue is Like Blue Vinod Kumar Shukla Atta Galatta-BLF Book
Prize 2019
International Booker Prize - Winning Books
Year Book Title Author Language Translated
From
2023 Time Shelter Georgi Gospodinov Bulgarian
2022 Tomb of Sand Geetanjali Shree Hindi
2021 At Night All Blood is David Diop French
Black
2020 The Discomfort of Marieke Lucas Dutch
Evening Rijneveld
Famous Biographies – Indian & Global
Book Title Subject Author / Notes
Personality
Wings of Fire Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Written by A.P.J. Abdul
Kalam Kalam
Playing It My Way Sachin Tendulkar Autobiography
My Experiments with Truth Mahatma Gandhi Autobiography
The Story of My Life Helen Keller Autobiography
Long Walk to Freedom Nelson Mandela Autobiography
I am Malala Malala Yousafzai With Christina Lamb
The Race of My Life Milkha Singh Autobiography (with
Sonia Sanwalka)
Indira: India's Most Indira Gandhi Sagarika Ghose
Powerful Prime Minister
Extra Important Points
• Geetanjali Shree became the first Indian author to win the
International Booker Prize (2022).
• Booker Prize is awarded for original English-language novels, while
International Booker is for translated works.
• JCB Prize for Literature is one of the most prestigious Indian literary
awards for fiction.
• Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie also won Booker of Bookers
(best among Booker winners).
Major Sports Events & Their Recent Winners
Event Sport Winner (Latest / Host
Notable) Country/Year
FIFA World Cup Football Argentina (2022) Qatar 2022
(Men)
FIFA World Cup Football Spain (2023) Australia-New
(Women) Zealand 2023
ICC Cricket World Cricket England (2019), India 2023 (won
Cup (Men) Australia (2023) by Australia)
ICC Cricket World Cricket Australia (2022) New Zealand
Cup (Women) 2022
Olympics Multi-sport USA (Top Medal Japan
(Summer) Tally – Tokyo
2020)
Olympics (Winter) Multi-sport Norway (Top China
Medal Tally –
Beijing 2022)
Asian Games Multi-sport China (Top), India Hangzhou, China
(Asia) (5th Rank, 107 2023
medals)
Commonwealth Multi-sport Australia (Top), Birmingham, UK
Games India (4th, 61 – 2022
medals)
Khelo India Youth Multi-sport Maharashtra (Top Madhya Pradesh
Games 2023 (India) State)
Khelo India Winter Winter Sports Jammu & Kashmir Gulmarg, J&K
Games 2023 (Top)
University-
Khelo India Chandigarh Uttar Pradesh -
level Multi-
University Games University 2023
sport
Khelo India Para Para-sports
Haryana New Delhi - 2023
Games
Sports & Their Associated Terminologies
Sport Important Terminologies
Cricket LBW, Bouncer, Googly, Yorker, Powerplay
Football Offside, Free Kick, Corner Kick, Hat-trick
Hockey Penalty Corner, Push-in, Dribble, Flick
Badminton Smash, Drop Shot, Rally, Shuttle
Tennis Ace, Deuce, Break Point, Grand Slam
Boxing Knockout, Jab, Hook, Uppercut
Athletics Sprint, Hurdles, Relay, Long Jump
Chess Check, Checkmate, Castling, Pawn Promotion
Kabaddi Raid, Bonus, Do-or-die Raid, Super Tackle
Wrestling Pin, Grapple, Fall, Takedown
Famous Sports Trophies & Associated Sports
Trophy Name Sport Associated Country /
Level
FIFA World Cup Football International
Trophy
ICC World Cup Trophy Cricket International
The Ashes Cricket (Test) England vs Australia
Wimbledon Trophy Lawn Tennis UK
Davis Cup Tennis (Men's International
Team)
Thomas Cup Badminton (Men) International
Uber Cup Badminton International
(Women)
Stanley Cup Ice Hockey USA/Canada
Ranji Trophy Cricket (Domestic) India
Durand Cup Football India (Oldest tournament)
Dhyanchand Trophy Hockey India
Nehru Gold Cup Football India
Extra Important Points
• India won 107 medals in Asian Games 2023, its highest ever tally.
• Neeraj Chopra won Gold in Javelin Throw at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
• 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, 2028 in Los Angeles, 2032 in
Brisbane.
• Wimbledon, US Open, French Open, and Australian Open are four
Grand Slams in tennis.
• Thomas Cup 2022: India won it for the first time ever in Men’s
Badminton Team Championship.
Important Days
Month Date Observance / Day Name
January 12 January National Youth Day (Birth of Swami Vivekananda)
15 January Indian Army Day
26 January Republic Day of India
February 4 February World Cancer Day
28 February National Science Day
March 8 March International Women’s Day
15 March World Consumer Rights Day
22 March World Water Day
April 7 April World Health Day
22 April Earth Day
May 1 May International Labour Day
11 May National Technology Day
31 May World No Tobacco Day
June 5 June World Environment Day
21 June International Yoga Day
July 1 July National Doctor’s Day
26 July Kargil Vijay Diwas
August 15 August Independence Day of India
29 August National Sports Day (Birth of Major Dhyan Chand)
September 5 September Teacher’s Day (Birth of Dr. S. Radhakrishnan)
14 September Hindi Diwas
15 September Engineer’s Day (Birth of M. Visvesvaraya)
October 2 October Gandhi Jayanti
8 October Indian Air Force Day
24 October United Nations Day
November 14 November Children’s Day (Birth of Jawaharlal Nehru)
26 November Constitution Day / Law Day
December 1 December World AIDS Day
4 December Indian Navy Day
10 December Human Rights Day
Extra Important Points
• 26 January, 15 August, and 2 October are national holidays in India.
• 11 May is celebrated as National Technology Day (Pokhran nuclear
tests).
• 5 June (Environment Day) and 21 June (Yoga Day) are frequently
asked in exams.
• Teacher’s Day, Children’s Day, and Hindi Diwas are very commonly
tested in SSC, Railways, State exams.
• Constitution Day commemorates the adoption of the Indian
Constitution in 1949.
Major Indian Civilian Awards
Award Category Rank Recent Notable Winners
Name (2024)
Bharat Exceptional 1st Lal Krishna Advani, P.V.
Ratna service to the (Highest) Narasimha Rao (Posthumous),
nation Karpoori Thakur
(Posthumous)
Padma Distinguished & 2nd S. Nambi Narayanan
Vibhushan exceptional (Science), Vyjayantimala
service (Arts)
Padma High-order 3rd S. Jaishankar (Public Affairs),
Bhushan distinguished Konidela Chiranjeevi (Arts)
service
Padma Shri Notable 4th Ekta Kapoor (Arts), Kangana
contribution in Ranaut (Arts), Mirabai Chanu
various fields (Sports)
Gallantry Awards (India)
Award Name For Peacetime / Wartime
Param Vir Chakra Highest gallantry in war Wartime
Ashok Chakra Highest gallantry in peacetime Peacetime
Mahavir Chakra Second highest in war Wartime
Kirti Chakra Second highest in peacetime Peacetime
Shaurya Chakra Gallantry in peacetime Peacetime
Vir Chakra Gallantry in battlefield Wartime
Major International Awards
Award Name Field Presented By / Notable Facts
Nobel Prize Peace, Literature, Science, Sweden & Norway
Economics
Ramon Public Service, Leadership Asia’s Nobel; by Philippines
Magsaysay
Pulitzer Prize Journalism & Literature USA
Booker Prize English-language novel UK; Geetanjali Shree (2022) –
First Indian Winner
Oscar Awards Films Academy of Motion Picture Arts
and Sciences
Grammy Music USA
Awards
Major Sports Awards (India)
Award Name Field
Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Highest Sports Honour
Arjuna Award Outstanding performance in sports
Dronacharya Award Coaches in sports
Dhyan Chand Award Lifetime achievement in sports
Extra Important Points
• Bharat Ratna can be awarded posthumously (e.g., Lal Bahadur Shastri).
• Param Vir Chakra recipients include Captain Vikram Batra, Abdul
Hamid.
• Nobel Peace Prize 2014 jointly awarded to Kailash Satyarthi & Malala
Yousafzai.
• India’s first Oscar-winning film: Slumdog Millionaire (Music: A.R.
Rahman).
• Booker Prize 2022: Tomb of Sand by Geetanjali Shree (translated by
Daisy Rockwell).
Classical Dances of India – Styles and Famous Artists
Dance Form Origin Notable Exponents
State
Bharatanatyam Tamil Rukmini Devi Arundale, Yamini
Nadu Krishnamurthy, Padma Subrahmanyam,
Alarmel Valli
Kathak Uttar Birju Maharaj, Sitara Devi, Shovana Narayan,
Pradesh Kumudini Lakhia
Kathakali Kerala Kalamandalam Gopi, Kottakkal Sivaraman,
Kalamandalam Krishnan Nair
Mohiniyattam Kerala Bharati Shivaji, Sunanda Nair, Kalamandalam
Kshemavathy, Gopika Varma
Kuchipudi Andhra Raja-Radha Reddy, Yamini Reddy,
Pradesh Swapnasundari, Vempati Chinna Satyam
Odissi Odisha Kelucharan Mohapatra, Sanjukta Panigrahi,
Sonal Mansingh, Madhavi Mudgal
Manipuri Manipur Guru Bipin Singh, Jhaveri Sisters, Rajkumar
Singhajit Singh, Priti Patel
Sattriya Assam Jatin Goswami, Anita Sharma, Sharodi Saikia,
Monalisa Changkakoti
Extra Important Points
• Bharatanatyam is considered the mother of Indian classical dances.
• Kathakali involves heavy makeup, mudras, and facial expressions.
• Sattriya was recognized as a classical dance form by Sangeet Natak
Akademi in 2000.
• Odissi is based on temple dance traditions of Jagannath culture.
• Kathak evolved in Mughal courts and Hindu temples alike.
Folk Dances of Indian States
State / UT Famous Folk Dances
Andhra Pradesh Kuchipudi (Classical), Dhimsa, Veeranatyam
Arunachal Pradesh Ponung, Aji Lamu
Assam Bihu, Bagurumba, Jhumur
Bihar Jat-Jatin, Bidesia, Jhijhiya
Chhattisgarh Panthi, Raut Nacha, Sua Nacha
Goa Fugdi, Dhalo, Dekhni
Gujarat Garba, Dandiya Raas, Tippani
Haryana Phag, Dhamal, Ghoomar
Himachal Pradesh Nati, Dangi, Kulluvi
Jammu & Kashmir Rouf, Dumhal, Hafiza
Jharkhand Chhau, Paika, Jadur
Karnataka Dollu Kunitha, Veeragase, Yakshagana
Kerala Theyyam, Thiruvathirakali, Oppana
Madhya Pradesh Matki, Tertali, Grida, Rai
Maharashtra Lavani, Koli, Dindi
Manipur Thang Ta, Lai Haraoba, Pung Cholom
Meghalaya Shad Suk Mynsiem, Nongkrem
Mizoram Cheraw (Bamboo dance), Khuallam
Nagaland Chang Lo, Zeliang, Kuki
Odisha Ghumura, Dalkhai, Chhau
Punjab Bhangra, Giddha, Malwai Giddha
Rajasthan Ghoomar, Kalbelia, Bhavai
Sikkim Maruni, Tamang Selo, Singhi Cham
Tamil Nadu Karagattam, Kummi, Mayilattam
Telangana Lambadi, Perini Shivatandavam
Tripura Hojagiri, Lebang Boomani
Uttar Pradesh Raslila, Nautanki, Charkula
Uttarakhand Langvir Nritya, Barada Nati, Pandav Nritya
West Bengal Chhau, Gambhira, Baul
Ladakh (UT) Jabro, Shondol, Tseshe
Delhi (UT) No distinct folk, but influenced by all major
states
Andaman & Nicobar Nicobari Dance
(UT)
Lakshadweep (UT) Lava Dance, Kolkali
Extra Important Points
• Garba and Dandiya are famous folk dances of Gujarat, especially
during Navratri.
• Bhangra and Giddha are energetic folk dances of Punjab.
• Lavani is a traditional Maharashtrian dance, known for grace and
rhythm.
• Chhau dance is performed in Odisha, Jharkhand, and West Bengal.
• Cheraw (Bamboo dance) is a traditional folk dance of Mizoram.
• Raslila in Uttar Pradesh depicts stories of Lord Krishna.
Important Fairs and Festivals of India
State / UT Important Fair / Significance / Notes
Festival
Andhra Pradesh Ugadi, Tirupati Telugu New Year;
Brahmotsavam Venkateswara temple festival
Arunachal Losar, Solung Buddhist New Year;
Pradesh Agricultural festival
Assam Bihu Celebrated thrice; Assamese
New Year
Bihar Chhath Puja, Sonepur Sun worship; Asia’s largest
Mela cattle fair
Chhattisgarh Bastar Dussehra 75-day tribal celebration in
Jagdalpur
Goa Carnival, Shigmo Catholic festival; Holi-like
celebration
Gujarat Navratri, Rann Utsav Folk dance Garba-Dandiya;
desert festival in Kutch
Haryana Surajkund Mela International crafts fair
Himachal Pradesh Kullu Dussehra Procession of deities in Kullu
valley
Jammu & Hemis Festival, Masked dance at Hemis
Kashmir Baisakhi Monastery; spring harvest
festival
Jharkhand Sarhul Worship of Sal trees; tribal
festival
Karnataka Mysuru Dasara Royal celebration; processions
and cultural events
Kerala Onam, Thrissur Harvest festival; temple elephant
Pooram processions
Madhya Pradesh Bhagoria, Khajuraho Tribal fair before Holi; classical
Dance Festival dance event
Maharashtra Ganesh Chaturthi, Lord Ganesha worship; Marathi
Gudi Padwa New Year
Manipur Yaoshang, Lai Holi-like fest; traditional Meitei
Haraoba rituals
Meghalaya Wangala 100-drum festival of Garos
Mizoram Chapchar Kut Spring harvest festival
Nagaland Hornbill Festival Festival of all Naga tribes; held
in Kisama
Odisha Rath Yatra, Konark Lord Jagannath’s chariot
Dance Festival festival; classical dance at Sun
Temple
Punjab Baisakhi, Lohri Harvest festivals marking wheat
harvest
Rajasthan Pushkar Fair, Desert Cattle fair; folk arts & camel
Festival races
Sikkim Pang Lhabsol Marks Mt. Kanchenjunga’s
guardian spirit
Tamil Nadu Pongal, Chithirai Harvest celebration; Meenakshi
Festival temple rituals
Telangana Bonalu, Bathukamma Goddess worship with flowers
and food offerings
Tripura Kharchi Puja Tribal Hindu festival
worshipping 14 deities
Uttar Pradesh Kumbh Mela, Ram Largest religious gathering;
Navami Birth of Lord Rama
Uttarakhand Nanda Devi Raj Jat High-altitude pilgrimage
Yatra procession
West Bengal Durga Puja Major worship of Goddess
Durga
Delhi (UT) Qutub Festival Cultural and musical heritage
celebration
Ladakh (UT) Losar, Sindhu New Year; celebrates River
Darshan Indus
Andaman & Island Tourism Promotes culture and tourism
Nicobar (UT) Festival
Lakshadweep Milad-un-Nabi Birth of Prophet Muhammad
(UT)
Extra Important Points
• Kumbh Mela (UP) is the largest religious gathering on Earth.
• Hornbill Festival (Nagaland) showcases the cultural heritage of all Naga
tribes.
• Onam is the official festival of Kerala celebrating King Mahabali’s
return.
• Durga Puja in West Bengal is recognized by UNESCO as Intangible
Cultural Heritage.
• Surajkund Mela attracts artisans from all over India and SAARC
countries.
• Rath Yatra of Puri is celebrated globally among Jagannath devotees.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India
Name of the Site Location (State/UT)
Ajanta Caves Maharashtra
Ellora Caves Maharashtra
Taj Mahal Uttar Pradesh (Agra)
Agra Fort Uttar Pradesh
Fatehpur Sikri Uttar Pradesh
Sun Temple, Konark Odisha
Mahabalipuram Group of Monuments Tamil Nadu
Churches and Convents of Goa Goa
Humayun’s Tomb Delhi
Qutub Minar & Complex Delhi
Red Fort Complex Delhi
Group of Monuments at Hampi Karnataka
Group of Monuments at Pattadakal Karnataka
Rani ki Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) Gujarat
Champaner–Pavagadh Archaeological Gujarat
Park
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus Maharashtra
(CST)
Elephanta Caves Maharashtra
Sanchi Stupa Madhya Pradesh
Khajuraho Group of Monuments Madhya Pradesh
Great Living Chola Temples Tamil Nadu
Rock Shelters of Bhimbetka Madhya Pradesh
Buddhist Monuments at Sanchi Madhya Pradesh
Jantar Mantar (Jaipur) Rajasthan
Jaipur City Rajasthan
Keoladeo National Park Rajasthan
Kaziranga National Park Assam
Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Assam
Sundarbans National Park West Bengal
Nanda Devi & Valley of Flowers Uttarakhand
National Parks
Western Ghats Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka,
Maharashtra
Great Himalayan National Park Himachal Pradesh
Khangchendzonga National Park Sikkim
Hill Forts of Rajasthan Rajasthan
The Architectural Work of Le Chandigarh
Corbusier
Historic City of Ahmedabad Gujarat
Nalanda Mahavihara (Ancient Bihar
University)
Capitol Complex Chandigarh
Dholavira – Harappan City Gujarat
Ramappa Temple Telangana
Santiniketan West Bengal
Extra Important Points
• India has 42 UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as of 2024): 34 Cultural,
7 Natural, 1 Mixed.
• Taj Mahal is India’s most iconic and frequently asked heritage site.
• Khangchendzonga National Park is the only Mixed Heritage Site of
India.
• Santiniketan (added in 2023) was founded by Rabindranath Tagore.
• Ramappa Temple is the first UNESCO site from Telangana.
• Western Ghats, a biodiversity hotspot, span across 4 states.
