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World Cluster1,705 Verified Questions
World Countries, Capitals & Currencies GK Questions & Answers
The geopolitical structure of the modern international system encompasses 193 sovereign member states of the United Nations, alongside two permanent non-member observer states: the Holy See (Vatican City) and the State of Palestine. A fundamental distinction in political geography exists between designated administrative capitals and primate economic cities, exemplified by Canberra (not Sydney) in Australia, Ottawa (not Toronto) in Canada, Brasília (not São Paulo) in Brazil, Bern (not Zurich) as Switzerland's federal city, and Washington, D.C. (not New York City) in the United States. Furthermore, several nations maintain multiple capital cities distributed across governmental branches: South Africa operates with Pretoria (executive), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial), while Bolivia divides authority between Sucre (constitutional capital) and La Paz (seat of government). In international monetary systems, sovereign nations issue official currencies or participate in multilateral monetary unions, such as the 20 European Union member nations utilizing the Euro, the eight West African states using the West African CFA franc, and individual currency units including the Japanese Yen, Swiss Franc, and British Pound Sterling. Global geography also accounts for 44 landlocked developing countries, with Kazakhstan being the world's largest by surface area, and two doubly landlocked nations: Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan.
High-yield conceptual summaries for competitive exams and rapid revision.
The United Nations recognizes 193 sovereign member states and two non-member permanent observer states: the Holy See (Vatican City, world's smallest state by area and population) and the State of Palestine.
Several sovereign nations maintain multi-capital arrangements, notably South Africa with Pretoria (administrative), Cape Town (legislative), and Bloemfontein (judicial), and Bolivia with Sucre (constitutional) and La Paz (executive/legislative).
Major world nations frequently maintain administrative capitals distinct from their largest economic metropolises, such as Canberra (Australia), Ottawa (Canada), Bern (Switzerland), and Brasília (Brazil).
There are 44 landlocked countries worldwide, with Kazakhstan being the largest landlocked country by area, while Liechtenstein and Uzbekistan represent the only two doubly landlocked states surrounded entirely by other landlocked nations.
The Eurozone comprises 20 European Union member states (with Croatia joining in 2023) operating under a single currency, the Euro, regulated by the European Central Bank in Frankfurt.
Showing 25 Curated Questions1,705 Total in Bank
1ID: GK-BANK-00050
hardFinancial Terms, Money Markets & Capital Instruments
What is the range of the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCCB) prescribed under Basel III norms to restrict excessive credit growth during economic expansions?
Verified Explanation
Under the Basel III macroprudential framework, the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCCB) ranges between 0% and 2.5% of Common Equity Tier 1 capital based on the Credit-to-GDP gap and other leading indicators.
2ID: GK-BANK-00323
mediumFinancial Terms, Money Markets & Capital Instruments
Under RBI Basel III framework, what is the Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCyB) range that can be activated by the RBI during periods of excessive credit growth?
Verified Explanation
The Countercyclical Capital Buffer (CCyB) is an extension of Basel III capital rules ranging from 0% to 2.5% of RWA, activated when credit growth significantly outpaces economic growth.
3ID: GK-CTRY-00554
mediumAfrican Nations
In 1991, Nigeria officially moved its federal capital from coastal Lagos to which centrally located planned city in the Federal Capital Territory?
Verified Explanation
Abuja was constructed in the 1980s as a neutral planned federal capital for Nigeria to promote national unity and relieve extreme congestion in Lagos.
4ID: GK-CTRY-00559
mediumEuropean Nations
What is the capital city of Iceland, famously powered almost entirely by geothermal energy and recognised as the world's northernmost capital of a sovereign state?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavík is located at latitude 64°08' N, making it the northernmost capital of a sovereign state, home to over two-thirds of Iceland's total population.
5ID: GK-CTRY-00563
mediumOceania Nations
Which island nation in Micronesia has no designated official capital city, with government offices situated in the Yaren District?
Verified Explanation
Nauru is the only sovereign republic in the world without an official capital city; parliamentary buildings and administrative offices are located in the Yaren District.
6ID: GK-CTRY-00572
hardAsian Nations
In November 2005, the government of Myanmar transferred its administrative capital from Yangon (Rangoon) to which newly constructed inland greenfield city?
Verified Explanation
Naypyidaw ('Abode of the King') was constructed in the central scrubland of Myanmar and officially declared the national capital on November 6, 2005.
7ID: GK-CTRY-00574
hardAmericas Nations
In 1970, the government of British Honduras relocated its capital from hurricane-devastated Belize City to which purpose-built inland capital city?
Verified Explanation
Following catastrophic damage caused by Hurricane Hattie in 1961, Belmopan was constructed 80 km inland and inaugurated as the new capital of Belize in 1970.
8ID: GK-CTRY-00589
hardAfrican Nations
In 1983, President Félix Houphouët-Boigny relocated the political capital of Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) from coastal Abidjan to which inland birthplace?
Verified Explanation
Yamoussoukro was declared the political capital in 1983, home to the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, while Abidjan remains the economic engine and de facto seat of many government ministries.
9ID: GK-CTRY-00616
mediumAmericas Nations
Which historic city is designated as the constitutional and judicial capital of Bolivia, while La Paz is the seat of the executive and legislative branches?
Verified Explanation
Sucre is the constitutional capital of Bolivia and the seat of the Supreme Tribunal of Justice, whereas La Paz functions as the administrative seat of government.
10ID: GK-CTRY-00619
mediumEuropean Nations
What is the capital city of Iceland, standing as the northernmost capital of a sovereign nation in the world?
Verified Explanation
Reykjavik (latitude 64°08' N) is the capital of Iceland and the northernmost capital of any sovereign state.
11ID: GK-CTRY-00628
mediumEuropean Nations
What is the capital of the Republic of Cyprus, famously partitioned by a UN buffer zone (Green Line)?
Verified Explanation
Nicosia (Lefkosia) is the capital of Cyprus and the only remaining divided capital city in Europe.
12ID: GK-CTRY-00637
hardAfrican Nations
South Africa has three official capital cities. Which city serves specifically as the legislative capital, hosting the Parliament of South Africa?
Verified Explanation
South Africa divides capital responsibilities across three branches: Cape Town (legislative capital), Pretoria (administrative/executive capital), and Bloemfontein (judicial capital).
13ID: GK-BANK-00165
hardFinancial Terms, Money Markets & Capital Instruments
Under the Market Stabilization Scheme (MSS) introduced in April 2004, what special sovereign debt instruments were issued by the RBI to mop up enduring excess liquidity from heavy capital inflows?
Verified Explanation
Under the MSS arrangement agreed between the GoI and RBI, the Government issued MSS Treasury Bills and dated securities to absorb liquidity arising from foreign exchange inflows, with the proceeds held in a separate sterilised cash account.
14ID: GK-BANK-00414
hardFinancial Terms, Money Markets & Capital Instruments
Which landmark financial sector committee report submitted in November 1991 laid the foundational blueprint for India's banking sector reforms (including reduction of CRR/SLR, capital adequacy norms, and entry of new private banks)?
Verified Explanation
The Narasimham Committee I (1991) on the Financial System recommended phased reduction of SLR and CRR, adoption of prudential norms for income recognition and provisioning, deregulation of interest rates, and licensing of new private banks.
15ID: GK-CTRY-00551
mediumAsian Nations
In 2019, Indonesia enacted legislation to relocate its national capital from sinking Jakarta to a new planned smart city named Nusantara in which province?
Verified Explanation
President Joko Widodo initiated the Nusantara project in East Kalimantan to ease environmental pressure on Jakarta and distribute economic development across the archipelago.
16ID: GK-CTRY-00587
hardEuropean Nations
Nicosia (Lefkosia), the capital of Cyprus, holds which unique political distinction in contemporary Europe?
Verified Explanation
Since the 1974 conflict, Nicosia has been partitioned by the United Nations Buffer Zone in Cyprus (the Green Line) into southern Greek Cypriot and northern Turkish Cypriot sectors.
17ID: GK-EPIG-00016
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
The iconic Lion Capital of Ashoka, which was adopted as the National Emblem of India in 1950, originally crowned the Ashoka pillar at which ancient Buddhist site?
Verified Explanation
The Lion Capital was carved from polished Chunar sandstone to crown the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath (Deer Park), where the Buddha preached his first sermon (Dhammacakkappavattana). On 26 January 1950, the Republic of India adopted the four addorsed lions with the Ashoka Chakra as its National Emblem.
18ID: GK-EPIG-00075
easyAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
The exquisitely polished Mauryan 'Bull Capital', excavated from an Ashokan monolithic pillar in the West Champaran district of Bihar, is currently preserved and displayed at which landmark national institution?
Verified Explanation
The famous Rampurva Bull Capital was excavated from Rampurva in West Champaran, Bihar. Renowned for its mirror-like Mauryan polish and lifelike zebu bull sculpture, it is preserved in the central foyer of Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
19ID: GK-EPIG-00147
hardAshokan Inscriptions & Script Decipherment
The exquisite monolithic Mauryan polished sandstone 'Rampurva Bull Capital', discovered in 1876 in West Champaran by A.C.L. Carlleyle, is presently preserved and displayed at which prestigious national venue?
Verified Explanation
Discovered at Rampurva in Bihar, the magnificent Rampurva Bull Capital (c. 3rd century BCE) is celebrated as a pinnacle of Mauryan polished sculpture. It is mounted in the central foyer of Rashtrapati Bhavan (President's Palace) in New Delhi.
20ID: GK-EPIG-00494
easyAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
The celebrated polished sandstone Bull Capital of Ashoka, discovered in West Champaran, Bihar, without an abacus bell and now preserved at Rashtrapati Bhavan, was recovered from which site?
Verified Explanation
The Rampurva Bull Capital was discovered by A. C. L. Carlleyle in 1876 at Rampurva in West Champaran district, Bihar. Carved out of a single block of Chunar sandstone, this masterwork of Mauryan polish depicts a humped Indian zebu bull and is prominently displayed at the central foyer of Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
21ID: GK-EPIG-00495
easyAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
Which remarkably well-preserved Ashokan monolithic pillar in Bihar stands completely intact at a height of over 32 feet, crowned by a majestic single seated lion capital?
Verified Explanation
The monolithic pillar at Lauriya-Nandangarh in West Champaran district, Bihar, is one of the best-preserved Mauryan columns in existence. Standing over 32 feet high with a lustrous Mauryan polish, it retains its original single seated lion capital and bears six of Ashoka's Major Pillar Edicts.
22ID: GK-EPIG-00554
easyAshokan Rock Edicts, Pillars & Decipherment
Which archaeologist and civil engineer excavated the ruins of Sarnath in 1905 and unearthed the magnificent polished sandstone Ashokan Lion Capital that was adopted as the National Emblem of India?
Verified Explanation
In 1904–1905, F.O. Oertel of the Archaeological Survey of India excavated the main shrine area at Sarnath, discovering the Ashokan pillar and its quadripartite Lion Capital, which the Government of India adopted as the State Emblem on January 26, 1950.
23ID: GK-BANK-00044
hardCommercial Banks, Payment Banks & SFBs
Under Basel III capital regulations, what is the minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) mandated by the RBI for Indian Scheduled Commercial Banks (excluding CCB)?
Verified Explanation
While Basel III global norms mandate an 8.0% minimum CRAR, the RBI prescribes a stricter minimum CRAR of 9.0% (plus a 2.5% Capital Conservation Buffer, bringing total capital to 11.5%) for Indian commercial banks.
24ID: GK-BANK-00075
mediumCommercial Banks, Payment Banks & SFBs
What is the minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR / Capital Adequacy Ratio) mandated by the RBI for Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks?
Verified Explanation
The Reserve Bank of India mandates a minimum Capital to Risk-Weighted Assets Ratio (CRAR) of 15% on a continuous basis for both Small Finance Banks and Payments Banks.
25ID: GK-BANK-00077
mediumCommercial Banks, Payment Banks & SFBs
What is the minimum paid-up equity capital mandated by the RBI to establish a Payments Bank in India?
Verified Explanation
As per RBI Guidelines for Licensing of Payments Banks, the minimum paid-up equity capital for setting up a Payments Bank is ₹100 Crore.