Overview
General Knowledge (GK) is a core component of most Indian bank recruitment tests. The 2020 banking cycle saw a higher emphasis on current affairs, economic reforms and statutory bodies. This page provides a concise yet comprehensive guide to the GK Awareness Quiz that appears in written exams, prelims, and online assessments for SBI, RBI, IBPS, and other commercial banks.
The quiz aims to evaluate a candidates ability to stay updated with national and international events, understand the financial ecosystem, and apply logical reasoning to factual data. Below you will find the typical format, topics covered, a few example questions, and actionable strategies to boost your score.
Why GK Matters in Bank Exams
- Eligibility for Shortlisting: Many banks set a minimum GK score before considering a candidate for the subsequent phases.
- Weightage in Total Marks: GK usually contributes 1520% of the total score, making it a decisive factor. RealWorld Relevance: Bank officers need to handle policies, schemes, and customer queries that are rooted in current events.
- Confidence Builder: Regular GK practice improves reading speed and comprehensionskills that help across other sections like Quantitative Aptitude and Reasoning.
Quiz Structure (2020 Pattern)
Although each recruiting body may have minor variations, the standard layout for 2020 was:
- Number of Questions: 2530
- Marks per Question: 12 (no negative marking)
- Time Allotted: 20minutes
- Question Types:
- SingleCorrect Multiple Choice
- MultipleCorrect (choose two/three options)
- Match the Following
- Sections Covered:
- Current Affairs (JanuaryDecember 2020)
- Economics & Banking Terminology
- Science & Technology
- Sports & Awards
- History, Geography, Polity (basic level)
Sample Questions
Q1. Who was appointed as the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in December2019?
- A. Urjit Patel
- B. Shaktikanta Das
- C. Raghuram Rajan
- D. Duvvuri Subbarao
Answer: B
Q2. Match the year with the major economic reform announced in India.
| 2015 | ____ |
| 2016 | ____ |
| 2019 | ____ |
- (A) Goods and Services Tax (GST)
- (B) Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC)
- (C) Demonetisation
Answer: 2015B, 2016A, 2019C
Q3. Which Indian cricketer was awarded the ICC Cricketer of the Year in 2020?
- A. Virat Kohli
- B. Rohit Sharma
- C. Kane Williamson
- D. None of the above
Answer: D (The award was not given in 2020 because of the pandemic)
Practicing questions of this type will familiarize you with the speed and accuracy required for the real assessment.
Download Full GK Question Bank (PDF)Effective Preparation Strategies
- Daily Current Affairs Routine
- Read a reputable newspaper (The Hindu, Indian Express) for at least 30minutes.
- Subscribe to a concise weekly current affairs newsletter.
- Maintain a onepage GK diary summarizing key events, dates, and numbers.
- Use Structured GK Books
Books such as General Knowledge for Banking (by Arihant) and Banking Awareness (by Upkar) are aligned with the 2020 syllabus and contain pastyear questions.
- Online Mock Tests
Take at least three fulllength GK mocks each week. Review every mistake and note the source of the question (e.g., PIB, RBI circular).
- Focus on HighYield Topics
- Banking & Finance: RBI policies, major schemes (PMAY, Jan Dhan Yojana), recent banking reforms.
- Economics: Inflation trends, fiscal deficit, current account balance.
- Science & Technology: Space missions (Chandrayaan2), ISRO achievements, AI developments.
- Mnemonic Techniques
Use acronyms for lists (e.g., SEED for the four major Indian stock exchanges Sebi, NSE, BSE, MCX) to recall quickly during the exam.
- Time Management During the Test
- Read each question for no more than 20seconds.
- Mark doubtful items, finish the easy set first, then revisit.
- Never leave a question blank; with no negative marking, a random guess can add a point.
Integrating these habits over a period of 23months transforms a casual reader into a confident GK contender.
