General Awareness Study Notes for Bank Exams

General Awareness (GA) is a crucial section in most competitive bank examinations. It tests a candidates knowledge of current events, static topics, and the ability to interpret data quickly. The following notes are organized into logical topics, each containing concise points, mnemonic aids and suggested study methods. Use them as a quick revision guide while preparing for SBI PO, IBPS PO, RBI Grade B, or other bank exams.

1. Current Affairs (Last 12Months)

1.1 National & International News

• Prime Ministers initiatives: PM Gati Shakti, PM Awas Yojana, PM Kisan, PM VAYUEK.
• Key bills passed in Parliament: Farmers Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Bill, Credit Scoring Bill, National Education Policy 2020.
• International summits: G20 Bali 2022, BRICS Summit 2023, UN General Assembly 2022.
• Important awards: Padma Awards 2023, Nobel Prizes 2023 (Physics Ferenc Krausz, Anne L'Huillier; Chemistry Moungi Bawendi, Karlsson, etc.).

1.2 Sports

• Olympics 2024 (Paris) Indias medal tally: 2 Gold, 1 Silver, 1 Bronze.
• Commonwealth Games 2022 (Birmingham) India finished 2nd overall.
• Cricket: ICC World Cup 2023 winner Australia. T20 World Cup 2022 winner England.

1.3 Awards & Honors

• National Science Day 28 February.
• International Womens Day 8 March.
• World Environment Day 5 June.

2. Indian Economy

2.1 Macro Indicators (20222024)

• GDP growth rate (FY 202324): 7.2% (real, revised).
• Inflation (CPI) average 2023: 5.7%.
• Current account surplus FY 202324: 2.5lakh crore.
• Fiscal deficit target FY 202425: 5.9% of GDP.

2.2 Banking Sector Highlights

• Number of scheduled commercial banks: 46 (as of March2024).
• Reserve Bank of India (RBI) repo rate (Oct2024): 6.50%.
• Largest public sector bank by assets: State Bank of India (SBI).
• Recent reforms: Banking Regulation (Amendment) Act 2023, Digital Payments and Financial InclusionAct 2024.

2.3 Important Schemes

• Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) 48 crore accounts opened (2024).
• Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan focus on MSME credit, central banks refinancing facility.
• Digital India 2.2billion digital transactions per month (2024).

3. Indian Polity & Governance

3.1 Constitutional Basics

• Article21 Right to life and personal liberty.
• Article370 abrogated in August2019; Jammu & Kashmir now a Union Territory.
• Sixth Schedule Autonomous councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, Mizoram.

3.2 Important Bodies

• Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) conducts Civil Services Examination.
• Election Commission of India conducts Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Assembly elections.
• Finance Commission recommends distribution of taxes between Centre and States.

3.3 Recent Legislation

• Data Protection Bill 2023 aims to create a Personal Data Protection Authority.
• Labour Code (Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions) 2023.
• National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Implementation Act 2022.

4. Geography Physical & Economic

4.1 Physical Features

• Highest peak Kangchenjunga (8,586m).
• Longest river Ganga (2,525km) (including tributaries).
• Largest lake Vembanad Lake ( 2,033km).

4.2 Climate & Weather

• Monsoon onset: Kerala 1June (average); 2023 delayed by 3days.
• Record highest temperature (2024): 51C in Phalodi, Rajasthan.

4.3 Economic Geography

• Top agricultural states by production (2023): UttarPradesh, Punjab, Maharashtra.
• Major industrial belts: DelhiNCR, MumbaiPune, ChennaiKolkata.
• Key mineral resources: Coal Jharkhand, Odisha; Iron ore Chhattisgarh, Odisha.

5. Science & Technology

5.1 Recent Launches & Missions

• ISROs Gaganyaan first crewed mission scheduled for 2024.
• Chandrayaan3 (2023) successful soft landing near lunar south pole.
• NASAISRO joint mission NISAR launched 2024 for Earth observation.

5.2 Innovations & Patents

• Indias 1st AIdriven drug discovery platform (2023) by AIIMS & IITDelhi.
• Worlds largest solar park Kurnool Ultra Mega Solar Park, Andhra Pradesh (1,000MW).

5.3 Important Days (Science)

• World Water Day 22March.
• World Environment Day 5June.
• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day 17May.

6. Indian History Highlights

6.1 Ancient & Medieval

• HarappaMehrgarh: Indus Valley Civilization (c.33001300BCE).
• Gupta Empire Golden Age (4th6thcenturyCE).
• Vijayanagara Empire capital at Hampi; famed for stone architecture.

6.2 Freedom Struggle (Key Events 18571947)

• First War of Independence 1857.
• Champaran Satyagraha 1917 (Gandhi).
• Quit India Movement 1942.
• Independence & Partition 15August1947.

7. Static GK Miscellaneous

• National Symbols: Anthem Jana Gana Mana; Flag saffronwhitegreen with Ashoka Chakra.
• Important Organizations: WHO, UNESCO, WTO, BRICS, SAARC.
• Currency: Indian Rupee () 1rupee = 100paisa.
• Capital of India: New Delhi.

8. Model Questions & Answers

8.1 Multiple Choice

1. Which of the following banks was given a moratorium in 2023?
   a) Yes Bank b) Kotak Mahindra c) Axis Bank d) Federal Bank
   Answer: a) Yes Bank
2. Who launched the National Digital Library initiative?
   a) Ministry of Education b) Ministry of Electronics & IT c) NITI Aayog d) RBI
   Answer: a) Ministry of Education
3. The 2024 G20 summit was held at?
   a) Bali b) Riyadh c) New Delhi d) Osaka
   Answer: a) Bali

8.2 Short Answer

• Q: Define Financial Inclusion.
  A: Ensuring access to affordable banking services (credit, savings, insurance, pensions) for all sections of society, especially the marginalized and unbanked.
• Q: Name two major reforms introduced by the RBI in 2023.
  A: (i) Introduction of the Prompt Corrective Action framework for NBFCs; (ii) Revised KYC norms allowing videobased verification.

9. Quick Revision Strategies

• Flashcards: Write a question on one side, answer on the other. Review daily.
• Mind Maps: Connect related topics (e.g., link PM Gati Shakti with Infrastructure Investment and Logistics).
• Mock Tests: Take a timed GA mock every week to gauge speed and accuracy.
• Weekly Recap: On Sundays, summarize the weeks news in a onepage bullet list.

By regularly updating these notes, focusing on highfrequency topics, and practicing with mock papers, youll build the speed and confidence needed to clear the General Awareness section of any bank exam. Good luck!