Himachal Pradesh — General Knowledge

1. On which date did Himachal Pradesh attain full statehood and become the 18th state of India? HPRCA-pat.

1. 15 April 1948
2. 1 November 1956
3. 25 January 1971
4. 1 November 1966

HP was formed as a Chief Commissioner’s Province on 15 April 1948; became UT on 1 Nov 1956; districts added via Punjab Reorganisation 1 Nov 1966; full statehood 25 January 1971 (18th state). 15 April is HP Day; 25 January is HP Statehood Day.

2. Who is called the “Father of Himachal Pradesh” and was its first Chief Minister? HPRCA-pat.

1. Thakur Ram Lal
2. Shanta Kumar
3. Virbhadra Singh
4. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar

Dr. Y. S. Parmar (1906–1981) served as CM for ~18 cumulative years, led HP to statehood in 1971, and is officially called the “Father/Architect of HP.” The University of Horticulture & Forestry at Nauni, Solan is named after him.

3. The state animal of Himachal Pradesh is: HPRCA-pat.

1. Himalayan Monal
2. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
3. Himalayan Brown Bear
4. Musk Deer

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is the state animal. The Himalayan Monal is the state bird of neighbouring Uttarakhand. HP’s state bird is the Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus).

4. The state tree of HP, Cedrus deodara, belongs to which family? HPRCA-pat.

1. Cupressaceae
2. Taxaceae
3. Pinaceae
4. Podocarpaceae

Cedrus deodara (deodar / Himalayan cedar) belongs to family Pinaceae (pine family). It shares this family with pines (Pinus), firs (Abies), and spruces (Picea) also found in HP forests.

5. Which is the LARGEST district of HP by area? HPRCA-pat.

1. Chamba
2. Kangra
3. Kinnaur
4. Lahaul & Spiti

Lahaul & Spiti (~13,833 km²) is the largest district in HP by area and also one of the least densely populated. Chamba is 6,528 km², Kangra 5,739 km², Kinnaur 6,401 km². The smallest district is Hamirpur (~1,118 km²).

6. The Atal Tunnel (Rohtang Tunnel) connects Manali to which place and is how long? HPRCA-pat.

1. Kaza; 12.5 km
2. Sissu (Lahaul); 9.02 km
3. Keylong; 7.5 km
4. Kunzum; 9.02 km

Atal Tunnel connects Manali (Kullu district) to Sissu in Lahaul, is 9.02 km long, and is the world’s longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet. Inaugurated 3 October 2020 by PM Modi. It enables all-year connectivity to Lahaul.

7. Which of the following Ramsar wetlands was FIRST designated in HP? HPRCA-pat.

1. Chandratal
2. Renuka Lake
3. Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar)
4. Govind Sagar

Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar, Kangra) was designated Ramsar site in 1994. Renuka and Chandratal were both designated in 2005. Govind Sagar is NOT a Ramsar site. HP has exactly 3 Ramsar wetlands.

8. The highest peak in HP, Reo Purgyil (Leo Pargial) at 6,816 m, is located in which district? HPRCA-pat.

1. Chamba
2. Lahaul & Spiti
3. Kullu
4. Kinnaur

Reo Purgyil (Leo Pargial), 6,816 m, is in Kinnaur district on the India-China border. It is the highest peak in HP and also in the Himachal range. The second highest is Shilla (6,132 m), also in Kinnaur.

9. The Beas river originates at: HPRCA-pat.

1. Rakshastal, Tibet
2. Bara Bangahal, Chamba
3. Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass, Kullu
4. Tandi, Lahaul

The Beas originates at Beas Kund near Rohtang Pass in Kullu district. The Ravi originates at Bara Bangahal, Chamba. The Sutlej enters HP from Tibet at Shipki La. Tandi is where Chandra and Bhaga merge to form the Chenab.

10. Which HP river is the largest glacier — Bara Shigri (∼27 km) — associated with? HPRCA-pat.

1. Beas
2. Ravi
3. Chandra (feeds Chenab)
4. Sutlej

Bara Shigri glacier (~27 km) is in the Chandra valley, Lahaul-Spiti, and feeds the Chandra river — which merges with Bhaga at Tandi to form the Chenab. It is the largest glacier in HP and one of the largest in the entire Himalayan system.

11. The Nathpa Jhakri Hydropower Station (1,500 MW) is built on which river and is notable for being: HPRCA-pat.

1. Beas; India’s longest dam
2. Ravi; India’s first run-of-river project
3. Sutlej; India’s largest underground HEP
4. Chenab; HP’s oldest dam

Nathpa Jhakri is on the Sutlej river in Kinnaur/Shimla district. It is India’s largest underground hydroelectric project (1,500 MW capacity) operated by SJVN Ltd. Commissioned 2003. Bhakra Dam is on the Sutlej but is a storage dam, not underground.

12. Bhakra Dam, one of India’s tallest gravity dams (226 m), is built on which river and the reservoir is called: HPRCA-pat.

1. Beas; Maharana Pratap Sagar
2. Sutlej; Govind Sagar
3. Chenab; Govind Sagar
4. Ravi; Renuka Sagar

Bhakra Dam is on the Sutlej river in Bilaspur district, completed 1963. The reservoir is Govind Sagar (~90 km long), named after Guru Gobind Singh. Maharana Pratap Sagar is the Pong Dam reservoir on the Beas. Bhakra is ~226 m high — India’s second tallest gravity dam.

13. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): The Sutlej river enters Himachal Pradesh from Tibet at Shipki La pass. Reason (R): The Sutlej rises from Lake Mansarovar/Rakshastal in Tibet and flows westward before entering HP. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Both A and R are correct. The Sutlej originates in Tibet (near Mansarovar-Rakshastal) and enters India/HP at Shipki La pass in Kinnaur. This is also why the Sutlej is an antecedent river — it predates the rise of the Himalaya.

14. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu district is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Reason (R): GHNP was inscribed as a UNESCO WHS in 2014 for its exceptional biodiversity including western tragopan and snow leopard. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. Both A and R are false

Both A and R are correct and R correctly explains A. GHNP (754 km², Kullu) was inscribed as a UNESCO WHS in 2014. It contains the habitat of HP’s state bird (western tragopan) and state animal (snow leopard). It is the only NP in HP with UNESCO status.

15. Match the following fairs with their district: HPRCA-pat.
(a) Minjar Mela    (i) Shimla district (Rampur Bushahr)
(b) Lavi Mela       (ii) Bilaspur
(c) Mandi Shivratri   (iii) Chamba
(d) Naina Devi Mela   (iv) Mandi

1. a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii
2. a-i, b-iii, c-iv, d-ii
3. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
4. a-ii, b-i, c-iii, d-iv

Minjar Mela = Chamba (iii); Lavi Mela = Rampur Bushahr, Shimla district (i); Mandi Shivratri = Mandi (iv); Naina Devi Mela = Bilaspur (ii). Classic fair-district matching for HPRCA.

16. Match the following rivers with their origin: HPRCA-pat.
(a) Ravi       (i) Beas Kund near Rohtang
(b) Chenab     (ii) Tibet (Mansarovar-Rakshastal)
(c) Beas       (iii) Bara Bangahal, Chamba
(d) Sutlej      (iv) Chandra+Bhaga, Tandi Lahaul

1. a-iii, b-iv, c-i, d-ii
2. a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
3. a-ii, b-i, c-iv, d-iii
4. a-iii, b-i, c-iv, d-ii

Ravi = Bara Bangahal Chamba (iii); Chenab = Chandra+Bhaga at Tandi, Lahaul (iv); Beas = Beas Kund near Rohtang, Kullu (i); Sutlej = Tibet, Mansarovar-Rakshastal (ii). CR-BSY mnemonic helps.

17. Consider the following statements about HP state symbols:
1. The state bird is Western Tragopan (Tragopan melanocephalus).
2. The state flower is the pink rhododendron (Rhododendron arboreum).
3. The state tree is deodar (Cedrus deodara), family Pinaceae.
Which of the statements above is/are CORRECT? HPRCA-pat.

1. 1 and 3 only
2. 1, 2 and 3
3. 2 and 3 only
4. 1 and 2 only

Statement 1 is correct (Western Tragopan = state bird). Statement 2 is WRONG: the state flower is Rhododendron campanulatum (not arboreum). Statement 3 is correct (deodar = Cedrus deodara, family Pinaceae). Hence only 1 and 3 are correct.

18. Who was the FIRST Chief Commissioner of Himachal Pradesh (1948)? HPRCA-pat.

1. Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
2. Major General B. P. Bhalla
3. Dr. Y. S. Parmar
4. Major S. K. Sinha

Major General B. P. Bhalla was appointed the first Chief Commissioner of HP when it was formed as a Chief Commissioner’s Province on 15 April 1948 by integrating 30 princely hill states under Sardar Patel’s leadership. Y. S. Parmar became the first Chief Minister only after elections in 1952.

19. The Kullu Dussehra is unique in India because: HPRCA-pat.

1. It involves burning an effigy of Ravana
2. It starts on Vijaya Dashami but does NOT involve the burning of Ravana; instead deities from 200+ temples converge in a grand procession
3. It is a 3-day harvest festival unrelated to Ramayana
4. It is held in January each year

Kullu Dussehra is a national and internationally famous 7-day fair. Unlike elsewhere, it does NOT involve burning Ravana’s effigy. Instead, over 200 local deities (devtas) are brought to the Dhalpur ground in a grand procession. It begins on Vijaya Dashami (October). Recognised by Government of India as an international fair.

20. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): Major Som Nath Sharma from Kangra was the first recipient of India’s highest wartime gallantry award. Reason (R): He was awarded the Param Vir Chakra posthumously for his actions at the Battle of Badgam in 1947 during the Kashmir operations. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Both A and R are correct. Major Som Nath Sharma (4 Kumaon regiment, born Dadh, Kangra) was the first ever recipient of the Param Vir Chakra — India’s highest wartime gallantry award — awarded posthumously for the Battle of Badgam on 3 November 1947, where he sacrificed his life to hold an airport.

21. Which district of HP has the highest literacy rate (Census 2011)? HPRCA-pat.

1. Shimla
2. Solan
3. Hamirpur
4. Kangra

Hamirpur district has the highest literacy rate in HP (~88%) and also the highest sex ratio in HP (and one of the highest in India at ~1095 females per 1000 males, 2011 Census). It is also the smallest district by area.

22. The Chamba Rumal (embroidered cloth with GI tag) is distinctive because: HPRCA-pat.

1. It uses only vegetable dyes and depicts landscapes
2. It is embroidered on both sides (reversible), with the same image visible on either face, using a knotless stitch
3. It is woven using Tibetan loom and features Buddhist mandalas
4. It is a silk weaving with Mughal floral motifs only

The Chamba Rumal is a double-sided embroidered handkerchief/cloth where the same image (often depicting scenes from Mahabharata, Ramayana, or Radha-Krishna) is visible on both sides, achieved by a distinctive knotless embroidery stitch. It was patronised by the royal court of Chamba and has a GI tag.

23. Match the craft with its GI-tagged district: HPRCA-pat.
(a) Kullu Shawl       (i) Kinnaur
(b) Kinnauri Shawl    (ii) Chamba
(c) Chamba Rumal    (iii) Kangra
(d) Kangra Tea        (iv) Kullu

1. a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii
2. a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
3. a-iv, b-iii, c-i, d-ii
4. a-iii, b-i, c-ii, d-iv

Kullu Shawl → Kullu (iv); Kinnauri Shawl → Kinnaur (i); Chamba Rumal → Chamba (ii); Kangra Tea → Kangra (iii). All four hold GI tags.

24. The Tabo Monastery in Spiti Valley is significant because: HPRCA-pat.

1. It is the largest monastery in India by area
2. It was founded in 996 AD and is the oldest continuously functioning monastery in India
3. It belongs to the Drukpa Kagyu Buddhist tradition
4. It was built by the third Dalai Lama

Tabo Monastery (996 AD) is the oldest continuously functioning Buddhist monastery in India, founded in the Spiti Valley (Lahaul & Spiti district). It belongs to the Gelug tradition and contains ancient murals and thangkas. The Dalai Lama has referred to it as the “Ajanta of the Himalayas.”

25. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): Shimla was designated the summer capital of British India in 1864. Reason (R): The Kalka-Shimla Railway connecting Shimla was built in 1903 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Both A and R are correct. Shimla became the British India summer capital in 1864. The Kalka-Shimla Railway was indeed built in 1903 and designated a UNESCO WHS in 2008 (as part of Mountain Railways of India). However, R does not explain A — the railway was built 39 years AFTER Shimla became the capital. Hence both true but R is not the explanation.

26. Kangra tea has a GI tag and is grown in which sub-division of Kangra district, known as the “tea capital of HP”? HPRCA-pat.

1. Dharamshala
2. Dehra Gopipur
3. Palampur
4. Nurpur

Palampur in Kangra district is the centre of Kangra tea cultivation and is often called the “Tea capital of north-west India.” Kangra Tea has a GI tag and is known for its muscatel flavour. CSK HPKVV (HP agricultural university) is also located in Palampur.

27. Consider the following statements about HP’s 12 districts:
1. Hamirpur is the SMALLEST district by area in HP.
2. Lahaul & Spiti is the LARGEST district by area.
3. Kangra is the most populous district in HP (2011 census).
4. Bilaspur has the highest literacy rate in HP.
Choose the CORRECT combination: HPRCA-pat.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 2 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. 4 is WRONG: Hamirpur (not Bilaspur) has the highest literacy rate in HP. Bilaspur is known for Bhakra Dam/Govind Sagar.

28. The “Valley of Gods” — a common title for a famous valley in HP — refers to: HPRCA-pat.

1. Kangra Valley
2. Parvati Valley
3. Spiti Valley
4. Kullu Valley

Kullu Valley is known as the “Valley of Gods.” It has hundreds of ancient temples (devtas), making deity worship central to Kullu culture. The Kullu Dussehra festival brings together 200+ local deities at the Dhalpur ground. Spiti valley is sometimes called “Land of Lamas.”

29. Arrange the following events in HP’s formation history in the CORRECT chronological order: HPRCA-pat.
(i) HP becomes 18th state of India
(ii) HP becomes a Union Territory
(iii) Punjab Reorganisation Act adds Kangra, Kullu, Shimla to HP
(iv) HP formed as Chief Commissioner’s Province (30 princely states)

1. iv → ii → iii → i
2. ii → iv → iii → i
3. iv → iii → ii → i
4. i → iii → ii → iv

Correct order: (iv) 15 Apr 1948 CC Province → (ii) 1 Nov 1956 UT → (iii) 1 Nov 1966 Punjab Reorganisation → (i) 25 Jan 1971 Statehood. This chronology is one of the most repeated HPRCA patterns.

30. Identify the ODD ONE OUT from the following group of HP personalities associated with the military/wartime gallantry: HPRCA-pat.

1. Major Som Nath Sharma
2. Captain Vikram Batra
3. Captain Saurabh Kalia
4. Pandit Padam Dev

Pandit Padam Dev was a civilian freedom fighter who led the Suket Satyagraha (1948) — a praja mandal movement. The others are military personnel: Som Nath Sharma (PVC 1947), Vikram Batra (PVC Kargil 1999), Saurabh Kalia (Kargil martyr). The odd one out is Pandit Padam Dev.

31. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): Spiti valley in HP is called a cold desert despite being a high-altitude region. Reason (R): Spiti is in the rain shadow of the Greater Himalaya, receiving <150 mm annual rainfall, creating arid conditions similar to the Ladakh cold desert. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Both A and R are correct and R correctly explains A. Spiti lies east of the Great Himalayan main range, which blocks the southwest monsoon. This creates extreme aridity (<150 mm/yr) despite high altitude, qualifying it as a cold desert. Pin Valley NP here is India’s only cold-desert NP.

32. Match the National Park with its district: HPRCA-pat.
(a) Great Himalayan NP      (i) Sirmaur
(b) Pin Valley NP            (ii) Kullu
(c) Simbalbara NP          (iii) Lahaul & Spiti
(d) Khirganga NP           (iv) Kullu (Parvati valley)

1. a-ii, b-iii, c-i, d-iv
2. a-iii, b-ii, c-iv, d-i
3. a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
4. a-i, b-iv, c-ii, d-iii

GHNP = Kullu (ii); Pin Valley = Lahaul & Spiti (iii); Simbalbara = Sirmaur (i); Khirganga = Kullu Parvati valley (iv). Inderkilla NP is also in Kullu (not in this list).

33. Consider the following statements about Virbhadra Singh:
1. He was CM of HP for six terms — the longest of any HP Chief Minister.
2. He belongs to the royal family of Rampur Bushahr princely state.
3. He died in 2021.
4. He was a BJP leader who won elections in 1998 and 2007.
Which statements are CORRECT? HPRCA-pat.

1. 1, 2 and 3 only
2. 1 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Statements 1, 2 and 3 are correct. Statement 4 is WRONG: Virbhadra Singh was a Congress (INC) leader who served as CM six times (1983–90, 1993–98, 2003–07, 2012–17). It was P. K. Dhumal who was BJP CM in 1998–2003 and 2007–12.

34. The “Sukhashraya” scheme launched by CM Sukhvinder Sukhu is meant for: HPRCA-pat.

1. Providing free electricity to farmers
2. Making the state the guardian of orphaned and destitute children
3. Subsidised bus passes for women commuters
4. Free health insurance up to ₹10 lakh

Sukhashraya Yojana (2022+, CM Sukhu government) declares the HP government as the official guardian/parent of orphaned and abandoned children. They receive monthly stipend, education support, housing, and vocational training. This is a flagship welfare scheme of CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu’s government.

35. Consider the following about HP’s hydropower landscape:
1. HP holds approximately 25% of India’s total hydropower potential.
2. The Nathpa Jhakri HEP (1,500 MW) is on the Beas river.
3. Pong Dam reservoir is a Ramsar wetland.
4. Karcham-Wangtoo (1,000 MW) is on the Sutlej river.
Which are CORRECT? HPRCA-pat.

1. 1, 3 and 4 only
2. 1, 2 and 3 only
3. 2, 3 and 4 only
4. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Statement 2 is WRONG: Nathpa Jhakri is on the Sutlej (not Beas) in Kinnaur. Statements 1, 3 and 4 are correct: 1 = HP has ~25% HEP potential; 3 = Pong Dam Lake (Maharana Pratap Sagar) is a Ramsar wetland (1994); 4 = Karcham-Wangtoo is on the Sutlej at its confluence with the Baspa river.

36. Assertion-Reason. Assertion (A): Hamirpur district has the highest sex ratio among all districts of HP (and among the highest in India). Reason (R): Large-scale male out-migration from Hamirpur for military and central services, historically from the Gurkha regiment catchment, has skewed the sex ratio. HPRCA-pat.

1. Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
2. Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
3. A is true but R is false
4. A is false but R is true

Both are true and R correctly explains A. Hamirpur (and Kangra) have a long tradition of supplying soldiers to the Indian Army. Male out-migration for military service leaves more women relative to men, inflating the sex ratio to ~1095/1000 (2011), which is among the highest in India for a district. Hamirpur’s highest literacy (88%) is partly connected to this tradition of government employment.