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SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India: Names & Nicknames

SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India is a high-scoring topic from Static GK and Current Affairs. Here covers old and new names of Indian and global cities, nicknames of Indian cities, and recent renaming of places, awards, schemes, and institutions. Candidates can revise exam-focused tables, key points, and FAQs for quick preparation.

 

authorImagePriyanka Agarwal5 Jan, 2026
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SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India

SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India: Old & New Names, Nicknames, & Recent Renamings is an extremely scoring section of Static GK & Current Awareness. This section comprises the change of names of Indian as well as international cities, nicknames of the cities, & famous places of India GK, which are commonly asked in the SSC GD exam in the form of one-liners as well as Match the Following.

It also comprises the latest naming of places, awards, schemes, and islands, hence highly important for SSC GD GK famous places. It will help candidates to relate history, geography, and the latest updates for good performance in exams if revised regularly.

Also Read:

Importance of Famous Places for SSC GD GK Preparation

Understanding famous places in India for SSC GD helps candidates answer questions from:

  • Static GK (history, geography, culture)

  • Current Affairs (recent renamings)

  • Match-the-following and one-liner questions

Topics like renamed cities, famous monuments in India GK, and institutional name changes are frequently seen in SSC GD GK famous places questions.

Indian Cities: Old and New Names (SSC GD Static GK)

There are many cities of India that have their name altered in order to make changes due to any historical, cultural, or administrative reason. The old and new names of Indian cities are important under Static GK regarding SSC GD or other competitive exams.

Indian Cities: Old and New Names (SSC GD Static GK)

Old Name

New Name

State / Key Details

Madras

Chennai

Tamil Nadu; Madras High Court

Calcutta

Kolkata

On Hooghly River

Bombay

Mumbai

Seven Islands; near Ulhas River

Calicut

Kozhikode

Kerala; literate city

Cochin

Kochi

Queen of Arabian Sea

Banaras

Varanasi

Ganga River; Manikarnika Ghat

Cape Comorin

Kanyakumari

Southernmost point of India

Gulbarga

Kalaburagi

Karnataka

Sakchi

Jamshedpur

Steel industry hub

Gurgaon

Gurugram

Haryana

Palghat

Palakkad

Kerala

Quilon

Kollam

Kerala

Allahabad

Prayagraj

Triveni Sangam

Aurangabad

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

Maharashtra

Osmanabad

Dharashiv

Maharashtra

Ahmednagar

Ahilya Nagar

Named after Ahilya Bai Holkar

Rajahmundry

Rajamahendravaram

Andhra Pradesh

These city-based questions form a major part of SSC GD static GK famous places.

Nicknames of Indian Cities (Frequently Asked in SSC GD)

Nicknames of Indian cities are based on either the history, culture, monuments, or special features of the city. Many such city nicknames come into SSC GD and other competitive exams; therefore, it is very important to remember them for the preparation of exams.

Nicknames of Indian Cities (Frequently Asked in SSC GD)

City

Nickname

Jaisalmer

Golden City

Jaipur

Pink City

Jodhpur

Sun City

Bengaluru

Garden City / Space City

Lucknow

City of Nawabs

Udaipur

City of Lakes

Kolkata

City of Joy

Vidar

City of Whispering Monuments

Kutch

Land of Flamingos

City nicknames are directly linked with famous monuments in India GK and cultural identity.

Global Cities and Countries: Old and New Names

Many countries and cities have undergone the process of renaming, and one should have knowledge about the original and renamed places. It will definitely assist in exams as well as in learning world history and geography to a great extent.

Global Cities and Countries: Old and New Names

Old Name

New Name

Country

Burma

Myanmar

Southeast Asia

Ceylon

Sri Lanka

Lion symbol on flag

Persia

Iran

Middle East

Siam

Thailand

Southeast Asia

Rangoon

Yangon

Myanmar

Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City

Vietnam

Constantinople

Istanbul

Turkey

Dacca

Dhaka

Bangladesh

Basutoland

Lesotho

Africa

Rhodesia

Zimbabwe

Africa

Nippon

Japan

Land of Rising Sun

Such international questions strengthen SSC GD GK famous places questions from world geography.

Recent Renaming of Places, Awards, and Schemes (Current Affairs)

Recently, there have been many name changes for places, awards, programs, and terms in different regions due to cultural or administrative reasons, and such name changes are significant in current affairs and are quite commonly asked in competitive exams.

Recent Renaming of Places, Awards, and Schemes (Current Affairs)

Old Name

New Name

Notes

Rajpath

Kartavya Path

New Delhi

Mughal Garden

Amrit Udyan

Rashtrapati Bhavan

Fed Cup

Billie Jean King Cup

Tennis

Monkeypox

M-pox

WHO decision

Jim Corbett National Park

Ramganga National Park

Uttarakhand

Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna

Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna

Sports award

Midday Meal Scheme

PM POSHAN Scheme

Nutrition focus

Tata Sky

Tata Play

Rebranding

Libra (Crypto)

Diem

Facebook

Mount Harriet

Mount Manipur

Andaman & Nicobar

Dragon Fruit

Kamalam Fruit

Gujarat

These updates are extremely important for SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India under current affairs.

Renaming of Indian Islands and Institutions

Such questions come in SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India, commonly repeated in exams.

  • 21 Andaman Islands renamed after Param Vir Chakra awardees

  • Lok Sabha TV + Rajya Sabha TV merged into Sansad TV

  • Bank Board Bureau renamed as Financial Services Institution (FSI)

SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India Exam-Oriented Key Points

Regular revision of SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India ensures accuracy in static and current sections.

  • Renamed cities are often linked with rivers, regions, or historical figures

  • Nicknames help identify cultural and geographical uniqueness

  • Awards and schemes reflect recent government priorities

  • Both Indian and global name changes are equally important

The questions related to SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India are high-yielding and easy to score. The candidates can definitely attempt the famous places in India questions in SSC GD by preparing the old and new names, nicknames, famous landmarks from India GK, and the latest changes that have been made. This subject helps to connect GK to current events, so it is a must-do subject for final preparations.

PW provides SSC exam content, including SSC Exam Blogs, sample papers, mock tests, guidance sessions, and more. Also, enroll today on SSC Online Coaching for preparation.

SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India FAQs

What is SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India?

SSC GD GK GS Famous Places in India covers old and new city names, city nicknames, and recent renamings. These topics are commonly asked in SSC GD exams under Static GK and Current Affairs.

Why are old and new names of cities important for SSC GD?

Questions on renamed cities like Madras–Chennai or Allahabad–Prayagraj are frequently asked. They help test knowledge of history, geography, and administrative changes.

Are city nicknames important for SSC GD GK preparation?

Yes, city nicknames such as Jaipur–Pink City and Udaipur–City of Lakes are often asked. They are linked with famous monuments in India GK and culture-based questions.

Do global city and country name changes come in SSC GD exams?

Yes, international renamings like Burma–Myanmar and Ceylon–Sri Lanka are asked. These questions strengthen the world geography and current affairs sections.
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