Knowing only Historical dates or names of the States or Head of the States, Currencies, Geographical attributes of individual country is a General Knowledge of yesteryear.
Now, you are expected to know the happenings in different fields which might impact our country globally.
You need to understand the news and it’s analysis, for e.g. what effect can be possible of Union Budget on a common man ? You are expected to know in areas of economics, financial aspects as that is the concern of any individual.
Read variety of Group Discussion topics and be successful.