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CDS GK Questions 2026

Static GK carries most of the 100 marks of the CDS General Knowledge paper. Of the 120 questions in the CDS (II) 2026 paper, about 20 were on Indian Polity, about 20 on the History of India, about 15 on Geography and the environment, about 10 on the Indian Economy and about 37 on Physics, Chemistry and Biology, which makes CDS the most science-heavy General Knowledge paper among the major recruitment exams. Polity questions test writs, the NHRC, electoral systems, disqualification of legislators, GST and delimitation. History runs from the Upanishads and the Shunga dynasty to Vijayanagara, temple architecture, the Sylhet referendum and the SNDP Yogam. Geography asks about the atmosphere, earthquakes and tsunamis, Ramsar sites, mangroves and World Heritage sites. Science stays at school level but expects reasoning: a lens problem, a magnetic field direction, molarity versus molality, what cooking soda is, how enzymes act. This page holds GK24's topic-wise GK notes for CDS, written as short facts and tables so that a topic can be revised in one sitting. Read a topic, then solve its previous-year questions and quiz on this site to check what stayed with you.

CDS GK Questions with Answers

Q2421.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

What is/are the purpose/purposes of 'District Mineral Foundations' in India? 1. Promoting mineral exploration activities in mineral-rich districts 2. Protecting the interests of the persons affected by mining operations 3. Authorizing State Governments to issue licences for mineral exploration Select the correct answer using the code given below

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.1 and 3 only
  4. D.1, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

District Mineral Foundations exist to work for the people and areas affected by mining, not to promote exploration or grant licences.

Q2422.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. In India, the Himalayas are spread over five States only. 2. Western Ghats are spread over five States only. 3. Pulicat Lake is spread over two States only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  1. A.1 and 2 only
  2. B.3 only
  3. C.2 and 3 only
  4. D.1 and 3 only
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 3 only

Pulicat Lake lies in two states, but the Himalayas and the Western Ghats each spread over more than five states.

Q2424.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IHard

According to India's National Policy on Biofuels, which of the following can be used as raw materials for the production of biofuels ? 1. Cassava 2. Damaged wheat grains 3. Groundnut seeds 4. Horse gram 5. Rotten potatoes 6. Sugar beet Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A.1, 2, 5 and 6 only
  2. B.1, 3, 4 and 6 only
  3. C.2, 3, 4 and 5 only
  4. D.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1, 2, 5 and 6 only

The policy allows cassava, damaged wheat, rotten potatoes and sugar beet, but not groundnut seeds or horse gram. The National Policy on Biofuels, 2018 widened the raw materials for ethanol beyond sugarcane molasses.

Q2425.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the water on the planet Earth, consider the following statements : 1. The amount of water in the rivers and lakes is more than the amount of groundwater. 2. The amount of water in polar ice caps and glaciers is more than the amount of groundwater. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 2 only

Ice caps and glaciers hold more water than groundwater, while rivers and lakes hold far less than groundwater. About 97 per cent of the Earth's water is salty ocean water, and only about 2.5 to 3 per cent is fresh.

Q2427.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IEasy

'Wolbachia method' is sometimes talked about with reference to which one of the following?

  1. A.Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes
  2. B.Converting crop residues into packing material
  3. C.Producing biodegradable plastics
  4. D.Producing biochar from thermo-chemical conversion of biomass
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Controlling the viral diseases spread by mosquitoes

The method uses a natural bacterium to stop mosquitoes from passing on viruses. Wolbachia is a common bacterium that lives inside the cells of many insects.

Q2428.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IMedium

Who among the following founded the Dharma Sabha?

  1. A.Krishna Mohan Banerjee
  2. B.Keshab Chandra Sen
  3. C.Radhakanta Deb
  4. D.Akshay Kumar Datta
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Radhakanta Deb

Raja Radhakanta Deb founded the Dharma Sabha in Calcutta in 1830 to defend orthodox Hindu customs against reformers. The Dharma Sabha was set up mainly to oppose Lord William Bentinck's regulation of 1829 that banned sati, which Raja Rammohan Roy had campaigned for.

Q2429.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2023, Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements about rock structure: 1. Conglomerates are clastic sedimentary rocks. 2. Slate is a non-clastic sedimentary rock. 3. Granite is a plutonic igneous rock. 4. Basalt is an extrusive igneous rock. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

  1. A.1,2 and 3 only
  2. B.3 and 4 only
  3. C.1 and 2 only
  4. D.1,3 and 4 only
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 1,3 and 4 only

Statement 2 is wrong because slate is a metamorphic rock, formed when shale is squeezed and heated, not a sedimentary rock.

Q2430.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper IEasy

What were the main reforms undertaken under the New Economic Policy of the early 1990s ? 1. Trade liberalization 2. Public Sector Disinvestment 3. Poverty Alleviation 4. Rapid industrialization Select the answer using the code given below :

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.3 and 4
  3. C.1 and 2
  4. D.2 and 4
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1 and 2

The New Economic Policy of 1991 rested on liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation, and trade liberalisation and public sector disinvestment were among its main measures.

Q2431.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2025, Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. The circulation of nitrogen from the inorganic compounds in the soil to form protein in plants and animals and back again is known as the nitrogen cycle. 2. The preparation of ammonia by Haber process is an endothermic reaction. 3. Urea is synthetically made by the action of ammonia and carbon dioxide under high temperature and high pressure. Which of the statements given above is/are not correct?

  1. A.1 and 3
  2. B.2 and 3
  3. C.2 only
  4. D.1 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 2 only

The Haber process is exothermic, not endothermic: nitrogen and hydrogen combine to form ammonia and release heat. In the Haber process, N2 + 3H2 ⇌ 2NH3 gives out about 92 kJ for every two moles of ammonia formed.

Q2432.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements about xylem vessels in plants is not correct?

  1. A.Xylem vessels have lignified cell walls.
  2. B.Phloem sieve tubes are identical to xylem vessels in structure.
  3. C.Dead xylem vessels provide structural support to plants.
  4. D.Water is transported through xylem vessels.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Phloem sieve tubes are identical to xylem vessels in structure.

Phloem sieve tubes are not like xylem vessels: sieve tubes are living cells with thin walls and sieve plates, while mature xylem vessels are dead, hollow tubes with thick lignified walls.

Q2433.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IHard

Which one of the following is NOT a favourable condition for occurrence of a thunderstorm?

  1. A.Conditional and convective instability
  2. B.Adequate supply of moisture in the lower atmosphere
  3. C.Advection of cold dry air in the lower troposphere and warm moist air in the upper troposphere
  4. D.A synoptic situation of low level convergence and upper level divergence
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Advection of cold dry air in the lower troposphere and warm moist air in the upper troposphere

Cold dry air below and warm moist air above makes the atmosphere stable, which suppresses rising air; a thunderstorm needs the reverse, warm moist air near the ground and colder, drier air aloft.

Q2435.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IMedium

Initially, what was the purpose of setting up of the hill stations during the colonial period in India?

  1. A.To serve as winter capitals for the British
  2. B.To serve the needs of the British army
  3. C.To source timber from forests
  4. D.To set up sanatoria
Show answer
Correct answer: B. To serve the needs of the British army

The first hill stations grew out of military needs: cantonments for troops and places where soldiers could be kept healthy.

Q2436.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following effects best explains the high partial pressure of carbon dioxide causing haemoglobin to release oxygen in actively respiring tissues?

  1. A.Haldane effect
  2. B.Allee effect
  3. C.Bohr effect
  4. D.Eagle effect
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Bohr effect

The Bohr effect is the fall in haemoglobin's affinity for oxygen when carbon dioxide and acidity rise, so oxygen is unloaded where tissues need it most.

Q2437.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IHard

Which one of the following statements about the Himalayas is NOT correct ?

  1. A.They are young fold mountains
  2. B.They have geosynclinal rocks
  3. C.Himalayan frontal faults (HFF) separates Himalaya from Tibet
  4. D.Indus and Sutlej rivers form antecedent drainage in Himalaya
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Himalayan frontal faults (HFF) separates Himalaya from Tibet

The Himalayan Frontal Fault lies on the southern edge of the range and separates the Himalaya from the Indo-Gangetic plains, not from Tibet.

Q2438.Static GKAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IEasy

In India, cars bearing black number plate with yellow lettering are

  1. A.vehicles belonging to foreign consulates
  2. B.commercial vehicles such as trucks and taxis
  3. C.commercial vehicles available on rent for self-driving
  4. D.electric vehicles
Show answer
Correct answer: C. commercial vehicles available on rent for self-driving

A black plate with yellow letters marks a vehicle registered for self-drive rental, which the customer drives without a hired driver.

Q2440.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. The growth of socialist tendency in the national movement led to the foundation of the Congress Socialist Party in 1934 under the leadership of Acharya Narendra Deva and Jayaprakash Narayan. 2. In 1936, Jawaharlal Nehru urged the Congress to accept socialism as its goal and to bring itself closer to the peasantry and the working class. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.1 only
  2. B.2 only
  3. C.Both 1 and 2
  4. D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both 1 and 2

The Congress Socialist Party was formed in 1934 by Acharya Narendra Deva and Jayaprakash Narayan, and in 1936 Nehru asked the Congress to adopt socialism.