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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

Q2783.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2019, GKMedium

Which of the following statements relating to the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India is not correct?

  1. A.It relates to the special provision for administration of certain areas in the States other than Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
  2. B.Tribal advisory councils are to be constituted to give advice under the Fifth Schedule.
  3. C.The Governor is not authorized to make regulations to prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by, or among members of the Scheduled Tribes.
  4. D.The Governors of the States in which there are scheduled areas have to submit reports to the President regarding the administration of such areas.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The Governor is not authorized to make regulations to prohibit or restrict the transfer of land by, or among members of the Scheduled Tribes.

The Fifth Schedule expressly gives the Governor this power. Under the Fifth Schedule, the Governor of a State with Scheduled Areas may make regulations for the peace and good government of those areas.

Q2787.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2021, GKMedium

Consider the following statements with respect to the adolescent population (age group of 10 to 19 years) of India, according to the 2011 Census:

1. Adolescent population comprises half the population of the country.

2. The group is regarded as youthful population with high potential.

3. In this group there are greater number of females than males.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Adolescents are seen as a youthful population with high potential, but in 2011 they were about one-fifth of India's people, and males outnumbered females among them.

Q2788.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2022, GKEasy

Manikaran in Himachal Pradesh is known for:

  1. A.Solar energy.
  2. B.Geothermal energy.
  3. C.Bioenergy.
  4. D.Wind energy.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Geothermal energy.

Manikaran in the Parvati valley of Kullu district has natural hot springs, and India set up an experimental geothermal project there.

Q2789.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2022, GKMedium

The Tolkappiyam is

  1. A.A work of grammar.
  2. B.A Tamil poem in praise of Rajendra Chola.
  3. C.An ancient didactic work in Tamil.
  4. D.A drama composed by a Chera King.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. A work of grammar.

The Tolkappiyam, written by Tolkappiyar, is the oldest surviving work of Tamil grammar. The Tolkappiyam belongs to the early Sangam tradition.

Q2793.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2025, GKMedium

With reference to the "Amara-Nayaka system", which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. A.It was a major political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire.
  2. B.They were military commanders, who were given territories to govern and collect taxes and other dues from peasants, craftspersons and traders in the area.
  3. C.They retained part of the revenue for personal use and to maintain a stipulated contingent of horses and elephants.
  4. D.They were not allowed to use their share of revenue for the maintenance of temples.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. They were not allowed to use their share of revenue for the maintenance of temples.

The amara-nayakas were in fact expected to spend part of their revenue on temples and irrigation works. The amara-nayaka system was a key political innovation of the Vijayanagara Empire, and it drew on the iqta system of the Delhi Sultanate.

Q2794.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Consider the following statements related to water vapours:

1. It is a variable gas in the atmosphere, which decreases with altitude.

2. In the dry and cold areas of desert and polar regions, it may be less than one per cent of the air.

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

Water vapour is a variable gas whose share of the air changes from place to place and falls with height, and it is scarce in cold and dry regions.

Q2796.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries?

1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project

2. IMT Trilateral Highway

3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

The Kaladan project and the India–Myanmar–Thailand Trilateral Highway link India with ASEAN members, while the Agartala–Akhaura line links India with Bangladesh, which is not in ASEAN.

Q2797.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IHard

With reference to an initiative called 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity (TEEB)', which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It is an initiative hosted by UNEP, IMF and World Economic Forum.

2. It is a global initiative that focuses on drawing attention to the economic benefits of biodiversity.

3. It presents an approach that can help decision-makers recognize, demonstrate and capture the value of ecosystems and biodiversity.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Statement 1 is wrong because TEEB is hosted by the UN Environment Programme alone, not jointly with the IMF and the World Economic Forum.

Q2798.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

The Parliament of India exercises control over the functions of the Council of Ministers through

1. Adjournment motion

2. Question hour

3. Supplementary questions

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

All three are devices through which Parliament holds the Council of Ministers to account. Under Article 75(3) the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the Lok Sabha, and Parliament enforces this through several tools.

Q2799.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : Human capital formation as a concept is better explained in terms of a process which enables

1. individuals of a country to accumulate more capital.

2. increasing the knowledge, skill levels and capacities of the people of the country.

3. accumulation of tangible wealth.

4. accumulation of intangible wealth.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Human capital formation means raising people's knowledge, skills and abilities, which is a form of intangible wealth. Human capital is the stock of education, skill, health and experience that makes people productive.

Q2800.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements :

1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts several posts from disqualification on the grounds of 'Office of Profit'.

2. The above-mentioned Act was amended five times.

3. The term 'Office of Profit' is well-defined in the Constitution of India.

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, 2 and 3
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 1 and 2 only

Statement 3 is wrong because the Constitution uses the term 'office of profit' but never defines it.