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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

Q3501.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following pairs of term and meaning is NOT correctly matched?

  1. A.Khalisa : Villages whose income went directly to the State Treasury
  2. B.Mauza : Rebellious territory
  3. C.Inam : Land allotted to learned and religious man
  4. D.Jagir : Territorial assignment given to Mansabdars in lieu of salary
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Mauza : Rebellious territory

In Mughal times a mauza was a village, the basic unit of revenue records, not a rebellious territory. Mughal revenue records were kept village by village, and each village was called a mauza.

Q3502.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IMedium

Which of the following statements about tropical cyclone are correct?

1. It originates and develops over warm oceanic surface.

2. Presence of Coriolis force is necessary for it.

3. It occurs in middle latitudinal region.

4. It develops 'eye' with calm and descending air condition.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Statements 1, 2 and 4 are correct; tropical cyclones form in tropical, not middle, latitudes. Tropical cyclones form over warm seas with surface temperatures above about 27°C, which supply heat and moisture through evaporation and condensation.

Q3503.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Phreatophytes are the plants adapted to grow in

  1. A.moist shaded places
  2. B.rocky environments
  3. C.arid environments
  4. D.active volcanic lava
Show answer
Correct answer: C. arid environments

Phreatophytes are deep-rooted plants that survive in dry regions by drawing water from the water table. The name comes from the Greek for 'well plant'.

Q3504.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

Which of the following are prescribed as the duties of Vaishyas according to the Dharmashastras ?

1. Studying the Vedas

2. Engaging in trade

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  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 Dharmashastras assigned the Vaishyas both the study of the Vedas and trade, along with agriculture and cattle-rearing. The Dharmasutras and Dharmashastras, such as the Manusmriti, laid down ideal occupations for the four varnas.

Q3507.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IHard

Which one of the following statements in respect of the North Eastern Council is correct?

  1. A.The Council is the nodal agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs for the economic and social development of eight States in the North Eastern Region.
  2. B.The Council consists of the Governors and Chief Ministers of eight North Eastern States along with three members nominated by the Governors of the respective States.
  3. C.The Council was constituted in 1971 by an Act of the Parliament.
  4. D.Manipur was added as the eighth member State in the North Eastern Council.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The Council was constituted in 1971 by an Act of the Parliament.

The North Eastern Council was created under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 and began work in 1972 at Shillong.

Q3508.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following was the mandate of the Dhar Commission (1948) ?

  1. A.To study the classification of States
  2. B.To recommend whether the States can be re-organized on linguistic basis
  3. C.To study the Centre-State relations
  4. D.To examine whether Madras city can be transferred to Andhra
Show answer
Correct answer: B. To recommend whether the States can be re-organized on linguistic basis

The Linguistic Provinces Commission under Justice S.K. Dhar was set up in June 1948 for this purpose.

Q3510.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Which of the following are the defining features of liberal democracy ?

1. Constitutional government based on formal, usually legal, rules

2. Guarantees of civil liberties and individual rights

3. It invests political authority with potentially unlimited power

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

Liberal democracy rests on constitutional, rule-bound government and on guaranteed civil liberties; it limits political power rather than making it unlimited.

Q3511.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IEasy

Which one of the following is NOT listed as one of the sixteen mahajanapadas in the pre-Mauryan period ?

  1. A.Kuru
  2. B.Vatsa
  3. C.Gandhara
  4. D.Kalinga
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Kalinga

Kalinga does not appear in the list of sixteen mahajanapadas given in the Buddhist text Anguttara Nikaya. The sixteen mahajanapadas of the sixth century BCE were Anga, Magadha, Kashi, Kosala, Vajji, Malla, Chedi, Vatsa, Kuru, Panchala, Matsya, Surasena, Assaka, Avanti, Gandhara and Kamboja.

Q3513.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2026, Paper IMedium

Which among the following subjects is not included in the Ninth Schedule of the Constitution of India?

  1. A.The Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices Act, 1969
  2. B.The General Insurance Business (Nationalization) Act, 1972
  3. C.The Coal Mines (Taking Over of Management) Act, 1973
  4. D.The Consumer Protection Act, 2019
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019

This Act has never been added to the Ninth Schedule; the other three were placed in it by constitutional amendments.

Q3514.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IEasy

Government of which one of the following States has appointed the Rajamannar Committee to study the Centre-State relations ?

  1. A.Government of Andhra Pradesh
  2. B.Government of Karnataka
  3. C.Government of Maharashtra
  4. D.Government of Tamil Nadu
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Government of Tamil Nadu

The DMK government of Tamil Nadu set up the Rajamannar Committee in 1969 to study Centre-State relations. The three-member committee was headed by Dr P.V.

Q3516.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements regarding the Directive Principles of State Policy is NOT correct ?

  1. A.State shall follow the Directive Principles of State Policy both in the matter of administration as well as in the making of laws
  2. B.The Directive Principles of State Policy embody the object of the State under the republican Constitution
  3. C.The Directive Principles of State Policy have precedence over the Fundamental Rights in case of conflict between the two
  4. D.The Directive Principles of State Policy are not enforceable in the Courts
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The Directive Principles of State Policy have precedence over the Fundamental Rights in case of conflict between the two

Directive Principles do not have precedence over Fundamental Rights; in a conflict, the Fundamental Rights generally prevail. Directive Principles are in Part IV, Articles 36 to 51.

Q3517.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

Which of the following is/are the most distinctive artefacts of the Harappan Civilisation?

1. Steatite seal

2. Bricks of a standardised ratio

3. Gold bangles

4. Silver spittoon

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

Steatite seals and bricks of a standard ratio are the hallmarks of the Harappan Civilisation. Harappan seals were usually carved from steatite, a soft stone, and carry animal motifs such as the unicorn together with signs of the undeciphered script.

Q3518.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IMedium

Who can be appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court?

  1. A.An advocate who has practised for at least ten years in any court
  2. B.A Judge of a High Court for at least three years
  3. C.A distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President of India
  4. D.A person who has held a judicial office for at least fifteen years
Show answer
Correct answer: C. A distinguished jurist in the opinion of the President of India

Article 124(3) allows such a person to be appointed a Judge of the Supreme Court.

Q3520.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2025, Paper IHard

Consider the following pairs :

King : Dynasty

1. Lakshmikarna : Pala

2. Bhima I : Chalukyas of Gujarat

3. Jayapala : Shahiya dynasty

4. Lalitaditya Muktapida : Utpala dynasty of Kashmir

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Pairs 2 and 3 are correct; pairs 1 and 4 are wrongly matched. Lakshmikarna, also called Karna, was an eleventh-century Kalachuri ruler of Tripuri, not a Pala king, though he fought the Palas of Bengal.