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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

Q3561.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometres long, with lasers shining between the craft." The experiment in question refers to

  1. A.Voyager-2
  2. B.New Horizons
  3. C.LISA Pathfinder
  4. D.Evolved LISA
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Evolved LISA

eLISA is the planned space observatory of three spacecraft, linked by lasers in a giant triangle, that will detect gravitational waves.

Q3562.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

In the first quarter of seventeenth century, in which of the following was/were the factory/factories of the English East India Company located? 1. Broach 2. Chicacole 3. Trichinopoly Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Of the three places, only Broach in Gujarat had an English factory in the first quarter of the 17th century.

Q3563.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

With reference to India, consider the following statements : 1. Monazite is a source of rare earths. 2. Monazite contains thorium. 3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India. 4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

Monazite is a phosphate mineral rich in rare earths and thorium, it occurs only in certain stretches of India's beach sands, and only government bodies may handle it.

Q3564.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Recently, the term "pumped-storage hydropower" is actually and appropriately discussed in the context of which one of the following?

  1. A.Irrigation of terraced crop fields
  2. B.Lift irrigation of cereal crops
  3. C.Long duration energy storage
  4. D.Rainwater harvesting system
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Long duration energy storage

Pumped-storage hydropower stores surplus electricity by pumping water uphill and gives it back when the water flows down through turbines.

Q3565.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the planet Earth, consider the following statements : I. Rain forests produce more oxygen than that produced by oceans. II. Marine phytoplankton and photosynthetic bacteria produce about 50% of world's oxygen. III. Well-oxygenated surface water contains several folds higher oxygen than that in atmospheric air. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.I and II
  2. B.II only
  3. C.I and III
  4. D.None of the above statements is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: B. II only

About half of the oxygen made on Earth comes from ocean phytoplankton and cyanobacteria, more than from rain forests, and sea water holds far less oxygen than air.

Q3566.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements with regard to the Moidams, built by the Tai-Ahom kingdom and inscribed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is/are correct ? 1. They acted as army fortresses. 2. They were recreation centres of the Royals and Nobles. 3. They were burial grounds of the Royals and Nobles. 4. They were battle drill centres of the Royals and Nobles. Select the answer using the code given below :

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

The Moidams are the mound-burials of the Ahom royal family and nobles at Charaideo in Assam. The Tai-Ahoms, who ruled the Brahmaputra valley for about six centuries from the 13th century, buried their kings, queens and nobles in vaulted chambers covered by large earthen mounds.

Q3567.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations. 2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency. 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: D. Neither 1 nor 2

The Nuclear Security Summits were a United States initiative outside the UN, and the International Panel on Fissile Materials is an independent expert group, not part of the IAEA.

Q3568.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. In India, State Governments do not have the power to auction non-coal mines. 2. Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand do not have gold mines. 3. Rajasthan has iron ore mines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

Rajasthan does have iron ore deposits and mines, while the first two statements are false.

Q3569.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IEasy

In the context of which one of the following are the terms 'pyrolysis and plasma gasification' mentioned?

  1. A.Extraction of rare earth elements
  2. B.Natural gas extraction technologies
  3. C.Hydrogen fuel-based automobiles
  4. D.Waste-to-energy technologies
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Waste-to-energy technologies

Pyrolysis and plasma gasification are two thermal methods of turning solid waste into fuel gas, oil or power.

Q3570.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following activities : 1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field 2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes 3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology, which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ?

  1. A.1 and 2 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

Drones are already used for all three jobs: spraying crops, looking into volcanic craters and catching whale breath for study.

Q3571.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Chausath Yogini Temple situated near Morena, consider the following statements : 1. It is a circular temple built during the reign of Kachchhapaghata Dynasty. 2. It is the only circular temple built in India. 3. It was meant to promote the Vaishnava cult in the region. 4. Its design has given rise to a popular belief that it was the inspiration behind the Indian Parliament building. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

The temple at Mitaoli near Morena is a circular yogini shrine built under the Kachchhapaghatas, and its round, colonnaded plan is popularly linked with the old Parliament House.

Q3572.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following countries : 1. Azerbaijan 2. Kyrgyzstan 3. Tajikistan 4. Turkmenistan 5. Uzbekistan Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan ?

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

Of the Central Asian countries listed, only Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan touch Afghanistan, all along its northern edge.

Q3574.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements about Rhynchostylis retusa (Foxtail orchid) : 1. It is an epiphytic orchid. 2. The species is endemic to North-east India. 3. It is the State flower of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

The Foxtail orchid grows on trees as an epiphyte and is the state flower of both Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, but it is not confined to North-east India.

Q3575.DefenceMedium

In the context of the Indian Coast Guard, what does the abbreviation M-SAR stand for?

  1. A.Maritime Safety and Regulation
  2. B.Marine Surveillance and Reconnaissance
  3. C.Maritime Search and Rescue
  4. D.Marine Spill Assessment Response
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Maritime Search and Rescue

It was the first of the areas listed for deeper cooperation at the 14th High Level Meeting, alongside Marine Pollution Response, Maritime Law Enforcement, capacity building and operational coordination.

Q3576.DefenceMedium

Who led the Indian Coast Guard delegation at the 14th High Level Meeting with the Korea Coast Guard?

  1. A.Senior Superintendent General Im Myeong Gil
  2. B.Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar
  3. C.The Director General of the Indian Coast Guard
  4. D.The Chief of the Naval Staff
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar

The correct answer is Inspector General T. Sashi Kumar, who led the Indian Coast Guard delegation on its official visit to the Republic of Korea.

Q3579.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IEasy

According to which one of the following plans/reports, the decision with regard to the partition of Punjab and Bengal was to be taken on the basis of voting of the Members of the respective Legislative Assemblies?

  1. A.Nehru report
  2. B.Cripps mission plan
  3. C.Beveridge report
  4. D.Mountbatten plan
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Mountbatten plan

The plan of 3 June 1947 provided that the Legislative Assemblies of Punjab and Bengal would meet in two parts, Muslim-majority and non-Muslim-majority districts, and vote on whether the province should be partitioned.