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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

Q4141.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IHard

The Vital-Vidhvansak, the first monthly journal to have the untouchable people as its target audience was published by

  1. A.Gopal Baba Walangkar
  2. B.Jyotiba Phule
  3. C.Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi
  4. D.Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Gopal Baba Walangkar

Walangkar, a pioneer of the Dalit movement in Maharashtra, brought out the Vital-Vidhvansak from 1888. Gopal Baba Walangkar belonged to the Mahar community and had served in the army before turning to social reform.

Q4142.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

In the nature, which of the following is/are most likely to be found surviving on a surface without soil?

1. Fern

2. Lichen

3. Moss

4. Mushroom

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Lichens and mosses can live on bare rock, tree bark and walls without any soil, and they are the pioneer species of primary succession.

Q4143.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to anti-defection law in India, consider the following statements :

1. The law specifies that a nominated legislator cannot join any political party within six months of being appointed to the House.

2. The law does not provide any time-frame within which the presiding officer has to decide a defection case.

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

The Tenth Schedule lets a nominated member join a party within six months, and it sets no deadline for the presiding officer's decision.

Q4145.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to 'Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)', consider the following statements :

1. It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.

2. It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.

3. It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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: B. 2 and 3 only

The OPCW is the independent global body that implements the Chemical Weapons Convention; it is not an organ of the European Union.

Q4146.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Indian National Movement, consider the following pairs :

Person : Position held

1. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru : President, All India Liberal Federation

2. K. C. Neogy : Member, The Constituent Assembly

3. P. C. Joshi : General Secretary, Communist Party of India

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

Each person held the position shown against his name. Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru, an eminent lawyer and Moderate, was a leading figure of the All India (National) Liberal Federation formed by Moderates who left the Congress in 1918, and served as its president; he also attended the Round Table Conferences.

Q4147.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IMedium

The Gandhi-Irwin Pact included which of the following?

1. Invitation to Congress to participate in the Round Table Conference

2. Withdrawal of Ordinances promulgated in connection with the Civil Disobedience Movement

3. Acceptance of Gandhiji's suggestion for enquiry into police excesses

4. Release of only those prisoners who were not charged with violence

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

The pact invited the Congress to the Round Table Conference, withdrew the emergency ordinances and released non-violent prisoners, but it did not grant an enquiry into police excesses.

Q4148.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to furnace oil, consider the following statements :

1. It is a product of oil refineries.

2. Some industries use it to generate power.

3. Its use causes sulphur emissions into environment.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

  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

Furnace oil is a heavy refinery product, it is burnt by industry for heat and power, and its high sulphur content makes it a polluting fuel.

Q4149.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following is/are the exclusive power(s) of Lok Sabha ?

1. To ratify the declaration of Emergency

2. To pass a motion of no-confidence against the Council of Ministers

3. To impeach the President of India

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Only the Lok Sabha can pass a no-confidence motion, because the Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to it under Article 75(3).

Q4151.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Community sometimes mentioned in the news : In the affairs of

1. Kurd : Bangladesh

2. Madhesi : Nepal

3. Rohingya : Myanmar

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

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

The Madhesis belong to Nepal and the Rohingya to Myanmar, while the Kurds have nothing to do with Bangladesh. The Madhesis are the people of the Terai plains of southern Nepal, close to the Indian border, with strong ties of language and kinship to Bihar and Uttar Pradesh.

Q4153.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the British colonial rule in India, consider the following statements :

1. Mahatma Gandhi was instrumental in the abolition of the system of 'indentured labour'.

2. In Lord Chelmsford's 'War Conference', Mahatma Gandhi did not support the resolution on recruiting Indians for World War.

3. Consequent upon the breaking of Salt Law by Indian people, the Indian National Congress was declared illegal by the colonial rulers.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Gandhi did campaign to end indentured labour, and the Congress was outlawed after the Salt Satyagraha, but he supported the recruitment resolution at the War Conference.

Q4154.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

Why is there a concern about copper smelting plants?

1. They may release lethal quantities of carbon monoxide into environment.

2. The copper slag can cause the leaching of some heavy metals into environment.

3. They may release sulphur dioxide as a pollutant.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

  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: B. 2 and 3 only

Copper smelting is a concern for its sulphur dioxide emissions and for heavy metals leaching from its slag, not for lethal carbon monoxide.

Q4155.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. The Constitution of India classifies the ministers into four ranks viz. Cabinet Minister, Minister of State with Independent Charge, Minister of State and Deputy Minister.

2. The total number of ministers in the Union Government, including the Prime Minister, shall not exceed 15 percent of the total number of members in the Lok Sabha.

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

The 15 percent ceiling is in the Constitution, but the ranks of ministers are not.

Q4157.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following plants:

1. Groundnut

2. Horse-gram

3. Soybean

How many of the above belong to the pea family?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: C. All three

Groundnut, horse-gram and soybean are all legumes of the family Fabaceae (Leguminosae), the pea family. Members of the pea family bear their seeds in pods and carry root nodules in which Rhizobium bacteria fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Q4159.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Pandit Mallikarjun Mansur, the famous classical singer from Karnataka, represented the :

  1. A.Agra Gharana
  2. B.Gwalior Gharana
  3. C.Patiala Gharana
  4. D.Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Jaipur-Atrauli Gharana

Mallikarjun Mansur (1910–1992) of Dharwad was one of the leading Khayal singers of this gharana. The Jaipur-Atrauli gharana was founded by Ustad Alladiya Khan in the late nineteenth century.

Q4160.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2018, GATEasy

Which one of the following statements about gravitational force is NOT correct?

  1. A.It is experienced by all bodies in the universe
  2. B.It is a dominant force between celestial bodies
  3. C.It is a negligible force for atoms
  4. D.It is same for all pairs of bodies in our universe
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It is same for all pairs of bodies in our universe

This statement is wrong: the gravitational force between two bodies depends on their masses and on the distance between them.