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GK24

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

Q4702.Static GKAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2023, Paper IMedium

Which of the following are the objectives of SAARC? 1. To promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve the quality of life 2. To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of South Asia 3. To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems 4. To work towards ending cross-border terrorism Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

The first three are written into Article I of the SAARC Charter; ending cross-border terrorism is not one of its listed objectives.

Q4703.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements correctly defines PM1 particles in air ?

  1. A.These are suspended particles of diameter more than 10 micron
  2. B.These are the particles that are filtered by the nose during respiration
  3. C.These are extremely fine particles of diameter less than 1 micron
  4. D.These are coarse particles that penetrate directly through the lungs into the bloodstream
Show answer
Correct answer: C. These are extremely fine particles of diameter less than 1 micron

The number after PM gives the upper size limit of the particles in micrometres. Particulate matter is classed by aerodynamic diameter: PM10 is 10 micrometres or less, PM2.5 is 2.5 micrometres or less, and PM1 is 1 micrometre or less, about one-seventieth of a human hair's width.

Q4704.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IEasy

Lowering the atmospheric pressure on a liquid

  1. A.increases the boiling point of the liquid
  2. B.lowers the boiling point of the liquid
  3. C.does not affect the boiling point of the liquid
  4. D.increases the time required for it to boil
Show answer
Correct answer: B. lowers the boiling point of the liquid

A liquid boils when its vapour pressure equals the pressure above it, so less outside pressure means boiling starts at a lower temperature.

Q4705.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IMedium

Which of the following pairs of list and contents is/are correctly matched ? 1. State list : Public health and sanitation 2. Union list : Citizenship, naturalisation and aliens 3. Concurrent list : Legal, medical and other professions Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

All three subjects sit in the list named against them in the Seventh Schedule. The Seventh Schedule, read with Article 246, divides law-making powers into three lists.

Q4706.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IEasy

Magnesium is used in

  1. A.fireworks to make a bright white light
  2. B.gemstones in jewellery
  3. C.examination of alimentary canal of the patient
  4. D.purification of water
Show answer
Correct answer: A. fireworks to make a bright white light

Magnesium burns in air with a dazzling white flame, which is why it goes into fireworks, sparklers and flares. When magnesium ribbon is heated it reacts with oxygen to form white magnesium oxide (2Mg + O2 → 2MgO), giving out intense heat and brilliant white light, including ultraviolet.

Q4707.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IEasy

Which one of the following statements with regard to a short-sighted person is correct?

  1. A.A short-sighted person sees the near objects blurred but distant objects clearly and a convex lens is used to correct this defect.
  2. B.A short-sighted person sees the near objects clearly but distant objects blurred and a concave lens is used to correct this defect.
  3. C.A short-sighted person sees the near objects blurred but distant objects clearly and a concave lens is used to correct this defect.
  4. D.A short-sighted person sees the near objects clearly but distant objects blurred and a convex lens is used to correct this defect.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A short-sighted person sees the near objects clearly but distant objects blurred and a concave lens is used to correct this defect.

A short-sighted (myopic) person sees near things clearly but distant things blurred, and a concave lens corrects it.

Q4708.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2018, Paper IHard

Which of the following statements about optical microscope is/are correct? 1. Both the eyepiece and objective of a microscope are convex lenses. 2. The magnification of a microscope increases with increase in focal length of the objective. 3. The magnification of a microscope depends upon the length of the microscope tube. 4. The eyepiece of a microscope is a concave lens. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

A compound microscope uses two convex lenses, and its magnification depends on the tube length. The objective is a convex lens of very short focal length that forms a real, enlarged image of the specimen.

Q4709.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2020, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to Newton's third law of motion is NOT correct ?

  1. A.Force never occurs singly in nature
  2. B.When the earth pulls a stone downwards due to gravity, the stone exerts a force on the earth
  3. C.There is a cause-effect relation implied in the third law
  4. D.There is no cause-effect relation implied in the third law
Show answer
Correct answer: C. There is a cause-effect relation implied in the third law

The third law does not make one force the cause and the other the effect; action and reaction arise together, at the same instant.

Q4710.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IMedium

An object is placed 10 cm in front of a lens. The image formed is real, inverted and of same size as the object. What is the focal length and nature of the lens?

  1. A.5 cm, converging
  2. B.10 cm, diverging
  3. C.20 cm, converging
  4. D.20 cm, diverging
Show answer
Correct answer: A. 5 cm, converging

A real, inverted image of the same size forms only when the object sits at twice the focal length of a convex lens, so 2f = 10 cm and f = 5 cm.

Q4711.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2024, Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements with regard to greenhouse effect is correct?

  1. A.It can take place inside a glass chamber where no radiation can pass into it or pass back through it
  2. B.It can take place inside a glass chamber where long wavelength infrared radiation can pass through into it and short wavelength infrared radiation cannot pass back through it
  3. C.It can take place inside a glass chamber where short wavelength infrared radiation can pass through into it and long wavelength infrared radiation cannot pass back through it
  4. D.It can take place inside a glass chamber where all infrared radiation can pass into it or pass back through it
Show answer
Correct answer: C. It can take place inside a glass chamber where short wavelength infrared radiation can pass through into it and long wavelength infrared radiation cannot pass back through it

Sunlight reaching a glasshouse is mostly visible light and short-wavelength (near) infrared, which glass transmits easily. The plants and soil inside absorb it, warm up and re-radiate the energy as long-wavelength infrared, because cooler bodies emit at longer wavelengths.

Q4712.GeographyAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2017, Paper IMedium

Statement I : Plantation farming has mostly been practiced in humid tropics Statement II : The soil of humid tropics is highly fertile

  1. A.Both the statements are individually true and Statement II is the correct explanation of Statement I
  2. B.Both the statements are individually true but Statement II is not the correct explanation of Statement I
  3. C.Statement I is true but Statement II is false
  4. D.Statement I is false but Statement II is true
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Statement I is true but Statement II is false

Plantations do lie mostly in the humid tropics, but the soils there are generally poor, not highly fertile. Plantation farming grows a single cash crop such as tea, coffee, rubber, sugarcane, cocoa, banana or oil palm on large estates with heavy capital and hired labour.

Q4714.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2019, Paper IHard

Consider the following statements relating to short notice questions asked in the Legislature : 1. These relate to matters of urgent public importance and can be asked for oral answer at a notice less than 10 days 2. Short notice questions can be admissible if the Minister concerned agrees to answer to it 3. Short notice questions are asked during question hour Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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

A short notice question is an urgent oral question taken up only with the Minister's consent, and it is answered after Question Hour, not during it.

Q4716.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC CAPF · CAPF 2021, Paper IEasy

Which electromagnetic radiation(s) is/are used to cook food?

  1. A.Infrared radiation only
  2. B.Microwave radiation only
  3. C.Infrared and microwave radiations
  4. D.All electromagnetic radiations
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Infrared and microwave radiations

Both kinds of radiation carry energy that food absorbs as heat, and both are used in everyday kitchens. Infrared radiation is the heat radiation given out by hot bodies: a grill, a toaster, an oven element or glowing coals cook the surface of food mainly by infrared rays.

Q4717.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IHard

Which of the following is/are correct inference/inferences from isothermal maps in the month of January ?

1. The isotherms deviate to the north over the ocean and to the south over the continent.

2. The presence of cold ocean currents, Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift make the North Atlantic Ocean colder and the isotherms bend towards the north.

Select the 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: A. 1 only

In January the northern oceans are warmer than the frozen continents, so isotherms bend north over the sea and south over the land; the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift are warm currents, not cold ones.