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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

Q4721.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

The term 'Intended Nationally Determined Contributions' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of

  1. A.pledges made by the European countries to rehabilitate refugees from the war-affected Middle East
  2. B.plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change
  3. C.capital contributed by the member countries in the establishment of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
  4. D.plan of action outlined by the countries of the world regarding Sustainable Development Goals
Show answer
Correct answer: B. plan of action outlined by the countries of the world to combat climate change

INDCs were the climate pledges countries announced before the Paris climate conference of 2015. Under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, each country was asked to state what it intended to do to cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change after 2020.

Q4722.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the difference between the culture of Rigvedic Aryans and Indus Valley people, which of the following statements is/are correct ?

1. Rigvedic Aryans used the coat of mail and helmet in warfare whereas the people of Indus Valley Civilization did not leave any evidence of using them.

2. Rigvedic Aryans knew gold, silver and copper whereas Indus Valley people knew only copper and iron.

3. Rigvedic Aryans had domesticated the horse whereas there is no evidence of Indus Valley people having been aware of this animal.

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: C. 1 and 3 only

The Rigveda describes armour and the horse as central to Aryan life, while the Harappan remains show neither armour nor clear use of the horse; but the Harappans did not know iron.

Q4723.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IEasy

Which of the following leaf modifications occur(s) in the desert areas to inhibit water loss?

1. Hard and waxy leaves

2. Tiny leaves

3. Thorns instead of leaves

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

All three are adaptations of desert plants (xerophytes) that cut down water loss through transpiration. Plants lose most of their water through the leaves, so desert plants change their leaves to save it.

Q4724.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Port : Well known as

1. Kamarajar Port : First major port in India registered as a company

2. Mundra Port : Largest privately owned port in India

3. Visakhapatnam Port : Largest container port in India

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

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

Pairs 1 and 2 are correct; Visakhapatnam is not India's largest container port. Kamarajar Port at Ennore, near Chennai in Tamil Nadu, was the first major port in India to be set up as a corporate entity, registered as a public company (Ennore Port Ltd).

Q4725.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : Thickness of the troposphere at the equator is much greater as compared to poles.

Statement-II : At the equator, heat is transported to great heights by strong convectional currents.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

The troposphere is thickest over the equator because strong convection there carries heat high into the air. The troposphere, the lowest layer of the atmosphere where almost all weather occurs, is about 18 km thick at the equator but only about 8 km at the poles.

Q4726.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

With reference to 'LiFi', recently in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. It uses light as the medium for high-speed data transmission.

2. It is a wireless technology and is several times faster than 'WiFi'.

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

LiFi (Light Fidelity) sends data wirelessly by switching LED light on and off far too fast for the eye to notice, and it can be many times faster than WiFi.

Q4727.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements :

1. A private member's bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.

2. Recently, a private member's bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.

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

A private member's bill is one introduced by any MP who is not a minister, whether elected or nominated, and such bills have become law in the past.

Q4728.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.

2. In the Lok Sabha, a "Leader of the Opposition" was recognised for the first time in 1969.

3. In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognised as the Leader of the Opposition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

The first Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha was recognised in 1969, when Ram Subhag Singh of the Congress (O) was given the post.

Q4729.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

With reference to Mughal India, what is/are difference/differences between Jagirdar and Zamindar?

1. Jagirdars were holders of land assignments in lieu of judicial and police duties, whereas Zamindars were holders of revenue rights without obligation to perform any duty other than revenue collection.

2. Land assignments to Jagirdars were hereditary and revenue rights of Zamindars were not hereditary.

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: D. Neither 1 nor 2

A jagir was a temporary, transferable revenue assignment given mainly in lieu of salary for military service, while zamindari rights were hereditary.

Q4730.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : The atmosphere is heated more by incoming solar radiation than by terrestrial radiation.

Statement-II : Carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are good absorbers of long wave radiation.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  2. B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  3. C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  4. D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

The atmosphere is heated mainly from below, by the Earth's own long wave (terrestrial) radiation, not directly by sunlight. Incoming solar radiation is short wave, and the atmosphere is largely transparent to it, so most of it passes through and heats the Earth's surface.

Q4731.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following Carnatic music ragas is similar to Raga Bilawal in Hindustani music ?

  1. A.Nat Bhairavi
  2. B.Kamavardhini
  3. C.Hanumatodi
  4. D.Dheera Shankarabharanam
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Dheera Shankarabharanam

Both ragas use all seven natural (shuddha) notes, the same scale as the Western major scale. In Hindustani music, Bilawal is one of the ten thaats in Pandit V. N. Bhatkhande's system and is taken as the basic scale, with every note in its natural form.

Q4732.DefenceMedium

INS Sahyadri arrived at which Russian port for Exercise INDRA 2026?

  1. A.St. Petersburg
  2. B.Murmansk
  3. C.Vladivostok
  4. D.Sevastopol
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Vladivostok

The Ministry of Defence stated that the Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri reached Vladivostok on 10 October 2026 to take part in the exercise, which has been scheduled from 13 to 18 October 2026 and begins with a harbour phase at that port before moving to coordinated activity at sea.

Q4733.DefenceMedium

In the Ministry of Defence statement on INS Sahyadri, MAHASAGAR stands for which of the following?

  1. A.Maritime Highway for Shipping, Access, Growth and Regional Reach
  2. B.Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions
  3. C.Maritime Alliance for Secure Harbours, Growth and Reconstruction
  4. D.Mission for Advancement of Shipping, Agriculture, Growth and Rural Reform
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions

The Ministry of Defence says the participation of INS Sahyadri in the exercise is in keeping with this vision of the Government of India, which frames security and growth as goals to be pursued together across maritime regions rather than separately.

Q4735.DefenceMedium

Exercise KONKAN-26 is described as an expression of the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership outlined in which document?

  1. A.India-UK Vision 2030
  2. B.India-UK Vision 2035
  3. C.India-UK Maritime Roadmap 2040
  4. D.India-UK Vision 2047
Show answer
Correct answer: B. India-UK Vision 2035

The exercise is presented as a reaffirmation of the shared commitment of the two countries to secure, open and free seas, and the Ministry of Defence places that commitment within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that the two sides set out in the India-UK Vision 2035 document.

Q4737.DefenceEasy

Exercise KONKAN is an annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the navy of which country?

  1. A.France
  2. B.Australia
  3. C.The United Kingdom
  4. D.The United States of America
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The United Kingdom

KONKAN is described as the yearly bilateral maritime exercise between India and the United Kingdom, held with the Royal Navy, and the current edition is being conducted in the waters off Plymouth on the British coast in a harbour phase and a sea phase.

Q4739.Indian PolityHard

How many members does the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament have?

  1. A.15 members
  2. B.22 members
  3. C.30 members
  4. D.31 members
Show answer
Correct answer: B. 22 members

The Public Accounts Committee consists of twenty-two members, fifteen elected by the Lok Sabha and seven by the Rajya Sabha, all by proportional representation through the single transferable vote, and its chairman is appointed by the Speaker; by a convention followed since 1967 the chairman is from the opposition.