Skip to content
GK24
Prime

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

Q121.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKMedium

Which of the following statements about the Ordinance-making power of the Governor is/are correct? 1. It is a discretionary power. 2. The Governor himself is not competent to withdraw the Ordinance at any time. 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

The Governor makes ordinances on the advice of the Council of Ministers and can withdraw them at any time.

Q122.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2018, GKEasy

Which one of the following criteria is not required to be qualified for appointment as Judge of the Supreme Court?

  1. A.At least five years as a Judge of a High Court
  2. B.At least ten years as an Advocate of a High Court
  3. C.In the opinion of the President, a distinguished Jurist
  4. D.At least twenty years as a Sub-Judicial Magistrate
Show answer
Correct answer: D. At least twenty years as a Sub-Judicial Magistrate

Service as a subordinate magistrate is not one of the routes named in the Constitution.

Q123.Environment & EcologyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2019, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements about the National Green Tribunal is not correct?

  1. A.It was set up in the year 2010.
  2. B.It is involved in effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
  3. C.It may consider giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
  4. D.It is bound by the procedures laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It is bound by the procedures laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.

The National Green Tribunal is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure; it is guided by the principles of natural justice.

Q124.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

According to the provisions of the Constitution of India, which one of the following is not a fundamental duty?

  1. A.To respect the National Flag
  2. B.To defend the country
  3. C.To provide education to one's child
  4. D.To promote village and cottage industries
Show answer
Correct answer: D. To promote village and cottage industries

This is a Directive Principle under Article 43, not a Fundamental Duty. Fundamental Duties are listed in Article 51A, added in Part IVA by the 42nd Amendment of 1976 on the advice of the Swaran Singh Committee.

Q125.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKEasy

Which one of the following statements relating to protection against arrest and detention of individuals under Article 22 is not correct?

  1. A.No person who is arrested shall be detained in custody without being informed of the grounds for such arrest.
  2. B.No person shall be denied the right to consult, and be defended by, a legal practitioner of his/her choice.
  3. C.Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest Magistrate within a period of one week of such arrest.
  4. D.The right to protection against arrest is not available to a person in jail pursuant to a judicial order.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Every person who is arrested and detained in custody shall be produced before the nearest Magistrate within a period of one week of such arrest.

Article 22(2) requires an arrested person to be produced before the nearest magistrate within 24 hours, not one week.

Q126.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Harshacharita has references to various presents sent by a ruler named Bhaskara to Harshavardhana. Bhaskara belonged to

  1. A.Haryanka Dynasty of Magadha
  2. B.Varman Dynasty of Assam
  3. C.Nanda Dynasty of North India
  4. D.None of the above
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Varman Dynasty of Assam

Bhaskaravarman was the king of Kamarupa, ancient Assam, and a close ally of Harsha. Harshacharita was written by Banabhatta, the court poet of Harshavardhana of Kannauj in the seventh century.

Q128.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2018, GKMedium

Which of the following is not under the powers and functions of the Election Commission of India?

  1. A.Superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls
  2. B.Conduct of elections to the Parliament and to the Legislature of each State
  3. C.Conduct of election to the office of the President and the Vice President
  4. D.Appointment of the Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in the performance of the functions conferred on the Commission
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Appointment of the Regional Commissioners to assist the Election Commission in the performance of the functions conferred on the Commission

Regional Commissioners are appointed by the President, not by the Election Commission. Article 324(1) vests in the Election Commission the superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections to Parliament, to every State Legislature and to the offices of President and Vice-President.

Q130.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements regarding freedom to manage religious affairs as per the Constitution of India is not correct?

  1. A.Every religious denomination shall have the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion except some minor communities.
  2. B.Every religion or any section thereof shall have the right to own and acquire movable and immovable property.
  3. C.Every religious community has the right to establish and maintain institutions for religious and charitable purposes.
  4. D.Every community has the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Every religious denomination shall have the right to manage its own affairs in matters of religion except some minor communities.

Article 26 gives the right to manage religious affairs to every religious denomination, with no exception for minor communities.

Q131.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements about the Harappan Culture is not correct?

  1. A.It witnessed the first cities in the subcontinent.
  2. B.It marks the first use of script, written from right to left.
  3. C.It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting.
  4. D.It marks the earliest known use of stone as a medium for the art of sculpting.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. It marks the earliest known use of iron as a medium for the art of sculpting.

The Harappans were a Bronze Age people and did not know iron at all. The Harappan or Indus Valley Civilisation flourished from about 2600 to 1900 BCE.

Q132.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements about Buddhist Stupas in India is not correct?

  1. A.Ashoka played an important role in popularizing the Stupa cult.
  2. B.They were repositories of relics of Buddha and other monks.
  3. C.They were located in rural areas.
  4. D.They were located close to trade routes.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. They were located in rural areas.

Stupas grew up near towns and along trade routes, where traders and townspeople could visit and fund them. A stupa is a hemispherical mound built over relics of the Buddha or of revered monks.

Q133.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2019, GKEasy

The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund is operated by which one of the following bodies?

  1. A.The Prime Minister's Office (PMO)
  2. B.The National Disaster Management Authority
  3. C.The Ministry of Finance
  4. D.The National Development Council (NDC)
Show answer
Correct answer: A. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO)

The fund is administered from the PMO, with the Prime Minister as its chairman. The Prime Minister's National Relief Fund was set up in January 1948 by Jawaharlal Nehru to help people displaced from Pakistan after Partition.

Q134.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding Right to Education in India? 1. Free and compulsory education should be provided to all children of the age of six to fourteen years. 2. The imperative of the provision of the Right to Education Act, 2009 is that schools must have qualified teachers and basic infrastructure. 3. There should be quality education without any discrimination on the ground of economic, social and cultural background. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

All three statements describe the Right to Education as framed by Article 21A and the RTE Act, 2009.

Q137.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2018, GKEasy

Which of the following is not related to the powers of the Governor?

  1. A.Diplomatic and military powers
  2. B.Power to appoint Advocate General
  3. C.Summoning, proroguing and dissolving State Legislature
  4. D.Power to grant pardons, reprieves, respites or remission of punishments
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Diplomatic and military powers

Unlike the President, the Governor of a state has no diplomatic or military powers. The Governor's powers are broadly similar to the President's in the executive, legislative and judicial fields, but defence and foreign affairs belong to the Union.

Q139.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

Capital deepening refers to

  1. A.going for more fixed capital per worker
  2. B.emphasis on social overhead capital
  3. C.constant capital-output ratio
  4. D.increasing capital-output ratio
Show answer
Correct answer: A. going for more fixed capital per worker

Capital deepening means the stock of capital grows faster than the labour force, so each worker has more machines and tools to work with.

Q140.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements relating to the powers of the President of India is/are correct? 1. The executive power of the Union shall be vested in the President. 2. The executive power shall be exercised by the President only through officers subordinate to him. 3. The supreme command of the defence forces of the Union shall be vested in the President. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Article 53 vests the executive power of the Union and the supreme command of the defence forces in the President, but it does not say the power is used only through subordinate officers.