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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

Q1781.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

With reference to Indian freedom struggle, consider the following events :

1. Mutiny in Royal Indian Navy

2. Quit India Movement launched

3. Second Round Table Conference

What is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

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

The Second Round Table Conference came in 1931, the Quit India Movement in 1942 and the Royal Indian Navy mutiny in 1946.

Q1782.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following events :

1. The first democratically elected communist party government formed in a State in India.

2. India's then largest bank, 'Imperial Bank of India', was renamed 'State Bank of India'.

3. Air India was nationalised and became the national carrier.

4. Goa became a part of independent India.

Which of the following is the correct chronological sequence of the above events ?

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

The events run Air India's nationalisation (1953), the birth of the State Bank of India (1955), the Kerala communist government (1957) and Goa's liberation (1961).

Q1783.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IHard

With reference to educational institutions during colonial rule in India, consider the following pairs :

Institution — Founder

1. Sanskrit College at Benaras — William Jones

2. Calcutta Madarsa — Warren Hastings

3. Fort William College — Arthur Wellesley

Which of the pairs 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: B. 2 only

Warren Hastings founded the Calcutta Madarsa, but the other two institutions are linked with the wrong founders. Hastings set up the Calcutta Madrasa in 1781 to train Muslim scholars in Arabic and Persian learning and in Islamic law, which the Company courts needed.

Q1784.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

The Prime Minister recently inaugurated the new Circuit House near Somnath Temple at Veraval. Which of the following statements are correct regarding Somnath Temple?

1. Somnath Temple is one of the Jyotirlinga shrines.

2. A description of Somnath Temple was given by Al-Biruni.

3. Pran Pratishtha of Somnath Temple (installation of the present day temple) was done by President S. Radhakrishnan.

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: A. 1 and 2 only

Somnath is a Jyotirlinga and Al-Biruni described it, but the present temple was consecrated by President Rajendra Prasad, not S. Radhakrishnan.

Q1785.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

The world's second tallest statue in sitting pose of Ramanuja was inaugurated by the Prime Minister of India at Hyderabad recently. Which one of the following statements correctly represents the teachings of Ramanuja ?

  1. A.The best means of salvation was devotion.
  2. B.Vedas are eternal, self-existent and wholly authoritative.
  3. C.Logical arguments were essential means for the highest bliss.
  4. D.Salvation was to be obtained through meditation.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. The best means of salvation was devotion.

Ramanuja taught that loving devotion (bhakti) to Vishnu and complete surrender (prapatti) are the surest path to liberation.

Q1787.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Which one of the following statements about Sangam literature in ancient South India is correct ?

  1. A.Sangam poems are devoid of any reference to material culture.
  2. B.The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.
  3. C.Sangam poems have no reference to warrior ethic.
  4. D.Sangam literature refers to magical forces as irrational.
Show answer
Correct answer: B. The social classification of Varna was known to Sangam poets.

Sangam texts mention Brahmanas, kings and traders, showing that the poets knew of the varna order even though Tamil society was not organised strictly by it.

Q1788.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following pairs :

King — Dynasty

1. Nannuka — Chandela

2. Jayashakti — Paramara

3. Nagabhata II — Gurjara-Pratihara

4. Bhoja — Rashtrakuta

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. A.Only one pair
  2. B.Only two pairs
  3. C.Only three pairs
  4. D.All four pairs
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two pairs

Nannuka–Chandela and Nagabhata II–Gurjara-Pratihara are correct; the other two kings are given the wrong dynasty. Nannuka founded the Chandela line of Jejakabhukti (Bundelkhand) in the ninth century, and his successors built the temples of Khajuraho.

Q1789.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following pairs :

Site of Ashoka's major rock edicts — Location in the State of

1. Dhauli — Odisha

2. Erragudi — Andhra Pradesh

3. Jaugada — Madhya Pradesh

4. Kalsi — Karnataka

How many pairs given above are correctly matched ?

  1. A.Only one pair
  2. B.Only two pairs
  3. C.Only three pairs
  4. D.All four pairs
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two pairs

Dhauli (Odisha) and Erragudi (Andhra Pradesh) are matched correctly, while Jaugada and Kalsi are placed in the wrong States. Ashoka's fourteen major rock edicts were carved at points across his empire, often near borders and trade routes.

Q1790.DefenceEasy

Which operation did the Raksha Mantri cite as proof of innovative thinking, synergy and superior coordination by the forces?

  1. A.Operation Sindoor
  2. B.Operation Vijay
  3. C.Operation Ganga
  4. D.Operation Brahma
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Operation Sindoor

Addressing the Commanders, the Raksha Mantri said innovative thinking, enhanced synergy and superior coordination, complemented by advanced weaponry, had contributed to its success, and that the operation carried a clear message that India would not hesitate to take the measures needed to safeguard its national interests.

Q1791.DefenceMedium

What figure for India's defence production in the financial year 2025-26 was cited at the Army Commanders' Conference?

  1. A.Rs 1.27 lakh crore
  2. B.Rs 1.78 lakh crore
  3. C.Rs 2.34 lakh crore
  4. D.Rs 95,000 crore
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Rs 1.78 lakh crore

The Raksha Mantri said defence production had surged to that record level in the financial year 2025-26, and that defence exports in the same period had reached an all-time high of about Rs 38,000 crore, both of which he attributed to the priority given to self-reliance in defence.

Q1792.DefenceEasy

Which document did Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh release at the Army Commanders' Conference on 23 October 2026?

  1. A.Joint Doctrine for Air Operations
  2. B.Land Warfare Doctrine
  3. C.Maritime Security Strategy
  4. D.National Cyber Security Policy
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Land Warfare Doctrine

The Raksha Mantri released it at the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi, and it provides an overarching framework to prepare the Indian Army for the evolving character of warfare and for future conflicts, which is why it was issued to the Army's senior leadership rather than to a joint…

Q1794.GeographyAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2024, GATMedium

Which one among the following statements with reference to the black cotton soils of India is NOT correct?

  1. A.The black cotton soils are also called 'Regur'
  2. B.They are highly moisture retentive
  3. C.They are rich in lime
  4. D.These soils have less clay factor and hence can support a wide variety of crops and vegetables
Show answer
Correct answer: D. These soils have less clay factor and hence can support a wide variety of crops and vegetables

That is false: black soils are among the most clayey soils of India, and their high clay content is what lets them swell when wet and crack when dry.

Q1795.GeographyAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2025, GATMedium

Consider the following statements with regard to a steel plant : I. It was setup in 1964 with Russian collaboration II. It receives iron ore from the Rourkela region III. Water and Hydel power is supplied by the Damodar Valley Corporation Identify the Steel Plant on the basis of the above facts :

  1. A.Bhilai Steel Plant
  2. B.Bokaro Steel Plant
  3. C.Rourkela Steel Plant
  4. D.Durgapur Steel Plant
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Bokaro Steel Plant

Bokaro in Jharkhand was set up in 1964 with Soviet (Russian) help, takes its iron ore from the Rourkela region and draws water and hydel power from the Damodar Valley Corporation.

Q1796.GeographyAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2026, GATMedium

Consider the following statements : I. Earthquake waves are basically of two types, namely body waves and surface waves. II. The body waves interact with the surface rocks and generate surface waves. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.I only
  2. B.II only
  3. C.Both I and II
  4. D.Neither I nor II
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Both I and II

Earthquake waves are of two basic types, body waves and surface waves, and surface waves are produced when body waves reach the surface and interact with the surface rocks.

Q1800.GeographyAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2026, GATHard

Consider the following statements about Kamarajar Port : I. It is an example of corporatized public company. II. It was earlier known as Ennore Port. III. It is a natural port. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Kamarajar Port is a corporatised major port that was earlier called Ennore Port, but it is an artificial harbour, not a natural one.