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CDS Previous Year GK Questions

Previous-year questions are the most reliable guide to the CDS General Knowledge paper, because the syllabus in the notice is one paragraph long and the paper is not. UPSC uploads the question papers of every CDS on upsc.gov.in the day after the exam, so a full record of what was asked exists for each cycle. Reading them shows the weight of each area, the depth UPSC expects in Polity, History, Geography, Economy and Science, and the question forms it prefers: statements with "which of the above are correct", "how many of the following pairs are correctly matched", match the lists, and arrange in chronological order. Many topics return: writs and constitutional bodies, dynasties and reform movements, Ramsar sites and World Heritage sites, budget and balance-of-payments terms, and school science applied to everyday situations. This page collects CDS previous-year General Knowledge questions in English and Hindi, each with the correct answer, an explanation and the topic it belongs to, so that a question leads you to the GK note that covers it. Use them in three passes: untimed to learn, timed to build speed, and a week later to revisit your wrong answers.

Previous Year Questions

Q181.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKMedium

The basic structure doctrine with regard to the Constitution of India relates to 1. the power of judicial review 2. the judgment in Kesavananda Bharati case (1973) 3. the constraints on Article 368 of the Constitution of India 4. the judgment in Golaknath case (1967) Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

The basic structure doctrine was laid down in Kesavananda Bharati, limits Parliament's power under Article 368, and works through judicial review; Golaknath was a different, earlier ruling.

Q184.Static GKAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2018, GKHard

Which one of the following statements is not correct?

  1. A.India joined MTCR in 2016.
  2. B.India submitted a formal application for membership of the NSG in 2016.
  3. C.India proposed the Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism in 1996.
  4. D.The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in 2016 at Malta.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was held in 2016 at Malta.

The CHOGM in Malta was held in November 2015, not 2016, and no CHOGM took place in 2016. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting is normally held every two years.

Q185.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2019, GKHard

Which one of the following is not correct about Sargasso Sea?

  1. A.It is characterized with anticyclonic circulation of ocean currents.
  2. B.It records the highest salinity in Atlantic Ocean.
  3. C.It is located west of Gulf Stream and east of Canary Current.
  4. D.It confined in gyre of calm and motionless water.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. It is located west of Gulf Stream and east of Canary Current.

The location is reversed: the Sargasso Sea lies east of the Gulf Stream and west of the Canary Current, not the other way round.

Q187.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following are the powers of the Supreme Court of India? 1. Original jurisdiction in a dispute between the Government of India and one or more States 2. The power to hear appeals from the High Courts 3. Passing decrees and orders for doing justice in any matter before it 4. Render advice to the President of India in matters of law Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Each of the four is a power the Constitution gives the Supreme Court. Article 131 gives the Supreme Court original and exclusive jurisdiction in disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, or between States.

Q188.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKEasy

Which one of the following polymers does not contain glucose units?

  1. A.Glycogen
  2. B.Starch
  3. C.Cellulose
  4. D.Rubber
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Rubber

Natural rubber is a polymer of isoprene, a hydrocarbon, and contains no sugar units at all. Natural rubber is cis-1,4-polyisoprene, obtained from the latex of the rubber tree Hevea brasiliensis; its monomer isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) has the formula C5H8.

Q190.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2020, GKMedium

Lead nitrate on heating gives

  1. A.PbO2 and NO2
  2. B.PbO and NO2
  3. C.PbO and NO
  4. D.PbO2 and NO
Show answer
Correct answer: B. PbO and NO2

Lead nitrate decomposes on heating into lead(II) oxide, nitrogen dioxide and oxygen. The balanced equation is 2Pb(NO3)2 → 2PbO + 4NO2 + O2.

Q191.Awards & HonoursAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKEasy

Which of the following statements with regard to Bharat Ratna Award is/are correct? 1. It was instituted in the year 1972. 2. The award does not carry any monetary grant. 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: B. 2 only

The Bharat Ratna was instituted in 1954, not 1972, and it carries no cash award. The Bharat Ratna is India's highest civilian honour.

Q192.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Which of the following statements associated with cancer is/are correct ? 1. Oncogenes expression and some viral infections can cause cancer 2. In metastasis, the cancer cells spread through the blood and lymphatic system 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: C. Both 1 and 2

Both statements describe how cancer starts and how it spreads, and both are correct. Cancer is uncontrolled division of cells.

Q195.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2020, GKEasy

The valency of phosphorus is

  1. A.2, 3
  2. B.3, 4
  3. C.4, 5
  4. D.3, 5
Show answer
Correct answer: D. 3, 5

Phosphorus has five electrons in its outer shell and shows two common valencies, 3 and 5. Phosphorus, atomic number 15, has the electronic configuration 2, 8, 5.

Q196.Sports GKAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKMedium

Which of the following statements about the ICC under-19 Men's Cricket World Cup, 2024 is/are correct? 1. Australia won this title for the 4th time. 2. It was organised in South Africa. 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

Australia beat India in the final at Benoni, South Africa, in February 2024 to win their fourth Under-19 title. The 2024 tournament was first allotted to Sri Lanka but was moved to South Africa by the ICC.

Q197.Awards & HonoursAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2025, GKEasy

Who among the following were awarded the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award 2024? 1. Shri Gukesh D 2. Shri Harmanpreet Singh 3. Shri Praveen Kumar 4. Ms. Manu Bhaker Select the answer using the code given below :

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

All four athletes received the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna for 2024, presented by the President in January 2025. The Khel Ratna is India's highest sporting honour.

Q198.General ScienceAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2026, GKMedium

Which one of the following statements is NOT correct ?

  1. A.Single celled eukaryotes belong to Kingdom Protista
  2. B.Yeast, a fungus is multicellular
  3. C.The fungi constitute a unique kingdom of heterotrophs
  4. D.Ascomycetes, a saprophytic fungi is multicellular or rarely unicellular
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Yeast, a fungus is multicellular

This statement is false, because yeast is one of the few fungi that are unicellular. In Whittaker's five-kingdom system, fungi form a separate kingdom.

Q200.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements with regard to Panchayats in India are correct? 1. Seats in a Panchayat are filled by direct election from the territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area. 2. The Gram Sabha is the body of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village within the Panchayat area. 3. The Panchayats work on the principle of constitutional autonomy. 4. The State Legislature may by law endow the Panchayats with the power and authority to enable them to function. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Statements 1, 2 and 4 restate Part IX of the Constitution, while statement 3 is not part of the scheme.

All Defence previous year questions