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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

Q61.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following statements related to latitude are true? 1. Rainfall, temperature and vegetation vary with latitude. 2. The difference between the longest day and the shortest day increases with latitude. 3. Indira Point is located approximately at 6°45' N latitude. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

All three statements about latitude are true. Latitude decides how directly the Sun's rays strike a place, so temperature, rainfall and the type of vegetation change from the equator towards the poles, from hot, wet rainforests to cold tundra.

Q62.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2018, GKMedium

Which one of the following regarding the ordinance-making power of the Governor is not correct?

  1. A.It is not a discretionary power.
  2. B.The Governor may withdraw the ordinance anytime.
  3. C.The ordinance power can be exercised when the Legislature is not in session.
  4. D.The aid and advice of ministers is not required for declaring the ordinance.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. The aid and advice of ministers is not required for declaring the ordinance.

The Governor issues an ordinance only on the aid and advice of the Council of Ministers headed by the Chief Minister.

Q64.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKHard

Which one of the following statements is not true of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005?

  1. A.This Act provides civil remedies to protect a woman subjected to domestic violence.
  2. B.Only women can make a complaint under this legislation.
  3. C.Relief may be sought only against the husband or a male live-in partner with whom the woman has lived in a domestic relationship.
  4. D.The Act includes not just wives but also women in marriage-like relationships.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Relief may be sought only against the husband or a male live-in partner with whom the woman has lived in a domestic relationship.

Relief under the Act is not limited to the husband or male partner; a complaint can also be filed against his relatives.

Q67.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2016, GKEasy

Under Article 352 of the Constitution of India, an emergency can be declared if security of any part of India is threatened by 1. war 2. external aggression 3. armed rebellion 4. internal disturbance Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Since the 44th Amendment of 1978, a National Emergency can be declared only on the grounds of war, external aggression or armed rebellion.

Q68.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2017, GKEasy

Which one of the following intellectual property rights is protected without making any registration?

  1. A.Copyright
  2. B.Patent
  3. C.Industrial design
  4. D.Trademark
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Copyright

Copyright arises automatically the moment an original work is created and fixed in some form. Under the Copyright Act, 1957 and the Berne Convention, which India has joined, an author of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work, a film or a sound recording gets copyright without any formality.

Q69.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2017, GKMedium

Which of the following lakes is/are situated in Ladakh? 1. Tso Kar 2. Pangong Tso 3. Tsomgo 4. Tso Moriri Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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

Tso Kar, Pangong Tso and Tso Moriri are high-altitude lakes of Ladakh, while Tsomgo lies in Sikkim. Pangong Tso, at about 4,350 metres, is a long, narrow lake that stretches from Ladakh into Tibet, and most of its length lies on the Chinese side.

Q70.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.

Q71.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.

Q72.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.

Q73.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.

Q74.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.

Q75.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.

Q77.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.

Q79.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.

Q80.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.

All Defence previous year questions