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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

Q942.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2020, GKMedium

The Cash Reserve Ratio refers to

  1. A.the share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that banks have to hold as liquid assets
  2. B.the share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that banks have to hold as balances with the RBI
  3. C.the share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that banks have to hold as part of their cash reserves
  4. D.the ratio of cash holding to reserves of banks
Show answer
Correct answer: B. the share of Net Demand and Time Liabilities that banks have to hold as balances with the RBI

The Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) is the part of a bank's net demand and time liabilities (mainly its deposits) that it must keep as cash balances with the Reserve Bank of India.

Q944.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKEasy

Which one of the following is a type of igneous rock ?

  1. A.Marble
  2. B.Halite
  3. C.Granite
  4. D.Shale
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Granite

Granite is an igneous rock, formed when molten magma cools and hardens. Because it cools slowly deep inside the earth's crust, its crystals grow large enough to be seen by the naked eye, so it is called an intrusive or plutonic igneous rock.

Q946.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2022, GKEasy

Which of the following factors signify monopolistic competition ? 1. Differentiated products 2. Large number of buyers and sellers 3. Barriers to entry 4. Homogeneous products Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Monopolistic competition is a market with many buyers and sellers, each seller offering a product that is slightly different from the others.

Q947.Art & CultureAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2023, GKEasy

Manav is planning to visit all UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Delhi. He will be visiting

  1. A.Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Jama Masjid
  2. B.Red Fort, India Gate, Qutab Minar
  3. C.Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb
  4. D.Red Fort, Humayun Tomb, India Gate
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Red Fort, Qutab Minar, Humayun Tomb

Delhi has three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and they are exactly these three. Humayun's Tomb was inscribed in 1993; built in the 1560s at the wish of his widow Bega Begum, it was the first garden-tomb on the Indian subcontinent and a model for the Taj Mahal.

Q948.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKMedium

Which of the following concepts are considered as pillars of Human Development ? 1. Equity 2. Sustainability 3. Productivity 4. Security Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

The idea of human development, put forward by Mahbub ul Haq and Amartya Sen, rests on four pillars: equity, sustainability, productivity and empowerment.

Q949.Indian HistoryAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKEasy

Which of the following industries was most affected by the 'deindustrialisation' of India in the 19th century?

  1. A.Silk manufacture
  2. B.Cotton textiles
  3. C.Iron and steel
  4. D.Woolen manufacture
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Cotton textiles

Handloom cotton weaving was India's largest industry, and it suffered most when British rule opened India to machine-made cloth. Before the 19th century, Indian muslins, calicoes and chintz from Bengal, Gujarat and the Coromandel coast were sold across the world.

Q951.Computer AwarenessAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2025, GKMedium

What are the uses of software ports ? 1. Connect client computer to server 2. Connect external devices to computer 3. Identify different services like email, file transfer 4. Connecting peripherals like cameras, scanners Select the answer using the code given below :

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

A software port is a logical number, not a physical socket, so it is used for network connections and for telling services apart.

Q953.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2020, GKMedium

Which one of the following is not correct about Repo rate?

  1. A.It is the interest rate charged by the Central Bank on overnight loan.
  2. B.It is the interest rate paid by the commercial banks on overnight borrowing.
  3. C.It is the interest rate agreed upon in the loan contract between a commercial bank and the Central Bank.
  4. D.It is the cost of collateral security.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It is the cost of collateral security.

The repo rate is an interest rate, not the cost of the collateral. Under a repo, short for repurchase agreement, a commercial bank sells government securities to the central bank and agrees to buy them back, usually the next day, at a slightly higher price.

Q954.GeographyAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKEasy

Identify the crop on the basis of the following characteristics: 1. It is a kharif crop. 2. Aus, Aman and Boro are its three different growing periods in an agricultural year. 3. About one-fourth of the total cropped area of India is under its cultivation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

  1. A.Wheat
  2. B.Rice
  3. C.Pulses
  4. D.Cotton
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Rice

Rice is mainly a kharif crop, and in West Bengal and the neighbouring states farmers grow three rice crops in a year: aus in the pre-monsoon and early monsoon season, aman in the main monsoon season with a winter harvest, and boro in winter and spring.

Q957.Indian EconomyAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2023, GKMedium

Consider the following statements about the Public Distribution System : 1. The Public Distribution System is operated under the joint responsibility of Centre and State/Union Territories. 2. Food Corporation of India has assumed the responsibility for procurement, storage and transportation of food grains to the State Governments. 3. Both Centre and State have the joint responsibility to identify eligible beneficiaries. 4. Some States also distribute additional items of mass consumption through the PDS outlets such as pulses, edible oil, etc. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

The Public Distribution System is run jointly by the Centre and the States and Union Territories, so statement 1 is correct.

All Defence previous year questions