Skip to content
GK24
Prime

Defence GK Questions 2026

Static GK carries most of the General Knowledge marks in the defence exams, and science carries the largest share of it. In NDA & NA, Physics, Chemistry and General Science are about half of the 400 marks of Part B, and History, the freedom movement and Geography are about 20% each, as per the notice. In the CDS (II) 2026 General Knowledge paper, GK24 counted about 37 science questions, about 20 each on Polity and History, about 15 on Geography and environment and about 10 on the Economy; this count is guidance, not an official break-up. The Army's Agniveer CEE gives 15 of its 50 General Duty questions to General Knowledge and 15 to General Science, which covers cells, the human body, plants and animals and common epidemics. Its GK list names history, culture and geography of India and its neighbours, the Constitution, inventions and discoveries, books and authors, and the Indian Armed Forces. This page holds GK24's topic-wise GK notes and GK questions tagged for NDA, CDS and Agniveer, in English and Hindi: General Science, Indian History, Art and Culture, Indian Polity, Geography, Indian Economy and Static GK. Read one topic at a sitting, then solve its questions and the previous-year questions of your exam to see what stayed with you.

Defence GK Questions with Answers

Q2761.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-I 2026, GATHard

Consider the following pairs of reactions and properties : Reaction — Property I. Fe(s) + 2HCl(aq) → FeCl₂(aq) + H₂(g) — Fe is reductant II. Zn(s) + CuSO₄(aq) → ZnSO₄(aq) + Cu(s) — Cu is being reduced III. Br₂(l) + 2I⁻(aq) → 2Br⁻(aq) + I₂(s) — Br₂ is reductant IV. CH₄(g) + 2O₂(g) → CO₂(g) + 2H₂O(l) — C atom in CH₄ is oxidized Which of the above pairs are correct?

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

Pairs I, II and IV describe the electron transfer correctly; pair III calls bromine a reductant when it is the oxidant.

Q2762.General ScienceAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2026, GATMedium

Coconut oil upon hydrolysis with potassium hydroxide gives :

  1. A.Free fatty acids and sodium hydroxide
  2. B.Glycerol and sodium salts of fatty acids
  3. C.Glycol and potassium salts of fatty acids
  4. D.Glycerol and potassium salts of fatty acids
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Glycerol and potassium salts of fatty acids

Boiling an oil or fat with an alkali splits it into glycerol and the salts of its fatty acids; with potassium hydroxide those salts are potassium salts.

Q2763.SportsMedium

What is common to the two Indian para shooting medals won on 20 October 2026?

  1. A.Both were won in the same class, the 10m Air Pistol SH1
  2. B.Both were won by the same shooter
  3. C.Both were gold medals
  4. D.Both were won in rifle events
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Both were won in the same class, the 10m Air Pistol SH1

Manish Narwal took the silver in the men’s event and Shrishti Arora the bronze in the women’s event, so the distance, the weapon and the class code are identical and only the section and the colour of the medal differ.

Q2764.SportsMedium

Shrishti Arora’s bronze medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 is notable for which reason?

  1. A.It came at her first Asian Para Games
  2. B.It was India’s first medal in para shooting
  3. C.It was won in a rifle event
  4. D.It was won in a mixed team event
Show answer
Correct answer: A. It came at her first Asian Para Games

Shrishti Arora secured the bronze in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1 event on 20 October 2026 while competing at the Games for the first time, and the Prime Minister described the medal as a wonderful beginning, saying he was confident she would continue to make the nation proud.

Q2765.SportsEasy

Manish Narwal won which medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 and in which event?

  1. A.Gold in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
  2. B.Silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
  3. C.Silver in the Men’s 50m Rifle SH1
  4. D.Bronze in the Women’s 10m Air Pistol SH1
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Silver in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol SH1

Manish Narwal finished second in that event at the Asian Para Games 2026 on 20 October 2026, and the Prime Minister called it an impressive performance, adding that the shooter kept setting himself apart through his focus and his commitment.

Q2766.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to Union Budget, consider the following statements : 1. The Union Finance Minister on behalf of the Prime Minister lays the Annual Financial Statement before both the Houses of Parliament. 2. At the Union level, no demand for a grant can be made except on the recommendation of the President of India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

  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

Demands for grants need the President's recommendation, but the Budget is laid on behalf of the President, not the Prime Minister.

Q2767.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IEasy

Artificial way of causing rainfall to reduce air pollution makes use of

  1. A.silver iodide and potassium iodide
  2. B.silver nitrate and potassium iodide
  3. C.silver iodide and potassium nitrate
  4. D.silver nitrate and potassium chloride
Show answer
Correct answer: A. silver iodide and potassium iodide

These salts are the usual seeding agents in cloud seeding, the artificial way to make rain. Cloud seeding sprays tiny particles into clouds that already hold moisture, from aircraft, rockets or ground generators.

Q2768.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

The Montague-Chelmsford Proposals were related to

  1. A.social reforms
  2. B.educational reforms
  3. C.reforms in police administration
  4. D.constitutional reforms
Show answer
Correct answer: D. constitutional reforms

The proposals led to the Government of India Act, 1919, which changed how British India was governed. Edwin Montagu, the Secretary of State for India, announced in August 1917 that Britain aimed at the gradual development of self-governing institutions in India.

Q2769.Static GKAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct ? 1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all. 2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only. 3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

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

UN-Habitat has a General Assembly mandate for sustainable cities and shelter, and it works on poverty, water and sanitation, but its partners are not limited to governments.

Q2770.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IHard

As per the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016 in India, which one of the following statements is correct?

  1. A.Waste generator has to segregate waste into five categories.
  2. B.The Rules are applicable to notified urban local bodies, notified towns and all industrial townships only.
  3. C.The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.
  4. D.It is mandatory on the part of waste generator that the waste generated in one district cannot be moved to another district.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. The Rules provide for exact and elaborate criteria for the identification of sites for landfills and waste processing facilities.

The 2016 Rules set out detailed criteria for choosing sites for landfills and waste processing facilities. The Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, replaced the Municipal Solid Wastes Rules of 2000.

Q2771.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to recent developments regarding 'Recombinant Vector Vaccines', consider the following statements : 1. Genetic engineering is applied in the development of these vaccines. 2. Bacteria and viruses are used as vectors. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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

Recombinant vector vaccines are made by genetic engineering, and both viruses and bacteria serve as their vectors. In a recombinant vector vaccine, scientists take a harmless or weakened carrier, the vector, and insert into it the gene for an antigen of the disease-causing germ.

Q2772.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

'Aerial metagenomics' best refers to which one of the following situations?

  1. A.Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go
  2. B.Understanding the genetic makeup of avian species of a habitat
  3. C.Using air-borne devices to collect blood samples from moving animals
  4. D.Sending drones to inaccessible areas to collect plant and animal samples from land surfaces and water bodies
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Collecting DNA samples from air in a habitat at one go

Aerial metagenomics reads all the DNA floating in the air of a place together. Every living thing sheds traces of DNA through skin cells, hair, pollen, spores and droppings, and this environmental DNA, or eDNA, drifts in the air.

Q2773.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. It is the Governor of the State who recognizes and declares any community of that State as a Scheduled Tribe. 2. A community declared as a Scheduled Tribe in a State need not be so in another State. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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 President, not the Governor, specifies Scheduled Tribes, and the list is made state by state.

Q2774.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs : Aircraft type — Description I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster III : Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All the three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two

Pairs I and III are correct; the IL-76 is a heavy transport aircraft, not a supersonic fighter.

Q2775.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for

  1. A.Measuring oxygen levels in blood
  2. B.Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems
  3. C.Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems
  4. D.Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

BOD tells how much organic pollution a body of water carries. Biological, or biochemical, Oxygen Demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen that aerobic micro-organisms use up while breaking down the organic matter in a water sample, usually measured over five days at 20 degrees Celsius and expressed in milligrams…

Q2776.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. The Earth's magnetic field has reversed every few hundred thousand years. 2. When the Earth was created more than 4000 million years ago, there was 54% oxygen and no carbon dioxide. 3. When living organisms originated, they modified the early atmosphere of the Earth. Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

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

The magnetic field has flipped many times and life changed the early air, but the young Earth had almost no free oxygen.

Q2777.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : The Environment Protection Act, 1986 empowers the Government of India to 1. state the requirement of public participation in the process of environmental protection, and the procedure and manner in which it is sought 2. lay down the standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from various sources Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  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 Act empowers the Centre to set emission and discharge standards, but it says nothing about public participation. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 was passed after the Bhopal gas tragedy as an umbrella law under Article 253, to give effect to the decisions of the 1972 Stockholm Conference.

Q2778.GeographyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IHard

With reference to the current trends in the cultivation of sugarcane in India, consider the following statements : 1. A substantial saving in seed material is made when 'bud chip settlings' are raised in a nursery and transplanted in the main field. 2. When direct planting of setts is done, the germination percentage is better with single-budded setts as compared to setts with many buds. 3. If bad weather conditions prevail when setts are directly planted, single-budded setts have better survival as compared to large setts. 4. Sugarcane can be cultivated using settlings prepared from tissue culture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Bud chip nurseries save seed cane and tissue-culture settlings are used, but single-bud setts do worse than larger setts when planted directly.

Q2779.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. Moringa (drumstick tree) is a leguminous evergreen tree. 2. Tamarind tree is endemic to South Asia. 3. In India, most of the tamarind is collected as minor forest produce. 4. India exports tamarind and seeds of moringa. 5. Seeds of moringa and tamarind can be used in the production of biofuels. Which of the statements given above are correct?

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

Moringa is not a legume and tamarind is not native to South Asia, so statements 1 and 2 are false.

Q2780.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IHard

According to Kautilya's Arthashastra, which of the following are correct ? 1. A person could be a slave as a result of a judicial punishment. 2. If a female slave bore her master a son, she was legally free. 3. If a son born to a female slave was fathered by her master, the son was entitled to the legal status of the master's son. Which of the statements given above are correct ?

  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: D. 1, 2 and 3

The Arthashastra records all three rules about slavery. Kautilya's Arthashastra, the treatise on statecraft linked to the Mauryan court of Chandragupta Maurya, has a section on dasas, or slaves.

GK Questions for sub-exams