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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

Q4001.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : I. It is expected that Majorana 1 chip will enable quantum computing. II. Majorana chip has been introduced by Amazon Web Services (AWS). III. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning. 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: C. I and III only

Majorana 1 is a quantum computing chip, but it was unveiled by Microsoft, not AWS; and deep learning is indeed a branch of machine learning.

Q4002.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

'India's ranking in the Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following has declared that ranking?

  1. A.Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
  2. B.World Economic Forum
  3. C.World Bank
  4. D.World Trade Organization (WTO)
Show answer
Correct answer: C. World Bank

The Ease of Doing Business ranking was published by the World Bank in its annual Doing Business report.

Q4003.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

What is/are the advantage/advantages of implementing the 'National Agriculture Market' scheme ? 1. It is a pan-India electronic trading portal for agricultural commodities. 2. It provides the farmers access to nationwide market, with prices commensurate with the quality of their produce. 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

e-NAM is an online trading platform for farm produce across India, and it lets farmers reach buyers beyond their local mandi at prices that reflect quality.

Q4004.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the election of the President of India, consider the following statements : 1. The value of the vote of each MLA varies from State to State. 2. The value of the vote of MPs of the Lok Sabha is more than the value of the vote of MPs of the Rajya Sabha. 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: A. 1 only

An MLA's vote value depends on the State's population, but every elected MP, in either House, has the same vote value.

Q4005.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IMedium

Recently, there was a growing awareness in our country about the importance of Himalayan nettle (Girardinia diversifolia) because it is found to be a sustainable source of

  1. A.anti-malarial drug
  2. B.biodiesel
  3. C.pulp for paper industry
  4. D.textile fibre
Show answer
Correct answer: D. textile fibre

The Himalayan nettle yields a strong natural fibre that can be spun and woven into cloth. Girardinia diversifolia, known as Himalayan giant nettle or allo, is a stinging shrub that grows wild in the moist forests of the Himalayas, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and the North-east, as well as Nepal.

Q4006.General ScienceAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IEasy

Which of the following statements are correct regarding the general difference between plant and animal cells ? 1. Plant cells have cellulose cell walls whilst animal cells do not. 2. Plant cells do not have plasma membrane unlike animal cells which do. 3. Mature plant cell has one large vacuole whilst animal cell has many small vacuoles. 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: C. 1 and 3 only

Plant cells have a cellulose wall and one large central vacuole, but they do have a plasma membrane, just like animal cells.

Q4007.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IMedium

Consider the following statements : 1. St. Francis Xavier was one of the founding members of the Jesuit Order. 2. St. Francis Xavier died in Goa and a church is dedicated to him there. 3. The Feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated in Goa each year. 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: C. 1 and 3 only

Francis Xavier co-founded the Jesuits and his feast is celebrated in Goa every year, but he did not die in Goa.

Q4008.Art & CultureAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IMedium

In which one of the following regions was Dhanyakataka, which flourished as a prominent Buddhist centre under the Mahasanghikas, located?

  1. A.Andhra
  2. B.Gandhara
  3. C.Kalinga
  4. D.Magadha
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Andhra

Dhanyakataka is the ancient Dharanikota, beside Amaravati on the Krishna river in present-day Andhra Pradesh. Dhanyakataka was a capital of the Satavahanas, who ruled the Deccan around the beginning of the Common Era, and the great Amaravati stupa stood close by.

Q4009.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to the sectors of the Indian economy, consider the following pairs : (Economic activity) (Sector) 1. Storage of agricultural produce : Secondary 2. Dairy farm : Primary 3. Mineral exploration : Tertiary 4. Weaving cloth : Secondary How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

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

Dairy farming (primary) and weaving cloth (secondary) are correctly matched; storage and mineral exploration are not. The primary sector draws goods directly from nature: farming, dairy, fishing, forestry, mining and quarrying.

Q4010.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2025, GS Paper IMedium

What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in media?

  1. A.These are alternatives to hydro-fluorocarbon refrigerants
  2. B.These are explosives in military weapons
  3. C.These are high-energy fuels for cruise missiles
  4. D.These are fuels for rocket propulsion
Show answer
Correct answer: B. These are explosives in military weapons

CL-20, HMX and LLM-105 are all powerful high explosives used in warheads, shells and military charges. HMX, also called octogen, is a nitramine explosive more powerful than RDX and is used in missile warheads and shaped charges.

Q4011.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2016, GS Paper IEasy

'Net metering' is sometimes seen in the news in the context of promoting the

  1. A.production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers
  2. B.use of piped natural gas in the kitchens of households
  3. C.installation of CNG kits in motor-cars
  4. D.installation of water meters in urban households
Show answer
Correct answer: A. production and use of solar energy by the households/consumers

Net metering lets a home with rooftop solar panels sell its surplus power to the grid. Under net metering, a bidirectional meter records both the electricity a consumer draws from the grid and the electricity their rooftop solar system pushes back into it.

Q4012.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper IEasy

Consider the following statements : 1. The Standard Mark of Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is mandatory for automotive tyres and tubes. 2. AGMARK is a quality Certification Mark issued by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO). 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: A. 1 only

Tyres and tubes must carry the BIS mark, but AGMARK is an Indian government mark, not an FAO one. The Bureau of Indian Standards, set up under the BIS Act (now the BIS Act, 2016), runs the ISI mark scheme.

Q4013.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2018, GS Paper IMedium

Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct ?

  1. A.A bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.
  2. B.A Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India.
  3. C.A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of moneys out of the Contingency Fund of India.
  4. D.A Money Bill deals with the regulation of borrowing of money or giving of any guarantee by the Government of India.
Show answer
Correct answer: C. A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of moneys out of the Contingency Fund of India.

A Money Bill covers appropriation of money out of the Consolidated Fund of India, not out of the Contingency Fund, so statement C is the incorrect one.

Q4014.Environment & EcologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2019, GS Paper IEasy

Why is there a great concern about the 'microbeads' that are released into environment?

  1. A.They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.
  2. B.They are considered to cause skin cancer in children.
  3. C.They are small enough to be absorbed by crop plants in irrigated fields.
  4. D.They are often found to be used as food adulterants.
Show answer
Correct answer: A. They are considered harmful to marine ecosystems.

Microbeads are tiny plastic particles that wash into rivers and seas, where they persist and are eaten by marine life.

Q4015.Computer AwarenessAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2020, GS Paper IEasy

In India, the term "Public Key Infrastructure" is used in the context of

  1. A.Digital security infrastructure
  2. B.Food security infrastructure
  3. C.Health care and education infrastructure
  4. D.Telecommunication and transportation infrastructure
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Digital security infrastructure

Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) is the system of keys and certificates that secures digital signatures and encrypted communication. PKI uses a pair of keys for each user: a public key that anyone can see and a private key kept secret.

Q4016.Indian HistoryAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2021, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. It was during the reign of Iltutmish that Chengiz Khan reached the Indus in pursuit of the fugitive Khwarezm prince. 2. It was during the reign of Muhammad bin Tughluq that Taimur occupied Multan and crossed the Indus. 3. It was during the reign of Deva Raya II of Vijayanagara Empire that Vasco da Gama reached the coast of Kerala. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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

Chengiz Khan came to the Indus under Iltutmish, but Taimur and Vasco da Gama arrived long after the rulers named.

Q4017.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2022, GS Paper IMedium

With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statements : 1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data. 2. In Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks. 3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation. 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

All three describe the idea of Web 3.0: a decentralised internet where users own their data and run the platforms together.

Q4018.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IHard

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements : 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place through an Order of the President. 2. The largest administrative unit forming the Scheduled Area is the District and the lowest is the cluster of villages in the Block. 3. The Chief Ministers of the concerned States are required to submit annual reports to the Union Home Ministry on the administration of Scheduled Areas in the States. How many of the above statements are correct?

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

Statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is wrong because the annual report comes from the Governor and goes to the President.

Q4019.Indian EconomyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2024, GS Paper IMedium

In India, which of the following can trade in Corporate Bonds and Government Securities? 1. Insurance Companies 2. Pension Funds 3. Retail Investors 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: D. 1,2 and 3

Insurance companies, pension funds and ordinary retail investors can all buy and sell both corporate bonds and government securities in India.

Q4020.Science & TechnologyAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2026, GS Paper IMedium

Which of the following statements with regard to genetic medicine is/are correct ? 1. Genetic medicines correct/compensate for the faulty genes responsible for disease. 2. Engineered viruses and lipid nanoparticles are used as carriers of the genetic medicine. 3. Genetic medicines alter the entire DNA sequence. Select the answer using the code given below :

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

Genetic medicines fix or make up for a faulty gene using delivery vehicles such as viruses and lipid nanoparticles, but they do not rewrite a person's whole DNA.

GK Questions for sub-exams