1. CDS Exam – Quick Overview

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for recruitment to:

• Indian Military Academy (IMA)
• Indian Naval Academy (INA)
• Air Force Academy (AFA)
• Officers' Training Academy (OTA)

Main Subjects

The written examination is followed by the SSB interview/personality assessment and applicable medical requirements.

2. English Study Notes

English questions generally test:

• Grammar
• Vocabulary
• Synonyms
• Antonyms
• Spotting Errors
• Sentence Improvement
• Fill in the Blanks
• Ordering of Sentences
• Reading Comprehension
• Idioms and Phrases
• Active and Passive Voice
• Direct and Indirect Speech

Important Grammar Rules

Noun

A noun is the name of a person, place, thing or idea.

Examples:

• Soldier
• Delhi
• Army
• Courage

Pronoun

A pronoun is used in place of a noun.

Examples:

• He
• She
• It
• They

Adjective

An adjective describes a noun or pronoun.

Example:

He is a brave soldier.

Adverb

An adverb generally modifies a verb, adjective or another adverb.

Example:

He runs quickly.

Preposition

Examples:

• in
• on
• at
• by
• with
• from

Conjunction

Words used to connect words, phrases or clauses.

Examples:

• and
• but
• or
• because
• although

3. Important Vocabulary

4. History Study Notes

Ancient India

Indus Valley Civilization

Important sites:

• Harappa
• Mohenjo-daro
• Dholavira
• Lothal
• Kalibangan
• Rakhigarhi

Important Features

• Urban planning
• Drainage system
• Standardized weights
• Trade
• Bronze technology
• Planned cities

Lothal is particularly associated with an ancient dockyard.

Vedic Period

The Vedic period is associated with the Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda and Atharvaveda.

Four Vedas

1. Rigveda
2. Samaveda
3. Yajurveda
4. Atharvaveda

5. Buddhism and Jainism

Gautama Buddha

• Born at Lumbini
• Attained enlightenment at Bodh Gaya
• Delivered his first sermon at Sarnath
• Attained Mahaparinirvana at Kushinagar

Four Noble Truths

1. Life involves suffering.
2. Suffering has a cause.
3. Suffering can cease.
4. There is a path leading to cessation of suffering.

Mahavira

Mahavira is regarded as the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism.

Important principles include:

• Ahimsa
• Satya
• Asteya
• Aparigraha
• Brahmacharya

6. Mauryan Empire

The Mauryan Empire was founded by Chandragupta Maurya.

Important rulers:

• Chandragupta Maurya
• Bindusara
• Ashoka

Ashoka

Ashoka embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War and promoted Dhamma.

The Lion Capital of Ashoka at Sarnath is India's national emblem.

7. Medieval India

Important dynasties:

• Delhi Sultanate
• Mughal Empire
• Marathas

Mughal Empire

The Mughal Empire was founded in India by Babur after the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.

Important Mughal rulers:

• Babur
• Humayun
• Akbar
• Jahangir
• Shah Jahan
• Aurangzeb

8. Modern Indian History

Important Events

9. Indian Polity

Constitution

The Constitution of India was:

• Adopted on 26 November 1949
• Came into force on 26 January 1950

Fundamental Rights

There are currently six broad categories of Fundamental Rights:

1. Right to Equality
2. Right to Freedom
3. Right against Exploitation
4. Right to Freedom of Religion
5. Cultural and Educational Rights
6. Right to Constitutional Remedies

10. Fundamental Duties

Fundamental Duties are contained in Article 51A.

They were added to the Constitution by the 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976.

There are currently 11 Fundamental Duties.

11. Directive Principles of State Policy

Directive Principles are contained in Part IV of the Constitution.

They provide guidelines for governance and aim at establishing social and economic democracy.

12. President of India

The President is the constitutional head of the Union.

Important powers include:

• Executive powers
• Legislative powers
• Financial powers
• Judicial powers
• Emergency powers

13. Parliament

The Parliament of India consists of:

1. President
2. Rajya Sabha
3. Lok Sabha

Rajya Sabha

• Upper House
• Permanent House
• Not subject to dissolution

Lok Sabha

• Lower House
• Normal term: 5 years, unless dissolved earlier

14. Supreme Court

The Supreme Court is the highest court of India.

It has important roles in:

• Constitutional interpretation
• Judicial review
• Protection of Fundamental Rights
• Appellate jurisdiction

15. Geography

Earth

The Earth rotates on its axis and revolves around the Sun.

Rotation

Earth completes approximately one rotation in 24 hours.

Revolution

Earth completes one revolution around the Sun in approximately 365¼ days.

16. Important Latitudes

Equator

0° latitude

Tropic of Cancer

23½° N

Tropic of Capricorn

23½° S

Arctic Circle

66½° N

Antarctic Circle

66½° S

17. Indian Geography

Major Physical Divisions

India can broadly be divided into:

1. Himalayan Mountains
2. Northern Plains
3. Peninsular Plateau
4. Indian Desert
5. Coastal Plains
6. Islands

18. Major Indian Rivers

Himalayan Rivers

• Indus
• Ganga
• Brahmaputra

Peninsular Rivers

• Godavari
• Krishna
• Kaveri
• Mahanadi
• Narmada
• Tapi

Godavari is the largest river system of Peninsular India by basin area.

19. Indian Monsoon

The Indian climate is strongly influenced by the monsoon system.

Major branches of the southwest monsoon:

• Arabian Sea branch
• Bay of Bengal branch

Factors influencing the Indian monsoon include:

• Differential heating
• Pressure patterns
• Seasonal wind reversal
• Himalayas
• Ocean-atmosphere interactions

20. Indian Economy

Important concepts:

GDP

Gross Domestic Product is the monetary value of final goods and services produced within a country's territory during a specified period.

Inflation

A sustained increase in the general price level of goods and services.

Fiscal Policy

Government policy concerning:

• Taxation
• Public expenditure
• Borrowing

Monetary Policy

Policy concerning money supply, interest rates and credit conditions, primarily conducted by the Reserve Bank of India.

21. General Science

Physics

Important topics:

• Motion
• Force
• Work
• Energy
• Power
• Heat
• Light
• Sound
• Electricity
• Magnetism

Newton's Laws

Newton's second law is commonly expressed as:

F = ma

where:

• F = Force
• m = Mass
• a = Acceleration

22. Chemistry

Important topics:

• Atomic structure
• Elements
• Compounds
• Acids
• Bases
• Salts
• Metals
• Non-metals
• Chemical reactions

pH Scale

The pH scale generally ranges from 0 to 14 in standard aqueous contexts.

• pH < 7>
• pH = 7 → Neutral
• pH > 7 → Basic/alkaline

23. Biology

Important topics:

• Cell
• Human body
• Nutrition
• Respiration
• Blood
• Circulation
• Nervous system
• Hormones
• Diseases
• Genetics
• Ecology

Human Blood

Red blood cells contain haemoglobin, which transports oxygen.

Human Heart

The human heart has four chambers:

• Right atrium
• Right ventricle
• Left atrium
• Left ventricle

24. Defence & Static GK

Important areas for CDS:

• Indian Armed Forces
• Ranks
• Military commands
• Defence exercises
• Missiles
• Aircraft
• Naval vessels
• Awards
• Important organizations
• National symbols
• International organizations

Indian Armed Forces

The three principal services are:

• Indian Army
• Indian Navy
• Indian Air Force

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) is the highest-ranking serving officer in the Indian Armed Forces and serves as the principal military adviser to the government on tri-service matters.

CDS 100 Important MCQs

English MCQs — Q1 to Q15

1. Choose the synonym of "Abandon".

A. Continue
B. Leave
C. Protect
D. Collect

Answer: B. Leave

2. Choose the antonym of "Hostile".

A. Friendly
B. Angry
C. Violent
D. Cruel

Answer: A. Friendly

3. One who loves mankind is called:

A. Misogynist
B. Philanthropist
C. Pessimist
D. Egoist

Answer: B. Philanthropist

4. Choose the correctly spelled word.

A. Accomodation
B. Acommodation
C. Accommodation
D. Accommadation

Answer: C. Accommodation

5. "A blessing in disguise" means:

A. An obvious blessing
B. Something apparently bad that turns out beneficial
C. A religious ceremony
D. A difficult situation

Answer: B. Something apparently bad that turns out beneficial

6. Choose the synonym of "Candid".

A. Frank
B. Clever
C. Secretive
D. Rude

Answer: A. Frank

7. Choose the antonym of "Ancient".

A. Historic
B. Modern
C. Old
D. Traditional

Answer: B. Modern

8. Identify the adjective:

"She is an intelligent student."

A. She
B. Is
C. Intelligent
D. Student

Answer: C. Intelligent

9. Choose the correct sentence.

A. He do his work.
B. He does his work.
C. He doing his work.
D. He done his work.

Answer: B. He does his work.

10. "At the eleventh hour" means:

A. Very early
B. At the last moment
C. At midnight
D. After eleven days

Answer: B. At the last moment

11. Choose the antonym of "Vigilant".

A. Alert
B. Careful
C. Careless
D. Watchful

Answer: C. Careless

12. Choose the synonym of "Diligent".

A. Lazy
B. Hardworking
C. Weak
D. Careless

Answer: B. Hardworking

13. The plural of "Crisis" is:

A. Crisises
B. Crisis
C. Crises
D. Crisies

Answer: C. Crises

14. Choose the correct passive voice:

"Police arrested the thief."

A. The thief arrested police.
B. The thief was arrested by the police.
C. The thief is arrested by police.
D. The thief has arrested police.

Answer: B. The thief was arrested by the police.

15. "To spill the beans" means:

A. To waste food
B. To reveal a secret
C. To cook food
D. To create trouble

Answer: B. To reveal a secret

History MCQs — Q16 to Q30

16. Which site is associated with the ancient dockyard of the Indus Valley Civilization?

A. Harappa
B. Lothal
C. Kalibangan
D. Rakhigarhi

Answer: B. Lothal

17. Who founded the Mauryan Empire?

A. Ashoka
B. Bindusara
C. Chandragupta Maurya
D. Samudragupta

Answer: C. Chandragupta Maurya

18. Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment at:

A. Sarnath
B. Kushinagar
C. Bodh Gaya
D. Lumbini

Answer: C. Bodh Gaya

19. Buddha delivered his first sermon at:

A. Lumbini
B. Sarnath
C. Bodh Gaya
D. Rajgir

Answer: B. Sarnath

20. Mahavira was the:

A. 20th Tirthankara
B. 22nd Tirthankara
C. 23rd Tirthankara
D. 24th Tirthankara

Answer: D. 24th Tirthankara

21. Who founded the Mughal Empire in India?

A. Akbar
B. Babur
C. Humayun
D. Shah Jahan

Answer: B. Babur

22. The First Battle of Panipat was fought in:

A. 1526
B. 1556
C. 1761
D. 1757

Answer: A. 1526

23. The Battle of Plassey was fought in:

A. 1757
B. 1764
C. 1857
D. 1773

Answer: A. 1757

24. The Revolt of 1857 began at:

A. Delhi
B. Kanpur
C. Meerut
D. Lucknow

Answer: C. Meerut

25. Indian National Congress was founded in:

A. 1885
B. 1905
C. 1919
D. 1920

Answer: A. 1885

26. Jallianwala Bagh massacre took place in:

A. 1915
B. 1919
C. 1922
D. 1930

Answer: B. 1919

27. Non-Cooperation Movement was launched in:

A. 1919
B. 1920
C. 1930
D. 1942

Answer: B. 1920

28. Dandi March was associated with:

A. Non-Cooperation Movement
B. Civil Disobedience Movement
C. Quit India Movement
D. Swadeshi Movement

Answer: B. Civil Disobedience Movement

29. Quit India Movement was launched in:

A. 1930
B. 1935
C. 1940
D. 1942

Answer: D. 1942

30. India became independent on:

A. 26 January 1950
B. 15 August 1947
C. 26 November 1949
D. 9 August 1942

Answer: B. 15 August 1947

Polity MCQs — Q31 to Q45

31. The Constitution of India was adopted on:

A. 15 August 1947
B. 26 January 1950
C. 26 November 1949
D. 2 October 1950

Answer: C. 26 November 1949

32. The Constitution came into force on:

A. 15 August 1947
B. 26 November 1949
C. 26 January 1950
D. 26 January 1949

Answer: C. 26 January 1950

33. Fundamental Rights are contained mainly in:

A. Part I
B. Part II
C. Part III
D. Part IV

Answer: C. Part III

34. Fundamental Duties are mentioned in:

A. Article 32
B. Article 51A
C. Article 21
D. Article 14

Answer: B. Article 51A

35. Fundamental Duties were added by which amendment?

A. 42nd Amendment
B. 44th Amendment
C. 73rd Amendment
D. 86th Amendment

Answer: A. 42nd Amendment

36. The Parliament of India consists of:

A. Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha only
B. President and Lok Sabha only
C. President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha
D. President and Supreme Court

Answer: C. President, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

37. Which is the permanent House?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Legislative Assembly
D. Vidhan Sabha

Answer: B. Rajya Sabha

38. The normal term of Lok Sabha is:

A. 4 years
B. 5 years
C. 6 years
D. 7 years

Answer: B. 5 years

39. The highest court of India is:

A. High Court
B. District Court
C. Supreme Court
D. Sessions Court

Answer: C. Supreme Court

40. Who is the constitutional head of India?

A. Prime Minister
B. President
C. Chief Justice of India
D. Home Minister

Answer: B. President

41. Directive Principles of State Policy are contained in:

A. Part II
B. Part III
C. Part IV
D. Part V

Answer: C. Part IV

42. The Right to Constitutional Remedies is associated with:

A. Article 14
B. Article 19
C. Article 21
D. Article 32

Answer: D. Article 32

43. The President of India is elected:

A. Directly by citizens
B. By Parliament alone
C. By an electoral college
D. By Supreme Court judges

Answer: C. By an electoral college

44. Which House cannot be dissolved?

A. Lok Sabha
B. Rajya Sabha
C. Both
D. Neither

Answer: B. Rajya Sabha

45. The minimum voting age in India is:

A. 16
B. 18
C. 21
D. 25

Answer: B. 18

Geography MCQs — Q46 to Q60

46. The Equator is located at:

A. 0° latitude
B. 23½° N
C. 23½° S
D. 90° N

Answer: A. 0° latitude

47. Tropic of Cancer is located at:

A. 23½° S
B. 23½° N
C. 66½° N
D. 0°

Answer: B. 23½° N

48. Which is the largest river basin in Peninsular India?

A. Krishna
B. Kaveri
C. Godavari
D. Mahanadi

Answer: C. Godavari

49. Which river is known for flowing through a rift valley?

A. Ganga
B. Narmada
C. Yamuna
D. Brahmaputra

Answer: B. Narmada

50. Which is the highest mountain peak in India?

A. Nanda Devi
B. Kanchenjunga
C. Anamudi
D. Kamet

Answer: B. Kanchenjunga

CDS Preparation Strategy
1. English

• Vocabulary

• Grammar

• Reading comprehension

• Synonyms/antonyms

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