Examius
🇮🇳 UPSC CDS · subject
UPSC CDS General Knowledge Syllabus
The General Knowledge syllabus for UPSC CDS in full: 2 chapters and 6 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 General Knowledge flashcards with answers.
General Knowledge syllabus: all 2 chapters
Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.
-
Current Affairs
3 topics- National News
- International News
- Sports Events
-
History
3 topics- Ancient History
- Medieval History
- Modern History
UPSC CDS General Knowledge flashcards — 51 questions with answers
Which Indian government scheme, launched in 2014, aimed at universal financial inclusion by providing bank accounts to the unbanked?
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY).
What is the name of India's flagship health insurance scheme launched in 2018, often called 'Modicare'?
Ayushman Bharat - Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY), providing up to Rs 5 lakh cover per family per year.
Which constitutional amendment introduced the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India?
The 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016; GST was implemented from 1 July 2017.
What is NITI Aayog and which body did it replace?
National Institution for Transforming India, a policy think-tank set up in 2015 replacing the Planning Commission.
Which Indian mission successfully landed near the lunar south pole in August 2023?
Chandrayaan-3, with its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover, making India the first country to land near the Moon's south pole.
What is the Ujjwala Yojana scheme designed to provide?
Free LPG (cooking gas) connections to women from below-poverty-line households (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, 2016).
Which body conducts elections in India and what is its constitutional basis?
The Election Commission of India, an independent constitutional body under Article 324.
What is the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan?
A nationwide cleanliness and sanitation campaign launched on 2 October 2014 to eliminate open defecation and improve waste management.
Which Indian state was bifurcated to create Telangana, and in what year?
Andhra Pradesh was bifurcated to form Telangana in 2014; Telangana became the 29th state.
What is the name of India's solar-power-focused international alliance co-founded with France?
The International Solar Alliance (ISA), launched in 2015, headquartered in Gurugram, India.
What is the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) and how many permanent members does it have?
The UN organ responsible for international peace and security, with 5 permanent members (US, UK, France, Russia, China) holding veto power, plus 10 non-permanent members.
What is the Paris Agreement (2015) and its central goal?
A global climate accord under the UNFCCC aiming to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees C, ideally 1.5 degrees C, above pre-industrial levels.
Which countries are the original members of the BRICS grouping?
Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa (South Africa joined in 2010, making BRIC into BRICS).
What is the QUAD and which four nations comprise it?
The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue, a strategic grouping of the United States, India, Japan, and Australia.
Where is the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO)?
Geneva, Switzerland.
What is the G20 and what does it represent?
The Group of Twenty, an intergovernmental forum of 19 countries plus the EU and the African Union, representing major economies; India hosted the summit in 2023.
What is the SAARC and how many member countries does it have?
South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation, with 8 members: India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Afghanistan.
Which 2022 conflict significantly disrupted global energy and grain supplies?
The Russia-Ukraine war, which began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
What is the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)?
To promote global monetary cooperation, financial stability, and to provide loans to member countries facing balance-of-payments problems; headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Which trade bloc uses the euro as its common currency and how many members use it?
The Eurozone, comprising 20 of the 27 European Union member states that have adopted the euro.
Show the other 31 General Knowledge flashcards
How often are the Summer Olympic Games held, and where were the 2024 Games hosted?
Every four years; the 2024 Summer Olympics were held in Paris, France.
Which country won the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup (ODI) final?
Australia, defeating India in the final held at Ahmedabad, India.
What is the highest individual award for sports excellence given by the Government of India?
The Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (formerly Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award).
Which Indian won the Olympic gold in men's javelin throw at Tokyo 2020 (held in 2021)?
Neeraj Chopra, India's first Olympic athletics gold medallist.
Which country won the FIFA World Cup 2022 held in Qatar?
Argentina, defeating France on penalties in the final, led by Lionel Messi.
What is the Davis Cup in international sports?
The premier international team event in men's tennis, contested annually between nations.
Who is honoured by the Dronacharya Award in India?
Outstanding sports coaches who have produced medal-winning athletes.
In which sport is the Thomas Cup contested, and at what level?
International men's team badminton; India won it for the first time in 2022.
How frequently is the Commonwealth Games held and which body governs it?
Every four years, governed by the Commonwealth Games Federation, among Commonwealth nations.
Which Indian city will host an Olympic-related milestone as the country bids, and which body selects Olympic hosts?
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) selects Olympic host cities; India has expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Games (Ahmedabad).
Which civilization is known for its planned cities like Harappa and Mohenjo-daro?
The Indus Valley Civilization (Harappan Civilization), c. 2500-1900 BCE, noted for grid town planning and drainage systems.
What are the four Vedas of ancient India?
Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda.
Who founded Buddhism and Jainism respectively?
Buddhism was founded by Gautama Buddha; Jainism's 24th and last Tirthankara was Mahavira (Vardhamana).
Which emperor of the Maurya dynasty embraced Buddhism after the Kalinga War?
Ashoka the Great (Ashoka Maurya), c. 268-232 BCE.
Who founded the Maurya Empire and who was his chief advisor?
Chandragupta Maurya founded it (c. 321 BCE); his advisor was Chanakya (Kautilya), author of the Arthashastra.
The Gupta period is often called the 'Golden Age' of India for advances in which fields?
Mathematics, astronomy, science, art, and literature; figures include Aryabhata and Kalidasa.
Which ancient Indian mathematician is credited with the concept of zero and the value of pi?
Aryabhata, in his work Aryabhatiya (5th century CE).
What script were most of Ashoka's edicts written in?
Mainly the Brahmi script (with some in Kharosthi, Greek, and Aramaic).
Who founded the Delhi Sultanate's first dynasty, the Slave (Mamluk) dynasty?
Qutb-ud-din Aibak, in 1206 CE.
Which ruler of the Tughlaq dynasty shifted the capital from Delhi to Daulatabad?
Muhammad bin Tughlaq.
Who founded the Mughal Empire in India and by defeating whom?
Babur, after defeating Ibrahim Lodi at the First Battle of Panipat in 1526.
Which Mughal emperor introduced the religion Din-i-Ilahi and the policy of religious tolerance?
Akbar the Great (1556-1605).
Who built the Taj Mahal and in whose memory?
Mughal emperor Shah Jahan, in memory of his wife Mumtaz Mahal.
Who founded the Maratha Empire?
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, crowned in 1674.
Which battle in 1565 led to the fall of the Vijayanagara Empire?
The Battle of Talikota (Rakshasi-Tangadi), fought against a confederation of Deccan Sultanates.
In which year did the Revolt of 1857 (First War of Independence) begin and from where?
1857, beginning at Meerut, sparked by the greased cartridge issue.
When was the Indian National Congress founded and by whom?
1885, founded with the help of A.O. Hume; first president was W.C. Bonnerjee.
What event triggered the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, and who ordered the firing?
A peaceful gathering protesting the Rowlatt Act in Amritsar (13 April 1919); General Reginald Dyer ordered the firing.
Which movement did Mahatma Gandhi launch with the Dandi Salt March in 1930?
The Civil Disobedience Movement, defying the British salt tax.
What was the slogan and year of the Quit India Movement?
'Do or Die', launched in 1942 demanding an end to British rule.
On what date did India gain independence and who was its first Prime Minister?
15 August 1947; Jawaharlal Nehru was the first Prime Minister.
UPSC CDS General Knowledge FAQ
What is in the UPSC CDS General Knowledge syllabus?
UPSC CDS General Knowledge is split into 2 chapters: Current Affairs and History. Together they contain 6 topics.
How many chapters are in UPSC CDS General Knowledge?
2 chapters, containing 6 topics. The largest chapter is Current Affairs, with 3 topics.
Are there flashcards for UPSC CDS General Knowledge?
Yes — a 51-card General Knowledge deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.