The General Knowledge (GK) section in the UPSC CDS (Combined Defence Services) examination covers a wide range of topics to assess candidates’ awareness and understanding of various subjects. Here’s a comprehensive overview of the general knowledge syllabus for the UPSC CDS exam:
- Current Affairs:
- National and international events
- Government schemes and policies
- Awards and honors
- Sports events and championships
- Important dates and anniversaries
- Major developments in science and technology
- Indian History:
- Ancient India (Indus Valley Civilization, Vedic Period, Mauryan and Gupta Empires, etc.)
- Medieval India (Delhi Sultanate, Mughal Empire, Vijayanagara Empire, etc.)
- Modern India (British rule, Indian independence movement, post-independence India, etc.)
- Freedom Struggle and prominent freedom fighters
- Geography:
- Physical geography (continents, oceans, landforms, climate zones, etc.)
- Indian geography (physical features, rivers, mountains, climate zones, etc.)
- World geography (major geographical features, countries, continents, etc.)
- Environmental issues and conservation
- Indian Polity:
- Indian Constitution (Preamble, fundamental rights, duties, directive principles, amendments, etc.)
- Structure of government (executive, legislature, judiciary)
- Constitutional bodies (Election Commission, UPSC, etc.)
- Political system, governance, and administration
- Economics:
- Basic economic concepts (demand and supply, inflation, GDP, etc.)
- Indian economy (sectors of the economy, economic development, economic policies, etc.)
- International trade and economic organizations (WTO, IMF, World Bank, etc.)
- Budget, taxation, banking, and finance
- General Science:
- Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (basic concepts, discoveries, scientists, etc.)
- Recent advancements in science and technology
- Health and hygiene, diseases and vaccines
- Defense and Security Related Issues:
- Military operations, defense equipment, and technologies
- National security issues, defense strategies, and doctrines
- International relations and defense collaborations
Candidates are advised to stay updated with current affairs by reading newspapers, magazines, and online portals. Referring to standard textbooks and study materials for each subject can also help in preparation for the General Knowledge section of the UPSC CDS examination. Additionally, practicing previous years’ question papers and mock tests can aid in improving performance in this section.