CDS I General Knowledge 2022: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

Subject-wise Distribution

Subject	Questions	Percentage
Science & Technology	36	30%
History & Culture	22	18.3%
Geography	19	15.8%
Polity & Governance	19	15.8%
Economy	10	8.3%
Environment & Ecology	7	5.8%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge	4	3.3%
International Relations & Global Affairs	3	2.5%

Topic-wise Breakdown

Subject	Topic	Questions
Science & Technology	Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)	27
History & Culture	National Movement (1857–1947)	9
Geography	Maps & Locations	6
Geography	World Physical Geography	6
Science & Technology	Space & Defence Technology	5
Geography	World Human & Economic Geography	4
Polity & Governance	Union Executive	4
History & Culture	Ancient India	4
Polity & Governance	Parliament	4
History & Culture	Culture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy	4
Environment & Ecology	Biodiversity & Protected Areas	3
Economy	Government Finance & Budget	3
Economy	Basic Concepts & National Income	3
Polity & Governance	Fundamental Rights, DPSP & Fundamental Duties	3
Science & Technology	Biotechnology & Health	3

Decoding CDS I 2022 General Knowledge: A Masterclass in UPSC Strategy and Preparation

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is not merely a test of knowledge; it is a test of temperament, analytical ability, and the "Officer Like Qualities" (OLQs) that the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) seeks in future military leaders. The CDS I 2022 General Knowledge paper serves as a landmark case study for any serious aspirant. It was a paper that balanced traditional core concepts with dynamic current applications, demanding a leap from rote memorization to conceptual clarity.

The General Knowledge paper consists of 120 questions, each carrying equal marks, with a total duration of two hours. However, the catch lies in the negative marking—one-third of the marks assigned to a question are deducted for every wrong answer. In 2022, the paper reinforced a crucial lesson: accuracy is the bridge between an aspirant and an achiever. This analysis is designed to dissect the 2022 paper's DNA, providing you with a roadmap that transcends simple data and enters the realm of strategic mastery.

Subject-wise Deep Dive: Where the Battle was Won

Analyzing the subject distribution of CDS I 2022 reveals a clear hierarchy of importance. Understanding this hierarchy allows you to allocate your most precious resource—time—more effectively.

Science & Technology: The Heavyweight Champion

With 36 questions (30% of the paper), Science and Technology remained the undisputed king. The focus was heavily tilted towards Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology), which accounted for 27 questions. These weren't just theoretical questions; they tested the application of scientific principles in everyday life. For instance, the behavior of light (optics), chemical reactions in daily use, and human physiology were prominent.

Recommended Resources: NCERT Class IX and X are your bibles here. For the "Tech" part, specifically Space and Defence (5 questions in 2022), follow the ISRO and DRDO updates on the Press Information Bureau (PIB) website. Common Mistake: Ignoring the "Boxes" and "Activity" sections in NCERTs. UPSC often picks conceptual questions directly from these snippets.

History & Culture: The Narrative of a Nation

History accounted for 22 questions (18.3%), with the National Movement (1857–1947) taking the lion's share of 9 questions. This confirms that UPSC prioritizes the modern struggle for independence. Ancient India and Culture also held significant weight (4 questions each), focusing on literature, religion, and philosophy. The 2022 paper moved away from simple dates to "why" and "how" events occurred.

Recommended Resources: 'A Brief History of Modern India' by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) for the National Movement, and 'Themes in Indian History' (NCERT Class XII) Parts I, II, and III. For Ancient and Medieval, the Tamil Nadu State Board textbooks offer a more chronological and lucid flow than standard NCERTs. Common Mistake: Spending too much time on obscure Medieval dynasties while neglecting the socio-religious reform movements of the 19th century.

Geography: Mapping the World

Geography contributed 19 questions (15.8%). The 2022 trend showed a heavy reliance on Maps and Locations (6 questions) and World Physical Geography (6 questions). This indicates that the examiner expects you to have a mental map of the world. Human and Economic Geography also made an appearance, focusing on resources and population trends.

Recommended Resources: 'Fundamentals of Physical Geography' (NCERT Class XI) and 'GC Leong’s Certificate Physical and Human Geography'. For mapping, use the Oxford Student Atlas. Common Mistake: Studying Geography without an Atlas. If you read about a strait or a mountain range, you must locate it immediately on the map.

Polity & Governance: The Rules of the Game

Polity shared the stage with Geography at 19 questions (15.8%). The Union Executive and the Parliament were the stars of the show, with 4 questions each. The paper tested the nuances of constitutional provisions rather than just Article numbers. Questions on the powers of the President and the functioning of Parliamentary committees required deep reading.

Recommended Resources: 'Indian Polity' by M. Laxmikanth is indispensable. For a deeper understanding of the spirit of the Constitution, 'Our Constitution' by Subhash Kashyap is excellent. Common Mistake: Memorizing Articles without understanding the underlying concepts of federalism or separation of powers.

Economy, Environment, and Others

Economy (10 questions) focused on macro-concepts like inflation, GDP, and banking. Environment (7 questions) was closely linked to Geography and current affairs, focusing on biodiversity and international conventions. International Relations and Miscellaneous topics filled the remaining gaps, often linked to recent global summits or awards.

Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis: Reading the Examiner's Mind

The 2022 paper showcased a shift towards "Conceptual Multi-dimensionality." This means a single question often required knowledge from two different areas. For example, a question on a geographical location might be linked to a recent environmental treaty signed there. This tells us the examiner is looking for candidates who can connect the dots.

Another emerging trend is the "Statement-Based Rigor." Instead of direct four-option questions, we saw an increase in "Consider the following statements" followed by "Which of the above is/are correct?" This format eliminates the possibility of simple guessing and requires a thorough understanding of the topic. If you know two out of three statements are correct but are unsure about the third, you are at risk. This is a classic UPSC tactic to filter out candidates who rely on "one-liner" current affairs booklets.

In comparison to previous years, the 2022 paper was more balanced. It didn't lean too heavily on one specific niche, like purely factual dates or purely abstract science. It demanded a "Generalist" approach—being a jack of all trades and a master of the basics. The examiner's mindset shifted from "testing memory" to "testing comprehension."

Preparation Strategy: The Blueprint for Success

To conquer a paper like CDS I 2022, your preparation must be structured. Random reading will lead to random results. Here is a subject-wise allocation and resource guide tailored for the modern CDS aspirant.

1. Polity & Governance

• Time Allocation: 15% of your total study time.
• Primary Resource: Laxmikanth (Read it at least 3-4 times). Focus on the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, DPSP, and the Parliament.
• Advanced Resource: Subhash Kashyap’s 'Our Parliament' for understanding the procedural nuances that UPSC loves to ask.

2. History & Culture

• Time Allocation: 20% of your total study time.
• Primary Resource: Spectrum for Modern History. Focus on the timeline from the arrival of Europeans to 1947.
• Cultural Edge: Nitin Singhania’s 'Indian Art and Culture' (selective reading). Focus on UNESCO sites, classical dances, and major schools of philosophy.

3. Geography & Environment

• Time Allocation: 20% of your total study time.
• Primary Resource: NCERT Class XI (Physical Geography) and Class XII (Human Geography).
• Mapping: Spend 15 minutes daily with an Atlas. Track places in the news (e.g., Ukraine-Russia border, South China Sea).
• Environment: Shankar IAS academy book is the gold standard for understanding concepts like Ecotone, Niche, and Biomes.

4. Science & Technology

• Time Allocation: 25% of your total study time.
• Strategy: Don't just read; visualize. Use YouTube for complex Physics or Biology concepts. Focus on the "Application" part—why do we use certain chemicals in food? How does a GPS work?

5. Economy & Current Affairs

• Time Allocation: 20% of your total study time.
• Newspaper: The Hindu or The Indian Express. Read the 'Explained' section of the Indian Express daily.
• Economy: Ramesh Singh is good, but for CDS, Mrunal Patel’s videos or notes are more than enough to clear basic concepts like Repo Rate, SLR, and Fiscal Deficit.

Answer Elimination Techniques: The Art of Intelligent Guessing

In the 2022 paper, even the best-prepared candidates likely knew only 60-70 questions with 100% certainty. The bridge to the qualifying mark is built using elimination techniques.

1. The Extreme Word Trap

In statement-based questions, words like "Only," "All," "Never," "Always," and "Entirely" are often red flags. In the complex world of governance and science, there are rarely such absolutes. If a statement says "The President only acts on the advice of the Council of Ministers," look closer—there are situational discretions.

2. The "Match the Following" Hack

These are the highest-scoring questions. Often, knowing just one correct pair can lead you to the right answer. In the 2022 paper, many Geography and History matches could be solved by identifying the most famous pair and eliminating options that didn't include it.

3. Contextual Logic

If you encounter a question on a new technology or a government scheme, ask yourself: "What is the objective?" Most government schemes are designed for inclusivity. If an option suggests a scheme is only for a tiny, wealthy elite, it’s likely wrong. Use your common sense and logic to weigh the options.

4. When to Skip?

If you have never heard of the topic and cannot eliminate even one option, skip it. Blind guessing is the quickest way to fail CDS. Aim for a 90% accuracy rate on the questions you attempt.

Current Affairs Integration: The Static-Dynamic Link

The 2022 paper proved that Current Affairs (CA) is not a separate subject but the lens through which static subjects are viewed. For example, if there is a massive forest fire in Australia, UPSC might ask a static question about the "Mediterranean Climate" or "Types of Forest Fires."

How to build a daily habit:

• The 45-Minute Rule: Spend 45 minutes on the newspaper. Focus on National News, International Relations, Science/Tech, and Economy. Ignore political bickering and local crime.
• PIB Analysis: Check the PIB website once a day for official government releases regarding Defence deals, new missile tests (crucial for CDS), and environmental initiatives.
• Monthly Magazines: Use a monthly compilation (like Vision IAS or Rau’s IAS) to revise what you read in the newspaper. This ensures nothing falls through the cracks.

Smart Preparation Tips: From Aspirant to Officer

Preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Depending on your current stage, here is how you should approach the next few months.

The 6-Month Plan

• Months 1-3: Foundation building. Finish all NCERTs and standard books (Laxmikanth, Spectrum). Make concise notes—if a chapter is 20 pages, your notes should be 2 pages.
• Months 4-5: Practice and Integration. Start solving Previous Year Questions (PYQs) from the last 10 years. This is where you see the patterns we've discussed.
• Month 6: Revision and Mocks. Take at least 10-15 full-length mock tests. Analyze them religiously.

Revision: The Rule of 3

The human brain forgets 70% of what it learns within 24 hours if not revised. Follow the 1-7-30 rule: Revise what you learned today after 24 hours, then after 7 days, and finally after 30 days. This moves information from short-term to long-term memory.

Analyzing Mock Tests

Don't just check your score. For every wrong answer, ask:

Was it a lack of knowledge? (Read the topic again)

Was it a silly mistake? (Work on focus)

Was it a wrong guess? (Refine your elimination technique)

Key Takeaways & Action Items

The CDS I 2022 General Knowledge paper was a fair but demanding test. It rewarded those with a solid grasp of fundamentals and a keen eye on the world around them. As you move forward, keep these five pillars of success in mind:

1. Science is Non-Negotiable: You cannot clear CDS without mastering Class IX and X Science. It is 30% of your paper.
2. Modern History & Polity are the Score Boosters: These are high-yield areas where questions are predictable. Master Spectrum and Laxmikanth.
3. Geography is Visual: Map-based questions are increasing. Your Atlas should be as worn out as your textbooks.
4. PYQs are the North Star: The 2022 paper echoed themes from 2018 and 2019. Solve past papers to understand the "language" of UPSC.
5. Consistency over Intensity: Studying 4 hours every day is infinitely better than studying 14 hours once a week.

Your immediate next steps:

Pick up the CDS I 2022 original question paper and attempt it without looking at the answers.

Identify your "Weak Zones" based on the subject distribution we discussed.

Procure the 5 Priority Books: NCERT Science (9-10), Spectrum (Modern History), Laxmikanth (Polity), NCERT Geography (11-12), and an Oxford Atlas.

The path to the Officers Training Academy (OTA) or the Indian Military Academy (IMA) is paved with discipline. Use this analysis not just as a post-mortem of a past exam, but as a living strategy for your future success. The uniform is earned in the silence of the library long before it is worn on the parade ground. Start today.

Complete Question Index - CDS I General Knowledge 2022

Click on any question number to practice and view detailed explanation:

Q#	Subject	Practice Link
1	Science & Technology	Solve Question 1
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27	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 27
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37	Economy	Solve Question 37
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38	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 38
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42	Polity & Governance	Solve Question 42
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45	Economy	Solve Question 45
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46	Polity & Governance	Solve Question 46
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48	International Relations & Global Affairs	Solve Question 48
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50	History & Culture	Solve Question 50
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55	Geography	Solve Question 55
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59	Economy	Solve Question 59
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61	Geography	Solve Question 61
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62	Economy	Solve Question 62
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63	Polity & Governance	Solve Question 63
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80	History & Culture	Solve Question 80
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84	Geography	Solve Question 84
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86	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 86
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89	Polity & Governance	Solve Question 89
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100	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 100
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101	Economy	Solve Question 101
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102	Science & Technology	Solve Question 102
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104	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 104
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106	International Relations & Global Affairs	Solve Question 106
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110	Miscellaneous & General Knowledge	Solve Question 110
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111	History & Culture	Solve Question 111
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113	Science & Technology	Solve Question 113
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115	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 115
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118	Environment & Ecology	Solve Question 118
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120	History & Culture	Solve Question 120
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