CDS II General Knowledge 2018: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

Subject-wise Distribution

SubjectQuestionsPercentage
Science & Technology3327.5%
History & Culture2420%
Polity & Governance2016.7%
Economy1714.2%
Geography1714.2%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge43.3%
International Relations & Global Affairs32.5%
Environment & Ecology21.7%

Topic-wise Breakdown

SubjectTopicQuestions
Science & TechnologyBasic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)28
History & CultureNational Movement (1857–1947)7
EconomyGovernment Finance & Budget6
Polity & GovernanceState Executive & Legislature6
History & CultureModern India (Pre-1857)6
Polity & GovernanceConstitutional & Statutory Bodies6
GeographyMaps & Locations5
GeographyIndian Economic Geography5
History & CultureCulture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy4
Science & TechnologySpace & Defence Technology4
GeographyIndian Physical Geography4
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSports, Games & Awards3
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Economy3
EconomyIndustry, Infrastructure & Investment3
History & CultureMedieval India3

Mastering the CDS II 2018 General Knowledge Paper: A Strategic Deep Dive for Defense Aspirants

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination, conducted by the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), remains one of the most prestigious gateways for those seeking a career as a commissioned officer in the Indian Armed Forces. Among its three papers, the General Knowledge (GK) paper is often the "make or break" component. The CDS II 2018 GK paper stands as a seminal example of how the UPSC shifted its focus from rote memorization to a more conceptual and application-based approach. For an aspirant today, analyzing this specific paper is not just a history lesson; it is a roadmap to understanding the examiner's psyche.

The CDS II 2018 GK paper consisted of 120 questions to be solved in 120 minutes. With a total of 100 marks and a negative marking of one-third (0.33) for every wrong answer, the paper demanded a high degree of precision. In this analysis, we will deconstruct the layers of this exam, identifying why Science dominated the charts, how History tested the depth of your reading, and what strategies you can employ to conquer future iterations of this challenge.

Subject-wise Deep Dive: Decoding the 2018 Blueprint

To master the CDS, one must move past the "study everything" mindset and adopt a "study what matters" approach. The 2018 paper provided clear indicators of subject weightage and the depth required.

Science & Technology: The Powerhouse (33 Questions, 27.5%)

Science was the undisputed king of the CDS II 2018 paper. With 33 questions, nearly a third of the paper was dedicated to Basic Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and Space/Defense Technology. The questions weren't merely factual; they tested the application of laws. For instance, Physics focused on optics, motion, and electricity, while Chemistry leaned towards daily-life applications and chemical reactions.

  • Key Topics: Mechanics, Light, Periodic Table, Cell Biology, and recent ISRO launches.
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Class 9th and 10th (Science) are your bibles. For advanced topics, refer to Lucent’s General Science for quick revision.
  • Common Mistakes: Ignoring the "Back Exercises" of NCERTs and failing to understand the 'Why' behind physical phenomena.

History & Culture: The Narrative of Modernity (24 Questions, 20%)

History followed closely, with a heavy emphasis on the National Movement (1857–1947). UPSC has moved away from asking simple dates; they now ask about the "nature" of movements and the specific roles of lesser-known personalities. Modern India (Pre-1857) also saw significant representation, focusing on the administrative changes brought by the British.

  • Key Topics: Quit India Movement, Revolutionary Terrorism, Bhakti/Sufi movements, and Ancient Indian Literature.
  • Recommended Books: 'A Brief History of Modern India' by Spectrum (Rajiv Ahir) and the Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11 and 12 History books for a cohesive narrative.
  • Common Mistakes: Over-focusing on Medieval dates while ignoring the socio-cultural impact of the Renaissance in India.

Polity & Governance: The Framework of Power (20 Questions, 16.7%)

Polity in 2018 was remarkably structured. A significant chunk of questions came from the State Executive and Legislature, as well as Constitutional and Statutory bodies. This indicates that the examiner expects you to know not just the Prime Minister’s powers, but also the nuances of the Governor’s role and the functioning of the CAG or Election Commission.

  • Key Topics: Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles, Emergency Provisions, and the Panchayati Raj system.
  • Recommended Books: 'Indian Polity' by M. Laxmikanth. There is no alternative to this. For conceptual depth on the Constitution, refer to 'Our Constitution' by Subhash Kashyap.
  • Common Mistakes: Skipping the "Appendices" and "Table of Contents" in Laxmikanth, which often contain direct factual questions.

Economy & Geography: The Physical and Fiscal (17 Questions each, 14.2%)

Geography in 2018 was heavily map-based and focused on Indian Economic Geography (minerals, industries, transport). Economy, on the other hand, was dominated by Government Finance and the Budget. The questions were designed to see if the candidate understands how the Indian economy breathes.

  • Key Topics (Geography): River systems, types of soils, and location of major ports/national parks.
  • Key Topics (Economy): Inflation, GDP, Fiscal Deficit, and Banking reforms.
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Class 11 (Physical Geography) and Class 12 (India: People and Economy). For Economy, 'Indian Economy' by Ramesh Singh or the Mrunal.org handouts.
  • Common Mistakes: Not practicing map-pointing and ignoring the latest Economic Survey summaries.

Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis: The Examiner’s Mindset

Analyzing the CDS II 2018 paper reveals a distinct trend: the "Convergence of Static and Dynamic." While the questions were rooted in static subjects like Polity or History, their selection was often triggered by contemporary relevance. For example, if a particular Constitutional Body was in the news due to a controversy, the 2018 paper reflected questions on its static powers.

Another emerging trend was the "Statement-Based Complexity." The paper moved away from single-liner questions. Instead, it presented "Consider the following statements" type questions, mimicking the Civil Services (IAS) pattern. This tells us that the examiner is no longer looking for "information gatherers" but for "analytical thinkers" who can distinguish between nuanced facts.

The dominance of Science (27.5%) suggests that for the defense services, a technical temperament is highly valued. The focus on the National Movement (1857-1947) reinforces the need for future officers to be deeply aware of the struggle and the values upon which the nation was built. Compared to general UPSC patterns, the CDS 2018 paper was slightly more factual but demanded the same level of conceptual clarity as the Prelims.

Comprehensive Preparation Strategy

To tackle a paper of this magnitude, your preparation must be surgical. You cannot afford to spend equal time on all subjects. Based on the 2018 data, here is your roadmap:

1. Subject-wise Time Allocation

  • Science (30% of time): Since this is the highest-scoring section, dedicate the first hour of your daily study to Science. Focus on diagrams and formulas.
  • Polity & History (30% of time): These are "stable" subjects. Once you learn them, the accuracy rate is very high.
  • Geography & Economy (20% of time): Focus on visualization for Geography and conceptual understanding for Economy.
  • Current Affairs & Misc (20% of time): Keep this for the evening when your brain is tired. Use magazines and news summaries.

2. Essential Resources

Beyond the standard books mentioned earlier, use these specific resources:

  • Geography: Certificate Physical and Human Geography by Goh Cheng Leong. It is essential for understanding climate and landforms.
  • Environment: Shankar IAS academy's book is the gold standard, though for CDS, focus mostly on National Parks and International Treaties.
  • Current Affairs: 'The Hindu' or 'Indian Express' for daily reading. Supplement this with the 'Pratiyogita Darpan' or 'IDSA' website for defense-related updates.
  • Online Resources: Use the PIB (Press Information Bureau) website for authentic government data and 'Sansad TV' for understanding legislative debates.

3. Using PYQs (Previous Year Questions) Effectively

Don't just solve the 2018 paper; dissect it. For every question, look at the four options. Even if you know the right answer, research the other three options. Often, an option in one year's paper becomes the main question in the next year's exam. This "Option Analysis" is the secret weapon of toppers.

Answer Elimination Techniques: Winning the MCQ War

In the CDS GK paper, you will rarely know the answers to all 120 questions. Success depends on your ability to make "educated guesses." Here are four techniques to boost your score:

1. The "Extreme Word" Rule

In statement-based questions, look for words like "Only," "All," "Never," or "Always." In the UPSC universe, these extreme statements are usually (though not always) incorrect. For example, a statement saying "The Governor has no discretionary powers" is likely false because the reality is usually more nuanced.

2. The "Odd One Out" in Match the Following

In 'Match the Following' questions, focus on finding the one pair you are 100% sure of. Usually, identifying just one pair can eliminate two or three incorrect options. This is the most efficient way to save time.

3. Contextual Logic

If you encounter a question on a Government Scheme, look at the name of the scheme. Indian schemes are often named literally. Use your knowledge of Hindi or Sanskrit to decode the objective of the scheme. This can help you eliminate options that don't align with the name's meaning.

4. When to Skip vs. Guess

If you can eliminate two options, you must take the risk. The probability of getting it right is 50%, and mathematically, over 10 such questions, you will likely end up with a positive score. However, if you have no clue about any of the four options, skip it immediately. Negative marking is a silent killer.

Current Affairs Integration: The Static-Dynamic Link

The 2018 paper proved that Current Affairs is not a separate subject but a lens through which static subjects are viewed. For instance, questions on Space Technology were directly linked to ISRO's missions that year. To build a daily habit:

  • The 30-Minute Rule: Spend no more than 30 minutes on the newspaper. Focus on the Front Page, Editorial, and Science/Tech sections.
  • Yojana & Kurukshetra: These monthly magazines are vital. You don't need to read them cover-to-cover. Just read the 'Editor’s Desk' and the summary of articles to understand government perspective on Economy and Rural Development.
  • Defense Specifics: Keep a separate notebook for joint military exercises, new inductions in the Navy/Air Force/Army, and appointments of Chiefs. CDS always has 3-5 questions on this.

Smart Preparation Tips: 6 Months to Victory

Preparation is a marathon, not a sprint. Depending on your current level, you should choose your path wisely.

The 6-Month Strategy

  • Months 1-2: Focus on NCERTs (Science and Geography) and Laxmikanth (Polity). Build your foundation.
  • Months 3-4: Move to Spectrum (History) and Ramesh Singh (Economy). Start taking subject-wise mock tests.
  • Month 5: Focus on Current Affairs of the last 12 months and Environment.
  • Month 6: Revision and Full-Length Mocks. Solve at least 10-15 mock tests in exam-like conditions (10 AM to 12 PM).

Revision Techniques: The 1-3-7 Rule

To ensure you don't forget what you've read, revise the topic after 1 day, then after 3 days, and finally after 7 days. Use Active Recall—instead of just re-reading, close the book and try to explain the concept to an imaginary student. If you can explain it simply, you have mastered it.

Analyzing Mock Tests

Most students make the mistake of just checking their score. The real work begins after the test. Categorize your mistakes into three buckets:

  • Silly Mistakes: You knew the answer but marked it wrong. (Solution: Slow down).
  • Conceptual Gaps: You didn't understand the question. (Solution: Re-read the chapter).
  • Unknown Facts: You had never heard of the topic. (Solution: Note it down in a 'Value Addition' notebook).

Key Takeaways & Action Items

The CDS II 2018 General Knowledge paper is a testament to the fact that conceptual clarity beats rote learning every time. As you prepare for your upcoming attempt, keep these final points in mind:

  • Prioritize Science: It has the highest ROI (Return on Investment). Master the 9th and 10th NCERTs.
  • Master the "Big Three": Science, History, and Polity together cover nearly 65% of the paper. Ensure your accuracy in these is above 80%.
  • Don't Ignore Geography Maps: Spend 10 minutes every day looking at an Atlas (Oxford or Orient Blackswan). Focus on West Asia, South East Asia, and Indian River basins.
  • The "Laxmikanth" Rule: Read this book at least 5 times. It is the only book where the ratio of 'pages read' to 'questions answered' is almost 1:1.

Immediate Next Steps:

  1. Download the CDS II 2018 GK Question Paper and solve it without any help to see where you stand.
  2. Purchase the "Big 5" books: Laxmikanth (Polity), Spectrum (History), NCERTs (Science/Geography), and a good Atlas.
  3. Create a dedicated "Defense Current Affairs" file for all missile tests, exercises, and awards.
  4. Start a habit of reading one editorial daily to improve your analytical skills for statement-based questions.

Remember, the CDS exam doesn't just test your knowledge; it tests your temperament, your discipline, and your ability to stay calm under pressure—the very qualities required in a military officer. Use the 2018 analysis as your compass, work hard, and the olive greens will be within your reach. Jai Hind!

Complete Question Index - CDS II General Knowledge 2018

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

Q#SubjectPractice Link
1Science & TechnologySolve Question 1
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