CDS II General Knowledge 2019: Complete Question Paper Analysis & Preparation Strategy

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Subject-wise Distribution

SubjectQuestionsPercentage
Science & Technology2723.5%
Geography2017.4%
Polity & Governance2017.4%
Economy1613.9%
History & Culture1311.3%
Miscellaneous & General Knowledge76.1%
International Relations & Global Affairs76.1%
Environment & Ecology43.5%
NA10.9%

Topic-wise Breakdown

SubjectTopicQuestions
Science & TechnologyBasic Science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology)26
GeographyIndian Physical Geography7
GeographyWorld Physical Geography5
History & CultureCulture, Literature, Religion & Philosophy5
EconomyBasic Concepts & National Income4
History & CultureNational Movement (1857–1947)4
GeographyMaps & Locations4
International Relations & Global AffairsInternational Organisations & Groupings4
Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSports, Games & Awards3
EconomyAgriculture & Rural Economy3
Polity & GovernanceUnion Executive3
EconomyGrowth, Development, Poverty & Employment3
Polity & GovernanceParliament3
Polity & GovernanceConstitutional Basics & Evolution3
Polity & GovernanceConstitutional & Statutory Bodies3

Decoding CDS II 2019: A Masterclass in General Knowledge Strategy

The Combined Defence Services (CDS) examination is not merely a test of knowledge; it is a test of temperament, precision, and the ability to distinguish between what is important and what is merely "noise." The CDS II 2019 General Knowledge paper stands as a watershed moment in the evolution of UPSC’s testing patterns for defense aspirants. Often regarded as a "Mini-Civil Services" paper, the 2019 iteration moved away from rote memorization and leaned heavily toward conceptual clarity and the application of logic.

For an aspirant, the 115 questions presented in this paper were a 120-minute marathon. With one-third negative marking, the margin for error was razor-thin. Analyzing this specific paper is crucial because it set the template for the high-weightage Science and Geography sections we see today. If you can master the logic behind the CDS II 2019 paper, you can crack the code for any upcoming CDS GK paper. This analysis isn't just about looking back; it’s about building a roadmap for your future success.

Subject-wise Deep Dive: Where the Battle was Won

Understanding the weightage of subjects is the first step in "triage"—the process of deciding where to invest your limited study hours. In 2019, the distribution was a clear indicator of UPSC’s priorities.

Science & Technology: The Powerhouse (27 Questions | 23.5%)

Science dominated the paper with 27 questions, almost all of them rooted in Basic Science (Physics, Chemistry, and Biology). This section is the "low-hanging fruit" for those with clear fundamentals.

  • What appeared: The focus was on application-based questions—optics in Physics, chemical reactions in daily life, and human physiology in Biology.
  • Recommended Books: NCERT Science textbooks from Class 9 and 10 are your Bible. For specific advanced topics, refer to selected chapters of Class 11 and 12 (specifically Biology’s Ecology unit and Chemistry’s "Chemistry in Everyday Life").
  • Common Mistakes: Ignoring the diagrams and "Activity" boxes in NCERTs. Many questions in 2019 were derived directly from these overlooked sections.

Geography: The Spatial Strategist (20 Questions | 17.4%)

Geography shared the second spot in importance. The paper showed a heavy tilt toward Indian Physical Geography (7 questions) and World Physical Geography (5 questions).

  • What appeared: River systems, climate zones, and significant map-based locations. The 4 questions on Maps & Locations tested whether the aspirant was keeping an eye on global hotspots.
  • Recommended Books: "Fundamentals of Physical Geography" (NCERT Class 11) and "Certificate Physical and Human Geography" by Goh Cheng Leong.
  • Common Mistakes: Studying Geography without an Atlas. UPSC expects you to know the relative positions of seas, straits, and mountain ranges.

Polity & Governance: The Standard Pillar (20 Questions | 17.4%)

Polity remains the most predictable yet tricky section. In 2019, the questions ranged from Fundamental Rights to the powers of the President and local governance.

  • What appeared: Constitutional amendments, the Preamble, and Parliamentary procedures.
  • Recommended Books: "Indian Polity" by M. Laxmikanth is non-negotiable. For a deeper understanding of the spirit of the Constitution, "Our Constitution" by Subhash Kashyap is excellent.
  • Common Mistakes: Memorizing Article numbers while ignoring the underlying conceptual nuances (e.g., the difference between "procedure established by law" and "due process of law").

Economy: The Conceptual Hurdle (16 Questions | 13.9%)

The 2019 paper saw a significant 13.9% weightage for Economy, focusing on Basic Concepts, National Income, and Agriculture.

  • What appeared: GDP/GNP concepts, inflation, and the rural economy.
  • Recommended Books: "Indian Economic Development" (NCERT Class 11) and Ramesh Singh’s "Indian Economy" for selective reading.
  • Common Mistakes: Getting bogged down in complex mathematical formulas instead of understanding the impact of fiscal and monetary policy on the common man.

Topic Trends & Pattern Analysis: The Examiner’s Mindset

When we look at the 2019 paper, a distinct pattern emerges: The UPSC is moving toward "Integrated Knowledge." No longer is a question purely about History or purely about Geography. The examiner wants to see if you can connect the dots.

High-frequency topics like Indian Physical Geography and Basic Science accounted for nearly 30% of the entire paper. This tells us that the examiner values a "Scientific Temperament"—a core quality required for a military officer. In History, the shift was toward "Culture, Literature, and Religion" (5 questions) rather than just dates of battles. This reflects a desire for candidates who understand the civilizational fabric of India.

The 2019 paper also mirrored the Civil Services (CSE) trend of asking "Statement-based" questions. Instead of asking "Where is the Kaziranga National Park?", the question might involve three statements about its fauna, its river boundaries, and its UNESCO status. This requires "Depth over Breadth." The examiner is looking for candidates who don't just read headlines but read the fine print.

Detailed Preparation Strategy: Subject-wise Allocation

To conquer the CDS GK paper, your preparation must be surgical. Based on the 2019 trends, here is how you should allocate your time and resources:

1. Science (The Foundation)

Spend 25% of your time here. Read NCERTs twice. Focus on "Modern Physics" and "Human Diseases." Practice naming chemical compounds and understanding the periodic table's trends. Science is where you can score 25+ marks with 100% accuracy.

2. History (The Story of India)

History can be a rabbit hole. Direct your energy toward the National Movement (1857–1947), which saw 4 questions in 2019. Use the Tamil Nadu State Board Class 11 and 12 textbooks—they are concise and highly factual. For Modern History, Spectrum’s "A Brief History of Modern India" is more efficient than Bipin Chandra for the CDS format.

3. Geography (The Map Master)

Invest 20% of your time. Every time you read about a country in the news, find it on the map. Learn the tributaries of major Indian rivers (Ganga, Indus, Brahmaputra, Godavari). In 2019, map-based questions were the "deciders" for the merit list.

4. Economy & Environment

These are often neglected. For Environment, Shankar IAS is the gold standard, but for CDS, focusing on the Environment & Ecology units of the Class 12 Biology NCERT is usually sufficient. For Economy, keep a tab on the Economic Survey's highlights and the Union Budget.

5. Current Affairs & IR

With 7 questions on International Relations and 7 on Miscellaneous GK, you cannot ignore the daily news. Use the "The Hindu" or "Indian Express" for daily reading. For monthly consolidation, "Pratiyogita Darpan" or "Vajiram & Ravi’s Recitals" are helpful. Focus on International Organizations (UN, WTO, ASEAN) as they were a top topic in 2019.

Answer Elimination Techniques: The Art of Intelligent Guessing

In CDS II 2019, several questions were designed to be "unanswerable" if you relied only on direct knowledge. This is where elimination techniques come into play.

  • The Extreme Word Rule: Statements containing words like "only," "never," "always," or "all" are often (though not always) incorrect. In 2019, questions on government schemes often used these traps.
  • The "Match the Following" Hack: You rarely need to know all four pairs. Usually, identifying one certain pair allows you to eliminate two or three options. Start with the most famous name or place in the list.
  • Statement Correlation: In multiple-statement questions, check if Statement 1 and Statement 2 are contradictory. If they are, one of them must be false, which immediately narrows your options.
  • When to Skip: If you cannot eliminate even one option, skip the question. The 0.33 penalty is too high for blind guesses. However, if you can eliminate two options, the mathematical probability favors taking the risk.

Current Affairs Integration: Linking Static to Dynamic

The 2019 paper proved that "Static" and "Current" are two sides of the same coin. For example, if a constitutional provision is in the news due to a Supreme Court judgment, UPSC will ask about the static article of the Constitution related to it.

To build this habit:

  1. Daily Reading: Spend 45 minutes on the newspaper. Focus on National news, Science/Tech, and Economy.
  2. The "Why" Factor: When you read about a cyclone, go back to your Geography NCERT and read how cyclones are formed (Static). This is how you prepare for CDS.
  3. Magazines: Use "Yojana" for government perspectives and "Kurukshetra" for rural and agricultural insights—topics that were prominent in the 2019 economy section.

Smart Preparation Tips: 6-Month Roadmap

If you have six months, follow this structure:

  • Months 1-2: Build the base. Finish all NCERTs (Science, Geography, History, Economy). Don't make notes yet; just understand.
  • Months 3-4: Standard Books. Move to Laxmikanth for Polity and Spectrum for History. Start making "Micro-notes" (one-page summaries of entire chapters).
  • Month 5: Focus on PYQs. Solve papers from 2015 to 2023. Analyze why you got a question wrong. Was it a lack of knowledge or a silly mistake?
  • Month 6: Revision and Mock Tests. Take at least 10 full-length GK mocks in an exam-like environment (12:00 PM to 2:00 PM) to sync your brain’s peak performance with exam timing.

Revision Technique: Use the 1-3-7-30 rule. Revise what you learned today after 1 day, then 3 days, then 7 days, and finally after 30 days. This moves information from short-term to long-term memory.

Key Takeaways & Action Items

The CDS II 2019 General Knowledge paper teaches us that consistency beats intensity. You don't need to study 15 hours a day; you need to study the right things for 5 hours a day.

Top 5 Books to Prioritize:

  1. NCERT Science (9th & 10th): For the 27-question Science block.
  2. M. Laxmikanth (Indian Polity): For the 20-question Polity block.
  3. NCERT Fundamentals of Physical Geography (11th): For the core Geography questions.
  4. Spectrum (Modern History): For the National Movement section.
  5. Oxford Student Atlas: For essential map-based marks.

Immediate Next Steps:

  • Download the CDS II 2019 GK Question Paper and attempt it without looking at the answers.
  • Identify your "Weak Zone" (is it Science? Economy?) and dedicate the first two hours of your study day to it.
  • Start a "Current Affairs Diary" where you note down only 5-7 major events per day.

Remember, the CDS exam is a gateway to a life of "Duty, Honour, and Courage." The rigor of your preparation today determines the weight of the stars on your shoulders tomorrow. Trust the process, analyze the patterns, and stay disciplined. Success in CDS General Knowledge is not about knowing everything; it's about knowing what the examiner expects from a future officer.

Complete Question Index - CDS II General Knowledge 2019

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

Q#SubjectPractice Link
1Science & TechnologySolve Question 1
2Science & TechnologySolve Question 2
2Science & TechnologySolve Question 2
3GeographySolve Question 3
3GeographySolve Question 3
4Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 4
4Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 4
5EconomySolve Question 5
5EconomySolve Question 5
6Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 6
6Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 6
7Science & TechnologySolve Question 7
7Science & TechnologySolve Question 7
8International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 8
8International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 8
9Science & TechnologySolve Question 9
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10Science & TechnologySolve Question 10
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11Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 11
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12International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 12
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13Science & TechnologySolve Question 13
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14GeographySolve Question 14
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15International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 15
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16Science & TechnologySolve Question 16
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18GeographySolve Question 18
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19EconomySolve Question 19
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20Science & TechnologySolve Question 20
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21GeographySolve Question 21
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22Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 22
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23Science & TechnologySolve Question 23
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24EconomySolve Question 24
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25GeographySolve Question 25
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26GeographySolve Question 26
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27Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 27
27Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 27
28Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 28
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29International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 29
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30History & CultureSolve Question 30
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31International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 31
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32EconomySolve Question 32
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33GeographySolve Question 33
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41Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 41
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42NASolve Question 42
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43Science & TechnologySolve Question 43
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44Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 44
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53International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 53
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54Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 54
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57EconomySolve Question 57
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59Science & TechnologySolve Question 59
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60Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 60
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61EconomySolve Question 61
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62Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 62
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63EconomySolve Question 63
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64GeographySolve Question 64
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68EconomySolve Question 68
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71History & CultureSolve Question 71
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72Polity & GovernanceSolve Question 72
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75Science & TechnologySolve Question 75
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76Environment & EcologySolve Question 76
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92Environment & EcologySolve Question 92
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96GeographySolve Question 96
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111History & CultureSolve Question 111
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112GeographySolve Question 112
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113International Relations & Global AffairsSolve Question 113
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114Miscellaneous & General KnowledgeSolve Question 114
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115GeographySolve Question 115
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