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CDS II 2025 vs CDS II 2024 — what changed

120 vs 120 questions · answer-keyed 0/120 vs 120/120 · CDS

Executive summary

  • Question style: 46% of CDS II 2025 was analytical (multi-statement) vs 37% in 2024 — a modest shift toward multi-statement reasoning.
  • Biggest subject change: Science & Technology rose 29→36 questions (24.2%→30.0%).
  • 7 concepts recurred from 2024; 12 appeared that were absent in 2024.

Conceptual vs factual

Analytical (multi-statement) questions: 37% in 2024 → 46% in 2025 — a modest shift toward multi-statement reasoning.
Show evidence — how this is measured
Analytical = statement-based, assertion-reason, match-the-following, pairs, how-many-correct and sequence questions; factual = single-fact recall. CDS II 2025: 55 analytical / 65 factual. CDS II 2024: 44 analytical / 76 factual.

Subject distribution

Subject20242025Δ
Science & Technology2936+7gained
Geography1922+3stable
History1518+3stable
Polity & Governance1511-4declined
Economy1212+0stable
Art & Culture47+3stable
Current Affairs & Static GK92-7declined
International Relations63-3stable
Social Issues & Welfare43-1stable
Environment & Ecology60-6declined
Defence & Military Studies15+4gained
Agriculture01+1stable
"Gained/declined" is flagged only where the change is ≥3 questions and ≥3 percentage points; smaller moves are normal year-to-year variation (shown as stable).
Show evidence — Science & Technology in CDS II 2025 (36 Qs)
Q21 · CDS 2025 The rule to determine the direction of a current induced in a coil due to its ro…
Q22 · CDS 2025 A car travels a total distance L. It travels half the distance with speed v1 and…
Q23 · CDS 2025 The linear momentum of a particle is conserved if :…
Q24 · CDS 2025 When a stone tied to a string is whirled in a circle, the work done on it by the…
Q25 · CDS 2025 Assume 'A' does 500 J of work in 'x' minutes and 'B' does 1000 J of work in 20 m…
Q26 · CDS 2025 A sound wave travelling at a speed of 330 m/s produces 20 crests and 20 troughs …
Q27 · CDS 2025 An X-ray can be deflected :…
Q28 · CDS 2025 In a simple astronomical telescope, the objective and the eyepiece used respecti…
Q29 · CDS 2025 Twinkling of a star is due to :…
Q30 · CDS 2025 Van de Graaff generator generates :…
Q31 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following metals is widely extracted by the electrolysis of its…
Q32 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is not a property of 'graphene' ?…
Q33 · CDS 2025 Why do plastics not degrade easily ?…
Q34 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is the correct chemical formula of carboxylic acid ?…
Q35 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following statements is not correct for benzene ?…
Q36 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is not a nitrogen fertilizer ?…
Q37 · CDS 2025 Which of the following general electronic configurations correctly represent a t…
Q38 · CDS 2025 Variable oxidation numbers are possible for :…
Q39 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following gas smells like a rotten egg ?…
Q40 · CDS 2025 The chemical reaction K2SO4 (aq.) + BaCl2 (aq.) → 2KCl (aq.) + BaSO4↓ (solid) is…
Q41 · CDS 2025 Which one among the following is the correct scheme followed for classification …
Q42 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is an example of airborne disease ?…
Q43 · CDS 2025 What are the four human blood types in ABO blood group typing ?…
Q44 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is not a part of the male reproductive system in huma…
Q45 · CDS 2025 Which of the following are the different parts of a human brain ?…
Q46 · CDS 2025 Tooth enamel of humans is made up of :…
Q47 · CDS 2025 The inner lining of the human small intestine has numerous finger-like projectio…
Q48 · CDS 2025 Which of the following represent disaccharides ?…
Q49 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following organelles can be seen in a prokaryotic cell ?…
Q50 · CDS 2025 A solution with a pH value less than 7 is a/an :…
Q81 · CDS 2025 Which language uses the symbolic representation of machine codes needed to progr…
Q82 · CDS 2025 What are the uses of software ports ? 1. Connect client computer to server 2. Co…
Q83 · CDS 2025 Assuming the computer is a 4-bit computer, what result is produced after subtrac…
Q84 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following is not a logical operator ?…
Q85 · CDS 2025 Which among the following are the purposes of deploying a Firewall ? 1. Examine …
Q117 · CDS 2025 Recently, ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research) has developed the world…
Show evidence — Science & Technology in CDS II 2024 (29 Qs)
Q1 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following is not a micronutrient for plants ?…
Q2 · CDS 2024 Xylem in the plants are responsible for the transport of :…
Q3 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following hormones inhibits the growth activity in plants ?…
Q4 · CDS 2024 Which of the following category of biomolecules does Starch belong to ?…
Q5 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following is not a feature of Xerophytes ?…
Q6 · CDS 2024 Halophytes are the plants that grow on which one, among the following categories…
Q7 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following is not a part of vascular bundle in plants ?…
Q8 · CDS 2024 In which one among the following mediums would the speed of sound be maximum ?…
Q9 · CDS 2024 Which organelle in animal cells can digest foreign materials ?…
Q10 · CDS 2024 Photosynthesis that converts light energy into chemical energy by the plants, in…
Q11 · CDS 2024 In which of the following colloids is the dispersing medium a liquid ?…
Q12 · CDS 2024 The two isotopes of elemental chlorine are :…
Q13 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following metals is not stored under oil ?…
Q14 · CDS 2024 Potassium nitrate is not used :…
Q15 · CDS 2024 The surface of the concrete structure of a new construction is covered with stra…
Q16 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following statements for the gases mentioned below is not co…
Q17 · CDS 2024 Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given bel…
Q18 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following statements is not true for glass ?…
Q19 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following is responsible for determining the chemical proper…
Q20 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following is used in bleaching of paper ?…
Q21 · CDS 2024 X-rays can be used to : 1. inspect welded joints between two metal parts of a ma…
Q22 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following heat transfers is an example of convection ?…
Q23 · CDS 2024 The phenomenon of rainbow formation by water droplets involves :…
Q25 · CDS 2024 Which of the following are the major missions of Indian Space Research Organizat…
Q26 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following is the most appropriate reason for aircraft being equ…
Q27 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements suffering from presbyopia is/are correct ? 1. …
Q28 · CDS 2024 A sound wave having frequency of 300 Hz is travelling in an unknown medium. Its …
Q29 · CDS 2024 Mission Shakti (DRDO) of India is related to which one among the following ?…
Q30 · CDS 2024 In Sun-Earth system, the Sun, the Earth and the Lagrange point L4 form :…
Show evidence — Polity & Governance in CDS II 2025 (11 Qs)
Q2 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following features is correct about the 'First Past the Post Sy…
Q3 · CDS 2025 Match List-I with List-II and select the answer using the code given below the L…
Q4 · CDS 2025 Which of the following statements as per the Constitution of India is/are correc…
Q5 · CDS 2025 Which one among the following pairs of Subjects and Lists under the Seventh Sche…
Q6 · CDS 2025 Which of the following statements with reference to the Preamble to the Constitu…
Q7 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following statements about 'Motions' in the Parliament of India…
Q8 · CDS 2025 Part IV-A of the Constitution of India deals with which one of the following are…
Q12 · CDS 2025 Which among the following is not a language listed in the Eighth Schedule of the…
Q14 · CDS 2025 Who among the following was India's first Woman Chief Minister ?…
Q16 · CDS 2025 Which of the following pairs of Institute and their location is/are correctly ma…
Q110 · CDS 2025 The book 'The Art of War' was written by :…
Show evidence — Polity & Governance in CDS II 2024 (15 Qs)
Q31 · CDS 2024 Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given bel…
Q32 · CDS 2024 Consider the following statements : 1. The Flag Code of India superseded the 'Fl…
Q34 · CDS 2024 Which of the following are the components of the Indian Legal System ? 1. Basic …
Q35 · CDS 2024 Which one among the following statements about the objectives of Vibrant Village…
Q37 · CDS 2024 Which of the following areas has been exempted from the purview of the Citizensh…
Q38 · CDS 2024 Who among the following stated that 'A just society is that society in which asc…
Q39 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements is/are correct ? 1. Criminal law is exclusivel…
Q45 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following organizations challenged the constitutionality of Sec…
Q46 · CDS 2024 As per Article 371G of the Constitution of India, special provisions have been m…
Q47 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements, as per the Information Technology Act, 2000, …
Q48 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements about National Recruitment Agency is correct ?…
Q49 · CDS 2024 The Research Design and Standards Organization is the R&D wing of which one of t…
Q50 · CDS 2024 Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given bel…
Q62 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following terms was used for the States in the Draft Constituti…
Q116 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following State/s is/are common to Bru-Reang Agreement, NLFT (S…
Show evidence — Current Affairs & Static GK in CDS II 2025 (2 Qs)
Q113 · CDS 2025 Robert Prevost became the Catholic Pope after the death of Pope Francis. Which o…
Q115 · CDS 2025 Which of the following statements about 'Alcatraz', which was recently in news, …
Show evidence — Current Affairs & Static GK in CDS II 2024 (9 Qs)
Q44 · CDS 2024 'Bharat Parv' was organized by the Government of India during which of the follo…
Q106 · CDS 2024 India's women's badminton team recently won the Badminton Asia Team Championship…
Q107 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements related to Indian medicine system is not corre…
Q109 · CDS 2024 Arrange the BRICS countries in ascending order of their rank in the Human Develo…
Q112 · CDS 2024 In June 2024, India signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with USA for supp…
Q114 · CDS 2024 Which of the following statements is not correct ?…
Q115 · CDS 2024 ISRO, in its studies, has revealed that there is a 178% increase in the size of …
Q117 · CDS 2024 Which of the following movies won the 96th Academy Award 2024 in the Best Pictur…
Q118 · CDS 2024 India's first dedicated OPD for the Transgenders was opened at which one among t…
Show evidence — Environment & Ecology in CDS II 2024 (6 Qs)
Q24 · CDS 2024 Ozone hole is a region over :…
Q33 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following is not among the thematic areas of National Mission o…
Q75 · CDS 2024 Which of the following Ramsar Wetland sites is not situated in any of the Union …
Q80 · CDS 2024 As per India State of Forest Report 2021, which one of the following states is n…
Q93 · CDS 2024 Long-Term Low Emissions Development Strategy involves : 1. a transition from fos…
Q120 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following resolutions in the final agreement reached at COP28 i…
Show evidence — Defence & Military Studies in CDS II 2025 (5 Qs)
Q18 · CDS 2025 'Maitree' is a Joint Military Exercise between India and :…
Q106 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following statements about 'Nilgiri', 'Surat' and 'Vaghsheer' i…
Q111 · CDS 2025 Which one of the following military operations was not undertaken by India ?…
Q112 · CDS 2025 Which of the following statements are correct about 'Arnala', an Anti-Submarine …
Q116 · CDS 2025 Which of the following statements about India's military arsenal is/are correct …
Show evidence — Defence & Military Studies in CDS II 2024 (1 Qs)
Q119 · CDS 2024 Which one of the following statements about 'INS Tarmugli' is not correct ?…

Concept-level changes

Recurring — in both papers

InflationIndian NavyWave motionRound Table ConferenceCell biologyAtmospheric circulationRefraction

New this year

Human anatomyPakistanIndiaSalt SatyagrahaPeriodic Labour Force SurveyU-WIN ★Atmosphere composition ★South Asian Association for Regional CooperationArticle 371Asymmetric federalismReservationSeventh Schedule

Not tested this year

Plant physiologyPlant adaptationB. R. AmbedkarIndian RailwaysNet zero emissionsPlant nutritionBiomoleculesPlant anatomyPhotosynthesisColloids
★ = first appearance in the corpus. Not tested this year ≠ dropped — concepts often return. Click any concept for its full cross-exam history (your evidence). Tagging is provisional, so this layer is directional.

Cross-exam connections

Recurring concepts here that also travel across other UPSC exams — the same idea, reframed. Click any for its full timeline.
Round Table Conferenceallied → CSE
CDS 2017 → CSE 2017 → NDA 2022 → CISF 2022 → EPFO 2023 → CAPF 2024
Indian Navy
CSE 2005 → CDS 2014 → CAPF 2019 → CISF 2020 → NDA 2021 → ESE 2022 → LDCE 2023
Cell biology
CSE 1987 → CDS 2014 → GEO 2021 → NDA 2023 → CISF 2024
Refraction
CSE 1988 → CDS 2014 → CAPF 2017 → NDA 2020 → GEO 2021
Inflation
CSE 1979 → CDS 2014 → EPFO 2016 → CAPF 2019
Atmospheric circulation
CSE 2005 → CDS 2015 → CAPF 2019 → GEO 2023

Preparation takeaways

  • Science & Technology carried more weight this year (29→36); ensure it is not under-prepared. A single year is a noisy signal, so weigh it against earlier papers.
  • Polity & Governance was lighter this year (15→11); do not drop it — single-year dips frequently reverse.
Methodology & caveats
All figures are computed from CrispUPSC's verified PYQ corpus — no opinions, no predictions, no AI-written analysis. A single paper per year is a small, noisy sample, so a two-year difference is a change, not a trend; a subject is flagged as moved only when it shifts ≥3 questions and ≥3 percentage points. Concept tagging is provisional, so concept lists are directional. "Not tested this year" never means a concept was dropped. This page explains how UPSC has changed; it does not predict future papers.
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