The General Knowledge (GK) section in the CDS (Combined Defence Services) Examination plays a crucial role in determining your overall score. Among all the areas in GK, current affairs hold special importance because UPSC tests your awareness of recent events, defense updates, government schemes, and international developments.
For the CDS I 2026 Exam (April attempt), aspirants must stay updated with at least 12 months of current affairs (April 2025 – April 2026). This article will guide you through the most important current affairs topics for CDS I 2026, along with preparation tips, resources, and why Victor Growth can be your best companion in this journey.
Why Current Affairs Matter in CDS Exam?
Around 15–20 questions in the GK section directly come from current affairs.
Questions cover a mix of defense exercises, awards, appointments, government policies, sports, international relations, and science-tech advancements.
Staying updated helps you not only in written exams but also in the SSB interview, where awareness about national and international issues is often tested.
Top Current Affairs Topics for CDS I 2026 Aspirants
1. Defense Exercises and Military Developments
Bilateral and multilateral exercises (e.g., Yudh Abhyas, Malabar, Indra, Garuda Shakti, Milan).
New defense acquisitions (fighter jets, submarines, missiles).
Developments by DRDO, ISRO, HAL, and BEL.
Appointments of new chiefs in Army, Navy, and Air Force.
👉 Why important? CDS exam emphasizes defense-oriented current affairs, and many questions are framed around them.
2. Government Schemes and Policies
Schemes related to defense, education, agriculture, digital economy, and employment.
Budget announcements and key highlights of the Union Budget 2026.
Initiatives like Atmanirbhar Bharat, Make in India (defense sector), and Digital India.
👉 Focus on launch year, ministry, objectives, and beneficiaries.
3. International Relations & Summits
India’s role in UN, BRICS, G20, SCO, QUAD, ASEAN.
Important agreements, MoUs, and defense partnerships.
India’s relations with neighbors (China, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh).
Visits of world leaders to India or Indian leaders abroad.
4. Science & Technology Developments
Space Missions: ISRO’s Chandrayaan, Gaganyaan, Aditya-L1, or new launches.
Nuclear, AI, Cybersecurity, and Robotics advancements.
Biotechnology, climate change, and renewable energy initiatives.
👉 Science and Tech-related current affairs are often repeated in UPSC exams.
5. National Events and Appointments
New Governors, Chief Justices, Service Chiefs, and Cabinet Ministers.
Awards like Padma Awards, Bharat Ratna, Gallantry Awards.
Major Supreme Court verdicts and constitutional changes.
6. Sports and Important Tournaments
Olympics, Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, Cricket World Cup, Hockey World Cup.
Indian sports personalities winning international recognition.
National sports awards like Arjuna Award, Khel Ratna.
7. Environment & Climate Change
COP summits, global climate agreements, and India’s climate initiatives.
Natural disasters in India and disaster management updates.
New wildlife sanctuaries, Ramsar sites, and biodiversity hotspots.
8. Economy & Reports
RBI monetary policies, repo rate changes.
Reports by World Bank, IMF, UNDP, NITI Aayog.
Indian GDP growth, inflation, unemployment, and trade deals.
Preparation Strategy for Current Affairs – CDS I 2026
Daily Newspaper Reading – The Hindu or Indian Express.
Monthly Current Affairs Magazines – Pratiyogita Darpan, Civil Services Chronicle.
Government Sources – PIB, PRS India, Ministry websites.
Victor Growth Current Affairs Capsules – Specially designed CDS-focused monthly notes with defense and military highlights.
Revision – Keep short notes for last-minute revision.
Month-Wise Coverage (April 2025 – April 2026)
April – July 2025: Start with basics of defense news, appointments, and national events.
August – December 2025: Focus on international summits, economy reports, and science-tech.
January – April 2026: Revise all major events, defense exercises, and budget updates.
👉 Victor Growth provides a structured month-wise current affairs schedule to help you stay consistent and exam-ready.
Why Choose Victor Growth for CDS Current Affairs?
CDS-Specific Current Affairs Capsules – Targeted notes covering only what matters for CDS.
Defence-Oriented GK Coverage – Military exercises, acquisitions, and ranks made easy.
Mock Tests on Current Affairs – Practice with expected questions.
Expert Mentorship – Guidance on how to write and recall key points.
With Victor Growth, aspirants save time and prepare smartly with curated study materials.
FAQs on Current Affairs for CDS I 2026
Q1. How many months of current affairs are required for CDS I 2026?
At least 12 months (April 2025 – April 2026) should be covered thoroughly.
Q2. What is the most important area in current affairs for CDS?
Defense exercises, appointments, government schemes, and international summits are the most important.
Q3. Which is the best source for CDS current affairs?
Newspapers like The Hindu, government websites, and Victor Growth’s monthly capsules are the best.
Q4. Do questions repeat in CDS current affairs?
Yes, many defense-related questions and awards have been repeated over the years.
Q5. Can I prepare current affairs without coaching?
Yes, but structured coaching from Victor Growth ensures that you don’t waste time on irrelevant topics and focus only on CDS-specific content.
✅ Conclusion:
To crack the GK section of CDS I 2026, staying updated with defense news, government policies, international affairs, and science-tech advancements is essential. With consistent preparation and Victor Growth’s expert guidance, you can master current affairs and boost your chances of success in the exam.
