Prelims Previous Year Questions
Q.1) With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2014)
- It is a surface-to-surface missile.
- It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
- It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A. 1 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Explanation:
- Agni-IV Missile is a surface-to-surface missile.
- Agni-IV is solid-fueled, not liquid-fueled.
- It is capable of delivering one-tonne nuclear warheads to a distance of about 4000 km, not 7500 km.
Q.2) Survey of India is under the Ministry of: (UPSC 2023)
A. Defence
B. Environment and Forests
C. Home Affairs
D. Science and Technology
Answer: D
Explanation:
- The Survey of India (SoI), established in 1767, is the national survey and mapping organization of India. It functions as an office under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. SoI is responsible for topographical mapping, geospatial data generation, cartographic services, and providing support for national development projects.
Q.3) From which one of the following countries has India procured the S-400 Triumf air defence missile system? (CDS-II 2023)
A. United Kingdom
B. U.S.A.
C. France
D. Russia
Answer: D
Explanation:
- The S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is one of the world’s most advanced long-range surface-to-air missile (SAM) defence systems, developed by Russia’s Almaz Central Design Bureau.
- India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for the procurement of five regiments of S-400 systems under the Indo-Russian defence cooperation.
- It can engage aircraft, UAVs, ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles up to 400 km range and 30 km altitude.
- Despite U.S. pressure under the CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act), India went ahead with the procurement, citing its critical defence needs.
CAATSA (Countering America’s Adversaries Through Sanctions Act) · Meaning: A US law threatening sanctions on countries that buy major defence equipment from Russia, Iran, or North Korea. · India risked US sanctions when buying Russia’s S-400 missile system. |
Q.4) GRSE, BDL and MIDHANI are acronyms of: (CAPF 2015)
A. Chemicals used for making rockets
B. Ammunition used in tanks
C. Communication satellites
D. Defence Public Sector Undertakings
Answer: D
Explanation:
- GRSE – Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (Kolkata): Specialises in building naval warships, frigates, and patrol vessels.
- BDL – Bharat Dynamics Ltd. (Hyderabad): Manufactures guided missiles and allied defence equipment like anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs).
- MIDHANI – Mishra Dhatu Nigam Ltd. (Hyderabad): Produces special metals, superalloys, and materials critical for defence, space, and atomic energy sectors.
- All three are Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
Q.5) Which one of the following is an indigenous assault rifle developed by DRDO? (CDS-I 2024):
A. Heckler
B. T91
C. Tikka
D. Ugram
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Ugram Assault Rifle is an indigenous 7.62 x 51 mm calibre rifle developed by DRDO’s Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) in collaboration with a private industry partner.
- Designed as a replacement for ageing INSAS rifles, Ugram offers higher lethality, accuracy, and modular features for the Indian Armed Forces.
- It competes with foreign assault rifles like SIG Sauer (USA) and AK-203 (Russia) for induction into Indian forces.
- The word ‘Ugram’ means fierce in Sanskrit, symbolising its battlefield strength.
Q.6) “Mission Shakti” (DRDO) is the name given by India to: (CAPF 2024):
A. Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile
B. Air-to-Air Missile
C. Anti-Satellite Missile
D. Nuclear-Powered Attack Submarine
Answer: C
Explanation:
- Mission Shakti was India’s first Anti-Satellite (ASAT) missile test, conducted on 27th March 2019.
- A modified Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) interceptor missile successfully destroyed a live satellite in Low Earth Orbit (LEO), about 300 km altitude.
- With this, India became the 4th country after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate ASAT capability.
- The mission showcased India’s strength in space security and strategic deterrence.
ASAT (Anti-Satellite Weapon / Mission Shakti) · Meaning: A missile designed to destroy satellites in orbit. India demonstrated this in 2019. |
Q.7) Mission Shakti (DRDO) of India is related to which one among the following? (CDS-II 2024):
A. Launch of multiple satellites using a single rocket
B. Launch of heavy satellites
C. Use of high-power rockets in launching of satellites
D. Use of rocket to destroy an orbiting satellite
Answer: D
Explanation:
- Mission Shakti was not related to satellite launching but to destroying a satellite in orbit.
- It was a demonstration of kinetic kill technology where a missile directly collides with a satellite to destroy it.
- India conducted this to safeguard its national security, communications, and space assets in case of any adversary threat.
- The operation was carried out by DRDO and ISRO jointly, showing India’s advancement in space warfare technologies.
