10A) Defence (Prelims PYQs)

Last Updated on November 5, 2025 by Admin

2025 Prelims PYQs

1] What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in media? [2025/A-46]

a)These are alternatives to hydro-fluorocarbon refrigerants
b) These are explosives in military weapons
c) These are high-energy fuels for cruise missiles
d) These are fuels for rocket propulsion

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Ans: b) These are explosives in military weapons

2] With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs: [2025/A-84]

Aircraft type – Description
I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft
II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft
III. C-17 Globemaster  : Military transport aircraft
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All the three
d) None

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Ans: b) Only two

2024 Prelims PYQs

1] Consider the following aircraft: [2024]

1. Rafael
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas MK-I

How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None

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Ans: d) None

2] Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces? [2024]
     Army – Airforce – Navy
1. Brigadier- Air Commodore – Commander
2. Major General – Air Vice Marshal – Vice Admiral
3. Major – Squadron Leader – Lieutenant Commander
4. Lieutenant Colonel – Group Captain – Captain

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 4
b) 1 and 3
c) 2, 3 and 4
d) 3 only

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Ans: d) 3 only

3] What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs? [2024]

1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee
2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs
3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1 and 2 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1 and 3 only

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Ans: d)1 and 3 only

4] Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called: [2024]

a) Operation Sankalp
b) Operation Maitri
c) Operation Sadbhavana
d) Operation Madad

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Ans: c) Operation Sadbhavana

5] Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct? [2024]

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:
a) 1, 2 and 3
b) 1, 2 and 4
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 2, 3 and 4

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Ans: d) 2, 3 and 4

2023 Prelims PYQs

1] Consider the following statements: [2023]

1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Ans: d) Neither 1 nor 2

2018 Prelims PYQs

1] What is “Terminal High Altitude Area Defence (THAAD)”,sometimes seen in the news? [2018]

a) An Israeli Radar System
b) India’s indigenous anti-missile programme
c) An American anti-missile system
d) A defence collaboration between Japan and South Korea

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Ans: c) An American anti-missile system

2014 Prelims PYQs

1] With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? [2014]

1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. 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

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Ans: a) 1 only

2010-1995 Prelims PYQs

1] In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: [2009]

1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.
2 The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km,

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
a) 1 only                             b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2                 d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Ans: d) Neither 1 nor 2

2] Consider the following statements: [2009]

1. INS Sindhughosh is an aircraft carrier.
2. INS Viraat is a submarine.

Which of the statements given above is/ are correct?
a) 1 only                             b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2                 d) Neither 1 nor 2.

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Ans: d) Neither 1 nor 2.

3] In the context of the Indian defence, what is ‘Dhruv’? [2008]

a) Aircraft-carrying warship
b) Missile-carrying Submarine
c) Advanced light helicopter
d) Intercontinental ballistic missile

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Ans: c) Advanced light helicopter

4] Hand–in-Hand 2007, a joint anti-terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of Army of which one of the following countries? [2008]

a) China               b) Japan
c) Russia              d) USA

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Ans: a) China

5] From which one of the following did India buy the Barak anti-missile defence systems? [2008]

a) Israel               b) France
c) Russia              d) USA

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Ans: a) Israel   

6] Consider the following statements: [2007]

1. In November, 2006, DRDO successfully conducted the interception test using Prithvi-II missile.
2. Prithvi-II is a surface-to-surface missile and can be deployed to guard the metros against air attacks.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct
a) 1 only                             b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2                 d) Neither 1 nor 2

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Ans: c) Both 1 and 2 

7] Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched? [2005]

a) Arjun: Indigenously produced Main Battle Tank (MBT)
b) Phalcon: Cruise missile supplied by Russia to India
c) Saras: Indigenously developed civilian passenger aircraft
d) Operation Seabird: New Indian Naval Base at Karwar

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Ans: b) Phalcon: Cruise missile supplied by Russia to India

8] Which pairs is not correctly matched? [2005]

a) South Air Command: Thiruvananthapuram
b) Eastern Naval Command: Visakhapatnam
c) Armoured Corps Centre and School: Jabalpur
d) Army Medical Corps Centre and School: Lucknow

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Ans: c) Armoured Corps Centre and School: Jabalpur

9] INS Trishul acquired by the Indian Navy in 2003 has been built by: [2004]

a) Israel                              b) USA
c) Russia                             d) France

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Ans: c) Russia 

10] With reference to Indian defence, which one of the following statements is not correct? [2003]

a) With the induction of Prithvi II, the IAF is the only airforce in the world with surface-to-surface ballistic missiles under its command
b) Sukhoi-30 MKI jet fighters can launch air-to-air and air-to-surface precision missiles
c) Trishul is a supersonic surface to-air missile-vith a range of 30 km
d) The indigenously built INS Prabal can launch surface-to-surface missiles

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Ans: c) Trishul is a supersonic surface to-air missile-vith a range of 30 km
* (answer have changed with time) refer explanation for more details

11] The range of Agni-II missile is around: [2001]

a) 500 km            b) 2000 km
c) 3500 km          d) 5000 km

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Ans: b) 2000 km

12] Which one of the following is a modern tank? [1996]

a) Bhim                b) Akash
c) Arjun                d) Prithvi

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Ans: c) Arjun   

13] Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently? [2016]

a) Amphibious warfare ship
b) Nuclear-powered submarine
c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
d) Nuclear-powered aircraft carrier

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Ans: c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel

14] Consider the following statements regarding the Armed Forces: [2001]

I. First batch of women pilots was commissioned in Indian Air Force in 1996.
II. Officers’ Training Academy is located in Nagpur.
III. Southern Command of Indian Navy has its Headquarters at Chennai.
IV. One of the Regional Headquarters of Coast Guard is located at Port Blair.

Which of these statements are correct?
a) I, II, III and IV                 b) II, III and IV
c) III only                            d) IV only

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Ans: d) IV only