Q50. Who was appointed Chief of Defence Staff of India in September 2022?
[SSC CGL 2023, 27 Jul Shift 1]
(A) Manoj Mukund Naravane
(B) Dalbir Singh Suhag
(C) Anil Chauhan
(D) Manoj Pande
Answer: (C) Anil Chauhan
Explanation: Lieutenant General Anil Chauhan (retired) was appointed India’s Chief of Defence Staff in September 2022. The CDS is intended to improve integration among the armed services and provide high-level military advice on joint defence matters.
Q49. Consider:
1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout flight, whereas cruise missiles are rocket-powered only initially.
2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile and BrahMos an ICBM.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2023]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (D) Neither 1 nor 2
Explanation: The descriptions reverse missile propulsion and classification. Ballistic missiles follow primarily ballistic trajectories after powered boost, while cruise missiles sustain powered aerodynamic flight. Agni-V is a long-range ballistic missile; BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile.
Q48. With reference to Home Guards, consider:
1. They are raised under a Central Home Guards Act and Rules.
2. They act as auxiliary forces to police for internal security.
3. Some states have Border Wing Home Guards Battalions to counter infiltration.
How many statements are correct?
[UPSC CSE Prelims 2023]
(A) Only one
(B) Only two
(C) All three
(D) None
Answer: (B) Only two
Explanation: Home Guards are created through state and union-territory provisions rather than one uniform central Home Guards statute. They assist police and civil authorities. Border Wing Home Guards have also been organized in some border states, making the latter two statements correct.
Q47. Operation Meghdoot is associated with which region?
[MPTET Varg-2 Social Science, 11 May 2023]
(A) Ladakh generally
(B) Siachen
(C) Bengal
(D) Tawang
Answer: (B) Siachen
Explanation: Operation Meghdoot commenced in April 1984 to secure the Siachen Glacier region. Indian military forces occupied strategically important high-altitude positions in difficult conditions, giving the operation lasting importance in discussions of northern border security.
Q46. The Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School of the Indian Army is located at which place?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2023]
(A) Dehradun
(B) Vairengte
(C) Gulmarg
(D) Mhow
Answer: (B) Vairengte
Explanation: The Counter Insurgency and Jungle Warfare School is at Vairengte in Mizoram. It trains Indian and foreign personnel in jungle warfare, counter-insurgency tactics and operating in dense terrain, providing specialist preparation for deployments in difficult security environments.
Q45. The fourth joint military exercise DUSTLIK between the Indian Army and Uzbekistan Army was held at which location?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2023]
(A) Ranikhet
(B) Gangtok
(C) Pithoragarh
(D) Leh
Answer: (C) Pithoragarh
Explanation: The fourth DUSTLIK exercise took place at Pithoragarh in Uttarakhand. DUSTLIK strengthens Indian and Uzbek Army cooperation in tactical drills and counter-terrorism scenarios. The mountainous environment offers training conditions relevant to both participating militaries.
Q44. About Exercise Sea Vigil-22:
1. It assessed maritime security and coastal defence preparedness.
2. US and Japanese naval forces also participated.
Which statements are correct?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2023]
(A) 1 only
(B) 2 only
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) 1 only
Explanation: Sea Vigil is an Indian national-level coastal defence exercise involving domestic maritime and security agencies. It evaluates coordination, surveillance, response and coastal protection. It was not a trilateral international naval exercise with US and Japanese naval forces.
Q43. India’s short-range ballistic missile Prithvi-II was successfully test-fired from which location?
[SSC CHSL 2022, held 15 Mar 2023]
(A) Rutland Island, Andaman
(B) Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh
(C) Chandipur, Odisha
(D) Machilipatnam, Andhra Pradesh
Answer: (C) Chandipur, Odisha
Explanation: The test took place at the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur on the Odisha coast. Prithvi-II is an indigenously developed short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, associated with India’s early Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
Q42. Which organisation successfully tested the VSHORADS missile in September 2022?
[SSC CHSL 2022, held 13 Mar 2023]
(A) DRDO
(B) Earth System Science Organisation
(C) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(D) Forest Survey of India
Answer: (A) DRDO
Explanation: The Defence Research and Development Organisation conducted flight tests of VSHORADS, a man-portable very-short-range air defence system. Its development involves specialised DRDO facilities and supports indigenous capability against low-altitude aerial threats.
Q41. Which is an Indian surface-to-surface missile among these options?
[SSC CHSL 2022, held 20 Mar 2023]
(A) Javelin
(B) AIM-120 AMRAAM
(C) Spike
(D) Agni-V
Answer: (D) Agni-V
Explanation: Agni-V is an Indian long-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Javelin and Spike are anti-tank missile systems, while AMRAAM is principally an air-to-air missile. The question tests differences in launch platforms and target roles.
