Q40. Who was the architect of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme in India?
[SSC CHSL 2022, held 10 Mar 2023]
(A) Har Gobind Khorana
(B) Vikram Sarabhai
(C) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(D) Homi J. Bhabha
Answer: (C) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
Explanation: Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam led India’s Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. Its major missile families included Prithvi, Agni, Akash, Trishul and Nag. The programme sought technological self-reliance in several types of guided missile systems.
Q39. Who was appointed Chairman of DRDO in August 2022?
[SSC CGL 2022, 5 Dec Shift 4]
(A) Rajiv Bahl
(B) Anil Chauhan
(C) Samir V. Kamat
(D) Ranjit Rath
Answer: (C) Samir V. Kamat
Explanation: Dr Samir V. Kamat became Chairman of DRDO in August 2022. His scientific background includes materials development used in defence systems. The chairman coordinates national defence research and reports through the Department of Defence Research and Development.
Q38. In India’s defence context, the terms “Surat” and “Udaygiri” refer to which of the following?
[UPSC NDA & NA II 2022]
(A) Coast Guard patrol boats
(B) Cargo helicopters
(C) Maritime patrol aircraft
(D) Warships
Answer: (D) Warships
Explanation: Surat and Udaygiri refer to Indian Navy warships. INS Surat is associated with the Project 15B destroyer class, while Udaygiri is associated with Project 17A stealth frigates. Both reflect indigenous naval shipbuilding capabilities.
Q37. Which two Indian Navy ships were decommissioned in June 2022?
[UPSC NDA & NA II 2022]
(A) INS Ganga and INS Nipat
(B) INS Nishank and INS Akshay
(C) INS Khukri and INS Sandhayak
(D) INS Gomati and INS Ranjit
Answer: (B) INS Nishank and INS Akshay
Explanation: INS Nishank and INS Akshay were decommissioned together at Mumbai in June 2022 after long service. They were part of India’s coastal and offensive naval capabilities. Such decommissionings mark fleet modernization and replacement by newer platforms.
Q36. India signed a contract with which country for the Indian Navy’s MH-60R helicopters?
[UPSC NDA & NA II 2022]
(A) Israel
(B) France
(C) Russia
(D) USA
Answer: (D) USA
Explanation: India obtained MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters from the United States. These helicopters are designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface missions as well as surveillance and search and rescue, enhancing carrier and surface-vessel naval aviation.
Q35. Which is the oldest Central Paramilitary Force in India?
[UPSC CAPF AC 2022, 7 Aug]
(A) Central Reserve Police Force
(B) Border Security Force
(C) Assam Rifles
(D) Commando Battalion for Resolute Action
Answer: (C) Assam Rifles
Explanation: Assam Rifles traces its origin to Cachar Levy, established in 1835. It is regarded as India’s oldest paramilitary force, and its roles include border duties in the Northeast and operations that support internal security.
Q34. India’s first export customer for BrahMos missiles was which country?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2022]
(A) Bhutan
(B) Philippines
(C) Maldives
(D) Nepal
Answer: (B) Philippines
Explanation: The Philippines became the first overseas customer for the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile under a defence procurement agreement. The purchase strengthened coastal defence cooperation and marked a significant milestone for India’s defence exports.
Q33. The first India–European Union Naval Force (IN-EUNAVFOR) exercise in 2021 took place in which area?
[UPSC NDA & NA II 2021]
(A) Gulf of Mannar
(B) Gulf of Aden
(C) Gulf of Khambhat
(D) Gulf of Aqaba
Answer: (B) Gulf of Aden
Explanation: The maiden India–EU Naval Force exercise took place in the Gulf of Aden, a strategically important area for maritime trade and anti-piracy cooperation. The exercise improved communication and coordinated operations between Indian and European naval vessels.
Q32. In February 2021, the Indian Defence Ministry awarded the contract to manufacture 83 Tejas Light Combat Aircraft to which organisation?
[SSC CGL 2020, held 16 Aug 2021 Shift 2]
(A) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
(B) Bharat Dynamics Limited
(C) DRDO
(D) Bharat Electronics Limited
Answer: (A) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
Explanation: Hindustan Aeronautics Limited received the order to manufacture 83 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft for the Indian Air Force. HAL is the principal aircraft manufacturer, while specialised agencies and suppliers contribute technology and subsystems.
Q31. DRDO developed the indigenous machine pistol “ASMI” with which institution?
[SSC CHSL 2020, held 5 Aug 2021 Shift 2]
(A) College of Military Engineering, Pune
(B) Central Ordnance Depot, Jabalpur
(C) Army War College, Mhow
(D) Infantry School, Mhow
Answer: (D) Infantry School, Mhow
Explanation: DRDO developed the ASMI machine pistol in cooperation with Infantry School, Mhow. The 9-mm weapon was an Indian small-arms innovation and demonstrated collaboration between service users and domestic defence design laboratories.
