Q30. On which date is National Disaster Response Force Raising Day observed?
[SSC CGL 2020, held 18 Aug 2021 Shift 3]
(A) 21 September
(B) 23 October
(C) 19 January
(D) 6 March
Answer: (C) 19 January
Explanation: NDRF Raising Day is observed on 19 January, reflecting the force’s establishment in 2006. NDRF is India’s specialised response organisation for major disasters, with trained units deployed for rescue, evacuation and relief during emergencies.
Q29. Which best describes the scope of Exercise Kavach?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2021]
(A) Indian Army only
(B) Indian Army and Navy only
(C) Army, Navy and Air Force only
(D) Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard
Answer: (D) Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard
Explanation: Exercise Kavach is a joint military exercise combining the Army, Navy, Air Force and Indian Coast Guard. It is associated with the Andaman and Nicobar Command and tests integrated responses, interoperability and defence of strategically important island territories.
Q28. Exercise Desert Knight-21 was held between the Indian Air Force and the air force of which country?
[UPSC NDA & NA I 2021]
(A) USA
(B) France
(C) Britain
(D) Israel
Answer: (B) France
Explanation: Desert Knight-21 was a bilateral air exercise between India and France. Fighter aircraft and supporting platforms practiced joint air operations, contributing to familiarization with each other’s procedures and stronger defence cooperation between the two air forces.
Q27. National Technology Day in India commemorates which event?
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 1 Apr 2021 Shift 1]
(A) Operation Blue Star
(B) Pokhran-II
(C) Mangalyaan
(D) Operation Meghdoot
Answer: (B) Pokhran-II
Explanation: National Technology Day is observed on 11 May to remember the 1998 Pokhran-II nuclear tests and other technological achievements. Pokhran-II was conducted under Operation Shakti and was a major event in India’s strategic defence history.
Q26. Who was appointed chief of CISF in January 2021?
[SSC CHSL 2020, held 19 Apr 2021 Shift 2]
(A) Rajat Datta
(B) Kumar Rajesh Chandra
(C) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
(D) Pankaj Kumar Singh
Answer: (C) Subodh Kumar Jaiswal
Explanation: Subodh Kumar Jaiswal was appointed Director General of the Central Industrial Security Force in January 2021. CISF provides security at airports and critical industrial and infrastructure installations and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Q25. The Indian Navy signed an MoU with IIT _____ for research in underwater naval electronic systems.
[RRB NTPC CBT-I, 27 Mar 2021 Shift 1]
(A) Kanpur
(B) Mumbai
(C) Delhi
(D) Chennai
Answer: (C) Delhi
Explanation: IIT Delhi collaborated with the Indian Navy on research related to underwater naval electronics. Such partnerships bring academic expertise into sonar, signal processing and related maritime technologies relevant to the Navy’s future research and operational needs.
Q24. Which country hosted Army Exercise TSENTR-2019?
[UPSC NDA & NA 2020]
(A) Russia
(B) China
(C) Kazakhstan
(D) Kyrgyzstan
Answer: (A) Russia
Explanation: TSENTR-2019 was hosted by Russia as a major strategic military exercise with international participation, including an Indian contingent. It focused on large-scale military coordination and counter-terrorist scenarios in a multinational training setting.
Q23. Naseem-Al-Bahr is a bilateral naval exercise between India and which country?
[UPSC NDA & NA 2020]
(A) United Arab Emirates
(B) Iran
(C) Saudi Arabia
(D) Oman
Answer: (D) Oman
Explanation: Naseem-Al-Bahr, meaning Sea Breeze, is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy of Oman. It fosters operational coordination, naval communication and mutual familiarity during maritime training between the two countries.
Q22. MILAN, the planned multilateral naval exercise of 2020, was to be hosted by which city?
[UPSC NDA & NA 2020]
(A) Port Blair
(B) Kochi
(C) Visakhapatnam
(D) Panaji
Answer: (C) Visakhapatnam
Explanation: Visakhapatnam was selected to host MILAN 2020, although the event was postponed because of the COVID-19 pandemic. MILAN is an Indian Navy initiative that brings together friendly navies to build maritime cooperation and professional links.
Q21. Which Army officer took charge as Chief of Army Staff on 31 December 2019?
[SSC CGL, 4 Mar 2020 Shift 1]
(A) Ravendra Pal Singh
(B) Bipin Rawat
(C) Manoj Mukund Naravane
(D) Anil Chauhan
Answer: (C) Manoj Mukund Naravane
Explanation: General Manoj Mukund Naravane became Chief of Army Staff on 31 December 2019, succeeding General Bipin Rawat. The Chief of Army Staff is the professional head of the Indian Army and oversees its readiness and operational leadership.
