UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 20: Defence Technology and Indigenisation (27 MCQs)

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UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 20: Defence Technology and Indigenisation (27 MCQs) – 26 questions, subject: Science & Technology. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

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1.  

DRDO was formed in:

Correct Answer: A [1958]

Explanation:

DRDO was formed in 1958 by merging defence science units, and now works through a network of laboratories.

2.  

Which missile was NOT part of the original IGMDP?

Correct Answer: C [BrahMos]

Explanation:

an India–Russia joint venture.

3.  

Nag is a:

Correct Answer: D [anti-tank missile]

Explanation:

Nag is DRDO's third-generation anti-tank guided missile, one of the five IGMDP missiles.

4.  

A weapon is called hypersonic when it flies faster than:

Correct Answer: A [Mach 5]

Explanation:

Hypersonic means faster than five times the speed of sound, that is, above Mach 5.

5.  

Mission Divyastra (2024) tested Agni-V with:

Correct Answer: C [multiple independently targetable re-entry vehicles]

Explanation:

Mission Divyastra (March 2024) was the first Agni-V flight test with MIRV technology – several warheads, separate targets.

6.  

India's anti-satellite test, Mission Shakti, was conducted in:

Correct Answer: B [2019]

Explanation:

27 March 2019.

7.  

India's first indigenous aircraft carrier is:

Correct Answer: A [INS Vikrant]

Explanation:

commissioned 2022.

8.  

The Kalvari-class submarines were built under:

Correct Answer: D [Project-75]

Explanation:

Project-75 built six Kalvari-class (Scorpène) submarines at Mazagon Dock with French technology transfer.

9.  

India's own fifth-generation fighter project is the:

Correct Answer: B [Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA)]

Explanation:

The AMCA, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency, is India's fifth-generation stealth fighter, cleared in 2024.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. Fixed-wing UAVs cannot hover.
2. Large UAVs often use fuel engines rather than batteries.
3. All UAVs need a runway to take off.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1 and 2 only]

Explanation:

Statements 1 and 2 are true; statement 3 fails because multirotor UAVs take off vertically without runways.

11.  

Assertion (A): Hypersonic missiles are hard to intercept.

Reason (R): They fly faster than Mach 5 and can manoeuvre during flight.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

Speed above Mach 5 plus in-flight manoeuvre leaves defences little warning time, so R explains A.

12.  

India's two defence industrial corridors are in:

Correct Answer: C [Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu]

Explanation:

The two defence industrial corridors announced in 2018 are in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.

13.  

The scheme that funds start-ups to solve defence problems is:

Correct Answer: D [iDEX]

Explanation:

iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence, 2018) funds start-ups and small firms to solve defence problems.

14.  

Under DAP 2020 the top-priority buying category is:

Correct Answer: B [Buy (Indian-IDDM)]

Explanation:

DAP 2020 gives top priority to Buy (Indian-IDDM) – indigenously designed, developed and manufactured equipment.

15.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Launch of the IGMDP
2. Formation of DRDO
3. Mission Shakti
4. Commissioning of INS Vikrant

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [2-1-3-4]

Explanation:

1958, 1983, 2019, 2022.

16.  

The first positive indigenisation list, naming defence items that may be bought only from Indian makers after set dates, was issued in:

Correct Answer: D [2020]

Explanation:

The first positive indigenisation list, of 101 items, was issued in August 2020 under the Atmanirbhar Bharat push.

17.  

The phase in which a ballistic missile's rocket stages burn is the:

Correct Answer: D [boost phase]

Explanation:

In the boost phase the rocket stages burn and push the missile upward before separating.

18.  

India's nuclear doctrine of 2003 is based on:

Correct Answer: B [no first use and credible minimum deterrence]

Explanation:

India's 2003 nuclear doctrine rests on credible minimum deterrence and no first use.

19.  

The Arjun main battle tank was designed by:

Correct Answer: D [CVRDE, Avadi]

Explanation:

The Arjun tank was designed by DRDO's Combat Vehicles Research and Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi.

20.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

With reference to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), consider the following statements:

I. All types of UAVs can do vertical Landing.

II. All types of UAVs can do automated hovering.

III. All types of UAVs can use battery only as a source of power supply.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

Correct Answer: D [None]

Explanation:

fixed-wing UAVs cannot hover or land vertically; large UAVs use fuel.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2025

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?

Correct Answer: B [These are explosives in military weapons]

Explanation:

CL-20, HMX and LLM-105 are high-energy explosives used in military warheads and munitions.

22.  
UPSC Prelims 2024

Consider the following aircraft:

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

How many of the above are considered fifth Generation fighter aircraft?

Correct Answer: D [None]

Explanation:

Rafale and Tejas Mk-1 are 4.5-generation and MiG-29 fourth-generation, so none is fifth-generation.

23.  
UPSC Prelims 2023

Consider the following statements:

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?

Correct Answer: D [Neither 1 nor 2]

Explanation:

Both statements reverse the facts: ballistic missiles are rocket-powered, and Agni-V is ballistic while BrahMos is cruise.

24.  
UPSC Prelims 2016

Which one of the following is the best description of 'INS Astradharini', that was in the news recently?

Correct Answer: C [Torpedo launch and recovery vessel]

Explanation:

INS Astradharini, commissioned in 2015, is an indigenously designed vessel for launching and recovering trial torpedoes.

25.  
UPSC Prelims 2016

What is 'Greased Lightning-10 (GL-10)', recently in the news?

Correct Answer: A [Electric plane tested by NASA]

Explanation:

GL-10 Greased Lightning was NASA's battery-electric, ten-engine vertical take-off and landing aircraft prototype.

26.  
UPSC Prelims 2014

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

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:

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface missile, but it is solid-fuelled with about 4,000 km range.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U17 · Science and Technology (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-science-technology

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