UPSC Prelims Defence & Security previous year questions from 2024, with answers and explanations.
2024Multi-statement (How Many Style)Defense Systems & Aerospace
Consider the following aircraft:
1. Rafale
2. MiG-29
3. Tejas MK-1
How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?
A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None of the above
Explanation: * (d) None is correct: None of the listed aircraft are classified as fifth-generation fighter jets. Fifth-generation fighters are characterized by advanced all-aspect radar stealth, internal weapons bays, and sensor fusion. * Item 1 (Rafale) is classified as a generation 4.5 multirole jet fighter. * Item 2 (MiG-29) is a generation 4 air-superiority jet designed by the Soviet Union. * Item 3 (Tejas MK-1/1A) is an indigenously manufactured Indian light combat aircraft categorized as a generation 4+ fighter.
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2024Pairs/Matching (How Many Style)Defense Institutional Structure
How many correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces?
1. Army: Brigadier | Airforce: Air Commodore | Navy: Commander
2. Army: Major General | Airforce: Air Vice Marshal | Navy: Vice Admiral
3. Army: Major | Airforce: Squadron Leader | Navy: Lieutenant Commander
4. Army: Lieutenant Colonel | Airforce: Group Captain | Navy: Captain
A.One
B.Two
C.Three
D.Four
Explanation: * Row 1 is incorrect: The equivalent rank for Brigadier (Army) and Air Commodore (Air Force) is Commodore in the Navy (not Commander). * Row 2 is incorrect: The equivalent rank for Major General (Army) and Air Vice Marshal (Air Force) is Rear Admiral in the Navy (Vice Admiral is higher). * Row 3 is correctly matched: The rank of Major in the Army corresponds perfectly to Squadron Leader in the Air Force and Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. * Row 4 is incorrect: The rank of Lieutenant Colonel matches with Wing Commander (Air Force) and Commander (Navy). Captain in the Navy corresponds to Colonel in the Army. * Therefore, only Row 3 is correctly matched.
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2024Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Defense Institutional Structure
What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs?
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
A.1, 2 and 3
B.1 and 2 only
C.2 and 3 only
D.1 and 3 only
Explanation: * Duty 1 is correct: The CDS acts as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee. * Duty 2 is incorrect: The Chief of Defence Staff acts as a coordinator and administrator for tri-service operations but does not exercise operational military command over the three individual Service Chiefs. * Duty 3 is correct: The CDS serves as the Principal Military Advisor to the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister) on all tri-service matters.
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2024Direct Conceptual / Factual MCQStrategic Operations & Missions
Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called:
A.Operation Sankalp
B.Operation Maitri
C.Operation Sadbhavana
D.Operation Madad
Explanation: * (c) Operation Sadbhavana is correct: This is a flagship welfare and civic-action initiative of the Indian Army launched in remote regions like the Union Territory of Ladakh. The operation funds and runs educational systems like the Army Goodwill Schools, supports women empowerment through vocational/skill training centers, organizes national integration tours, and funds local public health and ecological projects.
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2024Current AffairsMulti-statement (Traditional Style)Joint Bilateral Exercises
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct?
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.
A.1, 2 and 3
B.1, 2 and 4
C.1, 3 and 4
D.2, 3 and 4
Explanation: * Statement 1 is incorrect: Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 was the ninth edition of a joint bilateral military exercise conducted between India and Sri Lanka, not Bangladesh. * Statement 2 is correct: The 2023 joint training edition commenced at the military station in Aundh, Pune. * Statement 3 is correct: A primary tactical goal of the exercise was to jointly rehearse and coordinate sub-conventional tactical responses during counter-terrorist operations under the UN Charter. * Statement 4 is correct: The exercise featured active dynamic tactical inputs from air force units, incorporating 15 personnel from the Indian Air Force and 5 from the Sri Lankan Air Force.
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