UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Air Force chief calls for timely delivery of combat aircraft
Q1. With reference to the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, which one of the following is the nodal design agency for the programme?
- A. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
- B. Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
- C. Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS)
- D. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
Q2. How many LCA Tejas Mk-1A fighter aircraft did the Government of India contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) under the ₹48,000 crore deal signed in 2021?
Q3. The Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), which inaugurated the 'Aeronautics 2047' seminar in 2026 to mark 25 years of LCA Tejas flight, exclusively functions under which one of the following?
- A. Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
- B. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Ministry of Defence
- C. Department of Space, under the Prime Minister
- D. Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Ministry of Civil Aviation
Q4. With reference to the LCA Tejas Mk-1A in comparison with the baseline LCA Tejas Mk-1, consider the following statements:
1. The LCA Tejas Mk-1A, like the Mk-1, is powered by the indigenous Kaveri engine developed by GTRE.
2. The first Mk-1A delivery to the IAF, originally scheduled to commence from February 2024 under the 2021 contract, has been delayed.
3. In September 2025, the Government approved an additional procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft over and above the 83 already contracted in 2021.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The LCA Tejas Mk-1A, like the Mk-1, is powered by the indigenous Kaveri engine developed by GTRE.
- The first Mk-1A delivery to the IAF, originally scheduled to commence from February 2024 under the 2021 contract, has been delayed.
- In September 2025, the Government approved an additional procurement of 97 Tejas Mk-1A aircraft over and above the 83 already contracted in 2021.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3