UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO missile to feature at Republic Day parade

Q1. The Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM), unveiled at the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026, has been indigenously developed under the aegis of which one of the following organisations?

  • A. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • B. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • C. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)
  • D. Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL)

Q2. Which one of the following missile systems was unveiled for the FIRST time in public at the 77th Republic Day Parade 2026 as India's debut hypersonic anti-ship strike weapon?

  • A. BrahMos-II
  • B. Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM)
  • C. Shaurya
  • D. Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV)

Q3. With reference to the DRDO's tableau themed 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines' showcased at Bharat Parv 2026 (Red Fort), consider the following systems: 1. Integrated Combat Suite (ICS) 2. Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT) 3. Air Independent Propulsion 4. LR-AShM road-mobile launcher Which of the above were correctly displayed as part of this Bharat Parv tableau?

  1. Integrated Combat Suite (ICS)
  2. Wire Guided Heavy Weight Torpedo (WGHWT)
  3. Air Independent Propulsion
  4. LR-AShM road-mobile launcher
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) with the BrahMos missile currently in service: 1. Unlike the BrahMos, the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile that follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory. 2. The LR-AShM has a substantially longer operational range than the conventional BrahMos cruise missile. 3. Both the LR-AShM and BrahMos are powered solely by air-breathing ramjet engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the BrahMos, the LR-AShM is a hypersonic glide missile that follows a quasi-ballistic trajectory.
  2. The LR-AShM has a substantially longer operational range than the conventional BrahMos cruise missile.
  3. Both the LR-AShM and BrahMos are powered solely by air-breathing ramjet engines.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The solid propulsion rocket motor system that boosts the DRDO's Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) to hypersonic velocities consists of how many stages?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. Four