UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — France backs ‘Make in India’ in defence, signals new model for Rafale deal

Q1. With reference to the 114-aircraft Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) / Rafale acquisition programme, which one of the following is the apex Indian body that accorded Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for the programme in February 2026?

  • A. Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
  • B. Defence Acquisition Council (DAC)
  • C. Defence Planning Committee (DPC)
  • D. Defence Procurement Board (DPB)

Q2. In the context of Indian defence procurement reported in connection with the 114-Rafale MRFA programme, the term 'Acceptance of Necessity (AoN)' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The Cabinet Committee on Security's final financial sanction releasing funds for a procurement programme
  • B. The first-stage in-principle approval that recognises the operational requirement and assigns a procurement category under the Defence Acquisition Procedure
  • C. The formal Inter-Governmental Agreement signed between India and the supplier country
  • D. The certification issued by the Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA) at the end of trials

Q3. In May 2026, which one of the following operationalised the procurement step by dispatching the Letter of Request (LoR) to France for the 114-Rafale MRFA programme?

  • A. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • B. Directorate General of Quality Assurance (DGQA)
  • C. Acquisition Wing of the Ministry of Defence
  • D. Department of Defence Production

Q4. The 114-Rafale MRFA acquisition is being processed under the 'Buy and Make (Indian)' category prescribed by which one of the following?

  • A. Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2013
  • B. Defence Procurement Procedure (DPP) 2016
  • C. Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
  • D. Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020

Q5. With reference to the 114-aircraft Multi-Role Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) / Rafale programme as it stood in mid-2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for the programme in February 2026. 2. Of the 114 jets, 18 are to be supplied in flyaway condition while 96 are to be manufactured in India. 3. The programme is to be executed under the same 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement that covered the 36-Rafale purchase, without a fresh contract. 4. Dassault Aviation of France is the original equipment manufacturer of the Rafale. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for the programme in February 2026.
  2. Of the 114 jets, 18 are to be supplied in flyaway condition while 96 are to be manufactured in India.
  3. The programme is to be executed under the same 2016 Inter-Governmental Agreement that covered the 36-Rafale purchase, without a fresh contract.
  4. Dassault Aviation of France is the original equipment manufacturer of the Rafale.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only