UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. inks pact with BrahMos Aerospace

Q1. With reference to ramjet propulsion used in some supersonic cruise missiles, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A ramjet cannot produce useful thrust from a standstill, so a ramjet-powered missile needs a booster to accelerate it to operating speed.
  2. A ramjet compresses incoming air only through the vehicle's forward motion and the shape of its intake, without any rotating compressor.
  3. To sustain flight well above Mach 5, combustion would have to take place in a supersonic airflow, as in a scramjet.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing cruise missiles and ballistic missiles: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A cruise missile is sustained by aerodynamic lift and is powered for most of its flight, whereas a ballistic missile is powered only during its initial boost phase.
  2. A ballistic missile's rocket motor breathes atmospheric oxygen, which is why such missiles follow a low, level flight path.
  3. Because its engine burns throughout the flight, a cruise missile must carry its own oxidiser on board, unlike a ballistic missile.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q3. With reference to the categorisation of capital acquisitions under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. For a product to qualify under Buy (Indian-IDDM), local manufacture with the required indigenous content is not sufficient by itself; the product must also have been designed and developed in India.
  2. Buy (Indian-IDDM) is open to foreign vendors as well, provided they manufacture the product in India and meet the indigenous content requirement.
  3. Acquisition under the Buy (Global) category is permitted only in exceptional situations with specific approval of the Defence Acquisition Council or the Raksha Mantri.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. Consider the following facts: (i) Under DAP 2020, the Buy (Indian-IDDM) category covers products from an Indian vendor that are indigenously designed, developed and manufactured with a minimum of 50% indigenous content, calculated on the base contract price (total contract price less taxes and duties). (ii) In 2026, a contract for missile fire control systems and launchers for naval ships was placed under this category with a requirement of at least 68% indigenous content. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above facts?

  1. A contract may set an indigenous content requirement higher than the minimum its category prescribes.
  2. Content not counted as indigenous can make up at most about one-third of this contract's base price.
  3. The indigenous content of this contract will be delivered mainly by micro, small and medium enterprises.
  4. Every missile to be fired from these launchers must itself have at least 68% indigenous content.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. Under the Defence Acquisition Procedure 2020, which one of the following categories of capital acquisition is accorded the highest priority?

  • A. Buy (Global)
  • B. Buy (Indian-IDDM)
  • C. Buy and Make (Indian)
  • D. Buy (Indian)