UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INS Aridhaman, nuclear-powered submarine, enters India’s naval fleet

Q1. In discussions of India's Arihant-class nuclear-powered submarines, the term 'second-strike capability' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The ability to retaliate with nuclear weapons after having absorbed an adversary's first nuclear strike
  • B. The capacity to launch a pre-emptive nuclear strike before an adversary attacks
  • C. The ability to engage two separate targets with a single ballistic missile
  • D. The reloading of missile tubes to fire a second salvo during a single patrol

Q2. Which one of the following is the lead (first-commissioned) vessel of India's Arihant class of nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines?

  • A. INS Arihant
  • B. INS Arighaat
  • C. INS Aridhaman
  • D. INS Chakra

Q3. The custody and operational management of India's nuclear delivery systems across all three legs of the triad are entrusted to which one of the following?

  • A. Strategic Forces Command
  • B. Andaman and Nicobar Command
  • C. Integrated Defence Staff
  • D. Directorate General of Naval Operations

Q4. With reference to the three legs of India's nuclear triad, consider the following pairings of a delivery system with the leg it represents: 1. Agni-series ballistic missiles — land-based leg 2. Fighter aircraft such as the Mirage-2000 — air-based leg 3. Arihant-class submarines with SLBMs — sea-based leg 4. Prithvi Air Defence interceptor — sea-based leg Which of the above pairings is/are correctly identified?

  1. Agni-series ballistic missiles — land-based leg
  2. Fighter aircraft such as the Mirage-2000 — air-based leg
  3. Arihant-class submarines with SLBMs — sea-based leg
  4. Prithvi Air Defence interceptor — sea-based leg
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. As of 2026, how many nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarines (SSBNs) have been commissioned into the Indian Navy under the Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project?

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

Q6. In the context of India's indigenous nuclear submarine programme, 'ATV' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Advanced Technology Vessel
  • B. Autonomous Torpedo Vehicle
  • C. Atomic Test Vessel
  • D. Armoured Tactical Vessel

Q7. An Arihant-class SSBN is fitted with how many vertical launch tubes for its ballistic missiles?

  • A. Two
  • B. Four
  • C. Six
  • D. Eight

Q8. How does a nuclear-powered attack submarine (SSN) principally differ from a nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN)?

  • A. An SSN is nuclear-powered but does not carry nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles as its primary armament, whereas an SSBN does
  • B. An SSN uses diesel-electric propulsion whereas an SSBN uses nuclear propulsion
  • C. An SSN carries ballistic missiles whereas an SSBN carries only torpedoes
  • D. An SSN is uncrewed whereas an SSBN is crewed

Q9. How many public sector (Defence PSU) shipyards operate in India?

  • A. Three
  • B. Four
  • C. Five
  • D. Six

Q10. With reference to India's Nuclear Command Authority (NCA), consider the following statements: 1. The Political Council of the NCA is chaired by the Prime Minister and alone can authorise the use of nuclear weapons. 2. The Executive Council of the NCA is chaired by the National Security Advisor. 3. Under India's nuclear doctrine, the Strategic Forces Command is delegated the authority to order a nuclear strike without political clearance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Political Council of the NCA is chaired by the Prime Minister and alone can authorise the use of nuclear weapons.
  2. The Executive Council of the NCA is chaired by the National Security Advisor.
  3. Under India's nuclear doctrine, the Strategic Forces Command is delegated the authority to order a nuclear strike without political clearance.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3