UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO carries out successful flight-test of Pralay missile

Q1. With reference to the flight characteristics of different classes of missiles, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A quasi-ballistic missile differs from a pure ballistic missile chiefly in that its rocket motor keeps burning until the moment of impact.
  2. After its boost phase, a ballistic missile coasts on momentum along a high, arcing trajectory.
  3. A cruise missile is propelled by its engine through most of its flight rather than coasting after a brief burn.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Solid-propellant motors are generally preferred for military missiles that must be fired at short notice.
  2. In a solid-propellant motor the propellant can be kept loaded in the missile, so no fuelling step is needed before launch.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. India could be admitted to the Missile Technology Control Regime only after it had acceded to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.
  2. The Missile Technology Control Regime seeks to further international non-proliferation objectives by having its members coordinate controls on transfers of missiles and related technology.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q4. With reference to the Prithvi-II and Pralay missiles, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Both are indigenously developed surface-to-surface missiles.
  2. Prithvi-II forms part of India's strategic forces, whereas Pralay has been developed as a conventional tactical missile.
  3. Both are designed to be fired from road-mobile launchers.
  4. Pralay was one of the missile systems developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3 only

Q5. With reference to missile propulsion, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A cruise missile with an air-breathing engine draws oxygen from the atmosphere, so it must fly within the atmosphere.
  2. A single missile may use a solid-propellant rocket for its launch phase and a jet engine for the rest of its flight.
  3. Solid propellant is favoured for many military missiles partly because it is less likely to explode than liquid fuels.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q6. With reference to India's nuclear doctrine as made public in January 2003, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India follows a posture of No First Use, and its retaliation to a nuclear first strike is to be massive.
  2. The Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command can independently authorise nuclear retaliation once an attack on India is detected.
  3. India keeps the option of nuclear retaliation if India or Indian forces anywhere face a major attack with biological or chemical weapons.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only