UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Republic Day 2026: DRDO to showcase its path-breaking innovations at Kartavya Path & Bharat Parv

Q1. With reference to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which one of the following statements correctly describes its administrative position?

  • A. It is an agency under the Department of Defence Research and Development within the Ministry of Defence.
  • B. It is an attached office of the Department of Defence Production within the Ministry of Defence.
  • C. It is an autonomous body functioning under the Department of Science and Technology.
  • D. It is a statutory corporation under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

Q2. DRDO was constituted in 1958 by merging certain pre-existing defence bodies. Consider the following organisations: 1. Technical Development Establishment 2. Directorate of Technical Development and Production 3. Defence Science Organisation 4. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research Which of the above is/are correctly identified as bodies merged to form DRDO?

  1. Technical Development Establishment
  2. Directorate of Technical Development and Production
  3. Defence Science Organisation
  4. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. The Long Range Anti-Ship Hypersonic Missile (LR-AShM) unveiled by DRDO is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A hypersonic glide missile that is boosted by a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor and then performs an unpowered glide to the target.
  • B. An air-breathing scramjet cruise missile that remains powered throughout its entire flight.
  • C. A liquid-fuelled ballistic missile following a purely ballistic trajectory.
  • D. A subsonic sea-skimming cruise missile with turbojet propulsion.

Q4. With reference to the LR-AShM showcased by DRDO, consider the following statements: 1. It is designed for ranges greater than 1,500 km. 2. It is propelled during boost by a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor. 3. It is intended for a coastal-battery anti-ship role of the Indian Navy. 4. It was first publicly unveiled at the Republic Day parade of 2024. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is designed for ranges greater than 1,500 km.
  2. It is propelled during boost by a two-stage solid-propellant rocket motor.
  3. It is intended for a coastal-battery anti-ship role of the Indian Navy.
  4. It was first publicly unveiled at the Republic Day parade of 2024.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q5. In DRDO's 2020 flight test of the Hypersonic Technology Demonstrator Vehicle (HSTDV), for approximately how long did the vehicle sustain hypersonic scramjet combustion?

  • A. More than 20 seconds
  • B. More than 5 seconds
  • C. More than 60 seconds
  • D. More than 120 seconds

Q6. Which one of the following marked DRDO's first demonstration of air-breathing scramjet-powered hypersonic flight?

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

Q7. The indigenous fuel-cell-based Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system for conventional submarines was developed by which one of the following DRDO laboratories?

  • A. Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Pune
  • B. Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL), Kochi
  • C. Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL), Visakhapatnam
  • D. Defence Materials and Stores Research and Development Establishment (DMSRDE), Kanpur

Q8. The contract signed with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDL) for the AIP plug and its integration on Kalvari-class submarines was worth approximately how much?

  • A. About ₹1,990 crore
  • B. About ₹990 crore
  • C. About ₹2,900 crore
  • D. About ₹4,500 crore

Q9. The DRDO tableau themed 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines' is displayed at Bharat Parv, Red Fort, from 26 to 31 January 2026. Over how many days is this Bharat Parv edition held?

  • A. 6 days
  • B. 5 days
  • C. 7 days
  • D. 10 days

Q10. With reference to DRDO's showcase during Republic Day 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The DRDO tableau at Bharat Parv is themed 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines'. 2. The LR-AShM was displayed with its launcher during the parade at Kartavya Path. 3. Bharat Parv 2026 is held at the Red Fort. 4. The DRDO tableau was the only tableau permitted at Bharat Parv 2026. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The DRDO tableau at Bharat Parv is themed 'Naval Technologies for Combat Submarines'.
  2. The LR-AShM was displayed with its launcher during the parade at Kartavya Path.
  3. Bharat Parv 2026 is held at the Red Fort.
  4. The DRDO tableau was the only tableau permitted at Bharat Parv 2026.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q11. Comparing the DRDO laboratories behind the systems showcased for Republic Day 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Pune, developed the fuel-cell-based AIP system for submarines. 2. India's first long-range hypersonic missile was developed principally by laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad. 3. The HSTDV and the long-range hypersonic missile were both flight-tested exclusively from a site in the Andaman Islands. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Naval Materials Research Laboratory (NMRL), Pune, developed the fuel-cell-based AIP system for submarines.
  2. India's first long-range hypersonic missile was developed principally by laboratories of the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex, Hyderabad.
  3. The HSTDV and the long-range hypersonic missile were both flight-tested exclusively from a site in the Andaman Islands.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to Aatmanirbhar Bharat measures in defence, consider the following statements: 1. Positive Indigenisation Lists set timelines beyond which procurement of listed items is restricted to domestic manufacturers. 2. FDI in the defence sector is permitted up to 74% through the automatic route. 3. India recorded its highest-ever defence production of about ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25. 4. The Positive Indigenisation Lists are notified by the Ministry of External Affairs. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Positive Indigenisation Lists set timelines beyond which procurement of listed items is restricted to domestic manufacturers.
  2. FDI in the defence sector is permitted up to 74% through the automatic route.
  3. India recorded its highest-ever defence production of about ₹1.54 lakh crore in FY 2024-25.
  4. The Positive Indigenisation Lists are notified by the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 4 only