UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Defence Budget 2026-27 post-Op Sindoor further strengthens Govt’s resolve of creating a robust & foolproof security system: Raksha Mantri

Q1. The all-time-high defence allocation of Rs 7.85 lakh crore to the Ministry of Defence, constituting 14.67% of the total Union Budget and the highest share among all ministries, was made under which Union Budget?

  • A. Union Budget 2024-25
  • B. Union Budget 2025-26
  • C. Union Budget 2026-27
  • D. Union Budget 2027-28

Q2. Which one of the following correctly describes the Ministry of Defence's position in the Union Budget 2026-27?

  • A. It has the highest allocation among all ministries, at 14.67% of the Union Budget
  • B. It has the second-highest allocation, after the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways
  • C. Its allocation equals 2% of the total Union Budget
  • D. It accounts for 24% of the total Union Budget

Q3. In FY 2026-27, the share of the defence capital acquisition budget earmarked for procurement from domestic industry is closest to which of the following?

  • A. 50%
  • B. 65%
  • C. 75%
  • D. 100%

Q4. Of the total defence capital acquisition budget of Rs 1.85 lakh crore in FY 2026-27, the single largest earmark is for which one of the following?

  • A. Procurement from domestic industry (Rs 1.39 lakh crore)
  • B. The capital component of DRDO's allocation
  • C. The capital allocation to the Border Roads Organisation
  • D. Import of next-generation fighter aircraft from foreign OEMs

Q5. With reference to the DRDO and BRO allocations in the Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. DRDO's total allocation for FY 2026-27 is Rs 29,100.25 crore.
  2. Of DRDO's allocation, Rs 17,250.25 crore is earmarked for capital expenditure.
  3. The capital allocation to the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) for FY 2026-27 is Rs 7,394 crore.
  4. DRDO's FY 2026-27 allocation is lower than its FY 2025-26 allocation of Rs 26,816.82 crore.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. With reference to the DRDO and BRO allocations in the Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. DRDO's allocation increased from Rs 26,816.82 crore to Rs 29,100.25 crore in FY 2026-27.
  2. The capital component of DRDO's FY 2026-27 allocation is Rs 17,250.25 crore.
  3. BRO's capital allocation was raised to Rs 7,394 crore for FY 2026-27.
  4. The entire DRDO allocation of Rs 29,100.25 crore is earmarked as capital expenditure.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q7. With reference to the Ex-Servicemen Contributory Health Scheme (ECHS), consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. ECHS was launched in April 2003 to provide medical care to ex-servicemen and their dependents.
  2. The scheme is structured on the lines of the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS).
  3. Ex-servicemen drawing pension from the Controller of Defence Accounts, including those on disability or family pension, are eligible for membership.
  4. Membership is restricted to ex-servicemen who retired on or after 1 January 1996.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. Comparing the FY 2026-27 provisions for defence pensions and ECHS with the previous year, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Defence pensions for FY 2026-27 are allocated Rs 1,71,338.22 crore, a 6.56% increase over BE 2025-26.
  2. The ECHS allocation of Rs 12,100 crore for FY 2026-27 is higher than the previous year's Budget Estimate.
  3. Defence pensions are disbursed exclusively through the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The 'Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)' initiative, aimed at fostering defence innovation through startups and MSMEs, was launched in which year?

  • A. 2016
  • B. 2017
  • C. 2018
  • D. 2020

Q10. Under the extant Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy for the defence sector, the maximum FDI permitted through the automatic route is:

  • A. 26%
  • B. 49%
  • C. 74%
  • D. 100%

Q11. Operation Sindoor (May 2025), cited by the Raksha Mantri as the strategic backdrop for the FY 2026-27 defence hike, was operationalised by which of the following?

  • A. The Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) in a tri-service operation
  • B. The Indian Air Force alone
  • C. The Central Reserve Police Force
  • D. The National Security Guard

Q12. With reference to ministry-wise allocations in the Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following: Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Ministry of Defence has the highest allocation among all ministries.
  2. Defence's allocation constitutes 14.67% of the total Union Budget.
  3. The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways received approximately Rs 3 lakh crore.
  4. Defence is the only ministry whose allocation exceeds Rs 1 lakh crore.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4