UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Global fraternity must join hands to tackle evolving maritime challenges, says Raksha Mantri as he inaugurates Exercise MILAN in Vizag

Q1. With reference to Exercise MILAN, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is a multilateral naval exercise hosted by the Indian Navy.
  2. The word 'MILAN' is derived from a Hindi word meaning 'meeting' or 'confluence'.
  3. MILAN 2026 was organised under the Eastern Naval Command at Visakhapatnam.
  4. It is conducted annually by the Indian Navy.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q2. Exercise MILAN was initiated in which year, and the early editions were hosted under the aegis of which naval command?

  • A. 1995; Andaman & Nicobar Command
  • B. 1991; Eastern Naval Command
  • C. 1995; Eastern Naval Command
  • D. 2001; Andaman & Nicobar Command

Q3. The following are listed as the four founding participant nations of the first Exercise MILAN in 1995. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a founding member?

  1. Indonesia
  2. Singapore
  3. Sri Lanka
  4. Myanmar
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q4. The inaugural edition of Exercise MILAN in 1995 was hosted at which one of the following locations?

  • A. Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
  • B. Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
  • C. Kochi, Kerala
  • D. Mumbai, Maharashtra

Q5. With reference to the venue of Exercise MILAN, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. From MILAN 2022, the exercise venue shifted from Port Blair to Visakhapatnam.
  2. Visakhapatnam is the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command.
  3. The shift was made because Visakhapatnam offered greater infrastructure and sea space.
  4. Visakhapatnam is situated on India's western coast.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Which one of the following was the first edition of Exercise MILAN to be held at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command?

  • A. MILAN 2022
  • B. MILAN 2018
  • C. MILAN 2020
  • D. MILAN 2026

Q7. Exercise MILAN 2026 was organised by the Indian Navy primarily through which one of the following commands?

  • A. Eastern Naval Command
  • B. Western Naval Command
  • C. Southern Naval Command
  • D. Andaman & Nicobar Command

Q8. With reference to Exercise MILAN 2026, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It saw the participation of 74 countries.
  2. It comprised 42 ships and submarines.
  3. A total of 29 aircraft took part.
  4. The closing ceremony was held onboard INS Vikramaditya.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The MAHASAGAR vision, which extends the earlier SAGAR doctrine, was articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2025 during his state visit to which country?

  • A. Mauritius
  • B. Seychelles
  • C. Maldives
  • D. Sri Lanka

Q10. Consider the following statements comparing India's Look East and Act East policies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Look East Policy was launched in 1991 under PM P.V. Narasimha Rao, whereas the Act East Policy was announced in 2014 under PM Narendra Modi.
  2. The Act East Policy places greater emphasis on defence and strategic cooperation than the Look East Policy did.
  3. Unlike the Look East Policy, the Act East Policy is confined solely to economic and trade cooperation and excludes the security dimension.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. UNCLOS was adopted in 1982 and entered into force in 1994.
  2. India ratified UNCLOS in 1995.
  3. Under UNCLOS, the territorial sea may extend up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline.
  4. Under UNCLOS, the Exclusive Economic Zone extends up to 100 nautical miles from the baseline.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q12. On the sidelines of MILAN 2026, the Raksha Mantri's interaction with the Navy Chiefs of nine ASEAN member states was hosted by the Indian Navy, which functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Defence
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways