UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INDIA ASSUMES CHAIRMANSHIP OF THE INDIAN OCEAN NAVAL SYMPOSIUM
Q1. India assumed the Chairmanship of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for 2026-28 at the 9th Conclave of Chiefs. From which navy did India take over the Chairmanship immediately preceding its own tenure?
- A. French Navy
- B. Royal Thai Navy
- C. Bangladesh Navy
- D. Iranian Navy
Q2. The Indian Navy, which convenes and now chairs the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), functions under which one of the following Union ministries?
- A. Ministry of External Affairs
- B. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
- C. Ministry of Defence
- D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Q3. With reference to the founding of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), consider the following statements:
1. It was conceptualised and launched by the Indian Navy in 2008.
2. It was modelled loosely on the Western Pacific Naval Symposium.
3. Its inaugural Conclave of Chiefs was held at Visakhapatnam.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It was conceptualised and launched by the Indian Navy in 2008.
- It was modelled loosely on the Western Pacific Naval Symposium.
- Its inaugural Conclave of Chiefs was held at Visakhapatnam.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. Consider the following features attributed to the founding of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
1. Year of launch — 2008
2. Venue of inaugural conclave — New Delhi
3. Initiating service — Indian Navy
4. Template on which it was modelled — Regional Cooperation Agreement on Anti-Piracy (ReCAAP)
Which of the above are correctly identified?
- Year of launch — 2008
- Venue of inaugural conclave — New Delhi
- Initiating service — Indian Navy
- Template on which it was modelled — Regional Cooperation Agreement on Anti-Piracy (ReCAAP)
- A. 1 and 3 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q5. With reference to the membership structure of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), consider the following statements:
1. It comprises 25 Members and 09 Observers.
2. Its Members and Observers are grouped under four sub-regions.
3. France is grouped under the West Asian Littorals sub-region.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It comprises 25 Members and 09 Observers.
- Its Members and Observers are grouped under four sub-regions.
- France is grouped under the West Asian Littorals sub-region.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q6. In the institutional architecture of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), the term 'Conclave of Chiefs' refers to which one of the following?
- A. The drafting committee that periodically revises the IONS Charter of Business
- B. The highest decision-making body of IONS, comprising the chiefs of member navies, which meets biennially
- C. The annual meeting of maritime-security experts that steers the Information Sharing working group
- D. The rotating secretariat that administers IONS between summits
Q7. Among the three IONS working groups established under its institutional framework, the Working Group on Maritime Security is currently co-chaired by which one of the following navies?
- A. French Navy
- B. Royal Australian Navy
- C. Indian Navy
- D. UAE Navy
Q8. In the context of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium, 'IMEX TTX 2026' held at Kochi refers to which one of the following?
- A. A live sea-phase gunnery and anti-submarine warfare exercise of the IONS navies
- B. A Table-Top Exercise of the IONS Maritime Exercise series deliberating non-traditional maritime security challenges
- C. An international fleet review of IONS member warships
- D. A submarine search-and-rescue drill conducted jointly with the Western Pacific Naval Symposium
Q9. IOS SAGAR, described as the operational expression of Vision MAHASAGAR, is a deployment undertaken by which one of the following?
- A. Indian Coast Guard
- B. Indian Navy
- C. Directorate General of Shipping
- D. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Q10. With reference to the maritime events held around the 2026 IONS Conclave, consider the following statements:
1. The International Fleet Review 2026 was reviewed by the President of India off Visakhapatnam.
2. Exercise MILAN 2026's closing ceremony was held onboard INS Vikrant.
3. Both the International Fleet Review 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 were hosted at the Western Naval Command, Mumbai.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The International Fleet Review 2026 was reviewed by the President of India off Visakhapatnam.
- Exercise MILAN 2026's closing ceremony was held onboard INS Vikrant.
- Both the International Fleet Review 2026 and Exercise MILAN 2026 were hosted at the Western Naval Command, Mumbai.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. Comparing the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), consider the following statements:
1. IONS is a forum of Indian Ocean littoral state navies, initiated by the Indian Navy.
2. IORA was established in 1997 and its Secretariat is located at Port Louis, Mauritius.
3. IORA is an inter-governmental economic-cooperation grouping rather than a purely naval forum.
4. Both IONS and IORA maintain their permanent secretariats in Mauritius.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- IONS is a forum of Indian Ocean littoral state navies, initiated by the Indian Navy.
- IORA was established in 1997 and its Secretariat is located at Port Louis, Mauritius.
- IORA is an inter-governmental economic-cooperation grouping rather than a purely naval forum.
- Both IONS and IORA maintain their permanent secretariats in Mauritius.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 3 and 4