UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Defence exports skyrocket to record Rs 38,424 crore in Financial Year 2025-26, a massive 62.66% increase over previous fiscal

Q1. India's defence exports touched their highest-ever level in Financial Year 2025-26. What was this record annual export figure?

  • A. Rs 38,424 crore
  • B. Rs 23,622 crore
  • C. Rs 21,083 crore
  • D. Rs 14,802 crore

Q2. The record defence export figure of FY 2025-26 was compiled and announced by which of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Defence
  • B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q3. With reference to the composition of India's defence exports in FY 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for about 54.84% of total exports. 2. Private sector exports grew by about 151% year-on-year. 3. The private sector accounted for about 45.16% of total exports. 4. DPSU exports amounted to approximately Rs 21,071 crore. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) accounted for about 54.84% of total exports.
  2. Private sector exports grew by about 151% year-on-year.
  3. The private sector accounted for about 45.16% of total exports.
  4. DPSU exports amounted to approximately Rs 21,071 crore.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. India's Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs), which contributed the majority share of FY 2025-26 defence exports, function administratively under which of the following?

  • A. Department of Defence Production
  • B. Department of Defence (Acquisition Wing)
  • C. Department of Defence Research and Development
  • D. Department of Military Affairs

Q5. India's defence exports are frequently described as having risen 'more than 56-fold over twelve years.' In this statement, the baseline (starting) value refers to:

  • A. Rs 686 crore, the defence exports of FY 2013-14
  • B. Rs 4,312 crore, the cumulative exports of 2004-05 to 2013-14 alone
  • C. Rs 23,622 crore, the defence exports of FY 2024-25
  • D. Rs 21,083 crore, the defence exports of FY 2023-24

Q6. With reference to the growth of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. Annual exports rose from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. 2. The FY 2025-26 figure of Rs 38,424 crore was about 62.66% higher than the FY 2024-25 figure of Rs 23,622 crore. 3. In FY 2023-24, DPSUs contributed 60% and the private sector 40% of defence exports. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Annual exports rose from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
  2. The FY 2025-26 figure of Rs 38,424 crore was about 62.66% higher than the FY 2024-25 figure of Rs 23,622 crore.
  3. In FY 2023-24, DPSUs contributed 60% and the private sector 40% of defence exports.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The target of achieving Rs 35,000 crore in defence exports by 2025 was set under which of the following policy documents?

  • A. Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020
  • B. Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
  • C. Defence Production Policy 2018
  • D. Make in India initiative, 2014

Q8. The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which prioritises the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category, governs capital acquisition of defence equipment administered by which of the following?

  • A. Department of Defence (Acquisition Wing)
  • B. Department of Defence Production
  • C. Defence Research and Development Organisation
  • D. Department of Military Affairs

Q9. With reference to the governance of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Defence Production administers India's Defence Public Sector Undertakings. 2. The Department of Defence Production is the licensing authority for export of items under Category 6 (Munitions List) of SCOMET. 3. The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is a one-time export licence permitting export of specified items to specified destinations. 4. The SCOMET list is notified and administered exclusively by the Ministry of External Affairs. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Department of Defence Production administers India's Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
  2. The Department of Defence Production is the licensing authority for export of items under Category 6 (Munitions List) of SCOMET.
  3. The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is a one-time export licence permitting export of specified items to specified destinations.
  4. The SCOMET list is notified and administered exclusively by the Ministry of External Affairs.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 only

Q10. With reference to India's defence export-control architecture, consider the following statements: 1. Category 6 of SCOMET corresponds to the Munitions List. 2. The Department of Defence Production was notified as the licensing authority for SCOMET Category 6 through a DGFT public notice. 3. The Department of Defence Production functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 4. Foreign Direct Investment in defence is permitted up to 74% under the automatic route. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Category 6 of SCOMET corresponds to the Munitions List.
  2. The Department of Defence Production was notified as the licensing authority for SCOMET Category 6 through a DGFT public notice.
  3. The Department of Defence Production functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  4. Foreign Direct Investment in defence is permitted up to 74% under the automatic route.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q11. With reference to the destinations of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. Armenia has concluded deals for Indian Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems. 2. India's defence equipment is exported to more than 80 countries. 3. The Akash surface-to-air missile is among the systems India exports. 4. India's defence exports in FY 2025-26 were confined to fewer than 50 countries. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Armenia has concluded deals for Indian Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems.
  2. India's defence equipment is exported to more than 80 countries.
  3. The Akash surface-to-air missile is among the systems India exports.
  4. India's defence exports in FY 2025-26 were confined to fewer than 50 countries.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q12. Which country became the first international customer of India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile?

  • A. Philippines
  • B. Armenia
  • C. Vietnam
  • D. Indonesia