UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Successful test-launch of Agni-1 Ballistic Missile
Q1. With reference to the range classification of India's Agni missile series, consider the following pairings of a missile with its category:
1. Agni-I — Short Range Ballistic Missile (~700–900 km)
2. Agni-II — Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (range in excess of 5,000 km)
3. Agni-III — intermediate range (~3,000–3,500 km)
4. Agni-V — range in excess of 5,000 km
Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correctly matched?
- Agni-I — Short Range Ballistic Missile (~700–900 km)
- Agni-II — Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (range in excess of 5,000 km)
- Agni-III — intermediate range (~3,000–3,500 km)
- Agni-V — range in excess of 5,000 km
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 only
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 3 only
Q2. With reference to the technical configuration of missiles in India's Agni series, consider the following statements:
1. Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuelled Short Range Ballistic Missile.
2. Agni-II is a two-stage, solid-fuelled missile with a strike range of about 2,000–3,000 km.
3. Agni-V is a three-stage, road-mobile, canisterised missile.
4. Agni-IV has a strike range of about 700 km.
Which of the above are correctly identified?
- Agni-I is a single-stage, solid-fuelled Short Range Ballistic Missile.
- Agni-II is a two-stage, solid-fuelled missile with a strike range of about 2,000–3,000 km.
- Agni-V is a three-stage, road-mobile, canisterised missile.
- Agni-IV has a strike range of about 700 km.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 4
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q3. The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), sanctioned by the Government of India in 1983, is best described as which one of the following?
- A. A DRDO programme to indigenously develop five missile systems — Prithvi, Akash, Trishul, Nag and Agni.
- B. A programme exclusively to develop nuclear-capable ballistic missiles for the Strategic Forces Command.
- C. An ISRO-led programme to develop satellite launch vehicles for civilian use.
- D. A tri-services programme to procure guided missiles entirely from foreign vendors.
Q4. With reference to the missile systems developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), consider the following statements:
1. Prithvi was developed as the surface-to-surface missile while Akash was the surface-to-air missile.
2. Nag was developed as an anti-tank guided missile, whereas Trishul was a short-range surface-to-air missile.
3. Under the IGMDP, Agni was originally classified as a surface-to-air missile system.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Prithvi was developed as the surface-to-surface missile while Akash was the surface-to-air missile.
- Nag was developed as an anti-tank guided missile, whereas Trishul was a short-range surface-to-air missile.
- Under the IGMDP, Agni was originally classified as a surface-to-air missile system.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q5. With reference to India's Strategic Forces Command (SFC), consider the following statements:
1. It was created in January 2003.
2. It is a tri-services command.
3. It forms part of India's Nuclear Command Authority.
4. It is chaired by the Prime Minister, who alone can order a nuclear strike.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- It was created in January 2003.
- It is a tri-services command.
- It forms part of India's Nuclear Command Authority.
- It is chaired by the Prime Minister, who alone can order a nuclear strike.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 3 only
- C. 4 only
- D. 2 and 4
Q6. Who was the first Commander-in-Chief of India's Strategic Forces Command?
- A. Air Marshal Teja Mohan Asthana
- B. General Sundararajan Padmanabhan
- C. Air Chief Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy
- D. Admiral Madhvendra Singh
Q7. The Integrated Test Range (ITR) at Chandipur, from where the Agni-1 missile was test-launched, is operated by which one of the following?
- A. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
- B. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
- C. Strategic Forces Command (SFC)
- D. Ordnance Factory Board
Q8. With reference to the Integrated Test Range (ITR) in Odisha, consider the following statements:
1. It was established in 1989.
2. Its Launch Complex-IV is located on Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island.
3. It has been used to test only surface-to-air missiles such as Akash.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It was established in 1989.
- Its Launch Complex-IV is located on Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island.
- It has been used to test only surface-to-air missiles such as Akash.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. With reference to the development and induction timeline of the Agni-I missile, consider the following statements:
1. Its development began in 1999, after the Kargil conflict.
2. Its first flight test on 25 January 2002 saw the re-entry vehicle fail to separate.
3. Its first successful test took place on 9 January 2003.
4. It was inducted into service in 1999.
Which of the above are correctly identified?
- Its development began in 1999, after the Kargil conflict.
- Its first flight test on 25 January 2002 saw the re-entry vehicle fail to separate.
- Its first successful test took place on 9 January 2003.
- It was inducted into service in 1999.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q10. The May 2026 test-launch of the Agni-1 missile from Chandipur was carried out under the aegis of which one of the following?
- A. Strategic Forces Command
- B. Western Air Command of the Indian Air Force
- C. Andaman and Nicobar Command
- D. Defence Space Agency
Q11. Within India's Nuclear Command Authority, the Political Council — the only body authorised to order a nuclear strike — is chaired by which one of the following?
- A. The Prime Minister
- B. The National Security Adviser
- C. The Chief of Defence Staff
- D. The Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command