UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — DRDO demonstrates the nation’s next-gen defence capabilities

Q1. With reference to India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Programme, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) is an interceptor designed for exo-atmospheric engagement of incoming ballistic missiles.
2. The Advanced Air Defence (AAD) is an endo-atmospheric interceptor capable of engaging targets at altitudes of about 15-25 km.
3. The AD-1 interceptor of Phase-II is a single-stage, liquid-propelled missile meant exclusively for endo-atmospheric kills.
4. Phase-II of the BMD programme is designed to neutralise ballistic missile threats of the 5,000 km class.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 4
• C. 2, 3 and 4
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q2. Which one of the following is the lead long-range interceptor missile developed under Phase-II of India's Ballistic Missile Defence Programme, capable of both low exo-atmospheric and endo-atmospheric interception of ballistic missiles of the 5,000 km class?

• A. Prithvi Air Defence (PAD)
• B. Advanced Air Defence (AAD)
• C. AD-1
• D. Prithvi Defence Vehicle (PDV)

Q3. With reference to the missile systems flight-tested by DRDO in June 2026, the term 'NASM-MR' refers to which one of the following?

• A. A medium-range anti-ship missile developed for the Indian Navy
• B. A medium-range exo-atmospheric ballistic missile defence interceptor
• C. A medium-range surface-to-air missile inducted by the Indian Army
• D. A medium-range air-launched cruise missile for the Indian Air Force

Q4. The Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR), whose maiden flight-test was conducted in June 2026, has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). DRDO functions under which one of the following Departments of the Government of India?

• A. Department of Defence Production
• B. Department of Defence Research and Development
• C. Department of Military Affairs
• D. Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare

Q5. On 10-11 June 2026, DRDO carried out a set of back-to-back flight-tests off the Odisha coast that included the maiden flight-test of the Naval Anti-Ship Missile-Medium Range (NASM-MR) along with Ballistic Missile Defence interceptor trials. How many consecutive flight-tests, in total, were demonstrated by DRDO during this exercise?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Four
• D. Five

Q6. In the context of the recently demonstrated multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence system, a ballistic missile is technically classified as an 'Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)' when its minimum range exceeds:

• A. 1,000 km
• B. 3,000 km
• C. 5,500 km
• D. 10,000 km

Q7. Following the June 2026 DRDO flight-tests, India joined an elite group of nations possessing operational Ballistic Missile Defence capability against Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM)-class threats. Including India, how many nations are now in this group?

• A. 3
• B. 4
• C. 5
• D. 6

Q8. The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), which conducted the recent multi-layered Ballistic Missile Defence and NASM-MR trials, functions directly under which one of the following Departments of the Government of India?

• A. Department of Defence Production, Ministry of Defence
• B. Department of Defence Research and Development, Ministry of Defence
• C. Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
• D. Department of Military Affairs, Ministry of Defence

Q9. With reference to the Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex at Hyderabad, consider the following DRDO establishments: 1. Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) 2. Research Centre Imarat (RCI) 3. Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL) 4. Integrated Test Range (ITR) Which of the above is/are correctly identified as constituent laboratories of the Missile Complex?

1. Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL)
2. Research Centre Imarat (RCI)
3. Advanced Systems Laboratory (ASL)
4. Integrated Test Range (ITR)

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q10. With reference to indigenously developed missile systems of India, consider the following statements: 1. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, whereas the Agni series consists of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles. 2. K-15 (Sagarika) is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, whereas Akash is a surface-to-air missile system. 3. NASM-SR is a long-range air-to-air missile designed for deployment on Indian Air Force fighter aircraft. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia, whereas the Agni series consists of surface-to-surface ballistic missiles.
2. K-15 (Sagarika) is a submarine-launched ballistic missile, whereas Akash is a surface-to-air missile system.
3. NASM-SR is a long-range air-to-air missile designed for deployment on Indian Air Force fighter aircraft.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The BrahMos supersonic cruise missile system has been jointly developed by India's DRDO in collaboration with which one of the following foreign entities?

• A. MBDA of France
• B. Rafael Advanced Defense Systems of Israel
• C. NPO Mashinostroyeniya of Russia
• D. Lockheed Martin of the United States

Q12. In the context of India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) programme, the term 'endo-atmospheric interceptor' most precisely refers to:

• A. A missile that engages incoming ballistic targets within Earth's atmosphere, typically below an altitude of about 100 km.
• B. A missile that exclusively engages incoming ballistic targets in outer space, above an altitude of 100 km.
• C. A system designed solely to neutralise satellites in low Earth orbit.
• D. A missile employed only against sea-skimming anti-ship cruise missiles.

Q13. With reference to India's Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) architecture, consider the following statements: 1. The AD-1 interceptor is designed primarily as an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon. 2. The AD-1 interceptor is propelled by a two-stage solid-propellant motor. 3. Phase-I of India's BMD employs the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for exo-atmospheric interception and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric interception. 4. India's Phase-II BMD architecture is designed to engage ballistic missile threats of the 5,000-km class. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The AD-1 interceptor is designed primarily as an anti-satellite (ASAT) weapon.
2. The AD-1 interceptor is propelled by a two-stage solid-propellant motor.
3. Phase-I of India's BMD employs the Prithvi Air Defence (PAD) for exo-atmospheric interception and the Advanced Air Defence (AAD) for endo-atmospheric interception.
4. India's Phase-II BMD architecture is designed to engage ballistic missile threats of the 5,000-km class.

• A. 1, 2 and 3 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1 and 4 only
• D. 2 and 4 only