UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Agni-4’ Ballistic Missile successfully test-fired

Q1. In the official Press Information Bureau announcements of their respective test-launches, how many of the following four missiles — Agni-3, Agni-4, Agni-5 and Agni-Prime — have been officially described as 'Intermediate Range' missiles?

  • A. Only one of the four missiles listed above
  • B. Only two of the four missiles listed above
  • C. Only three of the four missiles listed above
  • D. All four of the missiles listed above

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing Agni-4 with other missiles of the Agni family: 1. Agni-4 has an operational range of about 4,000 km, which is greater than the range of up to 2,000 km officially stated for Agni-Prime. 2. Agni-Prime has been launched from a rail-based mobile launcher, whereas the latest test-firing of Agni-4 was carried out from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur. 3. Within the Agni family, the first flight test demonstrating Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle technology was carried out with Agni-4. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Agni-4 has an operational range of about 4,000 km, which is greater than the range of up to 2,000 km officially stated for Agni-Prime.
  2. Agni-Prime has been launched from a rail-based mobile launcher, whereas the latest test-firing of Agni-4 was carried out from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur.
  3. Within the Agni family, the first flight test demonstrating Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle technology was carried out with Agni-4.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the missiles of the Agni family was the first to be flight-tested from a specially designed rail-based mobile launcher system?

  • A. Agni-1, in a training launch conducted from the Integrated Test Range at Chandipur
  • B. Agni-3, in a launch conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command
  • C. Agni-4, in a user trial validating all operational and technical parameters
  • D. Agni-Prime, in a launch conducted by DRDO along with the Strategic Forces Command

Q4. With reference to the test-firing of the Agni-4 ballistic missile reported in August 2026, consider the following statements: 1. It was carried out from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, in Odisha. 2. It was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command. 3. It was the maiden flight test of the missile, undertaken by DRDO to prove a newly developed re-entry vehicle. 4. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was carried out from the Integrated Test Range, Chandipur, in Odisha.
  2. It was conducted under the aegis of the Strategic Forces Command.
  3. It was the maiden flight test of the missile, undertaken by DRDO to prove a newly developed re-entry vehicle.
  4. The launch validated all operational and technical parameters.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q5. Official releases distinguish a DRDO 'developmental flight-test' of a missile from the category of launch to which the August 2026 Agni-4 firing belonged. The latter category is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A periodic launch by the armed forces formation that operates the missile, to reconfirm operational parameters and the reliability of the fielded system
  • B. A first-of-its-kind trial intended to prove a newly designed launcher or a new re-entry technology before the system is cleared for development
  • C. A batch-inspection firing conducted by the quality assurance establishment to certify each production lot before its acceptance by the armed forces
  • D. A demonstration firing conducted jointly with a friendly foreign country under a bilateral defence cooperation agreement for export qualification

Q6. Under the arrangements approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in January 2003 for operationalising India's nuclear doctrine, which body provides inputs for decision-making to the Nuclear Command Authority and executes the directives given to it?

  • A. The Executive Council of the Nuclear Command Authority, chaired by the National Security Advisor
  • B. The Political Council of the Nuclear Command Authority, chaired by the Prime Minister of India
  • C. The Strategic Programme Staff of the Cabinet Secretariat, headed by the Cabinet Secretary
  • D. The Defence Planning Committee of the National Security Council Secretariat, headed by the Defence Secretary

Q7. With reference to the arrangements approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security in January 2003 for operationalising India's nuclear doctrine, consider the following statements: 1. The Nuclear Command Authority is composed of a Political Council and an Executive Council. 2. The Political Council of the Nuclear Command Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister. 3. A Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command was to be appointed to manage and administer all Strategic Forces. 4. The Strategic Forces Command is itself empowered to authorise the use of nuclear weapons if the Political Council is rendered non-functional. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Nuclear Command Authority is composed of a Political Council and an Executive Council.
  2. The Political Council of the Nuclear Command Authority is chaired by the Prime Minister.
  3. A Commander-in-Chief, Strategic Forces Command was to be appointed to manage and administer all Strategic Forces.
  4. The Strategic Forces Command is itself empowered to authorise the use of nuclear weapons if the Political Council is rendered non-functional.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4

Q8. With reference to the Integrated Test Range (ITR) of the DRDO, consider the following statements: 1. It is located at Chandipur in Balasore district of Odisha, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal. 2. It began in 1982 as a project under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme. 3. Its Launch Complex-IV is situated on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island. 4. It was set up to replace the National Test Range that had earlier been functioning at Baliapal. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It is located at Chandipur in Balasore district of Odisha, along the coast of the Bay of Bengal.
  2. It began in 1982 as a project under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme.
  3. Its Launch Complex-IV is situated on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island, formerly known as Wheeler Island.
  4. It was set up to replace the National Test Range that had earlier been functioning at Baliapal.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the conditions of nuclear weapons use set out in the Cabinet Committee on Security's 2003 statement on India's nuclear doctrine: 1. Nuclear weapons will be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere. 2. In the event of a major attack against India or Indian forces by biological or chemical weapons, India retains the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons. 3. India has undertaken not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states, except those allied with a nuclear weapon power in an armed conflict against India. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Nuclear weapons will be used only in retaliation against a nuclear attack on Indian territory or on Indian forces anywhere.
  2. In the event of a major attack against India or Indian forces by biological or chemical weapons, India retains the option of retaliating with nuclear weapons.
  3. India has undertaken not to use nuclear weapons against non-nuclear weapon states, except those allied with a nuclear weapon power in an armed conflict against India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. DRDO's Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Missile Complex at Hyderabad, which handles the design and development of missiles and missile defence systems, is constituted by how many laboratories?

  • A. Two laboratories, both engaged in missile design and propulsion development
  • B. Three laboratories, engaged in missile design, propulsion and avionics development
  • C. Four laboratories, engaged in missile design, propulsion, avionics and materials development
  • D. Six laboratories, engaged in missile design, propulsion, avionics, materials and testing

Q11. The September 2025 launch of the Agni-Prime missile from a rail-based mobile launcher system was carried out by DRDO in collaboration with which one of the following?

  • A. The Andaman and Nicobar Command, the tri-service command headquartered at Port Blair
  • B. The Directorate General of Quality Assurance, the establishment under the Department of Defence Production
  • C. The Strategic Forces Command, the tri-service command that manages and administers the Strategic Forces
  • D. The Defence Space Agency, the tri-service agency set up for space-based military capabilities