UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INS TRISHUL PARTICIPATES IN 24TH EDITION OF INDIA–FRANCE BILATERAL MARITIME EXERCISE VARUNA

Q1. India's Scorpene-class submarines are diesel-electric boats whose modular design allows a later upgrade with air-independent propulsion (AIP). What would such an upgrade mainly change about the submarine's operation?

  • A. It would let the boat carry and launch nuclear-tipped ballistic missiles, giving it a role in sea-based deterrence.
  • B. It would let the boat run its diesel engines while fully submerged, so that it no longer needs batteries at all.
  • C. It would let the boat stay submerged longer without snorkelling to recharge batteries, lowering its chance of detection.
  • D. It would give the boat the unlimited submerged endurance and high sustained speed of a nuclear-powered attack submarine.

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A nuclear-powered attack submarine can stay submerged far longer than a conventional diesel-electric submarine without air-independent propulsion.
  2. A nuclear reactor produces power without using atmospheric oxygen, so a nuclear submarine does not need to surface or snorkel to recharge batteries.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. Consider the following facts: The India–France strategic partnership, launched in 1998, was India's first with a Western nation. Its principal pillars are defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space. The armies, air forces and navies of the two countries hold separate bilateral exercises, namely Shakti, Garuda and VARUNA. Which of the following inferences can be validly drawn from the above facts?

  1. Cooperation under the partnership extends to sectors beyond the military.
  2. The partnership obliges each country to come to the other's military aid if it is attacked.
  3. Defence cooperation between the two countries covers all three armed services.
  4. India has not entered into a strategic partnership with any other Western country.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. France is a member of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS).
  2. The French Navy conducts La Pérouse, a multinational exercise aimed at improving maritime coordination among navies in the Indo-Pacific.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q5. With reference to the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS), consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was conceived by the Indian Navy as an open and inclusive forum for the navies of the Indian Ocean littoral states.
  2. Its members are bound by a treaty obligation to come to one another's defence.
  3. It is confined to dialogue, and its member navies never hold maritime exercises under its banner.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q6. Consider the following items of defence expenditure: Which of the above are classified as capital expenditure in the defence budget?

  1. Acquisition of new frigates and submarines
  2. Pay and allowances of serving naval personnel
  3. Pensions of retired defence personnel
  4. Construction works such as new naval infrastructure
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only