UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INDIAN NAVAL SHIP SAHYADRI ARRIVES AT VLADIVOSTOK, RUSSIA, FOR BILATERAL EXERCISE INDRA-2026

Q1. With reference to India's sea-based connectivity options with Russia, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Because it runs between an Indian port and a Russian port, the Chennai–Vladivostok route avoids passing through any international maritime chokepoint.
  2. The Northern Sea Route is navigable for only part of the year, and cargo vessels on it depend on icebreaker support.
  3. A vessel leaving the Northern Sea Route for the Pacific Ocean exits through the Bering Strait.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q2. India's imports from Russia are many times larger than its exports to Russia and consist mainly of energy cargo. In the context of the Chennai–Vladivostok Eastern Maritime Corridor, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Ships carrying energy cargo to India are likely to find little cargo for the return leg, which raises the effective cost of each round voyage.
  2. A rise in Indian exports to the Russian Far East, such as manufactured goods, would make fixed shipping services on the corridor more viable commercially.
  3. Because the corridor shortens sailing time, regular container services on it will become commercially viable on their own, whatever the balance of cargo in the two directions.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1 only

Q3. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Crude oil, coal and LNG can start moving on the Chennai–Vladivostok corridor at once, whereas container cargo needs long-term commitments from both sides first.
  2. Scheduled container services need assured cargo volumes in both directions, whereas bulk energy cargo can be shipped in full shiploads as and when demand arises.
  • 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

Q4. Consider the following facts: In 2023-24 and 2024-25 (up to September 2024), only 6 of 271 capital acquisition contracts of the Ministry of Defence went to foreign vendors. Yet foreign sources accounted for 28% of defence modernisation spending in 2023-24. Which of the following inferences can validly be drawn from these facts?

  1. In this period, the average value of a contract signed with a foreign vendor was necessarily much higher than that of a contract signed with a domestic vendor.
  2. The share of foreign vendors in newly signed contracts and their share in the year's modernisation spending need not move together.
  3. Most capital acquisition contracts signed in this period went to domestic vendors.
  4. India no longer depends on imports for its defence equipment.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q5. With reference to parliamentary scrutiny of defence expenditure in India, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Estimates Committee may suggest alternative policies to bring about efficiency and economy in administration.
  2. The Lok Sabha cannot vote on the Ministry of Defence's Demands for Grants until the Estimates Committee has reported on them.
  3. The Departmentally Related Standing Committee on Defence considers the Demands for Grants of the Ministry of Defence and reports on them.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 2 only

Q6. Suppose the Ministry of Defence notifies spare parts for Russian-origin warships in a new Positive Indigenisation List. Consider the following statements about the likely consequences: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. After the notified dates, the armed forces will have to source these spares from Indian industry instead of importing them.
  2. Indian manufacturers of these spares will face more competition from foreign suppliers in the Indian market.
  3. Russia will be legally barred from supplying complete new platforms to India.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 only

Q7. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A sitting Union Minister cannot be elected as a member of the Estimates Committee.
  2. The Estimates Committee is drawn from both Houses of Parliament in proportion to the strength of parties in each House.
  • 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