Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — January 2026

Question 1

In the context of the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the term 'Operation Mahadev' refers to which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The July 2025 counter-terror operation in which three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists responsible for the Pahalgam attack were killed

Answer

The evacuation and rescue of surviving tourists from Baisaran Valley immediately after the attack

Answer

India's diplomatic outreach to brief foreign governments on cross-border terrorism

Answer

The activation of the integrated air-defence grid to intercept Pakistani drones

Question 2

Among India's three major cross-border counter-terror actions of the last decade, which one was the first to be executed using fighter air power rather than a ground assault?

Accepted Answer

Balakot air strike (2019)

Answer

Uri surgical strikes (2016)

Answer

Operation Sindoor (2025)

Answer

Kargil operations (1999)

Question 3

In his January 2026 DRDO address, Rajnath Singh cautioned that, given the pace of change, a technology that is new today may become irrelevant within roughly how many years?

Accepted Answer

4-5 years

Answer

1-2 years

Answer

8-10 years

Answer

15-20 years

Question 4

In his January 2026 address to DRDO, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh identified which one of the following as the foremost parameter for judging DRDO's performance?

Accepted Answer

Timely induction of systems into the Armed Forces

Answer

The number of patents filed each year

Answer

The volume of defence export revenue earned

Answer

The number of new laboratories established

Question 5

With reference to India's defence indigenisation framework, consider the following statements:
1. iDEX was launched in 2018 and is implemented by the Defence Innovation Organisation (DIO).
2. The ADITI scheme aims to develop about 30 deep-tech critical and strategic technologies.
3. Under the Positive Indigenisation Lists, all defence procurement of the armed forces must be sourced exclusively from domestic vendors with immediate effect.
4. iDEX exclusively funds Defence PSUs and bars start-ups from participation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

Answer

2 and 4

Question 6

Consider the following initiatives:
1. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX)
2. ADITI scheme
3. Positive Indigenisation Lists
4. PM-KUSUM
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an initiative to promote Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 3

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

3 only

Question 7

With reference to Operation Sindoor (7-10 May 2025), consider the following statements:
1. It was launched on 7 May 2025 as a response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
2. It struck nine terror sites located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir.
3. Pakistani military airbases were struck as the primary objectives of the operation.
4. It was executed by the Indian armed forces and was officially described as focused, measured and non-escalatory.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

3 and 4

Question 8

During Operation Sindoor (May 2025), which one of the following locations represented the deepest strike into Pakistan's Punjab heartland, a target once considered out of bounds even for U.S. drones?

Accepted Answer

Bahawalpur

Answer

Muzaffarabad

Answer

Kotli

Answer

Rawalakot

Question 9

CERT-In became operational as India's national cyber incident response agency in January 2004. The Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) associated with CERT-In was launched how many years after CERT-In became operational?

Accepted Answer

13 years

Answer

9 years

Answer

11 years

Answer

15 years

Question 10

Consider the following statements about India's cyber security institutions:
1. NCIIPC is the national nodal agency for the protection of Critical Information Infrastructure under Section 70A of the IT Act.
2. CERT-In is the national nodal agency for cyber security incident response under Section 70B of the IT Act.
3. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) functions under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
4. NCIIPC is a unit of the National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO).
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 11

With reference to CERT-In's 2025 performance as reported in the 2026 PIB backgrounder, consider the following statements:
1. CERT-In issued more security alerts than vulnerability notes during 2025.
2. CERT-In issued more advisories than vulnerability notes during 2025.
3. India's cyber-incident response leadership in 2025 was acknowledged by the World Economic Forum, the University of Oxford and France's ANSSI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 12

According to the 2026 PIB backgrounder on CERT-In, consider the following figures reported for its 2025 performance:
1. Cyber incidents handled — 29.44 lakh
2. Security alerts issued — 1,530
3. Vulnerability notes issued — 390
4. Advisories issued — 650
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly stated?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

3 only

Answer

2 and 4

Question 13

With reference to the Cyber Swachhta Kendra, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched in 2017 as a Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre.
2. It provides free tools for the detection and removal of malicious programmes.
3. It is operated by the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
4. As of 2025 it covers about 98% of India's digital population.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 14

Which one of the following best describes the Cyber Swachhta Kendra?

Accepted Answer

A Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre operated by CERT-In that provides free tools to detect and remove malware.

Answer

A centre that audits and certifies the security of Critical Information Infrastructure.

Answer

A MOOC platform to train police and judicial officers in cybercrime investigation and forensics.

Answer

A 24x7 national helpline for reporting financial cyber fraud.

Question 15

Under CERT-In's 2022 Cyber Security Directions, covered entities are required to synchronise the clocks of all their ICT systems to the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers of which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

National Informatics Centre and National Physical Laboratory

Answer

Indian Space Research Organisation

Answer

Reserve Bank of India

Answer

Telecom Regulatory Authority of India

Question 16

Which one of the following statements best describes the primary statutory mandate of CERT-In?

Accepted Answer

It is the national agency for collection, analysis and dissemination of information on cyber incidents and for coordinating incident response.

Answer

It is the national nodal agency for the protection of Critical Information Infrastructure.

Answer

It is the nodal agency for the investigation and prosecution of cybercrimes against individuals.

Answer

It is the authority that coordinates the national cyber security strategy across all ministries.

Question 17

CERT-In functions as the national nodal agency for cyber security incident response primarily under which one of the following ministries/authorities?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Answer

Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

National Security Council Secretariat

Answer

Ministry of Defence

Question 18

With reference to the statutory basis of CERT-In, consider the following statements:
1. CERT-In is the national nodal agency for cyber security incident response under Section 70B of the IT Act, 2000.
2. Section 70B was inserted into the IT Act, 2000 by the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008.
3. Non-compliance with a direction issued by CERT-In can attract imprisonment up to one year and/or a fine of up to one lakh rupees.
4. Directions issued by CERT-In under Section 70B are recommendatory and legally non-binding on service providers.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 19

In the context of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, what does a 'Positive Indigenisation List' precisely denote?

Accepted Answer

A list of defence items that, after notified timelines, may be procured only from domestic manufacturers and cannot be imported

Answer

A list of defence items reserved exclusively for import owing to lack of domestic capability

Answer

A list of defence items cleared for export to friendly foreign countries

Answer

A list of defence items in which higher foreign direct investment is specially permitted

Question 20

With reference to theaterisation and integrated commands in India, consider the following statements:
1. Under theaterisation, an Integrated Theatre Command would control land, air and naval assets in a region, unlike the present largely single-Service commands.
2. The Andaman and Nicobar Command is India's first integrated tri-Service command.
3. The Department of Military Affairs is headed by the Defence Secretary rather than the Chief of Defence Staff.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 21

With reference to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Department of Military Affairs, consider the following statements:
1. The post of Chief of Defence Staff was created in December 2019.
2. The Chief of Defence Staff heads the Department of Military Affairs.
3. The Chief of Defence Staff is a four-star officer and principal military adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-Service matters.
4. The Chief of Defence Staff exercises direct operational command over the three Services.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

3 only

Question 22

Which one of the following was the first of India's recent cross-border counter-terror responses to be executed as a declared, joint tri-Service operation?

Accepted Answer

Operation Sindoor (2025)

Answer

Uri surgical strike (2016)

Answer

Balakot air strike (2019)

Answer

Operation Mahadev (2025)

Question 23

With reference to India's cross-border counter-terror operations, consider the following:
1. Uri surgical strike (2016) — conducted by Army Para (Special Forces) across the Line of Control.
2. Balakot air strike (2019) — carried out by the Indian Air Force using Mirage 2000 aircraft.
3. Balakot air strike (2019) — launched in response to the Pulwama terror attack.
4. Uri surgical strike (2016) — launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 24

With reference to the Pahalgam terror attack (2025) and its aftermath, consider the following statements:
1. All 26 persons killed in the Pahalgam attack were Indian nationals.
2. The Pahalgam attack preceded Operation Sindoor, just as the Pulwama attack had preceded the Balakot air strike.
3. The Pahalgam attack occurred in April 2025, whereas Operation Sindoor was launched the following month.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 25

How many persons were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025?

Accepted Answer

26

Answer

19

Answer

40

Answer

25

Question 26

Under Operation Sindoor, which one of the following constituted the primary category of targets struck across the border?

Accepted Answer

Terrorist infrastructure, including the headquarters of Lashkar-e-Taiba and Jaish-e-Mohammed

Answer

Forward military garrisons of the Pakistan Army

Answer

Air-defence radar and missile installations of the Pakistan Air Force

Answer

Naval assets and port facilities of the Pakistan Navy

Question 27

Operation Sindoor (May 2025) was conceived and executed under the direct charge of which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

The Indian Armed Forces under the Ministry of Defence, after approval by the Cabinet Committee on Security

Answer

The Central Reserve Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

The National Investigation Agency under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Answer

The National Security Guard under the Ministry of Home Affairs

Question 28

The operationalisation and roadmap for integrating quantum technologies into the Armed Forces under the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework is coordinated primarily through which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Department of Military Affairs under the Ministry of Defence

Answer

Department of Science & Technology

Answer

Defence Research & Development Organisation

Answer

Department of Defence Production

Question 29

The Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework was released by which one of the following, who is also the senior-most military officer and functions as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs?

Accepted Answer

Chief of Defence Staff

Answer

Chief of the Army Staff

Answer

Chief of the Naval Staff

Answer

Chief of the Air Staff

Question 30

Consider the following statements comparing INS Sudarshini's earlier voyages with the Lokayan 26 expedition:
1. INS Sudarshini had earlier undertaken the ASEAN–India Commemorative Expedition of 2012–13.
2. INS Tarangini was the first Indian naval ship to circumnavigate the globe.
3. Lokayan 26 is INS Sudarshini's first sailing voyage since her commissioning.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — January 2026

Q1. In the context of the 22 April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, the term 'Operation Mahadev' refers to which one of the following?

Q2. Among India's three major cross-border counter-terror actions of the last decade, which one was the first to be executed using fighter air power rather than a ground assault?

Q3. In his January 2026 DRDO address, Rajnath Singh cautioned that, given the pace of change, a technology that is new today may become irrelevant within roughly how many years?

Q4. In his January 2026 address to DRDO, Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh identified which one of the following as the foremost parameter for judging DRDO's performance?

Q6. Consider the following initiatives: 1. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) 2. ADITI scheme 3. Positive Indigenisation Lists 4. PM-KUSUM Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an initiative to promote Aatmanirbharta in the defence sector?

Q8. During Operation Sindoor (May 2025), which one of the following locations represented the deepest strike into Pakistan's Punjab heartland, a target once considered out of bounds even for U.S. drones?

Q9. CERT-In became operational as India's national cyber incident response agency in January 2004. The Cyber Swachhta Kendra (Botnet Cleaning and Malware Analysis Centre) associated with CERT-In was launched how many years after CERT-In became operational?

Q14. Which one of the following best describes the Cyber Swachhta Kendra?

Q15. Under CERT-In's 2022 Cyber Security Directions, covered entities are required to synchronise the clocks of all their ICT systems to the Network Time Protocol (NTP) servers of which one of the following?

Q16. Which one of the following statements best describes the primary statutory mandate of CERT-In?

Q17. CERT-In functions as the national nodal agency for cyber security incident response primarily under which one of the following ministries/authorities?

Q19. In the context of Aatmanirbhar Bharat in defence, what does a 'Positive Indigenisation List' precisely denote?

Q22. Which one of the following was the first of India's recent cross-border counter-terror responses to be executed as a declared, joint tri-Service operation?

Q25. How many persons were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack of 22 April 2025?

Q26. Under Operation Sindoor, which one of the following constituted the primary category of targets struck across the border?

Q27. Operation Sindoor (May 2025) was conceived and executed under the direct charge of which one of the following?

Q28. The operationalisation and roadmap for integrating quantum technologies into the Armed Forces under the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework is coordinated primarily through which one of the following?

Q29. The Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework was released by which one of the following, who is also the senior-most military officer and functions as Secretary, Department of Military Affairs?