Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — April 2026

Q1. With reference to the Indian Navy's Operation Sankalp as originally launched in 2019 vis-à-vis its expanded maritime security deployments since late 2023, consider the following statements: 1. While the 2019 mandate was confined to providing escort to Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the post-2023 deployments have extended response operations to the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and waters off the east coast of Somalia. 2. Unlike the 2019 phase, which was essentially a reassurance-and-escort presence, the post-2023 phase has included first-responder action against drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels and hijacking incidents. 3. Both phases are progressed in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Directorate General of Shipping. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. While the 2019 mandate was confined to providing escort to Indian-flagged vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the post-2023 deployments have extended response operations to the Gulf of Aden, the Arabian Sea and waters off the east coast of Somalia.
2. Unlike the 2019 phase, which was essentially a reassurance-and-escort presence, the post-2023 phase has included first-responder action against drone and missile attacks on merchant vessels and hijacking incidents.
3. Both phases are progressed in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and the Directorate General of Shipping.

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

Q2. Match List I (Event relating to seafarer protection / maritime security) with List II (Year) and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

• A. A-1, B-2, C-3, D-4
• B. A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4
• C. A-1, B-3, C-2, D-4
• D. A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3

Q3. With reference to the modular architecture and capability of the BHISHM Aarogya Maitri Health Cube as compared to its constituent 'mini cubes', consider the following statements: 1. A full BHISHM Cube is constituted by 36 mini cubes assembled into a single mother cube. 2. A complete BHISHM Cube can provide medical care, including surgical procedures, for up to 200 casualties. 3. In a mass casualty incident, the entire BHISHM Cube can be set up within 12 minutes to address the 'golden hour' window. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1. A full BHISHM Cube is constituted by 36 mini cubes assembled into a single mother cube.
2. 2. A complete BHISHM Cube can provide medical care, including surgical procedures, for up to 200 casualties.
3. 3. In a mass casualty incident, the entire BHISHM Cube can be set up within 12 minutes to address the 'golden hour' window.

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

Q4. Which one of the following aircraft was used as the primary platform by the Indian Air Force for the first-of-its-kind precise para-drop of the BHISHM (Aarogya Maitri) Health Cube at an altitude of close to 15,000 feet?

• A. Il-76 Gajraj
• B. C-17 Globemaster III
• C. C-130J Super Hercules
• D. An-32

Q5. Consider the following pairs relating to India's cyber-crime reporting ecosystem: 1. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — cybercrime.gov.in 2. Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting helpline — 1930 3. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) — Ministry of Home Affairs 4. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — launched and administered under the Ministry of Finance Which of the pairs given above is NOT correctly matched?

1. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — cybercrime.gov.in
2. Citizen Financial Cyber Fraud Reporting helpline — 1930
3. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) — Ministry of Home Affairs
4. National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal — launched and administered under the Ministry of Finance

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

Q6. Under a 2025 MoU with FIU-IND for combating cyber-enabled financial fraud, which body agreed to share its Mobile Number Revocation List (MNRL) data with FIU-IND on an automatic basis?

• A. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)
• B. Department of Telecommunications (DoT)
• C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY)
• D. Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI)

Q7. FIU-IND's authority to receive and share Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) — the financial intelligence pooled with I4C under the 2026 MoU — is derived from which statute?

• A. Information Technology Act, 2000
• B. Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
• C. Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999
• D. Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967

Q8. The 2026 landmark MoU institutionalising the sharing of financial intelligence on cyber-enabled crimes was signed between FIU-IND and which of the following bodies?

• A. Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C)
• B. Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)
• C. National Critical Information Infrastructure Protection Centre (NCIIPC)
• D. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)

Q9. Consider the following statements about the verticals of I4C's seven-pronged architecture: 1. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) is the vertical through which citizens lodge cyber-crime complaints, including via helpline 1930. 2. The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory is one of the seven verticals of I4C. 3. The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) is the vertical primarily responsible for imparting training to state police personnel. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) is the vertical through which citizens lodge cyber-crime complaints, including via helpline 1930.
2. The National Cyber Forensic Laboratory is one of the seven verticals of I4C.
3. The National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit (NCTAU) is the vertical primarily responsible for imparting training to state police personnel.

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

Q10. With effect from which date was the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) formally made an attached office of the Ministry of Home Affairs?

• A. 18 November 2004
• B. 10 January 2020
• C. 1 July 2024
• D. 1 July 2005

Q11. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), which operates the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal, functions as an attached office under which Union ministry?

• A. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
• B. Ministry of Home Affairs
• C. Ministry of Finance
• D. Ministry of Communications

Q12. INS Taragiri was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, which hosts the headquarters of the Eastern Naval Command. Into how many operational command-level formations (Commands) is the Indian Navy organised?

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

Q13. With reference to indigenisation in Indian naval shipbuilding, consider the following statements: 1. The warship-grade steel DMR-249A was developed jointly by the Indian Navy, DRDO and SAIL. 2. Project 17A frigates are built with over 75% indigenous content. 3. The Warship Design Bureau is the in-house design organisation of the Indian Navy. 4. INS Taragiri was India's first indigenously built stealth frigate. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The warship-grade steel DMR-249A was developed jointly by the Indian Navy, DRDO and SAIL.
2. Project 17A frigates are built with over 75% indigenous content.
3. The Warship Design Bureau is the in-house design organisation of the Indian Navy.
4. INS Taragiri was India's first indigenously built stealth frigate.

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

Q14. With reference to the design features that make a warship a 'stealth' frigate, consider the following: 1. Reduced radar cross-section through a shaped hull and superstructure 2. Suppression of infrared signature from engine exhaust 3. Reduction of acoustic and magnetic signatures 4. Maximised radar reflectivity through large exposed angular fittings Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a stealth design feature?

1. Reduced radar cross-section through a shaped hull and superstructure
2. Suppression of infrared signature from engine exhaust
3. Reduction of acoustic and magnetic signatures
4. Maximised radar reflectivity through large exposed angular fittings

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

Q15. The earlier INS Taragiri, a Leander-class (Nilgiri-class) frigate whose name has been revived for the Project 17A ship, served the Indian Navy for approximately how many years before being decommissioned?

• A. About 23 years
• B. About 28 years
• C. About 33 years
• D. About 38 years

Q16. Consider the following statements about the sister ships of the Project 17A programme: 1. INS Mahendragiri is the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A). 2. INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were both commissioned in the year 2025. 3. INS Taragiri was the last of all seven Project 17A ships to be delivered to the Navy. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. INS Mahendragiri is the sixth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A).
2. INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were both commissioned in the year 2025.
3. INS Taragiri was the last of all seven Project 17A ships to be delivered to the Navy.

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

Q17. Consider the following statements regarding the construction of Project 17A frigates: 1. Four of the seven frigates are built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (Mumbai) and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata). 2. The Project 17A frigates are built with over 75% indigenous content. 3. INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the class, was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Four of the seven frigates are built at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders (Mumbai) and three at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (Kolkata).
2. The Project 17A frigates are built with over 75% indigenous content.
3. INS Nilgiri, the lead ship of the class, was built at Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata.

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

Q18. The Project 17A (Nilgiri-class) stealth frigates, including INS Taragiri, were designed by which one of the following organisations?

• A. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
• B. Warship Design Bureau of the Indian Navy
• C. Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited
• D. Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers

Q19. Consider the following statements comparing the commissioning of recent Project 17A frigates: 1. INS Taragiri was commissioned in the presence of the Raksha Mantri, whereas INS Dunagiri was commissioned by the Prime Minister. 2. INS Taragiri was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, whereas INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were commissioned at Mumbai. 3. INS Taragiri is the fourth Project 17A frigate, whereas INS Nilgiri was the first. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. INS Taragiri was commissioned in the presence of the Raksha Mantri, whereas INS Dunagiri was commissioned by the Prime Minister.
2. INS Taragiri was commissioned at Visakhapatnam, whereas INS Udaygiri and INS Himgiri were commissioned at Mumbai.
3. INS Taragiri is the fourth Project 17A frigate, whereas INS Nilgiri was the first.

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

Q20. With reference to the commissioning of INS Taragiri, consider the following statements: 1. It was commissioned at Visakhapatnam. 2. It is the fourth ship of the Project 17A class. 3. It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau. 4. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It was commissioned at Visakhapatnam.
2. It is the fourth ship of the Project 17A class.
3. It was designed by the Warship Design Bureau.
4. It was built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers, Kolkata.

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

Q21. With reference to the Project 17 (Shivalik-class) stealth frigates, consider the following ships: 1. INS Shivalik 2. INS Satpura 3. INS Sahyadri 4. INS Udaygiri Which of the above is/are correctly identified as Project 17 (Shivalik-class) frigates?

1. INS Shivalik
2. INS Satpura
3. INS Sahyadri
4. INS Udaygiri

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

Q22. How many frigates were contracted for construction under Project 17A (Nilgiri-class), of which INS Taragiri is a part?

• A. Three
• B. Four
• C. Six
• D. Seven

Q23. Which country became the first international customer of India's BrahMos supersonic cruise missile?

• A. Philippines
• B. Armenia
• C. Vietnam
• D. Indonesia

Q24. With reference to the destinations of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. Armenia has concluded deals for Indian Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems. 2. India's defence equipment is exported to more than 80 countries. 3. The Akash surface-to-air missile is among the systems India exports. 4. India's defence exports in FY 2025-26 were confined to fewer than 50 countries. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Armenia has concluded deals for Indian Pinaka multiple-launch rocket systems.
2. India's defence equipment is exported to more than 80 countries.
3. The Akash surface-to-air missile is among the systems India exports.
4. India's defence exports in FY 2025-26 were confined to fewer than 50 countries.

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

Q25. With reference to India's defence export-control architecture, consider the following statements: 1. Category 6 of SCOMET corresponds to the Munitions List. 2. The Department of Defence Production was notified as the licensing authority for SCOMET Category 6 through a DGFT public notice. 3. The Department of Defence Production functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. 4. Foreign Direct Investment in defence is permitted up to 74% under the automatic route. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Category 6 of SCOMET corresponds to the Munitions List.
2. The Department of Defence Production was notified as the licensing authority for SCOMET Category 6 through a DGFT public notice.
3. The Department of Defence Production functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
4. Foreign Direct Investment in defence is permitted up to 74% under the automatic route.

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

Q26. With reference to the governance of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. The Department of Defence Production administers India's Defence Public Sector Undertakings. 2. The Department of Defence Production is the licensing authority for export of items under Category 6 (Munitions List) of SCOMET. 3. The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is a one-time export licence permitting export of specified items to specified destinations. 4. The SCOMET list is notified and administered exclusively by the Ministry of External Affairs. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. The Department of Defence Production administers India's Defence Public Sector Undertakings.
2. The Department of Defence Production is the licensing authority for export of items under Category 6 (Munitions List) of SCOMET.
3. The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) is a one-time export licence permitting export of specified items to specified destinations.
4. The SCOMET list is notified and administered exclusively by the Ministry of External Affairs.

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

Q27. The Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020, which prioritises the 'Buy (Indian-IDDM)' category, governs capital acquisition of defence equipment administered by which of the following?

• A. Department of Defence (Acquisition Wing)
• B. Department of Defence Production
• C. Defence Research and Development Organisation
• D. Department of Military Affairs

Q28. The target of achieving Rs 35,000 crore in defence exports by 2025 was set under which of the following policy documents?

• A. Defence Production and Export Promotion Policy (DPEPP) 2020
• B. Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020
• C. Defence Production Policy 2018
• D. Make in India initiative, 2014

Q29. With reference to the growth of India's defence exports, consider the following statements: 1. Annual exports rose from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26. 2. The FY 2025-26 figure of Rs 38,424 crore was about 62.66% higher than the FY 2024-25 figure of Rs 23,622 crore. 3. In FY 2023-24, DPSUs contributed 60% and the private sector 40% of defence exports. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Annual exports rose from Rs 686 crore in FY 2013-14 to Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.
2. The FY 2025-26 figure of Rs 38,424 crore was about 62.66% higher than the FY 2024-25 figure of Rs 23,622 crore.
3. In FY 2023-24, DPSUs contributed 60% and the private sector 40% of defence exports.

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

Q30. India's defence exports are frequently described as having risen 'more than 56-fold over twelve years.' In this statement, the baseline (starting) value refers to:

• A. Rs 686 crore, the defence exports of FY 2013-14
• B. Rs 4,312 crore, the cumulative exports of 2004-05 to 2013-14 alone
• C. Rs 23,622 crore, the defence exports of FY 2024-25
• D. Rs 21,083 crore, the defence exports of FY 2023-24