Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — April 2026

Q1. Operation Sindoor was operationalised as which of the following?

  • A. A joint tri-services action of the Indian Army, Navy and Air Force under the Ministry of Defence
  • B. An Indian Air Force operation carried out solely by fighter aircraft
  • C. An operation led by the National Security Guard
  • D. An operation conducted by the Border Security Force along the international boundary

Q2. The Pahalgam terror attack that India cited as the trigger for Operation Sindoor took place in which month and year?

  • A. April 2025
  • B. May 2025
  • C. February 2025
  • D. April 2024

Q3. The Resistance Front (TRF), which claimed responsibility for the April 2025 Pahalgam attack, is best described as:

  • A. An offshoot/proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba
  • B. A breakaway faction of Jaish-e-Mohammed
  • C. The armed wing of Hizbul Mujahideen
  • D. An affiliate of Al-Qaeda in the Indian Subcontinent

Q4. Which one of the following best describes Operation Sindoor as officially characterised by the Government of India?

  • A. A tri-services precision strike on nine terror infrastructure targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir in May 2025
  • B. A sustained ground offensive by the Indian Army to capture territory across the Line of Control
  • C. A naval blockade of Pakistani ports to interdict weapons meant for terror outfits
  • D. A counter-insurgency clearing operation confined to the Kashmir Valley

Q5. 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

Q6. 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

Q7. 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

Q8. 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

Q9. Current wheeled armoured-vehicle technology generally limits overall vehicle weight to about how many tonnes, making it unsuited to heavy systems such as main battle tanks?

  • A. About 35 tonnes
  • B. About 70 tonnes
  • C. About 10 tonnes
  • D. About 120 tonnes

Q10. In the context of defence self-reliance, the 'Positive Indigenisation List' notified under DAP 2020 refers to:

  • A. A list of defence items that the Armed Forces will procure only from domestic manufacturers after notified timelines
  • B. A list of items barred from domestic production and reserved exclusively for import
  • C. A list of foreign vendors approved for defence exports to India
  • D. A list of DRDO laboratories cleared to transfer technology abroad

Q11. The Arjun Main Battle Tank and the Abhay Infantry Combat Vehicle technology demonstrator were both designed principally by which one of the following DRDO laboratories?

  • A. Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi
  • B. Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahilyanagar
  • C. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad
  • D. Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad

Q12. The DRDO Wheeled Armoured Platform (WhAP), part of India's indigenous armoured-vehicle lineage, is configured in which wheel arrangement?

  • A. 8×8 (eight-wheeled)
  • B. 6×6 (six-wheeled)
  • C. 4×4 (four-wheeled)
  • D. 10×10 (ten-wheeled)

Q13. With reference to STANAG 4569, consider the following statements: 1. It is a NATO Standardization Agreement defining protection levels for occupants of logistic and light armoured vehicles. 2. Level 4 protection corresponds to defeating 14.5 mm armour-piercing rounds. 3. Level 5 protection corresponds to defeating 25 mm rounds. 4. It defines protection against kinetic-energy ballistic threats only and excludes mine/IED blast protection. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is a NATO Standardization Agreement defining protection levels for occupants of logistic and light armoured vehicles.
  2. Level 4 protection corresponds to defeating 14.5 mm armour-piercing rounds.
  3. Level 5 protection corresponds to defeating 25 mm rounds.
  4. It defines protection against kinetic-energy ballistic threats only and excludes mine/IED blast protection.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q14. As per STANAG 4569, which one of the following represents the highest standardized protection level, requiring resistance against 30 mm armour-piercing rounds?

  • A. Level 6
  • B. Level 5
  • C. Level 4
  • D. Level 3

Q15. On the crewless turret of the Advanced Armoured Platforms, which one of the following constitutes the primary/main armament?

  • A. 30 mm cannon
  • B. 7.62 mm PKT coaxial gun
  • C. Anti-tank guided missile
  • D. 12.7 mm heavy machine gun

Q16. The 30 mm Crewless (remotely operated) Turret integrated on both the tracked and wheeled Advanced Armoured Platforms was:

  • A. Indigenously designed and developed by DRDO
  • B. Imported from Israel and integrated under transfer of technology
  • C. Adapted directly from the Russian BMP-2 turret
  • D. A NATO-standard turret procured off-the-shelf

Q17. In respect of the Advanced Armoured Platforms unveiled by DRDO in 2026, consider the following: 1. Developing laboratory — VRDE, Ahilyanagar 2. Unveiled by the Secretary DDR&D & Chairman, DRDO 3. Manufacturing industry partners — Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited 4. Nodal ministry — Ministry of Home Affairs Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Developing laboratory — VRDE, Ahilyanagar
  2. Unveiled by the Secretary DDR&D & Chairman, DRDO
  3. Manufacturing industry partners — Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Bharat Forge Limited
  4. Nodal ministry — Ministry of Home Affairs
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q18. With reference to the Advanced Armoured Platforms unveiled by DRDO in April 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the earlier DRDO WhAP, which is a wheeled platform, these were unveiled in both tracked and wheeled variants. 2. Their turret is crewless (remotely operated), a departure from a conventional manned turret. 3. The 30 mm turret, unlike its supporting configuration, cannot be used to launch anti-tank guided missiles. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the earlier DRDO WhAP, which is a wheeled platform, these were unveiled in both tracked and wheeled variants.
  2. Their turret is crewless (remotely operated), a departure from a conventional manned turret.
  3. The 30 mm turret, unlike its supporting configuration, cannot be used to launch anti-tank guided missiles.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q19. With reference to Indian defence establishments, consider the following: 1. Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahilyanagar 2. Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi 3. Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi 4. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad Which of the above is/are correctly identified as laboratories of the DRDO?

  1. Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (VRDE), Ahilyanagar
  2. Combat Vehicles Research & Development Establishment (CVRDE), Avadi
  3. Heavy Vehicles Factory (HVF), Avadi
  4. Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL), Hyderabad
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q20. The DRDO laboratory that designed and developed the Advanced Armoured Platforms (Tracked & Wheeled) unveiled in 2026 is best described by which one of the following mandates?

  • A. Research and development of automotive systems for wheeled and light tracked military vehicles
  • B. Design of main battle tanks and their composite armour packages
  • C. Development of gas-turbine powerpacks for combat aircraft
  • D. Development of naval propulsion and marine engineering systems

Q21. Consider the following statements regarding India's defence exports: 1. India's defence exports rose to a record of about Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25, a growth of roughly 12% over FY 2023-24. 2. In FY 2024-25, the private sector contributed a larger share of defence exports than the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs). 3. The Government's stated target is to raise defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's defence exports rose to a record of about Rs 23,622 crore in FY 2024-25, a growth of roughly 12% over FY 2023-24.
  2. In FY 2024-25, the private sector contributed a larger share of defence exports than the Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs).
  3. The Government's stated target is to raise defence exports to Rs 50,000 crore by 2025.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q22. With reference to laws governing tribal areas in LWE-affected regions, consider the following statements: 1. The PESA Act, 1996 extends the provisions of Part IX (Panchayats) of the Constitution to the Fifth Schedule (Scheduled) Areas. 2. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs. 3. Of the ten PESA states, eight have notified their State PESA Rules. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The PESA Act, 1996 extends the provisions of Part IX (Panchayats) of the Constitution to the Fifth Schedule (Scheduled) Areas.
  2. The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 is implemented by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  3. Of the ten PESA states, eight have notified their State PESA Rules.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q23. With reference to the history of Left Wing Extremism in India, consider the following statements: 1. The April 2010 Dantewada ambush, in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed, was the deadliest single Maoist attack on security forces. 2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006) described Left Wing Extremism as the single biggest internal security challenge facing the country. 3. The CPI (Maoist) was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The April 2010 Dantewada ambush, in which 76 CRPF personnel were killed, was the deadliest single Maoist attack on security forces.
  2. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006) described Left Wing Extremism as the single biggest internal security challenge facing the country.
  3. The CPI (Maoist) was formed in 2004 through the merger of the People's War Group and the Maoist Communist Centre of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q24. With reference to the 'National Policy and Action Plan to address LWE', consider the following statements: 1. It was approved in 2015. 2. It was formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs. 3. Unlike earlier approaches, it is confined solely to security operations and excludes development measures. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. It was approved in 2015.
  2. It was formulated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
  3. Unlike earlier approaches, it is confined solely to security operations and excludes development measures.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q25. In the anti-LWE 'SAMADHAN' doctrine, the leading component denoted by the first letter 'S' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Smart Leadership
  • B. Strategic Command
  • C. Special Forces deployment
  • D. Surrender and rehabilitation

Q26. The 'SAMADHAN' doctrine, an eight-pillar operational strategy against Left Wing Extremism, was enunciated and is operationalised under which of the following?

  • A. Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Defence
  • C. National Investigation Agency
  • D. National Security Council Secretariat

Q27. Ahead of the 31 March 2026 'Naxal-free India' deadline, to how many districts had the category of 'most affected' LWE districts been reduced (down from 6)?

  • A. 3
  • B. 6
  • C. 11
  • D. 38

Q28. As the 31 March 2026 'Naxal-free India' deadline approached, the Ministry of Home Affairs identified a short list of districts as the 'most affected' by LWE. Which one of the following is NOT correctly identified as one of these 'most affected' districts?

  1. Bijapur (Chhattisgarh)
  2. Sukma (Chhattisgarh)
  3. Narayanpur (Chhattisgarh)
  4. Gadchiroli (Maharashtra)
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q29. With reference to the trend in Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts in India, consider the following statements: 1. The number of LWE-affected districts fell from 126 to 90 in April 2018. 2. As of April 2024, the number of LWE-affected districts stood at 38, spread across 9 states. 3. The Ministry of Home Affairs currently groups affected districts into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts'. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The number of LWE-affected districts fell from 126 to 90 in April 2018.
  2. As of April 2024, the number of LWE-affected districts stood at 38, spread across 9 states.
  3. The Ministry of Home Affairs currently groups affected districts into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts'.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q30. The periodic list of Left Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, and their classification into 'Most Affected Districts', 'Districts of Concern' and 'Other LWE-affected Districts', is maintained by which of the following?

  • A. Left Wing Extremism Division, Ministry of Home Affairs
  • B. Rural Development Department, Ministry of Rural Development
  • C. Tribal Development Division, Ministry of Tribal Affairs
  • D. Internal Security Wing, Ministry of Defence