Defence & Internal Security MCQs for UPSC Prelims — August 2026

Q1. With reference to tribal welfare and governance outreach in extremism-affected regions, consider the following: 1. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched on 2 October 2024 from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand. 2. PM-JANMAN is directed at the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups. 3. Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the affected districts are sanctioned as a component of the Aspirational Districts Programme of the NITI Aayog. 4. The Dharti Aaba Abhiyan covers about 63,843 villages across 30 States and Union Territories through interventions converged from 17 line ministries. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan was launched on 2 October 2024 from Hazaribagh in Jharkhand.
  2. PM-JANMAN is directed at the holistic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.
  3. Eklavya Model Residential Schools in the affected districts are sanctioned as a component of the Aspirational Districts Programme of the NITI Aayog.
  4. The Dharti Aaba Abhiyan covers about 63,843 villages across 30 States and Union Territories through interventions converged from 17 line ministries.
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to Left Wing Extremist violence during the decade 2004–2014, consider the following: 1. The decade recorded a total of 17,542 violent incidents. 2. Deaths of security force personnel during the decade numbered 1,913. 3. The year 2010 alone accounted for 1,936 violent incidents, the highest for any single year of the decade. 4. The year 2010 also recorded 720 security force deaths, the highest annual toll for the forces during the decade. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The decade recorded a total of 17,542 violent incidents.
  2. Deaths of security force personnel during the decade numbered 1,913.
  3. The year 2010 alone accounted for 1,936 violent incidents, the highest for any single year of the decade.
  4. The year 2010 also recorded 720 security force deaths, the highest annual toll for the forces during the decade.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q3. Under the surrender-cum-rehabilitation framework for Maoist cadres, the monthly stipend of Rs 10,000 towards vocational training is payable for a period of how many months?

  • A. 24
  • B. 36
  • C. 48
  • D. 60

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the central schemes that support States affected by Left Wing Extremism: 1. The Special Central Assistance scheme, approved in 2017, provides a larger annual allocation to a 'most affected' district than to a 'district of concern'. 2. The Security Related Expenditure scheme, unlike the Special Central Assistance, works by reimbursing States for items such as transportation, communication and stipends paid to surrendered Maoists. 3. The Special Infrastructure Scheme is directed at strengthening State police infrastructure and special forces rather than at village-level development gaps. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Special Central Assistance scheme, approved in 2017, provides a larger annual allocation to a 'most affected' district than to a 'district of concern'.
  2. The Security Related Expenditure scheme, unlike the Special Central Assistance, works by reimbursing States for items such as transportation, communication and stipends paid to surrendered Maoists.
  3. The Special Infrastructure Scheme is directed at strengthening State police infrastructure and special forces rather than at village-level development gaps.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the named security operations conducted against Maoists, consider the following: 1. Operation Double Bull — its success led to Gumla, Lohardaga and Latehar being declared free of Maoist influence. 2. Operation Octopus — it was mounted to attach the properties of Maoist financiers under money-laundering law. 3. Operation Chakrabandha — it freed areas that had remained under Maoist control for about three decades. 4. Operation Black Forest — it was an armed operation in which over thirty Maoists were eliminated. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Operation Double Bull — its success led to Gumla, Lohardaga and Latehar being declared free of Maoist influence.
  2. Operation Octopus — it was mounted to attach the properties of Maoist financiers under money-laundering law.
  3. Operation Chakrabandha — it freed areas that had remained under Maoist control for about three decades.
  4. Operation Black Forest — it was an armed operation in which over thirty Maoists were eliminated.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q6. In the operation conducted in the Karreguttalu Hill region between 21 April and 11 May 2025, how many Maoists were neutralised without any casualty to the security forces?

  • A. 22
  • B. 27
  • C. 31
  • D. 33

Q7. Which one of the following statements about how the Vishwaas–Nirman–Jan Kalyan approach is operationalised is correct?

  • A. The Nirman pillar is executed solely by the Ministry of Home Affairs, no other line ministry contributing to connectivity works in these districts.
  • B. The Vishwaas pillar rests entirely on armed operations by central forces, structured surrender frameworks lying outside its scope altogether.
  • C. All three pillars are implemented exclusively through the Ministry of Tribal Affairs in the affected States and Union Territories.
  • D. Residential schools for tribal children and skill development centres in the affected districts form part of the welfare and mainstreaming pillar.

Q8. Under the connectivity and infrastructure push in extremism-affected areas, how many night-landing helipads have been established?

  • A. 68
  • B. 46
  • C. 49
  • D. 61

Q9. Which one of the following statements about the agencies whose action underpinned the 2026 'Naxal-Free India' outcome is correct?

  • A. The Enforcement Directorate alone is competent to investigate extremism-linked offences, the National Investigation Agency having no jurisdiction over such cases.
  • B. The National Investigation Agency investigated extremism-linked cases and filed charge sheets, while the Enforcement Directorate attached assets under money-laundering law.
  • C. Seizure of extremist assets is carried out exclusively by State police agencies, no central agency being empowered to attach such property.
  • D. The classification of a district as extremism-affected rests entirely with the State Governments, the Union Government having no role in the categorisation.

Q10. The 'Naxal-Free India' milestone records that the number of districts categorised as 'most affected' by Left Wing Extremism has been brought down to zero. From what 2014 figure did this particular category decline?

  • A. 30
  • B. 33
  • C. 35
  • D. 38

Q11. As per the Ministry of Home Affairs' periodic review of the geographical spread of Left Wing Extremism, how many districts stood classified as LWE-affected in July 2021?

  • A. 60
  • B. 70
  • C. 76
  • D. 90

Q12. Which one of the following statements regarding the institutional machinery that handles Left Wing Extremism in India is correct?

  • A. The Commando Battalion for Resolute Action is raised entirely from the State Armed Police of the affected States and functions independently of any central armed police force.
  • B. The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is the sole nodal authority for every security and development scheme operating in the extremism-affected districts.
  • C. A dedicated Left Wing Extremism Division set up in the Ministry of Home Affairs in 2006 implements capacity-building schemes for the affected States.
  • D. Counter-extremism operations are conducted only by central forces, the State police forces having no operational role in them.