Defence technology and security — UPSC Prelims PYQs
23 questions in this bank come from Defence technology and security, spanning UPSC Prelims papers from 2014 to 2026. Every question here carries all four options, the correct answer and a full explanation.
It has appeared in 6 of the last 16 papers, most heavily in 2026 with 7 questions. That makes it an occasional area rather than a fixture.
The themes examined most often within it are Defense Technology Innovations (6), Military Applications of Technology (4), Defence Organization and Structure (3), Military Hardware and Systems (3) and National Security and Governance (3). Those counts are of questions in which the theme is examined, not merely mentioned.
Questions here are spread across Science & Technology (12), General Studies (Uncategorized) (7) and Polity & Governance (4). Between them they draw on 26 distinct themes, so this is a broader area than a single revision note can cover. That is 1.6% of the 1433 questions in the bank — useful for deciding how much revision time it deserves.
It has come up more often lately — roughly 4.4 questions a year across the last five papers, against 0.1 before that.
It was not examined in 10 of those papers. Each question below links to its full explanation and to related questions on the same theme from other years, so a weak area can be worked through in one pass rather than hunted for paper by paper.
UPSC Prelims 20267 questions
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to stealth technology is/are correct? 1. Stealth objects have a very small radar cross-section and are coated with Radar Absorbing Material. 2. Stealth objects can be detected using specific frequencies. 3. Stealth objects are coated with metamaterials to increase the scattering of electromagnetic radiation. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Polity & Governance
Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: 1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities. 2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing India's strategic autonomy. 3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security shield by 2035. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct? 1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits. 2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to Black Boxes used in modern aircrafts is/are correct? 1. They carry a beacon emitting red light pulses to facilitate underwater detection. 2. They record both the cockpit voice and flight data. 3. Their memory units are made using either stainless steel or titanium. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct? 1. The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025. 2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies. 3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia. Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India? 1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets 2. T-90 MK-III Tanks 3. Akula Class Submarine Select the answer using the code given below:
- Science & Technology
Which of the following statements with regard to drone swarms is/are correct? 1. They use Terahertz band of frequency to communicate with the command centre. 2. Individual drones in the swarm can communicate with other drones in the swarm. 3. GPS Spoofing is a commonly used technique to counter drone swarm attack. Select the answer using the code given below:
UPSC Prelims 20255 questions
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
Consider the following statements: I. Indian Railways have prepared a National Rail Plan (NRP) to create a 'future ready' railway system by 2028. II. 'Kavach' is an Automatic Train Protection system developed in collaboration with Germany. III. 'Kavach' system consists of RFID tags fitted on track in station section. Which of the statements given above are not correct?
- Science & Technology
What is the common characteristic of the chemical substances generally known as CL-20, HMX and LLM-105, which are sometimes talked about in media?
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type — Description I. Dornier-228 — Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 — Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globemaster III — Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
- Science & Technology
With reference to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), consider the following statements: I. All types of UAVs can do vertical landing. II. All types of UAVs can do automated hovering. III. All types of UAVs can use battery only as a source of power supply. How many of the statements given above are correct?
- Polity & Governance
With reference to India, consider the following: I. The Inter-State Council II. The National Security Council III. Zonal Councils How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?
UPSC Prelims 20245 questions
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
Which of the following statements about 'Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct? 1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh. 2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune). 3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation. 4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise. Select the answer using the code given below:
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces? Army — Airforce — Navy 1. Brigadier — Air Commodore — Commander 2. Major General — Air Vice Marshal — Vice Admiral 3. Major — Squadron Leader — Lieutenant Commander 4. Lieutenant Colonel — Group Captain — Captain Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
Consider the following aircraft: 1. Rafael 2. MiG-29 3. Tejas MK-1 How many of the above are considered fifth generation fighter aircraft?
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs? 1. Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee 2. Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs 3. Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters Select the correct answer using the code given below:
- General Studies (Uncategorized)
Consider the following activities: 1. Identification of narcotics on passengers at airports or in aircraft 2. Monitoring of precipitation 3. Tracking the migration of animals In how many of the above activities can the radars be used?
UPSC Prelims 20234 questions
- Polity & Governance
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in the maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/ coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some states. How many of the above statements are correct?
- Polity & Governance
With reference to India, consider the following pairs: Action The Act under which it is covered 1. Unauthorised of the official police or Military uniforms The Official Secrets Act,1923 2. Knowingly misleading or otherwise Interfering with a police officer or military officer when engaged in their duties The Indian Evidence Act, 1872 3. Celebratory gunfire which can endanger the personal safety of others The Arms (Amendment) Act, 2019 How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
- Science & Technology
Consider the following statements: 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid - fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Science & Technology
Consider the following actions: 1. Detection of car crash/collision, which result in the deployment of airbags almost instantaneously. 2. Detection of accidental free fall of a laptop towards the ground which results in the immediate turning off of the hard drive. 3. Detection of the tilt of the smart-phone which results in the rotation of display between portrait and landscape mode. In how many of the above actions is the function of the accelerometer required?
