In December 2022, which of the following countries extended mandatory military service to one year for males born on or after 1 January 2005?

Question

UnlockIAS · Accepted Answer

Correct — B, Taiwan. In late December 2022, Taiwan's government, under President Tsai Ing-wen, announced that compulsory military service would be extended from four months back to a full one year, to take effect from 2024, applying to male citizens born on or after 1 January 2005. The decision was driven by growing security concerns over China's military pressure across the Taiwan Strait.

Why the other options are wrong — (a) Myanmar did not extend conscription in December 2022; its military junta only activated a mandatory People's Military Service Law in early 2024 — a separate measure, and not the event described here.  (c) Sri Lanka has no compulsory military conscription; service in its armed forces is voluntary, so it announced no such one-year extension.  (d) Afghanistan (under Taliban control from 2021) announced no formal one-year conscription for males born after 1 January 2005; it is not the country in question.

Concept: In December 2022, amid heightened tensions with mainland China, Taiwan (the Republic of China) decided to lengthen compulsory military service for young men from four months to one year, effective 2024, covering males born on or after 1 January 2005. The move aimed to strengthen Taiwan's defence readiness against a possible Chinese offensive.

State PCS 2023 Q128 — Current Affairs PYQ with Answer

State PCS 2023 Q128 — Current Affairs PYQ with Answer