Defence Technology — UPSC Prelims Previous Year Questions
25 questions from UPSC CSE Prelims GS Paper 1 on Defence Technology (Science & Technology). Spanning from 1996 to 2026. Practice with show/hide answers.
Based on 25 questions across 16 years, UPSC has consistently tested aspirants' understanding of Defence Technology within the broader Science & Technology syllabus. The questions range from factual recall to application-based analysis.
Recent trends show UPSC moving towards statement-based questions that combine multiple aspects of Defence Technology. Aspirants should focus on understanding concepts rather than memorizing isolated facts.
Q: 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 :
Q: 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 :
Q: 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 :
Q: 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 :
Q: 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?
Q: 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?
Q: 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:
Q: Consider the following actions :
1. Detection of car crash/collision which results 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 accelerometer required?
Q: 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?
Q: Consider the following activities :
1. Spraying pesticides on a crop field
2. Inspecting the craters of active volcanoes
3. Collecting breath samples from spouting whales for DNA analysis At the present level of technology,
which of the above activities can be successfully carried out by using drones ?
Q: With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. It is a surface-to-surface missile.
2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.
Select the correct answer
using the code given below.
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. INS Sindhughosh is an aircraft carrier.
2. INS Viraat is a submarine.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Q: In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements :
1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach.
2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q: Consider the following statements:
1. In November 2006, DRDO successfully conducted the interception test using Prithvi-II missile.
2. Prithvi-II is a surface-to-surface missile and can be deployed to guard the metros against air attack.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
How many UPSC Prelims questions have been asked from Defence Technology?▼
UPSC has asked 25 questions on Defence Technology in GS Paper 1 Prelims between 1996 and 2026. This sub-topic falls under Science & Technology.
In which years has UPSC asked about Defence Technology?▼
Questions on Defence Technology have appeared in UPSC Prelims in the following years: 2026, 2025, 2024, 2023, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2005, 2003, 2001, 1996. The topic has appeared in 16 out of 31 years.
What is the difficulty level of Defence Technology questions in UPSC Prelims?▼
Among 25 questions on Defence Technology: 10 are easy, 14 are moderate, and 1 are difficult. Most questions test conceptual understanding of the topic.
