NDA / CDS / AFCAT - MCQ Practice Questions

Understanding:

Two resistors are in parallel across a battery. We need to find the total current.

Formula:

In a parallel circuit, the same voltage appears across each resistor. The total current is:

Step 1: Calculate individual currents

Step 2: Find total current

Verification:

Equivalent resistance $R_{\text{eq}}=\frac{4\times 6}{4+6}=\frac{24}{10}=2.4\Omega$, so $I=\frac{12}{2.4}=5\text{A}$. ✓

Answer:

The total current drawn from the battery is $5\text{A}$.

Understanding:

We need to find the time period of a body moving uniformly in a circular path.

Formula:

The time period is the time taken to complete one full revolution. The circumference of the circle is $2\pi r$:

Step 1: Substitute values

Answer:

The time period of revolution is $1\text{s}$.

Quick Tip:

Notice how choosing $v=\pi \text{m/s}$ causes $\pi$ to cancel neatly. In MCQs, look for such cancellations before doing heavy arithmetic.

Understanding:

We need to compare the resistances of two bulbs rated for the same voltage but different wattages.

Formula:

The resistance of a bulb at rated conditions is:

Step 1: Find individual resistances

Step 2: Compute the ratio

So $R_{60}:R_{100}=5:3$, meaning the $60\text{W}$ bulb has the higher resistance.

Answer:

The $60\text{W}$ bulb has higher resistance and the ratio is $5:3$.

Quick Tip:

Since $R=V^2/P$ and $V$ is the same, resistance is inversely proportional to power. Lower wattage $\Rightarrow$ higher resistance.

Understanding:

We must find the stopping distance of a train under a braking force.

Formula:

First find deceleration using Newton's second law:

Then use the equation of motion:

Step 1: Calculate deceleration

Step 2: Find stopping distance

Answer:

The train travels $200\text{m}$ before stopping.

Quick Tip:

Always convert $\text{km/h}$ to $\text{m/s}$ by multiplying by $\frac{5}{18}$. Here $72\times \frac{5}{18}=20\text{m/s}$.

Understanding:

We need to find the speed of sound using its wavelength and frequency.

Formula:

The wave speed relation is:

Step 1: Substitute values

Answer:

The speed of sound in air is $340\text{m/s}$.

Quick Tip:

The speed of sound in air at $0°\text{C}$ is approximately $332\text{m/s}$ and at room temperature ($\approx 25°\text{C}$) is about $346\text{m/s}$. The standard value $340\text{m/s}$ is widely used in competitive exams.

Understanding:

We need to find the potential energy at height $h$ and the kinetic energy just before impact, using energy conservation.

Formula:

Potential energy:

By conservation of mechanical energy (no air resistance), all PE converts to KE:

Step 1: Calculate potential energy

Step 2: Apply energy conservation

Just before hitting the ground, height $=0$, so all potential energy converts to kinetic energy:

Answer:

The potential energy at $5\text{m}$ is $100\text{J}$ and the kinetic energy just before impact is also $100\text{J}$.

Quick Tip:

By the law of conservation of mechanical energy, in the absence of friction or air resistance, the total mechanical energy remains constant. Therefore $K{E}_{\text{bottom}}=P{E}_{\text{top}}$.

Understanding:

The question asks about a joint India-US defence exercise focused on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare, held in Uttarakhand in 2023.

Step 1: Identify the exercise

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the flagship joint military training exercise between the Indian Army and the United States Army. It has been held annually since 2004 and alternates between India and the United States.

Step 2: Confirm the 2023 edition details

The 19th edition of Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2023 was held at Auli, Uttarakhand, India. It focused on counter-terrorism operations, jungle warfare, and high-altitude combat training, reflecting the challenging terrain of the region.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Exercise Shakti is a joint exercise between India and France. Exercise Malabar is a trilateral naval exercise between India, the USA, and Japan. Exercise Tasman Saber is conducted between the USA and Australia.

Answer:

Exercise Yudh Abhyas is the joint India-US military exercise held in Uttarakhand in 2023 focused on counter-terrorism and jungle warfare.

Understanding:

The question asks for the full form of MIRV in the context of India's Agni-V missile test under Mission Divyastra in 2024.

Step 1: Define MIRV

MIRV stands for Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle. A MIRV-equipped missile can carry several warheads, each of which can be directed at a different target.

Step 2: Context of Mission Divyastra

India conducted Mission Divyastra in March 2024, successfully test-firing the Agni-V missile equipped with MIRV technology. This made India one of a select group of nations (USA, Russia, UK, France, China) to possess MIRV capability, significantly enhancing India's strategic deterrence.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

The other options are incorrectly expanded forms that do not correspond to the standard defence/aerospace terminology used for MIRV technology.

Answer:

MIRV stands for Multiple Independently targetable Re-entry Vehicle.

Understanding:

The question asks about the LCA variant inducted into the Indian Air Force in February 2024.

Step 1: Background of Tejas variants

Tejas Mark 1 is the baseline version already in service with the Indian Air Force in two squadrons. Tejas Mark 1A is an upgraded version featuring an Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar, enhanced electronic warfare suite, air-to-air refuelling capability, and modern avionics.

Step 2: 2024 induction

The first Tejas Mark 1A aircraft was handed over to the Indian Air Force on February 28, 2024, by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a ceremony in Bengaluru, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The Indian Air Force placed an order for 83 Tejas Mark 1A jets.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Tejas Mark 2 and Tejas Navy Mark 2 are still under development and had not been inducted by February 2024.

Answer:

Tejas Mark 1A was inducted into the Indian Air Force in February 2024.

Understanding:

The question asks about the displacement of INS Vikrant, India's first indigenously built aircraft carrier, commissioned in 2022.

Step 1: INS Vikrant overview

INS Vikrant (IAC-1) was commissioned on September 2, 2022, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi. It is the first aircraft carrier to be designed and built in India.

Step 2: Key specifications

INS Vikrant has a full load displacement of approximately 45,000 tonnes. It is about 262 metres long and 62 metres wide, and can carry up to 30 aircraft including MiG-29K fighter jets and helicopters such as Kamov Ka-31 and MH-60R.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

A displacement of 25,000 tonnes is too small for a fleet carrier. 35,500 tonnes is the displacement of older carriers. 65,000 tonnes is closer to US supercarriers like USS Gerald R. Ford class.

Answer:

INS Vikrant has a displacement of approximately 45,000 tonnes.

Understanding:

The question asks about the two countries that participate in Exercise Tasman Saber.

Step 1: Identify Exercise Tasman Saber

Exercise Tasman Saber is a major bilateral military exercise conducted between the United States and Australia. It is one of the largest combined exercises in the Indo-Pacific region.

Step 2: Nature of the exercise

The exercise involves joint training in warfighting skills, coordination, and interoperability between the US and Australian defence forces across land, sea, and air domains. It is conducted biennially.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

India and Australia conduct Exercise AUSTRAHIND (Army) and Exercise AUSINDEX (Navy). The USA and New Zealand conduct Exercise Kaikōura. Australia and the UK are partners but do not conduct an exercise named Tasman Saber.

Answer:

Exercise Tasman Saber is conducted between the United States and Australia.

Understanding:

The question asks about the helicopter-launched ATGM developed by DRDO that was successfully test-fired in 2023.

Step 1: Identify Helina

Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) is an air-launched version of the Nag ATGM, developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). It is designed to be launched from Advanced Light Helicopters (ALH-WSI) and is an infrared image-seeking, fire-and-forget missile.

Step 2: 2023 test details

Helina was successfully test-fired multiple times in 2023, demonstrating its capability against armoured targets. Its range is approximately 7–8 km and it can defeat tanks equipped with explosive reactive armour.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Nag is the ground-launched version fired from a Namica vehicle, not helicopters. Prahar is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Rudram is an anti-radiation missile launched from aircraft, not helicopters targeting armoured vehicles.

Answer:

Helina (Helicopter-launched Nag) is the ATGM developed by DRDO that was test-fired from a helicopter platform in 2023.

Understanding:

The question asks about the country with which India signed a defence partnership in 2023 that involved the GE-414 engine technology transfer for Tejas Mk2.

Step 1: The GE-414 deal

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's state visit to the United States in June 2023, India and the USA agreed on a landmark deal for GE Aerospace (General Electric) to co-produce the F414 jet engines with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in India. This was a historic technology transfer of a cutting-edge fighter jet engine.

Step 2: Significance

The F414 engine will power the Tejas Mark 2 fighter jet. This deal was considered a major breakthrough as the USA had not previously shared such sensitive engine technology with India. It falls under the India-US Defence Technology and Trade Initiative (DTTI).

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Russia supplied engines for older aircraft. France's Safran engines power helicopters. Israel is a partner mainly in aerospace and missile systems. None of these were involved in the GE-414 deal.

Answer:

India signed the GE-414 jet engine technology transfer deal with the United States of America in 2023.

Understanding:

The question asks about the country that participates with India in Exercise Shakti.

Step 1: Identify Exercise Shakti

Exercise Shakti is a joint military exercise between the Indian Army and the French Army. It is conducted biennially, alternating between India and France.

Step 2: 2023 edition details

The 7th edition of Exercise Shakti 2023 was held at Draguignan, France. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate, with emphasis on jungle and semi-desert terrain operations.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

India conducts Exercise Dharma Guardian with Japan, Exercise Ajeya Warrior with the UK, and does not have a major named bilateral army exercise called Shakti with Germany.

Answer:

Exercise Shakti is conducted between India and France.

Understanding:

The question asks about the maximum range of the Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) developed by DRDO.

Step 1: MPATGM overview

The MPATGM (Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile) is a third-generation, fire-and-forget infrared imaging seeker-guided missile developed indigenously by DRDO. It is designed to be shoulder-launched and provides infantry units with a potent anti-armour capability.

Step 2: Range specifications

The MPATGM has a minimum range of approximately 200 metres and a maximum range of approximately 2.5 km. It weighs around 14.5 kg including the launcher and can defeat tanks fitted with explosive reactive armour.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

1.5 km is too short and would make it comparable to older generations. 4 km and 8 km are ranges associated with heavier ATGMs like Nag (4 km) and Helina (7–8 km), which are vehicle or helicopter-launched.

Answer:

The MPATGM has a maximum range of approximately 2.5 km.

Understanding:

The question asks about the Indian warship that first participated in Exercise La Perouse and the country that leads this exercise.

Step 1: About Exercise La Perouse

Exercise La Perouse is a multilateral naval exercise led by the French Navy (Marine Nationale). It is named after French explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse. The exercise is conducted in the Indo-Pacific region and aims to enhance interoperability among partner navies.

Step 2: India's first participation

India participated in Exercise La Perouse for the first time in April 2021 with INS Shivalik (a stealth guided-missile frigate). The exercise also included the navies of Australia, Japan, and the United States.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

INS Satpura participated in other multilateral exercises. INS Vikramaditya is an aircraft carrier and was not the participant in La Perouse 2021. INS Kolkata is a destroyer; it did not lead the first India participation in La Perouse.

Answer:

INS Shivalik was the first Indian warship to participate in Exercise La Perouse, which is led by France.

Understanding:

The question asks about the primary role of DRDO's SMART missile system tested in 2022.

Step 1: What is SMART?

SMART stands for Supersonic Missile Assisted Release of Torpedo. It is a canisterised system developed by DRDO that uses a supersonic missile to carry a lightweight torpedo over long distances, significantly extending the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) reach of surface platforms.

Step 2: How it works

The SMART system launches a supersonic carrier missile from a ship or shore. The missile flies at supersonic speed to the designated area and then releases a parachute-retarded torpedo into the sea near a submarine target. This overcomes the short range limitation of traditional torpedo launchers.

Step 3: Significance

SMART dramatically increases the stand-off range for anti-submarine operations, keeping the launching vessel out of danger from the submarine's weapons. It was successfully tested from Wheeler Island (Abdul Kalam Island), Odisha, in 2022.

Answer:

SMART is primarily designed for anti-submarine warfare at long ranges by delivering a torpedo to distant targets via a supersonic missile.

Understanding:

The question asks about the country with which India signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) in 2020.

Step 1: Background on RELOS

The Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS) is an agreement that allows the military forces of two countries to use each other's bases for refuelling, replenishment, and other logistical support, thereby enhancing their operational reach and interoperability.

Step 2: India-Australia RELOS

India and Australia signed the Mutual Logistics Support Agreement (MLSA), which is Australia's version of RELOS, during the India-Australia Virtual Summit in June 2020. This was a landmark step in India-Australia defence relations.

Step 3: Context of other agreements

India has signed similar agreements with the USA (LEMOA in 2016), France (2018), and Singapore. With Japan, India signed a similar agreement in 2020 as well, but the RELOS specifically linking to the 2020 Australia context is the most prominently examined. Australia's signing was part of elevating ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Answer:

India signed the Reciprocal Exchange of Logistics Agreement (RELOS/MLSA) with Australia in 2020.

Understanding:

The question asks about the country to which India launched Operation Dost in 2023 for earthquake relief.

Step 1: The 2023 earthquake

In February 2023, a catastrophic earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck southern Turkey (and northern Syria), causing massive destruction and loss of life. It was one of the deadliest earthquakes in Turkey's modern history.

Step 2: Operation Dost

India launched Operation Dost (meaning 'friend' in Hindi and Turkish) to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Turkey. The Indian Air Force and Army deployed search-and-rescue teams, medical personnel, relief materials, and sniffer dogs. IAF C-17 Globemaster and C-130J Super Hercules aircraft were used to airlift relief material and personnel.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

Nepal experienced earthquakes in 2023, but the relief mission was named differently. Afghanistan and Morocco also experienced earthquakes in 2023, but Operation Dost was specifically launched for Turkey.

Answer:

Operation Dost was launched by India to provide earthquake relief to Turkey in February 2023.

Understanding:

The question asks about the maximum firing range of the ATAGS developed for the Indian Army.

Step 1: ATAGS overview

The Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS) is a 155 mm, 52-calibre towed howitzer developed jointly by the DRDO (specifically ARDE and CFEES) and Bharat Forge and Tata Advanced Systems. It is designed to eventually replace the Bofors gun in Indian Army service.

Step 2: Range specifications

ATAGS has demonstrated a maximum firing range of approximately 48 km with Extended Range Full Bore (ERFB) ammunition. This is significantly superior to the Bofors gun's range of about 27–30 km and makes it one of the longest-range towed artillery guns in the world.

Step 3: Eliminate other options

24 km is the approximate range of older 105 mm guns. 30 km is closer to the Bofors gun range. 60 km would be in the category of rocket artillery, not conventional towed guns.

Answer:

ATAGS has an approximate maximum firing range of 48 km.