71. Lamitiye 2026 is the joint military exercise conducted between India and which country?
[A] Seychelles
[B] Russia
[C] Australia
[D] Egypt
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Seychelles]
Notes:
An Indian Armed Forces contingent arrived in Seychelles for the 11th edition of “Lamitiye 2026”, a joint military exercise with the Seychelles Defence Forces, held from March 9 to March 20 at the Seychelles Defence Academy. “Lamitiye”, meaning “friendship” in Creole, is a biennial exercise conducted since 2001 in Seychelles. All three Indian Armed Forces services are participating: Army (Assam Regiment), Navy (INS Trikand), and Air Force (C-130 aircraft). The 12-day exercise includes joint tactical drills, field training, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and demonstrations, ending with a two-day validation exercise.
72. Exercise Sea Dragon 2026 was hosted by which country?
[A] United States
[B] Australia
[C] India
[D] Japan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [United States]
Notes:
The Indian Navy deployed a P-8I maritime patrol aircraft to Guam to join the US-led Sea Dragon anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise 2026. The exercise includes QUAD partners: United States, India, Australia, Japan, and also New Zealand. Multiple P-8 aircraft participate, enabling better coordination due to similar systems, sensors, and data-link capabilities. The drill improves ASW skills by training crews from simulated targets to real submarine detection with 200+ flight hours. Joint classroom sessions are also conducted to refine tactics and coordination. The deployment comes as India ensures safe passage of merchant ships in the Arabian Sea for energy security.
73. INS Taragiri (F41), that was recently seen in news, belongs to which class of warships?
[A] Kolkata Class
[B] Shivalik Class
[C] Nilgiri Class
[D] Talwar Class
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Nilgiri Class]
Notes:
The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Taragiri (F41), a stealth frigate, on 03 April 2026. It is the fourth ship of the Nilgiri-class (Project 17A), built by Mazagon Dock Shipbuilding Limited and designed by the Warship Design Bureau. The ship is a modern reincarnation of the earlier INS Taragiri (Leander-class frigate) and is built for high-speed, high-endurance, multi-dimensional naval operations.
74. Qader is a medium-range, shore-based anti-ship cruise missile developed by which country?
[A] Iran
[B] Israel
[C] Iraq
[D] Pakistan
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Iran]
Notes:
Iran reportedly fired Qader cruise missiles targeting the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier, though reports indicate the ship was not hit. Qader is a medium-range, shore-based anti-ship cruise missile developed by Iran. It is an upgraded version of the Noor missile, which itself is based on the Chinese C-802 design. The missile strengthens Iran’s coastal defence and anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) capabilities in strategic regions like the Strait of Hormuz. It is part of Iran’s broader strategy to deter naval forces and protect its maritime interests.
75. Yard 1280, named Shachi, the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), was launched in which state?
[A] Goa
[B] Tamil Nadu
[C] Kerala
[D] Gujarat
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Goa]
Notes:
Yard 1280 (Shachi), the first of eleven Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessels (NGOPVs), was launched at Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), Goa on 31 March 2026. Construction of NGOPVs is happening concurrently at GSL, Goa and Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata. These indigenously built ships will augment the existing fleet of ten Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)/Next-generation OPVs (NOPVs) for multi-domain operations including defence, surveillance, search and rescue, protection of offshore assets, Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR), and anti-piracy missions.
76. What is the objective of tri service joint military exercise “Dweep Shakti” conducted in March 2026?
[A] Cyber warfare capability
[B] Mountain warfare preparedness
[C] Integrated rapid response for coastal and island defence
[D] Space-based defence systems
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Integrated rapid response for coastal and island defence]
Notes:
The Tri-Service exercise “Dweep Shakti” was conducted jointly by the Indian Army, Indian Navy, and Indian Air Force from March 24 to March 28. The exercise aimed to validate integrated capabilities for rapid response in coastal and island defence operations. It involved coordinated amphibious assaults, maritime dominance operations, and complex beach landing drills. Advanced next-generation equipment and drones were used, highlighting improved precision and interoperability among the three services. The exercise helped refine integrated tactics, techniques, and procedures, strengthening multi-domain operational capability.
77. The Naval Science and Technological Laboratory functions under which organization?
[A] Hindustan Aeronautics Limited
[B] Defence Research and Development Organisation
[C] Ministry of Shipping
[D] Indian Navy
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Defence Research and Development Organisation]
Notes:
Rajnath Singh laid the foundation of the Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) at Naval Science and Technological Laboratory (NSTL) in Visakhapatnam. NSTL is a premier lab under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). The Large Cavitation Tunnel (LCT) is a strategic facility for advanced hydrodynamic research and testing of naval systems. It will enable indigenous design, development, and testing of ships, submarines, and propulsion systems. It supports stealth, noise reduction, and next-generation underwater technologies. The facility allows both closed-loop (submarine) and free-surface (surface ship) simulations.
78. INS Sunayna, recently visited Maldives as part of its deployment, belongs to which category of naval ships?
[A] Aircraft carrier
[B] Submarine
[C] Offshore Patrol Vessel
[D] Destroyer
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [Offshore Patrol Vessel]
Notes:
Indian Navy’s offshore patrol vessel INS Sunayna arrived at Malé, Maldives, under the Indian Ocean Ship (IOS) SAGAR initiative, strengthening India–Maldives maritime ties. The ship was welcomed by Maldives National Defence Force, with two MNDF personnel onboard as part of the multinational crew. This initiative aligns with “Neighbourhood First” policy and Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions (MAHASAGAR) vision. It highlights India’s commitment to regional security, interoperability, and maritime cooperation.
79. The Hwasong-11A (also known as KN-23) is a short-range ballistic missile developed by which country?
[A] North Korea
[B] China
[C] Japan
[D] South Korea
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [North Korea]
Notes:
North Korea confirmed testing new cluster-warhead systems on Hwasong-11A short-range ballistic missiles, designed to destroy wide targets. The Hwasong-11A (also known as KN-23) is a short-range ballistic missile developed by North Korea. The tests demonstrated the ability to disperse bomblets over a 6 to 7-hectare area using Hwasong-11 missiles, aiming to maximize damage against soft targets and infrastructure.
80. What is the name of India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship?
[A] INS Dhruv
[B] INS Kaveri
[C] INS Kavach
[D] INS Surya
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [INS Dhruv]
Notes:
INS Dhruv is India’s first dedicated nuclear missile tracking and ocean surveillance ship, enhancing strategic maritime capability. It was commissioned on 10 September 2021 and built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in collaboration with Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and National Technical Research Organisation (NTRO). The ship tracks ballistic missiles, gathers Electronic Intelligence (ELINT), and supports India’s missile defence programme. It provides early warning of missile threats and helps calibrate Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) systems using trajectory data.