Defence & Security Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Veer Gatha 5.0 made its international debut with participation of how many students from CBSE schools abroad?
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Correct answer: B — 28,005
PIB (Defence): for the first time, 28,005 international students studying in CBSE schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0.
How many of the Veer Gatha 5.0 Super-100 winners are girls?
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Correct answer: C — 64
PIB (Defence): among the 100 winners, 64 are girls from different parts of the country.
Each Super-100 winner of Veer Gatha 5.0 received a cash prize of:
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Correct answer: A — ₹10,000
PIB (Defence): each winner was presented with a cash prize of ₹10,000, a medal and a certificate.
What was the title of the tri-services tableau at the 77th Republic Day Parade?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness
PIB (Defence): the tri-service tableau was titled 'Operation Sindoor: Victory Through Jointness'.
Which loitering munition is depicted in the strike segment of the Operation Sindoor tri-services tableau?
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Correct answer: B — HAROP
PIB (Defence): at the heart of the tableau, a HAROP loitering munition is shown eliminating the adversary's targets.
Who released the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework on 22 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — CDS General Anil Chauhan
PIB (Defence): Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan released the framework on 22 January 2026.
Which of the following is NOT one of the four pillars of quantum technology in the Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework?
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Correct answer: D — Quantum Cryptocurrency
PIB (Defence): the four pillars are Quantum Communication, Quantum Computing, Quantum Sensing & Metrology, and Quantum Materials & Devices.
The Military Quantum Mission Policy Framework is aligned with which national programme?
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Correct answer: A — National Quantum Mission
PIB (Defence): the document aligns with the National Quantum Mission, of which the defence forces are an integral part.
In January 2026, Naxal Central Committee member 'Anal alias Patiram Manjhi' was killed in an operation in which district?
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Correct answer: D — West Singhbhum, Jharkhand
PIB (MHA): the joint CRPF–Jharkhand Police operation in West Singhbhum, Jharkhand, killed Anal alias Patiram Manjhi and 15 other Naxalites.
By what date has the Union Home Minister committed to eradicate Naxalism?
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Correct answer: C — 31 March 2026
PIB (MHA): Amit Shah reiterated the commitment to eradicate Naxalism before 31 March 2026.
The Army vehicle accident of 22 January 2026 in Doda district occurred at Khanni Top on which road?
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Correct answer: A — Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road
The Hindu, ET and Indian Express: the vehicle skidded off the Bhaderwah–Chamba interstate road at Khanni Top and fell into a gorge.
How many soldiers were killed in the Army vehicle accident in Doda on 22 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10
The Hindu, ET and Indian Express: 10 soldiers were killed and 11 injured.
Which Indian Navy sail training ship set off on the Lokayan 26 expedition on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Sudarshini
PIB (Defence): INS Sudarshini was flagged off from Kochi for Lokayan 26.
During Lokayan 26, INS Sudarshini is scheduled to visit how many ports in how many countries?
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Correct answer: C — 18 ports in 13 countries
PIB (Defence): the ship will traverse about 22,000 nautical miles, visiting 18 ports in 13 countries.
At which Indonesian port did the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron make a port call on 20 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Belawan
PIB (Defence): the First Training Squadron made a port call at Belawan, Indonesia, on 20 January 2026.
Which of the following was NOT among the ships of the First Training Squadron at Belawan in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — INS Vikrant
PIB (Defence): the ships were INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
In January 2026 the Indian Navy contracted an MSME shipyard in Thane to build what?
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Correct answer: B — Three 200-tonne Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges
PIB (Defence): the contract with Suryadipta Projects Pvt Ltd, Thane, is for 3 × 200T Bottom Opening Non-Propelled Barges.
To which country did India flag off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets on 18 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Armenia
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh flagged off the first tranche of Guided Pinaka rockets to Armenia from Nagpur.
The Medium Caliber Ammunition Manufacturing Facility inaugurated at Solar Defence & Aerospace Ltd, Nagpur, manufactures which ammunition?
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Correct answer: B — 30mm
PIB (Defence): the fully automated plant manufactures 30mm ammunition used extensively by the Indian Army and Navy.
At Nagpur in January 2026, the Defence Minister said the government aims to raise the private sector's share in defence manufacturing to what level soon?
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Correct answer: C — 50% or more
PIB (Defence): Rajnath Singh said the aim is to increase the private sector's role in defence manufacturing to 50% or more soon.
Which vessel was flagged off from Kochi in January 2026 for the fifth edition of the Sagar Maitri initiative?
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Correct answer: B — INS Sagardhwani
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani, NPOL's oceanographic research vessel, was flagged off for Sagar Maitri V on 17 January 2026.
INS Sagardhwani operates under which DRDO laboratory?
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Correct answer: B — Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory
PIB (Defence): INS Sagardhwani is India's oceanographic research vessel under the Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) of DRDO.
In the context of the Sagar Maitri programme, MAITRI stands for:
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Correct answer: B — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative
PIB (Defence): DRDO initiated a scientific component titled MAITRI — Marine & Allied Interdisciplinary Training and Research Initiative — under Sagar Maitri.
How many patients availed consultations at the Joint Services Multi-Speciality Medical Camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 4,719
PIB (Defence): 4,719 patients availed specialist and super-specialist consultations.
Which of the following islands was NOT among the venues of the Joint Services medical camp in Lakshadweep in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Bangaram
PIB (Defence): the camp was held at Kavaratti, Agatti, Amini, Androth and Minicoy.
Indian Coast Guard Ship Sankalp made a port call at Port Louis on 17 January 2026. Port Louis is the capital of which country?
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Correct answer: B — Mauritius
PIB (Defence): ICGS Sankalp made a port call at Port Louis, Mauritius.
ICGS Sankalp, which visited Mauritius in January 2026, belongs to which class of vessel?
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Correct answer: C — Offshore Patrol Vessel
PIB (Defence): ICGS Sankalp is an Offshore Patrol Vessel.
Which of the following ships in the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron that visited Singapore in January 2026 belongs to the Indian Coast Guard?
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Correct answer: D — Sarathi
PIB (Defence): 1TS comprised INS Tir, INS Shardul, INS Sujata and Indian Coast Guard Ship Sarathi.
The year 2026 is being celebrated as the ASEAN–India Year of what?
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Correct answer: B — Maritime Cooperation
PIB (Defence): 2026 is being celebrated as the ASEAN–India Year of Maritime Cooperation 2026.
The 3rd India–Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar in Nairobi (January 2026) was organised under which scheme of the Department of Defence Production?
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Correct answer: B — Brand India scheme
PIB (Defence): the exhibition was organised under the Brand India scheme of the Department of Defence Production.
How many Indian defence companies were to take part in the 3rd India–Kenya Defence Exhibition and Seminar?
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Correct answer: C — 20
PIB (Defence): 20 Indian defence companies from the public and private sectors were to participate.
In which city was the 78th Army Day parade held on 15 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Jaipur
PIB (Defence): the Indian Army celebrated its 78th Army Day at Jaipur, Rajasthan. Bengaluru, Lucknow and Pune hosted earlier editions.
Which Army command hosted the Army Day Parade for the first time in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — South Western Command
PIB (Defence): South Western Command hosted the parade for the first time.
Consider the following statements about the 78th Army Day Parade (2026): 1. It was the first time the parade was held outside an army cantonment. 2. It was the first time the parade was held outside Delhi. 3. Bhairav Battalion contingents took part for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: it was the fourth time the parade was held outside Delhi.
From which Indian port did INSV Kaundinya begin the maiden voyage that ended in Muscat in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Porbandar
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya arrived in Muscat after completing its maiden voyage from Porbandar.
The design of INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in which artwork?
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Correct answer: A — Ajanta Cave paintings
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): INSV Kaundinya is inspired by a fifth-century CE vessel depicted in the Ajanta Cave paintings.
INSV Kaundinya's arrival in Muscat came as India and Oman commemorate how many years of diplomatic relations?
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Correct answer: C — 70 years
PIB (Ports, Shipping and Waterways): both countries are commemorating 70 years of diplomatic relations.
Which edition of Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
PIB (Defence): the 10th Defence Forces Veterans' Day was observed on 14 January 2026.
On Veterans' Day 2026, the Raksha Mantri paid tribute to IPKF veterans of which operation, conducted in Sri Lanka 40 years ago?
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Correct answer: A — Operation Pawan
PIB (Defence): the RM paid tribute to ex-servicemen who were part of the IPKF during Operation Pawan in Sri Lanka 40 years ago.
Who co-chaired the 22nd ICG–JCG High-Level Meeting in January 2026 on behalf of the Japan Coast Guard?
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Correct answer: A — Admiral Yoshio Saguchi
PIB (Defence): the meeting was co-chaired by ICG DG Paramesh Sivamani and Admiral Yoshio Saguchi, Commandant, Japan Coast Guard.
Which multilateral forum's Presidency does India currently hold, as noted at the 22nd ICG–JCG meeting?
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Correct answer: D — Coast Guard Global Summit
PIB (Defence): India's current Presidency of the Coast Guard Global Summit (CGGS) and its upcoming hosting of the 5th CGGS featured in the talks.
Which country co-chairs the 16th ADMM-Plus Experts' Working Group on Counter Terrorism with India?
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Correct answer: C — Malaysia
PIB (Defence): India and Malaysia co-chair the 16th EWG on CT.
Under the current ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism cycle, which country will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027?
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Correct answer: D — India
PIB (Defence): Malaysia will host the Table Top Exercise in 2026 and India will hold the Field Training Exercise in 2027.
How many dialogue partners of ASEAN take part in the ADMM-Plus EWG on Counter Terrorism meeting held in New Delhi in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Seven
PIB (Defence): seven dialogue partners — Australia, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Japan, China, USA and Russia — participate along with 11 ASEAN members.
In January 2026, DRI seized a record 270 kg of mephedrone concealed in a consignment of what?
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Correct answer: D — Chicken feed
PIB (Finance): the mephedrone was concealed in a consignment of chicken feed used as cover cargo.
In which state did DRI intercept the truck carrying 270 kg of mephedrone in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Rajasthan
PIB (Finance): DRI officers intercepted the truck in Rajasthan; follow-up searches were in Haryana.
Which agency busted a clandestine MD manufacturing lab at Village Amla Agar, seizing 31.250 kg of MD powder, in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Central Bureau of Narcotics
PIB (Finance): officers of the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), Madhya Pradesh Unit, carried out the operation.
Where did DRDO flight-test the MPATGM with top-attack capability against a moving target on 11 January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted at KK Ranges, Ahilya Nagar, Maharashtra by DRDL, Hyderabad.
Which DRDO laboratory carried out the January 2026 flight test of the MPATGM?
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Correct answer: A — Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was carried out by DRDO's Defence Research & Development Laboratory, Hyderabad; RCI Hyderabad and DL Jodhpur were among contributing labs.
Consider the following statements about the MPATGM tested in January 2026: 1. It uses an Imaging Infrared (IIR) homing seeker. 2. Bharat Dynamics Limited and Bharat Electronics Limited are its development-cum-production partners. 3. It can be launched only from a military vehicle. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: it can be launched from a tripod or a military vehicle launcher.
Which DRDO laboratory conducted the full-scale actively cooled scramjet combustor ground test on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — DRDL, Hyderabad
PIB (Defence): the test was conducted by the Defence Research & Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad.
For how long did DRDO's full-scale scramjet combustor run in the ground test of 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Over 12 minutes
PIB (Defence): the combustor achieved a run time of over 12 minutes at the SCPT facility.
Consider the following statements about the scramjet test reported by DRDO in January 2026: 1. A scramjet is an air-breathing engine that sustains flight through supersonic combustion. 2. A hypersonic cruise missile flies at more than five times the speed of sound. 3. The full-scale test was the first long-duration test of any scramjet combustor by DRDL. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Defence): statements 1 and 2 are correct; statement 3 is wrong because the test built on an earlier long-duration subscale test on 25 April 2025.
From which date will the three-year nationwide anti-drug campaign announced at the 9th NCORD apex meeting begin?
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Correct answer: B — 31 March 2026
PIB (Home Affairs): a collective campaign against drugs will be carried out for three years from 31 March 2026.
Where did Amit Shah inaugurate a new Narcotics Control Bureau office on 9 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Amritsar
PIB (Home Affairs): the Home Minister inaugurated the NCB office at Amritsar at the NCORD meeting.
Consider the following statements about the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD), as stated in January 2026: 1. The NCORD mechanism was established in 2016. 2. It aims to improve coordination between the States, the Ministry of Home Affairs and other stakeholders on drugs. 3. Its 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Home Affairs): statements 1 and 2 are correct; the 9th Apex-Level meeting was chaired by Home Minister Amit Shah, not the PM.
The National IED Data Management System (NIDMS), inaugurated in January 2026, belongs to which force?
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Correct answer: A — National Security Guard
PIB (Home Affairs): Amit Shah inaugurated the National IED Data Management System of the NSG.
In which year was the National Security Guard (NSG) established, as stated by the Home Minister in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 1984
PIB (Home Affairs): the NSG was established in 1984.
Consider the following statements made by the Home Minister at the NIDMS launch in January 2026: 1. NIDMS follows the idea of 'One Nation, One Data Repository' for IED and blast data. 2. ICJS-2 is described as a data-sharing system based on 'One Data–One Entry'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Home Affairs): both are correct — NIDMS makes scattered data available under 'One Nation, One Data Repository', and ICJS-2 is based on 'One Data–One Entry'.
How many students took part in Project Veer Gatha 5.0, as reported in January 2026?
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Correct answer: C — About 1.92 crore
PIB (Defence): approximately 1.92 crore students from around 1.90 lakh schools participated.
Consider the following statements about Project Veer Gatha: 1. It is a joint initiative of the Ministry of Defence and the Ministry of Education. 2. It began in 2021. 3. Students from CBSE-affiliated schools abroad took part in Veer Gatha 5.0 for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Defence): all three are correct — over 28,000 students from 91 CBSE schools in 18 countries took part for the first time.
Which of the following countries was NOT on the port-call list of the Indian Navy's First Training Squadron deployment announced in January 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Vietnam
PIB (Defence): the squadron is scheduled to call at Singapore, Indonesia and Thailand.
Which Indian Coast Guard ship is part of the Navy's First Training Squadron on its January 2026 deployment?
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Correct answer: A — ICGS Sarathi
PIB (Defence): the squadron comprises INS Tir, Shardul, Sujata and ICGS Sarathi.
ICGS Samudra Pratap, commissioned on 5 January 2026, was built by which shipyard?
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Correct answer: D — Goa Shipyard Limited
PIB (Ministry of Defence): Samudra Pratap is the first of two pollution control vessels built by Goa Shipyard Limited.
Where will ICGS Samudra Pratap be based after its commissioning in January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kochi
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the ship will be based at Kochi under the operational control of the Commander, Coast Guard Region (West).
Consider the following statements about ICGS Samudra Pratap: 1. It is India's first indigenously designed pollution control vessel. 2. It is the largest ship in the Indian Coast Guard fleet to date. 3. It has over 90% indigenous content. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 2 only
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the ship is India's first indigenously designed PCV and the largest ICG ship, with over 60% indigenous content; 90% is the future goal mentioned by the Raksha Mantri, so statement 3 is wrong.
What is the motto of the National Cadet Corps (NCC), highlighted by the Vice-President at the Republic Day Camp 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Unity and Discipline
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): the Vice-President highlighted the NCC motto of 'Unity and Discipline'.
According to the Vice-President at the NCC Republic Day Camp 2026, about how many NCC cadets volunteered for civil defence duties during Operation Sindoor?
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Correct answer: D — 72,000
PIB (Vice-President's Secretariat): nearly 72,000 cadets volunteered for civil defence duties during Operation Sindoor.
Which organisation organised the national seminar 'Aeronautics 2047' in Bengaluru in January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Aeronautical Development Agency
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the two-day seminar 'Aeronautics 2047' was organised by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
At the 'Aeronautics 2047' seminar in January 2026, the Chief of the Air Staff congratulated ADA for completing how many years of LCA Tejas flight?
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Correct answer: D — 25 years
PIB (Ministry of Defence): Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh congratulated ADA for completing 25 years of LCA Tejas flight.
Consider the following statements about the 'Aeronautics 2047' seminar held in January 2026: 1. It was held at the Centre for Airborne Systems (CABS), Bengaluru. 2. It was inaugurated by the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh. 3. According to ADA, LCA Tejas has completed more than 5,600 successful flight trials. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1, 2 and 3
PIB (Ministry of Defence): the seminar was at CABS, Bengaluru, inaugurated by ACM A. P. Singh, and ADA says Tejas has completed more than 5,600 successful flight trials. All three are correct.