Science · X-Factor Notes
Defence Technology revision notes for UPPCS Prelims.
High-Yield Revision| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| DRDO Motto | The motto of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) is: "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam" (The source of strength is science). | |
| Nuclear Doctrine of India | The doctrine includes: No first use, unilateral moratorium, and minimum credible deterrence. | |
| Operation Shakti-98 | Name given to the nuclear test carried out at Pokhran in 1998. Pokhran is located in Rajasthan. | UPPCS (Pre) 1999 |
| Anti-Radiation Missile | RudraM-II is an indigenously developed, solid-propelled, air-to-surface anti-radiation missile system. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 (RudraM-II) |
| Unmanned Aircraft | Lakshya is an unmanned aircraft developed by the Defence Research Organization (DRDO). | |
| Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) | An American anti-ballistic missile system designed to intercept short, medium, and intermediate-range ballistic missiles in their terminal phase. |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Prithvi | A tactical surface-to-surface short-range ballistic missile developed under IGMDP. Prithvi-III: Extended range version has a range of about 600 km. | UPPCS (Pre) 1990, UPPCS (Pre) 2001, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007 |
| Agni | An intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile. Agni-5: Current range is about 5,000 to 5,500 km, classifying it as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). | UPPCS (Pre) 2001, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, UPPCS (Spl.) (Mains) 2008 |
| Concept | What to remember | Asked in UPPCS |
|---|---|---|
| Tejas | India's indigenously developed Light-Combat Aircraft. It is considered the first Indian-made fighter plane. | UPPCS (Mains) 2004 |
| Pinaka | Not a missile, but a Multi-barrel rocket launcher system. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, UPPCS (Mains) 2002 |
| INS Vagir |
| Mission 'Divyastra' | Related to MIRV (Multiple Independently Targetable Re-entry Vehicle) Technology. This technology was successfully flight-tested using the indigenously developed Agni-V missile. | UPPCS (Pre) 2024 |
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| Trishul | A short-range surface-to-air missile developed under IGMDP. Classified as a supersonic missile. The Trishul program was eventually shelved by DRDO in 2008. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, UPPCS (Pre) 2001 |
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| NAG | A "Fire and Forget" anti-tank missile developed in India. | UPPCS (Pre) 2001, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007, UPPCS (Pre) 2012, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013 |
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| Akash | A medium-range mobile surface-to-air missile defence system. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2002, U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2007 |
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| Nirbhay Missile | A long-range subsonic cruise missile (Land-attack cruise missile) which can deliver nuclear or conventional warheads up to 300 kg to a strike range of 1000 km. | U.P.P.S.C. (GIC) 2017 |
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| BrahMos | A supersonic cruise missile. It is a joint venture between India and Russia. The Naval version was successfully test-fired in October 2020. | U.P. U.D.A./L.D.A. (Pre) 2013, U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2018, U.P. R.O./A.R.O. (Mains) 2016 |
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| U.P. P.C.S. (Pre) 2023 |
| Admiral Gorshkov | A Russian Naval aircraft carrier ship, refurbished and renamed INS Vikramaditya for the Indian Navy. | UPPCS (Pre) 2012 |
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| INDRA | A series of 2D radars meant for the Army and Air Force, and the first high power radar developed by DRDO. | U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2003, U.P. Lower Sub. (Pre) 2004 |
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