Indian Armed Forces Practice Questions
19 free Indian Armed Forces practice questions for the Static GK. Tap an option to answer — you get instant feedback, the correct answer, and a detailed explanation for every question.
Who is the supreme commander of the Indian Armed Forces?
- A Prime Minister of India
- B Defence Minister
- C Chief of Defence Staff
- D President of India
Correct answer: President of India
Under Article 53 of the Indian Constitution, the supreme command of the Armed Forces is vested in the President. However, the executive control and responsibility for national security reside with the Cabinet headed by the Prime Minister.
The 'Operation Meghdoot' was launched by the Indian Armed Forces to gain control over which region?
- A Siachen Glacier
- B Kargil Sector
- C Sir Creek Region
- D Aksai Chin Plateau
Correct answer: Siachen Glacier
Launched on April 13, 1984, Operation Meghdoot resulted in the Indian military gaining control over the entire Siachen Glacier. It is considered one of the highest battlefield operations in the world.
Which of the following is the highest rank in the Indian Army?
- A General
- B Lieutenant General
- C Field Marshal
- D Major General
Correct answer: Field Marshal
Field Marshal is a five-star rank and is the highest attainable rank in the Indian Army. It is an honorary rank for life, held so far only by Sam Manekshaw and K. M. Cariappa.
In which city is the National Defence Academy (NDA) located?
- A Khadakwasla
- B Dehradun, Uttarakhand
- C Chennai, Tamil Nadu
- D Gaya, Bihar
Correct answer: Khadakwasla
The National Defence Academy is located in Khadakwasla, near Pune, Maharashtra. It is the world's first tri-service academy where cadets of the Army, Navy, and Air Force train together.
What is the motto of the Indian Air Force?
- A Service Before Self
- B Touch the Sky with Glory
- C May Varuna Be Auspicious
- D Valour and Faith
Correct answer: Touch the Sky with Glory
The motto 'Nabham Sparsham Diptam' (Touch the Sky with Glory) is taken from the eleventh chapter of the Bhagavad Gita. It signifies the power and glory of the Air Force in protecting the nation.
Which branch of the Indian Armed Forces uses the motto 'Sham No Varunah'?
- A Indian Army
- B Indian Air Force
- C Indian Navy
- D Indian Coast Guard
Correct answer: Indian Navy
The motto of the Indian Navy translates to 'Be auspicious unto us, O Varuna,' referring to the Vedic deity of the oceans. It was adopted in 1950 after India became a republic.
Who was the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) of India?
- A General Bipin Rawat
- B General Manoj Mukund Naravane
- C Admiral K. Singh
- D Air Chief Marshal R.K.S. Bhadauria
Correct answer: General Bipin Rawat
General Bipin Rawat took office as the first CDS on January 1, 2020. The role was created to improve coordination and integration between the three branches of the Indian Armed Forces.
The 'Dhanush' artillery gun developed by DRDO is often referred to as an indigenous version of which gun?
- A M777 howitzer
- B Bofors
- C K9 Thunder
- D Pinaka
Correct answer: Bofors
Dhanush is a 155mm towed howitzer often called 'Desi Bofors' because it is based on the designs of the Swedish Bofors gun acquired in the 1980s. It was developed by the Advanced Weapons and Equipment India Limited.
Which is India's first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine?
- A INS Kalvari
- B INS Sindhughosh
- C INS Arihant
- D INS Chakra
Correct answer: INS Arihant
INS Arihant was commissioned in 2016, making India one of the few countries to operate nuclear submarines built indigenously. It completes India's nuclear triad, providing a sea-based second-strike capability.
The 'Red Cross' is to medical aid as 'The Rashtriya Rifles' is to which of the following?
- A Naval Warfare
- B Counter-Insurgency
- C Electronic Warfare
- D Coastal Security
Correct answer: Counter-Insurgency
The Rashtriya Rifles (RR) is a specialized counter-insurgency force raised by the Indian Army. It operates primarily in the Jammu and Kashmir region to maintain internal security.
Which paramilitary force is responsible for guarding the India-China border?
- A Border Security Force (BSF)
- B Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB)
- C Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
- D Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Correct answer: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)
The ITBP was raised in 1962 following the Sino-Indian War. It is a specialized mountain force that guards the 3,488 km long border from Karakoram Pass to Jachep La.
Who was the first Indian to be appointed as the Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army?
- A K. M. Cariappa
- B Sam Manekshaw
- C Arjan Singh
- D Subroto Mukerjee
Correct answer: K. M. Cariappa
General K. M. Cariappa took over the command of the Indian Army from General Sir Roy Bucher on January 15, 1949. This day is celebrated annually as Army Day in India.
Which is the highest peacekeeping or peacetime gallantry award in India?
- A Kirti Chakra
- B Shaurya Chakra
- C Ashoka Chakra
- D Sena Medal
Correct answer: Ashoka Chakra
The Ashoka Chakra is the peacetime equivalent of the Param Vir Chakra. It is awarded for valor, courageous action, or self-sacrifice away from the battlefield.
The Indian Military Academy (IMA) is located in which city?
- A Pune
- B Dehradun
- C Lucknow
- D Hyderabad
Correct answer: Dehradun
The IMA was established in 1932 in Dehradun, Uttarakhand. It is the premier officer training academy for the Indian Army, focusing on leadership and military tactics.
Which of the following is an indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) of India?
- A Rafale
- B Su-30 MKI
- C HAL Tejas
- D MiG-21
Correct answer: HAL Tejas
Tejas is a supersonic, single-engine multirole fighter developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA). It was designed to replace the aging MiG-21 fleet.
What is the name of India's first aircraft carrier built completely within the country?
- A INS Vikramaditya
- B INS Vikrant
- C INS Viraat
- D INS Vishal
Correct answer: INS Vikrant
The new INS Vikrant (IAC-1) was commissioned in September 2022. It made India the sixth nation to have the capability to indigenously design and build aircraft carriers above 40,000 tonnes.
Which missiles constitute the 'Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme' (IGMDP) led by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?
- A Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag
- B Brahmos, Astra, Nirbhay, Pralay
- C Prahaar, Shaurya, Rudram, K-4 SLBM
- D Sagarika, Dhanush, K-15, Varunastra
Correct answer: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag
Launched in 1983, the IGMDP aimed at achieving self-sufficiency in missile technology. The five missiles developed under this program are nicknamed 'PATNA' as an acronym for Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag, and Akash.
The 'Garud Commando Force' is the special forces unit of which wing?
- A Indian Army
- B Indian Navy
- C Indian Air Force
- D Indian Coast Guard
Correct answer: Indian Air Force
The Garud Commando Force was formed in 2004 to protect critical Air Force bases and carry out search and rescue operations. They are trained in niche skills like combat search and rescue and counter-terrorism.
In the Indian Navy, which rank is equivalent to the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army?
- A Commodore
- B Navy Captain
- C Commander
- D Rear Admiral
Correct answer: Navy Captain
The rank of Captain in the Indian Navy and Group Captain in the Indian Air Force are both equivalent to the rank of Colonel in the Indian Army. This hierarchy ensures parity during tri-service operations.