UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 84: Science and Technology
With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs :
| Aircraft type | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| I. | Dornier-228 | Maritime patrol aircraft |
| II. | IL-76 | Supersonic combat aircraft |
| III. | C-17 Globemaster III | Military transport aircraft |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
The Dornier-228 is a light twin-turboprop aircraft used by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard for maritime surveillance and patrol, so row I is correct. The Ilyushin IL-76 is a heavy transport aircraft, flown by the IAF as the Gajraj, and it is not a supersonic combat aircraft, so row II is wrong. The C-17 Globemaster III is a heavy strategic military transport aircraft in IAF service, so row III is correct. Two rows are correctly matched.
- I. Dornier-228 is used for maritime patrol and surveillance.
- II. IL-76 is a heavy transport aircraft, not a supersonic combat aircraft.
- III. C-17 Globemaster III is a military transport aircraft.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: the Dornier and C-17 rows are both correct.
- (b) Right: Dornier-228 and C-17 Globemaster III are matched correctly.
- (c) Wrong: the IL-76 is a transport aircraft, not a supersonic combat aircraft.
- (d) Wrong: two rows are correct.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.