UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 68: Science and Technology
Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India ?
- 1.Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
- 2.T-90 MK-III Tanks
- 3.Akula Class Submarine
Select the answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Su-30 MKI fighters are built in India by HAL under licence from Russia, and T-90 tanks (Bhishma) are assembled at the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi, under licence. The Akula-class submarine INS Chakra is not made in India: it was a nuclear-powered attack submarine leased from Russia. So statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 3 is wrong.
- 1. HAL builds the Su-30 MKI under licence.
- 2. T-90 tanks are assembled at Avadi under licence.
- 3. The Akula-class submarine is leased from Russia, not made in India.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 1 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 1 out.
What you needed to know: HAL builds the Su-30 MKI under licence.
- Then, if you were sure statement 2 is correct, (b) and (c) go: each of them leaves 2 out.
What you needed to know: T-90 tanks are assembled at Avadi under licence.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statement 3.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
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) Right: the Su-30 MKI and T-90 are made in India under licence.
- (b) Wrong: the Akula-class submarine is leased from Russia.
- (c) Incomplete: the T-90 tank is also made in India.
- (d) Incomplete: the Su-30 MKI is also made in India.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.