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Q84 (IAS/2025) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Military aircraft systems Answer Verified

With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs : I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraft III. C-17 Globe-master III : Military transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: B
Explanation

The Dornier 228 is used by India for patrol and surveillance/reconnaissance operations[2], confirming it is a maritime patrol aircraft. Therefore, pair I is correctly matched.

The IL-76 (Ilyushin Il-76) is used by the Indian Air Force for strategic[4] airlift operations and is classified as a strategic airlifter[3], not a supersonic combat aircraft. It is a standard Soviet-Russian strategic-level transport aircraft[5]. Therefore, pair II is incorrectly matched.

The C-17 is listed among military platforms used by India along with other aircraft[6], and it is indeed a military transport aircraft (the C-17 Globemaster III is a well-known strategic airlifter). Therefore, pair III is correctly matched.

Since pairs I and III are correct while pair II is incorrect, only two pairs are correctly matched.

Sources
  1. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft
  2. [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft
  3. [3] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Air_Force
  4. [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_active_Indian_military_aircraft
  5. [6] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 16: India–Political Aspects > INDIA'S ROLE IN WORLD AFFAIRS > p. 59
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PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs : I. Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraft II. IL-76 : Supersonic comb…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Low / Borderline fairness Books / CA: 3.3/10 · 6.7/10
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This is a classic 'Functional Mismatch' trap. UPSC tests if you can distinguish a 'truck' (Transport) from a 'racecar' (Combat). While C-17 is in standard books like Majid Husain, the IL-76 statement relies on basic defence awareness—knowing that a heavy lifter cannot be a supersonic fighter.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
With reference to India's defence: Is the Dornier-228 classified and operated as a maritime patrol aircraft?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"[Dornier 228](/wiki/Dornier_228 "Dornier 228") | Germany / India[[a]](#cite_note-HAL-33) | [Patrol](/wiki/Maritime_patrol_aircraft "Maritime patrol aircraft") / [Surveillance](/wiki/Surveillance_aircraft "Surveillance aircraft") | [228-201](/wiki/Dornier_228#Hindustan_228 "Dornier 228") | 29[[41]](#cite_note-WAF-42) | 6 on order[[96]](#cite_note-100)"
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists the Dornier 228 under the Indian military aircraft inventory with the role 'Patrol / Surveillance'.
  • Includes the Indian variant (228-201) and the number in service, indicating it is operated by India in that role.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"[Dornier 228](/wiki/Dornier_228 "Dornier 228") | Germany / India[[a]](#cite_note-HAL-33) | [Patrol](/wiki/Maritime_patrol_aircraft "Maritime patrol aircraft") / [Reconnaissance](/wiki/Reconnaissance_aircraft "Reconnaissance aircraft") | [228-101/201](/wiki/Dornier_228#Hindustan_228 "Dornier 228")[[108]](#cite_note-112) | 39[[17]](#cite_note-FOOTNOTEIISS2024270-17) | Includes 2 upgraded in 2024[[109]](#cite_note-113)"
Why this source?
  • Shows the Dornier 228 in the active Indian military aircraft list with the role 'Patrol / Reconnaissance', i.e. a maritime patrol role.
  • Specifies Indian variants (228-101/201) and numbers in service, demonstrating operation by India.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > various parts of India. Some of these flights operate between India and the Gulf countries. > p. 32
Strength: 5/5
“Indian Airlines: Indian Airlines was set up under the Air Corporation Act, 1953 with an initial capital of Rs. 3.25 crore with its headquarters at Delhi. The India Airlines is the major domestic air carrier of the country. The Indian Airlines operates to 55 domestic stations alongwith its wholly-owned subsidiary Airlines, Allied Services Ltd. (Alliance Air). Besides Indian Airlines also operates to 18 international stations. The Indian Airlines presently has a fleet of 73 aircrafts comprising 03 Airbus, A-300s; 48 Airbus, A-320s, 5 Airbus, A-319s; 11 Boeing 737s; 18 Dornier DO-228; and 04 ATR-42-320. All B-737 and ATR aircrafts are operated by Alliance Air.”
Why relevant

Lists Dornier DO-228 among Indian Airlines' fleet, showing the type exists in Indian civil aviation service.

How to extend

A student could note that an aircraft type used civilly often has multiple variants (civil/military) and look up whether military versions or maritime variants of the DO-228 exist or are procured by defence services.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Civil Aviation > p. 30
Strength: 4/5
“The Airport Authority of India (AAI), constituted on 1 April 1995, operates upon 127 airports including civil enclave and defence airfields for Commercial Airlines operations. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is responsible for the formulation of national policies and programmes for the development and regulation of civil aviation and for the devising and implementing of schemes for an orderly growth and expansion of civil air transport. Its functions also extend to overseeing the provision of airport facilities, air traffic services, carriage of passengers and goods by air, safeguarding civil aviation operations, regulation of air transport services, licensing of aerodromes, air carriers, pilots, and aircraft maintenance engineers.”
Why relevant

Explains Airport Authority of India operates both civil enclaves and defence airfields, indicating aircraft of a given type can be operated in civil or defence roles.

How to extend

Combine this with knowledge of where Dornier-228s are based to check whether any are assigned to defence airfields (suggesting military/maritime use).

Indian Economy, Vivek Singh (7th ed. 2023-24) > Chapter 14: Infrastructure and Investment Models > Sagarmala Project: > p. 419
Strength: 4/5
“Background: India is richly endowed with natural maritime advantages, with a 7,500 km coastline covering 13 states and UTs, a strategic location on key international trade routes and 14,500 km of navigable and potentially navigable waterways. Maritime logistics has been an important component of the Indian economy, accounting for 90% of EXIM trade by volume. A robust maritime logistics sector with modern and efficient port infrastructure can be a strong catalyst of economic growth. In India, the planning of industrial clusters and zones have not adequately taken into account proximity to ports because of which the port land has not been adequately utilized for setting up industries and manufacturing.”
Why relevant

Describes India's extensive coastline and strategic maritime location, implying a practical need for maritime patrol capabilities.

How to extend

Given the maritime security requirement, a student could investigate which small aircraft types (e.g., light turboprops like the DO-228) are typically used for maritime patrol and whether India equips DO-228s for that role.

Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 35: TABLES > List III-Concurrent List. > p. 548
Strength: 3/5
“1. Defence of India and every part thereof, including preparation for defence and all such acts any naval, military or air force or any other armed as may be conducive in times of war to its prosecution and after its termination to effective the control of the Union or of any contingent or demobilisation. 2. Naval, military and air forces; any other armed forces of the Union. [2A. Deployment of any armed force of the Union or ary other force subject to the control of the Union or any contingent or unit thereof in any State in aid of the civil power; powers, jurisdiction, privileges and liabilities of the members of such forces while on such deployment.] 3.”
Why relevant

Defines 'Defence of India' and explicitly lists naval, military and air forces, highlighting that maritime (naval) surveillance is a defence responsibility.

How to extend

A student could use this to justify checking defence procurement records or service inventories (Navy/Coast Guard) for DO-228 maritime patrol variants.

Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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