NDA (National Defence Academy) Exam Current Events (GAT Paper II, Part G) Syllabus

What is the grouping 'Quad', and which four nations comprise it?

The Quadrilateral Security Dialogue—India, the United States, Japan and Australia—focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.

What does BRICS stand for, and which members were invited to join in the 2023 expansion?

Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. The 2023 Johannesburg summit invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, UAE, Egypt, Ethiopia and Argentina to join.

What is the SCO, and where is its secretariat located?

The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, a Eurasian political-security-economic bloc; its secretariat is in Beijing, China.

India hosted the G20 Summit in 2023 in which city, and what was the summit's theme?

New Delhi; theme 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' — One Earth, One Family, One Future.

What major economic corridor was announced at the 2023 G20 Summit in New Delhi?

The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).

Which group became a permanent member of the G20 at the 2023 New Delhi Summit?

The African Union (AU).

What is ASEAN, and how many member states does it have?

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations, a regional bloc with 10 member states (with Timor-Leste granted in-principle membership).

Name the five permanent members of the UN Security Council.

China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States (the P5).

Where is the headquarters of the United Nations, and where is the International Court of Justice located?

UN headquarters: New York City, USA. International Court of Justice: The Hague, Netherlands.

What is NATO, and how many members does it have following Finland's and Sweden's accession?

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, a military alliance; with Finland (2023) and Sweden (2024) it has 32 members.

Where are the headquarters of the IMF and the World Bank?

Both are headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA.

What is the name of India's main battle tank developed indigenously by DRDO?

The Arjun MBT (Main Battle Tank).

What is the BrahMos, and which two countries jointly developed it?

BrahMos is a supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India (DRDO) and Russia (NPO Mashinostroyeniya); the name combines the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers.

Name India's family of indigenous surface-to-surface ballistic missiles and their general role.

The Agni series (Agni-I to Agni-V/Agni-Prime) — medium-to-intercontinental range strategic ballistic missiles capable of nuclear delivery.

What is the Prithvi missile, and what is its category?

Prithvi is India's short-range, surface-to-surface tactical ballistic missile developed under the IGMDP.

What does IGMDP stand for, and who is regarded as its key architect?

Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme; Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is regarded as its key architect ('Missile Man of India').

Name India's indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft and its manufacturer.

The HAL Tejas, developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) with ADA/DRDO.

What is the Akash missile system?

Akash is an indigenous medium-range, surface-to-air missile (SAM) system developed by DRDO for air defence.

What is the Pinaka, and what type of weapon system is it?

Pinaka is an indigenous multi-barrel rocket launcher (MBRL) artillery system developed by DRDO.

Which indigenous submarine class is built under Project-75 (Scorpene class), and name a vessel of this class.

The Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarines (e.g., INS Kalvari, INS Khanderi, INS Vagir) built under Project-75 with French collaboration.

What is INS Arihant, and why is it significant?

INS Arihant is India's first indigenously built nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN), completing India's nuclear triad.

What is DRDO, and what is its primary role?

The Defence Research and Development Organisation, the premier agency under the Ministry of Defence responsible for developing defence technology and weapons systems.

What is the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), and who was the first to hold the post?

The CDS is the single-point military adviser to the government and head of the Department of Military Affairs; General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS (2020).

What is HAL, and what is its main area of operation?

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, a defence PSU that manufactures aircraft, helicopters and aero-engines (e.g., Tejas, Dhruv).

What is the theatre command concept being introduced in the Indian armed forces?

Integrated theatre commands aim to combine Army, Navy and Air Force assets under a single commander for a geographic theatre to enhance jointness.

What was India's military operation to evacuate citizens from war-affected Ukraine in 2022?

Operation Ganga, which evacuated thousands of Indian nationals (mainly students) from Ukraine.

What was Operation Kaveri (2023)?

India's evacuation operation to bring back Indian nationals from conflict-hit Sudan.

What is the 'Agnipath' scheme introduced for the Indian armed forces in 2022?

A short-term recruitment scheme enlisting soldiers ('Agniveers') for four years, with a portion retained for longer service.

What major UN climate framework agreement aims to limit global warming, and what is its temperature target?

The Paris Agreement (2015), aiming to limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels.

What is India's stated 'net zero' carbon emissions target year, announced at COP26?

India committed to achieving net-zero emissions by the year 2070.

What is the Mission LiFE initiative promoted by India internationally?

Lifestyle for Environment — a global mission championed by India promoting sustainable, mindful consumption to combat climate change.