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UPSC NDA Current Events Syllabus

The Current Events syllabus for UPSC NDA in full: 6 chapters, every one listed below, plus 50 Current Events flashcards with answers.

6Chapters
50Flashcards

Current Events syllabus: all 6 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. National Events

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

  2. International Events

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

  3. Sports

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

  4. Awards and Honors

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

  5. Books and Authors

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

  6. Science and Technology

     overview

    No separate topics listed for this chapter.

UPSC NDA Current Events flashcards — 50 questions with answers

  1. In the UPSC NDA General Ability Test, the 'Current Events' section falls under which part of the General Knowledge paper?

    It is a sub-section of Part B (General Knowledge) of the GAT, testing awareness of important national and international events, especially of defence, science, and polity relevance.

  2. What is the apex tri-services body that advises the Indian government on military matters, headed by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)?

    The Department of Military Affairs (DMA) within the Ministry of Defence; the CDS is its Secretary and also the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.

  3. What post was created in India on 1 January 2020 to act as the single-point military adviser to the government?

    The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); General Bipin Rawat was the first CDS.

  4. What is the name of India's indigenously built first aircraft carrier, commissioned in September 2022?

    INS Vikrant (IAC-1), built by Cochin Shipyard Limited.

  5. Which indigenous light combat aircraft, developed by HAL, forms the backbone of the IAF's lighter fighter fleet?

    The HAL Tejas (Light Combat Aircraft, LCA).

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

    The Arjun main battle tank.

  7. What does DRDO stand for and what is its primary role?

    Defence Research and Development Organisation; it is the premier agency for developing defence technology and weapons systems for the armed forces.

  8. Name the surface-to-surface ballistic missile series that forms the core of India's strategic deterrent.

    The Agni series (Agni-I to Agni-V/Agni-Prime), with Agni-V being intercontinental-range capable.

  9. What is the name of the supersonic cruise missile jointly developed by India and Russia?

    BrahMos.

  10. What does ISRO stand for and where is its headquarters?

    Indian Space Research Organisation; headquartered in Bengaluru.

  11. Which Indian lunar mission achieved a soft landing near the Moon's south pole in August 2023?

    Chandrayaan-3, with its Vikram lander and Pragyan rover; India became the first nation to land near the lunar south pole.

  12. What is the name of India's first solar observation mission, launched in 2023 to study the Sun?

    Aditya-L1, positioned at the Sun-Earth Lagrange point L1.

  13. What is the name of India's planned crewed spaceflight programme to send astronauts into orbit?

    Gaganyaan.

  14. What launch vehicle is ISRO's heaviest, used for missions like Chandrayaan-3 and GSAT heavy satellites?

    LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3, formerly GSLV Mk III).

  15. Who is the constitutional Supreme Commander of the Indian Armed Forces?

    The President of India.

  16. What are the three services that make up the Indian Armed Forces?

    The Indian Army, the Indian Navy, and the Indian Air Force.

  17. What is India's highest peacetime gallantry award?

    The Ashoka Chakra.

  18. What is India's highest wartime gallantry award?

    The Param Vir Chakra (PVC).

  19. What is the highest civilian award of India?

    The Bharat Ratna.

  20. Which military exercise is the largest naval exercise hosted by India, involving multiple navies in the Bay of Bengal / Indian Ocean?

    Exercise MILAN.

Show the other 30 Current Events flashcards

  1. What is the India-US bilateral military exercise involving the armies of both countries called?

    Exercise Yudh Abhyas.

  2. What grouping of India, US, Japan, and Australia focuses on a free and open Indo-Pacific?

    The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue).

  3. Name the multilateral naval exercise involving India, US, Japan, and Australia in the Indo-Pacific.

    Exercise Malabar.

  4. What does BRICS stand for after the addition of new members in 2024?

    Originally Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa; expanded (BRICS+) to include countries such as Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE.

  5. What is the full form of SCO, a regional bloc of which India is a member?

    Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.

  6. Who currently heads the Indian government as Prime Minister?

    Narendra Modi (BJP), heading the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government.

  7. Who holds the constitutional post of President of India as of 2024-2026?

    Droupadi Murmu, the 15th President and the first tribal woman to hold the office.

  8. What is the name of India's flagship indigenous fifth-generation stealth fighter programme under development by DRDO/ADA?

    AMCA (Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft).

  9. What does the term 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' mean in the defence context?

    'Self-reliant India' — a policy to indigenise defence production and reduce dependence on arms imports.

  10. What is the name of the indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine class of the Indian Navy?

    The Arihant class (e.g., INS Arihant), giving India a sea-based nuclear deterrent (the third leg of the nuclear triad).

  11. What are the three legs of India's nuclear triad?

    Land-based ballistic missiles, air-delivered nuclear weapons (fighter aircraft), and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.

  12. What is the name of the entrance examination conducted by UPSC for admission to the NDA?

    The National Defence Academy (NDA) and Naval Academy Examination.

  13. Where is the National Defence Academy located?

    Khadakwasla, near Pune, Maharashtra.

  14. What scheme allows induction of women as Short Service Commissioned officers as 'Agniveers' across the three services?

    The Agnipath Scheme, under which recruits are called Agniveers, serving for four years.

  15. What is the name of the missile defence interceptor system India is developing for ballistic missile defence?

    The Indian Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) Programme, with the PAD/AAD and PDV interceptors.

  16. In which year did India conduct its anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test, codenamed Mission Shakti?

    2019; India became the fourth nation to demonstrate ASAT capability.

  17. What is the highest mountain peak in the world, and which two countries does it lie between?

    Mount Everest, on the border between Nepal and China (Tibet).

  18. Which Indian city hosted the G20 Leaders' Summit in 2023 during India's G20 presidency?

    New Delhi.

  19. What is the new corridor/initiative announced at the 2023 G20 Summit connecting India, the Middle East, and Europe?

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

  20. What is the name of India's indigenous regional satellite navigation system?

    NavIC (Navigation with Indian Constellation), formerly IRNSS.

  21. Which Indian state became the venue for the commissioning of indigenous warships and is home to the Eastern Naval Command headquarters?

    Andhra Pradesh — Visakhapatnam hosts the Eastern Naval Command.

  22. What is the headquarters location of the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force command structure (the integrated defence ministry)?

    New Delhi (South Block / Ministry of Defence).

  23. Which 2021 helicopter crash near Coonoor claimed the life of India's first CDS?

    The crash that killed General Bipin Rawat (December 2021).

  24. What does NCC stand for, the youth organisation linked to the armed forces?

    National Cadet Corps.

  25. Which annual day is celebrated in India on 7 December to honour armed forces personnel?

    Armed Forces Flag Day.

  26. On which date is Indian Army Day observed?

    15 January.

  27. On which date is Indian Navy Day observed, commemorating Operation Trident of 1971?

    4 December.

  28. On which date is Indian Air Force Day observed?

    8 October.

  29. What is the name of the indigenous light combat helicopter inducted by the Indian armed forces, designed for high-altitude operations?

    The HAL Prachand (Light Combat Helicopter, LCH).

  30. What is the name of the joint India-France fighter aircraft acquired by the IAF under a 2016 deal?

    The Dassault Rafale.

UPSC NDA Current Events FAQ

What is in the UPSC NDA Current Events syllabus?

UPSC NDA Current Events is split into 6 chapters: National Events, International Events, Sports, Awards and Honors, Books and Authors and Science and Technology.

How many chapters are in UPSC NDA Current Events?

6 chapters.

Are there flashcards for UPSC NDA Current Events?

Yes — a 50-card Current Events deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.