Defence Research and Development Organisation and the Indian Air Force successfully flight tested the indigenous RudraM-II air-to-surface missile on June 2, 2026.
Key Highlights
Missile was launched from: An airborne platform under extreme release conditions.
Successfully:
Followed intended trajectory
Hit the predefined target accurately.
Trials validated:
Critical subsystems
Flight parameters
Precision strike capability.
About RudraM-II
RudraM-II is an indigenous air-to-surface missile.
Designed for Precision strike missions.
Capable of destroying enemy ground-based targets.
[2023] Consider the following statements 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Scientists from the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) used data from Chandrayaan-2’s Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar (DFSAR) to discover strong evidence of subsurface water-ice near the Moon’s South Pole.
Key Findings
Target Location: Four “doubly shadowed craters” located inside Permanently Shadowed Regions (PSRs) at the lunar south pole.
Extreme Thermal Environment: These locations are permanently shielded from solar radiation, maintaining temperatures around 25 Kelvin (-248°C), acting as ideal cold traps to preserve volatiles.
The Prime Candidate: A 1.1 km diameter micro-crater located within the larger Faustini Crater showed the highest probability of containing clean subsurface ice.
Geomorphological Evidence
Lobate-Rim Morphology: The highly-evident 1.1 km crater exhibits flow-like, lobed patterns along its rim.
Geological Meaning: This indicates that the initial meteoroid impact likely penetrated a layer of subsurface ice, melting it briefly to create a slurry-like, fluid ejecta pattern before re-freezing.
About Chandrayaan-2 & DFSAR
Mission Context: Launched in July 2019; while its Vikram lander failed to make a soft landing, the orbiter remains fully functional in lunar orbit.
DFSAR Instrument: Dual Frequency Synthetic Aperture Radar.
Capabilities: It is the first fully polarimetric radar sent to the Moon, operating across L-band and S-band microwave frequencies to penetrate deep into the lunar regolith.
Significance
In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU): Essential for future crewed bases (such as Artemis or India’s planned lunar base) to harvest local water for life support and rocket fuel production.
Strategic Mapping: Provides high-fidelity targeting data for future landing and excavation missions, including India’s upcoming Chandrayaan missions.
Challenges
Accessing Cold Traps: Operating mechanical equipment in permanent darkness at 25 Kelvin presents immense engineering challenges.
Regolith Depth Overburden: The ice is subsurface, requiring specialized drilling and extraction systems rather than surface scraping.
[2017] The terms ‘Event Horizon’, ‘Singularity’, ‘String Theory’ and ‘Standard Model’ are sometimes seen in the news in the context of
[A] Observation and understanding of the Universe
[B] Study of the solar and the lunar eclipses
[C] Placing satellites in the orbit of the Earth
[D] Origin and evolution of living organisms on the earth
The Ministry of Defence issued the Request for Proposal (RFP) for the indigenous Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme to shortlisted private firms.
Developed to meet long-term requirements of the Indian Air Force
Being designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA)
Key Features
Stealth capability
Materials Used:
Carbon composites
Radar-absorbent coatings containing ferrite or iron ball paint
Composite polymers and graphene-based materials
Advanced avionics includes:
AESA radar
Sensor fusion
Electronic warfare suites
Helmet-mounted displays
Supercruise capability (Supersonic speed in Dry Thrust)
Next-generation combat systems
Programme Highlights
Government plans to build five prototypes
Selected private company will partner with ADA
Part of the “Make in India” and defence indigenisation push
Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) reportedly excluded from current process
Consider the following statements regarding the fifth-generation fighter jet configurations of India and Russia: 1.The Sukhoi Su-57, Russia’s operational fifth-generation stealth fighter, features supercruise capabilities but utilizes conventional round exhaust nozzles. 2.Under proposed partnerships, Russia has offered a twin-seat variant of the Su-57, which allows a second crew member to manage manned-unmanned teaming operations with stealth drones. 3.India’s indigenous fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) is being developed and manufactured solely under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), with zero foreign collaboration for its engines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Warheads can strike Different targets independently
[2014] With reference to Agni-IV Missile, consider the following statements; 1.It is a surface-to-surface missile. 2.It is fuelled by liquid propellant alone. 3.It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 4000 kms. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
India successfully tested the indigenous Suryastra rocket system at Chandipur, marking a major milestone in indigenous defence technology.
About Suryastra Rocket System
India’s first indigenous universal multi-calibre rocket launcher system.
Developed by:
NIBE Limited
In collaboration with Elbit Systems
Based on: PULS (Precise & Universal Launching System) technology.
Range: 300 KM
Purpose
Designed for precision strikes against:
Enemy positions
Command centres
Radar installations
Logistics hubs
Key Features
Mounted on a highly mobile: 6×6 Tatra truck
Multi-target Capability
Can engage multiple targets simultaneously at different ranges.
Precision
Circular Error Probable (CEP): Less than 5 metres
[2025] With reference to India’s defense, consider the following pairs: Aircraft type Description 1. Dornier-228 Maritime patrol aircraft 2. IL-76 Supersonic combat aircraft 3. C-17 Globe Master IIIMilitary transport aircraft How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Scientists analysing data from Chandrayaan-3 discovered that the Moon’s upper surface near the landing site has two distinct layers within a few centimetres of depth.
Key Findings
The lunar surface (regolith) is not uniform.
A loose porous upper layer quickly changes into a denser compact layer:
About 2 to 6 cm below the surface.
Role of the ‘Hop’ Experiment
Chandrayaan-3 lander performed a small “hop”.
The lander:
Lifted about 40 cm above the surface
Moved nearly 50 cm before landing again
ChaSTE Instrument
The findings are based on data from Chandra’s Surface Thermophysical Experiment (ChaSTE)
Function
Measured thermal properties and temperature profile of lunar soil.
Used a rod-shaped probe with temperature sensors.
Important Discoveries
Even at 6-9 cm depth, the Moon showed layered structure.
Temperature dropped sharply with depth:
Around 60°C lower at 10 cm depth compared to the surface.
[2016] Consider the following statements: The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] 1 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 1 and 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3
India successfully conducted the flight-trial of an advanced Agni missile equipped with a Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV) system on May 8, 2026. The test was carried out from Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Island.
What is a Multiple Independently Targeted Re-entry Vehicle (MIRV)?
MIRV technology allows:
A single ballistic missile to carry multiple nuclear warheads
Each warhead to strike different targets independently
How MIRV Works
Step 1: Missile Launch: A ballistic missile is launched carrying multiple warheads.
Step 2: Mid-course Phase: After reaching space or upper atmosphere:
The missile releases several re-entry vehicles
Step 3: Independent Targeting: Each warhead:
Follows a separate trajectory
Hits a different target
[2026] Consider the following statements 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] 1 only [B] 2 only [C] Both 1 and 2 [D] Neither 1 nor 2
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully tested the actively cooled scramjet combustor of a new hypersonic cruise missile at the Scramjet Connect Pipe Test facility in Hyderabad.
Key Achievement
DRDO achieved: 1,200 second runtime of the scramjet combustor
Previous successful test: 700 plus seconds in January 2026
About Hypersonic Cruise Missile
Missile capable of travelling at:
More than Mach 5
Over five times the speed of sound
Approximate speed:
Above 6,100 km per hour
What is a Scramjet Engine?
Full Form: Supersonic Combustion Ramjet
Air breathing engine using:
Supersonic airflow during combustion
Operates efficiently at hypersonic speeds (Speed:5 Mach)
Uses atmospheric oxygen instead of carrying oxidiser
Suitable for:
Hypersonic missiles
Advanced aerospace systems
Countries Developing Hypersonic Technology
India
United States
Russia
China
[UPSC 2009] In the context of Indian defence, consider the following statements: 1. The Shourya missile flies with a speed of more than 8 Mach. 2. The range of Shourya missile is more than 1600 km. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? (a) 1 only (b) 2 only (c) Both 1 and 2 (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) successfully conducted the maiden flight trial of the Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation (TARA) weapon system off the coast of Odisha on May 7, 2026.
About TARA (Tactical Advanced Range Augmentation)
It is India’s first indigenous glide weapon system
Purpose: Converts unguided warheads into precision guided weapons
Developed By
Research Centre Imarat (RCI), Hyderabad
Along with other DRDO laboratories
Key Features
Glide Weapon System: Uses aerodynamic lift to glide towards targets after launch
Enhances:
Accuracy
Lethality
Operational range
Low Cost Technology: Utilises state of the art low cost systems
[2023] Consider the following statements 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their fights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of fight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct? [A] 1 only [B] 2 only [C] Both 1 and 2 [D] Neither 1 nor 2
New imagery from the NISAR satellite has shown that Mexico City is sinking at an alarming rate of nearly 25 cm per year, mainly due to excessive groundwater extraction.
What is Land Subsidence
Gradual sinking or settling of the Earth’s surface
Commonly caused by:
Excessive groundwater withdrawal
Mining
Natural geological processes
Why is Mexico City Sinking
Built on an ancient lake bed
Heavy extraction of groundwater from aquifers
Rapid urbanisation and infrastructure load
Shrinking aquifers causing ground compaction
About NISAR Satellite
NASA and Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) joint mission
Full Form: NASA ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar
Features of NISAR
Uses Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR)
Can detect surface changes in real time
Works in:
Day and night
All weather conditions
[2019] For the measurement/ estimation of which of the following are satellite images/remote sensing data used? 1. Chlorophyll content in the vegetation of a specific location 2. Greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies of a specific location 3. Land surface temperatures of a specific location Select the correct answer using the code given below. [A] 1 only [B] 2 and 3 only [C] 3 only [D] 1, 2 and 3
