UPSC CSE Prelims
Defence and Strategic Affairs Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Defence and Strategic Affairs
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
What are the duties of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) as Head of the Department of Military Affairs?
- Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee
- Exercise military command over the three Service Chiefs
- Principal Military Advisor to Defence Minister on all tri-service matters
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Answer: ✅ D. 1 and 3 only
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) serves as the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and acts as the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service matters. However, the CDS does not exercise direct military command over the Army, Navy, and Air Force Chiefs. Each Service Chief continues to command their respective force.
✅ Statement 1 is Correct: CDS is the Permanent Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
❌ Statement 2 is Incorrect: CDS does not exercise operational or military command over the three Service Chiefs.
✅ Statement 3 is Correct: CDS is the Principal Military Adviser to the Defence Minister on all tri-service matters.
Short Notes: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS)
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CDS post was created in 2019.
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CDS is the Permanent Chairman of Chiefs of Staff Committee (COSC).
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CDS heads the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence.
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CDS promotes jointness and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
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CDS is the single-point military adviser to the Defence Minister on tri-service issues.
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CDS does not command the three Service Chiefs.
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The post was recommended by the Kargil Review Committee and later supported by other reform committees.
Consider the following countries -
- China
- France
- India
- Israel
- Pakistan
Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: China is recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) under the NPT, having tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: France is recognized as a Nuclear Weapon State (NWS) under the NPT.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: India has never signed the NPT and is not recognized as an NWS under the treaty, despite possessing nuclear weapons.
❌ Statement 4 – Incorrect: Israel has never signed the NPT and is not recognized as an NWS under the treaty.
❌ Statement 5 – Incorrect: Pakistan has never signed the NPT and is not recognized as an NWS under the treaty.
Only five states are recognized as NWS under the NPT: USA, Russia, UK, France, and China (the P5 members of the UN Security Council).
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