📘 IAS Prelims 2025 — GS-I | Q.84 | Classroom Explanation
(Science & Technology | Defence & Aerospace)

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📌 Question

Q.84)
With reference to India’s defence, consider the following pairs:

Aircraft type	Description
I. Dornier-228	Maritime patrol aircraft
II. IL-76	Supersonic combat aircraft
III. C-17 Globemaster III	Military transport aircraft

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

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✅ Correct Answer: (b) Only two

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🧑‍🏫 Classroom Explanation

This is a classic UPSC matching trap where one wrong adjective can sink an otherwise correct pair. Let us break it down aircraft by aircraft.

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✈️ Pair-wise Analysis (High-Value Defence Points)

🔹 I. Dornier-228 — Maritime Patrol Aircraft ✅

Why correct

• Dornier-228 is a twin-engine turboprop aircraft.
• Operated by:
  • Indian Navy
  • Indian Coast Guard
• Roles include:
  • 🌊 Maritime surveillance
  • 🚢 Coastal patrol
  • 🔍 Search & Rescue (SAR)
  • 🚨 Pollution monitoring

Extra UPSC nuggets

• Manufactured in India by HAL under licence.
• Known for STOL capability (Short Take-Off & Landing), ideal for island territories like Andaman & Nicobar.

📌 Verdict: Pair I is correctly matched.

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🔹 II. IL-76 — Supersonic Combat Aircraft ❌

Why incorrect

• IL-76 is NOT a combat aircraft.
• It is a strategic heavy-lift military transport aircraft.

Correct profile

• Designed by Ilyushin (Russia).
• Four-engine subsonic turbofan aircraft.
• Used for:
  • 🪖 Troop transport
  • 📦 Heavy cargo movement
  • 🛫 Special missions (AWACS platform base – IL-76MD)

📌 UPSC Trap Alert

“IL-series + jets ≠ fighter aircraft”

📌 Verdict: Pair II is incorrectly matched.

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🔹 III. C-17 Globemaster III — Military Transport Aircraft ✅

Why correct

• C-17 is a strategic & tactical airlifter.
• Operated by the Indian Air Force.

Capabilities

• 🚚 Heavy cargo & troop transport
• 🏥 Aeromedical evacuation
• 🎯 Airdrop operations
• 🛬 Can land on short & semi-prepared runways

Extra High-Value Points

• Manufactured by Boeing (USA).
• Backbone of India’s rapid deployment & disaster relief capability.
• Played a key role in:
  • COVID-19 logistics
  • Overseas evacuations
  • High-altitude Ladakh logistics

📌 Verdict: Pair III is correctly matched.

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🧮 Final Count

• Pair I ✅
• Pair II ❌
• Pair III ✅

👉 Total correctly matched pairs = 2

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🧠 One-Line Memory Hook (Prelims Gold)

“Dornier patrols seas, C-17 lifts armies — IL-76 doesn’t fight wars.”

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📍 GS Mapping

Strategic Airlift & Surveillance Platforms

GS Paper III

Defence Technology

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