UPSC Prelims 2001 Q37: Current Affairs – International Conflicts & Security
Consider the following statements regarding the Armed Forces:
I. First batch of women pilots was commissioned in Indian Air Force in 1996.
II. Officers’ Training Academy is located in Nagpur.
III. Southern Command of Indian Navy has its Headquarters at Chennai.
IV. One of the Regional Headquarters of Coast Guard is located at Port Blair.
Which of these statements are correct?
- (a) I, II, III and IV
- (b) II, III and IV
- (c) III only
- (d) IV only
Answer: (d) IV only
Explanation
Statements regarding the Armed Forces
| Statement | Verdict |
|---|---|
| I. First batch of women pilots commissioned in IAF in 1996 | Wrong — the first batch of women pilots was commissioned in 1994 |
| II. Officers' Training Academy is in Nagpur | Wrong — OTA is in Chennai (and later Gaya) |
| III. Southern Naval Command HQ is at Chennai | Wrong — it is at Kochi |
| IV. A Coast Guard Regional HQ is at Port Blair | Correct — Regional HQ (Andaman and Nicobar) |
Only statement IV is correct. The Coast Guard has a Regional Headquarters at Port Blair. Women pilots joined the IAF in 1994, the OTA is at Chennai, and the Southern Naval Command is at Kochi.
Answer: (d) IV only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Statements I, II and III are wrong.
- (b) Incorrect. OTA is not in Nagpur and the Southern Naval Command is not at Chennai.
- (c) Incorrect. The Southern Naval Command is at Kochi, not Chennai.
- (d) CORRECT. Only the Coast Guard statement is right.
Key point
Naval Commands: Western (Mumbai), Eastern (Visakhapatnam), Southern (Kochi). Andaman and Nicobar Command at Port Blair is a tri-service command.
Remember
Southern Naval Command = Kochi; OTA = Chennai; Coast Guard RHQ at Port Blair.
Common mistakes
- Placing the Southern Naval Command at Chennai.
- Thinking OTA is in Nagpur; Nagpur has the IAF Maintenance Command.
- Getting the year of the first women pilots wrong.
Exam tip
Learn the three naval commands; they appear again and again.
Sources
- Indian Navy — Commands (official page, indiannavy.nic.in)
- Indian Coast Guard — Organisation and Regional Headquarters (indiancoastguard.gov.in)