UPSC Prelims 2024 Q69: Science & Technology – Defence Technology
- (a) 1 and 4
- (b) 1 and 3
- (c) 2, 3 and 4
- (d) 3 only
Answer: (d) 3 only
Explanation
Equivalent Ranks in Indian Defence Forces
Correct Army-Air Force-Navy Equivalence:
| Army | Air Force | Navy |
|---|---|---|
| Field Marshal | Marshal of IAF | Admiral of the Fleet |
| General | Air Chief Marshal | Admiral |
| Lieutenant General | Air Marshal | Vice Admiral |
| Major General | Air Vice Marshal | Rear Admiral |
| Brigadier | Air Commodore | Commodore |
| Colonel | Group Captain | Captain |
| Lieutenant Colonel | Wing Commander | Commander |
| Major | Squadron Leader | Lieutenant Commander |
| Captain | Flight Lieutenant | Lieutenant |
Checking each row:
| Row | Given | Correct? | Error |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brigadier - Air Commodore - Commander | WRONG | Brigadier = Air Commodore = Commodore (not Commander) |
| 2 | Major General - Air Vice Marshal - Vice Admiral | WRONG | Major General = Air Vice Marshal = Rear Admiral (not Vice Admiral) |
| 3 | Major - Squadron Leader - Lieutenant Commander | CORRECT | All three are equivalent ranks |
| 4 | Lt Colonel - Group Captain - Captain | WRONG | Lt Colonel = Wing Commander (not Group Captain); Group Captain = Colonel |
Answer: (d) 3 only.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Row 1 is wrong - Brigadier's Naval equivalent is Commodore, not Commander. Row 4 is also wrong - Lt Colonel's Air Force equivalent is Wing Commander, not Group Captain.
- (b) Incorrect. Row 1 is wrong (Brigadier = Commodore, not Commander). Row 3 is the only correct row.
- (c) Incorrect. Rows 2, 3 and 4 would include Row 2 (wrong - Major General = Rear Admiral, not Vice Admiral) and Row 4 (wrong - Lt Colonel = Wing Commander, not Group Captain).
- (d) CORRECT. Only Row 3 is correctly matched: Major (Army) = Squadron Leader (Air Force) = Lieutenant Commander (Navy).
Key point
Only Major = Squadron Leader = Lieutenant Commander is a correct equivalence. Key anchor ranks: Brigadier = Commodore (Navy). Major General = Rear Admiral. Lt Colonel = Wing Commander. Colonel = Group Captain = Captain (Navy).
Remember
Only Row 3 is correct: Major = Squadron Leader = Lieutenant Commander. The most common errors are Brigadier's Naval equivalent (Commodore, not Commander) and Major General's Naval equivalent (Rear Admiral, not Vice Admiral).
Common mistakes
- Confusing Commander (Navy, equivalent to Lt Colonel/Wing Commander) with Commodore (equivalent to Brigadier/Air Commodore) - they sound similar but are two ranks apart.
- Thinking Major General equals Vice Admiral - Vice Admiral is one level higher, equivalent to Lieutenant General. Major General = Rear Admiral.
- Not knowing Group Captain: Group Captain (IAF) = Colonel (Army) = Captain (Navy). Lt Colonel = Wing Commander = Commander.
Exam tip
Defence ranks anchor: Brigadier-Air Commodore-COMMODORE. Colonel-Group Captain-CAPTAIN (Navy). Lt Colonel-Wing Commander-COMMANDER. Major-Squadron Leader-LT COMMANDER. Move up one for next level. 'Commander' (Navy) is a Lt Colonel level rank.
Sources
- Ministry of Defence, Government of India - Ranks and Equivalences
- NCERT Supplementary - Indian Defence Services Structure