Coast Guard & Special Forces — Set 2

Correct Answer: B. LTTE (Tamil Tigers) sea capabilities

MARCOS was originally raised in 1987 primarily to counter the maritime capabilities of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Sri Lanka, who had an effective sea arm called the Sea Tigers. MARCOS operators are trained at the Naval Special Warfare School in INS Abhimanyu, Mumbai, and are among Asia's most elite maritime special forces. Knowledge of India's defence capabilities and history is essential for competitive examinations and national awareness.

Correct Answer: C. Indian Army

Para SF (Para Special Forces), also known as Special Forces of the Indian Army, operates under the Indian Army. They are the Parachute Regiment's special forces battalions — 1 Para (SF) and 9 Para (SF) being among the most famous. Para SF are trained in HALO/HAHO parachute jumps, counter-terrorism, unconventional warfare, and direct action missions behind enemy lines.

Correct Answer: C. Indian Air Force

The Garud Commando Force is the special forces unit of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Raised in 2004, Garud commandos are primarily responsible for the protection of IAF airfields, radar installations, and aircraft in high-threat environments. They are also trained for personnel recovery of downed pilots behind enemy lines. Their name comes from the mythical eagle-deity Garud.

Correct Answer: C. 2004

The Garud Commando Force was raised in 2004. It was created to address the IAF's need for a specialized force to protect its assets. Garud personnel undergo rigorous selection and training at Air Force locations. They are trained in counter-terrorism, combat-free fall, combat diving, and airbase defense operations.

Correct Answer: B. Prime Minister of India

The Special Protection Group (SPG) was established specifically to provide protection to the Prime Minister of India and his immediate family members. The SPG was formed after the assassination of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in October 1984. The SPG Act 1988 formalized the group's mandate and structure.

Correct Answer: C. 1988

The Special Protection Group Act was passed in 1988. Following PM Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984, a temporary SPG was formed; the SPG Act 1988 gave it a permanent legal basis. The SPG Act was amended in 2019 to limit protection only to the sitting Prime Minister and former PMs for one year after leaving office.

Correct Answer: C. 1968

RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) was established on 21 September 1968 by splitting the Intelligence Bureau's external intelligence wing. It was created after the failures of Indian intelligence during the 1962 Indo-China War and the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War. R.N. Kao was RAW's first chief and served as its director from 1968 to 1977.

Correct Answer: B. R.N. Kao

Rameshwar Nath Kao (R.N. Kao) was the first chief of RAW, serving from its establishment in 1968 until 1977. Known as 'Ramji', he is considered the father of Indian intelligence. Kao was instrumental in the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War and helped create the Mukti Bahini. He also played a role in the 1975 Sikkim merger.

Correct Answer: C. Cabinet Secretariat / Prime Minister's Office

RAW operates under the Cabinet Secretariat, which functions directly under the Prime Minister's Office. This places India's foreign intelligence agency under the direct oversight of the Prime Minister. RAW's chief holds the designation of Secretary (Research) in the Cabinet Secretariat.

Correct Answer: C. Ministry of Home Affairs

The Intelligence Bureau (IB) functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs. It is India's domestic intelligence agency responsible for counter-intelligence, internal security, and counter-terrorism within India's borders. The IB is one of the world's oldest intelligence agencies, having been founded in 1887 during British rule.