Coast Guard & Special Forces — Set 5
Defence GK · तटरक्षक और विशेष बल · Questions 41–50 of 100
What is the full form of MARCOS?
Correct Answer: B. Marine Commandos
MARCOS stands for Marine Commandos. It is the Indian Navy's special operations force established in 1987. MARCOS is equivalent to the US Navy SEALs or UK's SBS. They are trained for underwater attacks, beach landings, anti-piracy, and counter-terrorism operations at sea and on the coast. MARCOS has been deployed in the Indian Ocean Region for anti-piracy missions.
The ICG operates advanced offshore patrol vessels (OPVs). The first domestically built ICG OPV was:
Correct Answer: A. ICGS Samar
ICGS Samar was one of the significant patrol vessels of the Indian Coast Guard. The ICG has a fleet that includes OPVs built domestically by Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) and L&T Shipbuilding. The Coast Guard's self-reliance in domestic ship procurement has been a major achievement under the Make in India defence initiative.
The Indian Coast Guard is responsible for the security of which type of offshore installations?
Correct Answer: B. Oil and gas platforms and rigs
The Indian Coast Guard has a specific mandate to protect offshore oil and gas platforms, drilling rigs, and related installations in India's maritime zones. This includes ONGC platforms in the western offshore (Mumbai High) and eastern offshore (Bay of Bengal). The ICG maintains patrols around these critical energy infrastructure assets.
The SPG protects which category of persons in addition to the sitting Prime Minister?
Correct Answer: B. Former Prime Ministers for a limited period
Following the SPG Act 2019 amendment, the SPG provides protection only to the sitting Prime Minister and their immediate family. Former Prime Ministers receive SPG cover only for one year after leaving office, after which they are transferred to CRPF or SPG cover is downgraded. This amendment reduced the number of protectees following a review of threat assessments.
Which India-based intelligence agency is primarily responsible for external intelligence gathering?
Correct Answer: C. RAW (Research and Analysis Wing)
RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) is India's primary external intelligence agency responsible for gathering foreign intelligence. RAW was established in 1968 and operates under the Cabinet Secretariat/PMO. NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) handles technical intelligence. IB handles domestic intelligence. NIA handles counter-terrorism investigations.
The ICG conducts search and rescue operations using which designated coordination centre?
Correct Answer: A. MRCC (Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre)
The Indian Coast Guard operates Maritime Rescue Coordination Centres (MRCCs) as the primary authority for Search and Rescue (SAR) coordination. The primary MRCC is at Mumbai, with sub-centres at Chennai, Kolkata, and Port Blair. India is the Maritime SAR Coordinating Authority for a large portion of the Indian Ocean, covering about 4.6 million square nautical miles.
Which battalion number of Para SF is said to have conducted the 2016 Surgical Strikes?
Correct Answer: B. 9 Para (SF)
The 2016 Surgical Strikes across the Line of Control (LoC) are widely attributed to 9 Para (SF). Multiple Para SF battalions may have participated, but 9 Para (SF) is the most commonly cited unit in public domain reporting. The operation involved crossing the LoC at night and destroying terrorist launch pads 2-3 km inside Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir.
India's NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) focuses on which type of intelligence?
Correct Answer: B. Technical intelligence (SIGINT/IMINT)
NTRO (National Technical Research Organisation) is India's technical intelligence agency, focusing on signals intelligence (SIGINT), imagery intelligence (IMINT), and other technical collection methods. NTRO is under the PMO and works in coordination with RAW and IB. It operates satellite-based and ground-based surveillance systems for intelligence collection.
Operation Black Thunder at the Golden Temple in 1988 was conducted by which force?
Correct Answer: B. NSG
Operation Black Thunder (1988) at the Golden Temple, Amritsar, was conducted primarily by the NSG (National Security Guard) with Punjab Police support. Unlike Operation Blue Star (1984) which was an Indian Army operation, Black Thunder used the NSG's specialized counter-terrorism capabilities. The operation successfully removed militants from the holy shrine with minimal damage.
The Indian Coast Guard operates ALH Dhruv helicopters. These are manufactured by:
Correct Answer: C. HAL
The ALH (Advanced Light Helicopter) Dhruv is manufactured by HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Limited). The ICG operates the ALH Dhruv for maritime surveillance, search and rescue (SAR), and medical evacuation operations. The Coast Guard version is equipped with advanced sensors and rescue hoists. HAL has delivered multiple variants of Dhruv to the Indian Coast Guard.