Is the IL-76 a fighter?

No. It is a four-engine transport. This paper still keyed that row as correct.

What is the C-17 used for?

Heavy military airlift — troops, cargo, evacuation.

Q84 · UPSC Prelims 2025 · Set A · Science and Technology

← Q83 Q85 →

With reference to India's defence, consider the following pairs:Aircraft type : DescriptionI.Dornier-228 : Maritime patrol aircraftII.IL-76 : Supersonic combat aircraftIII.C-17 Globe- : Military transport aircraft master IIIHow many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

Attempt Solution

A Only one

B Only two

C All the three

D None

Correct answer: (b) Only two

Explanation

A
Only one
Only one. Two pairs match.
B
Only two
Only two. Dornier-228 is a maritime patrol / utility type in Indian service; C-17 is a military transport. IL-76 is a transport, not a supersonic combat aircraft.
C
All the three
All three. IL-76 as a fighter is the planted error.
D
None
None. Two hold.

Summary. Official Set A key is (b) only two. Dornier-228: Indian Navy/Coast Guard maritime patrol and utility. C-17 Globemaster III: strategic airlift. IL-76: heavy transport (Gajraj), not a supersonic fighter. I and III match; II does not.

Same topic · past papers

UPSC has asked this before

These previous-year questions sit on the same topic. Open one to practise the earlier ask.

← 2025 Set A paper

Download

Related possible facts

These can be asked in a future Prelims paper.

Download

Dornier 228

HAL-built light turboprop. Indian Navy/Coast Guard maritime patrol.
Ilyushin Il-76

Strategic airlifter, not a fighter. IAF uses it for transport and as Phalcon AEW platform.
C-17 Globemaster III

Boeing strategic transport. IAF fleet at Hindon.
Su-30MKI / Rafale

Actual supersonic combat types. The neighbour of the IL-76 trap.

Sister sites, paired articles, similar schemes — not a recap of this question. Confirm moving numbers with the latest Budget, Economic Survey or census round.

PDF