Iran reportedly launched missiles targeting Israel, marking a significant escalation in regional hostilities.
The missile strikes occurred amidst explicit threats from then-U.S. President Donald Trump of severe military retaliation against Iran.
Trump's threats were reportedly linked to a potential failure to reach an agreement with Tehran, and were also mentioned in the context of his domestic approval ratings.
This event underscores the volatile geopolitical landscape and deep-seated rivalries in the Middle East.
Missiles are broadly categorized into ballistic and cruise missiles based on their flight path and propulsion. Ballistic missiles follow a parabolic trajectory, powered initially by rockets, then falling freely towards the target under gravity. They are typically used for long-range strikes and can carry heavy payloads, including nuclear warheads. Cruise missiles, on the other hand, fly at low altitudes, often following the contours of the terrain, and are jet-propelled throughout their flight. They are designed for precision strikes and can be launched from various platforms.
Simple Analogy: Think of a ballistic missile like throwing a stone high into the air to hit a distant target – it goes up and then comes down. A cruise missile is like a small, unmanned aircraft flying directly to its target at a lower altitude.
GS Paper II: International Relations – India and its neighborhood- relations. Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests. Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. GS Paper III: Security – Linkages between development and spread of extremism. Role of external state and non-state actors in creating challenges to internal security. Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites in internal security challenges, basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention. Security challenges and their management in border areas – linkages of organized crime with terrorism. Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. Defence technology.
General Awareness – Current Affairs, International Events, Geography, History, Polity.
General Awareness – Current Affairs, International News, Economic News.
General Awareness – Current Affairs, World Geography, Indian History, Indian Polity.
General Knowledge – Current Affairs, Defence Technology, International Relations, Geopolitics.
Consider the following statements: 1. Ballistic missiles are jet-propelled at subsonic speeds throughout their flights, while cruise missiles are rocket-powered only in the initial phase of flight. 2. Agni-V is a medium-range supersonic cruise missile, while BrahMos is a solid-fuelled intercontinental ballistic missile. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: Neither 1 nor 2
With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. It is a surface-to-surface missile. 2. It is fuelled by liquid propellant only. 3. It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Answer: 1 only
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements: 1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the Central Government. 2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security. 3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States. How many of the above statements are correct?
Answer: Only two
High for UPSC (International Relations, Security), Medium for SSC/Banking/Railway (Current Affairs), High for Defence (Geopolitics, Military Tech).
The study of the influence of geography on politics, especially international relations.
A missile that follows a ballistic trajectory to deliver one or more warheads on a predetermined target.
A guided missile that remains within the atmosphere and flies the major portion of its flight path at approximately constant speed.