UPSC Prelims 2026 Question:

Consider the following statements about Mission Sudarshan Chakra of India: 

1. It aims to enhance India's air defence, ballistic missile defence and aerial offensive capabilities.
2. This Mission is being designed to enhance rapid, precise, and powerful defence responses, reinforcing  India's strategic autonomy. 
3. One of the aims of this Mission is to cover all public places of India by an expanded nationwide security  shield by 2035. 

 

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

Answer: 1

Explanation: 

Mission Sudarshan Chakra was announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address in  2025. It is envisaged as a national security shield and a powerful weapon system to neutralise enemy attacks  and enable precise counter-action. It is linked with self-reliant defence technology, strategic autonomy and  protection against future forms of warfare. 

• Mission Sudarshan Chakra aims to strengthen India’s defensive and offensive capabilities. Official  descriptions refer to neutralising enemy defence infiltrations, enhancing offensive capabilities and creating  a weapon system to thwart enemy attacks. This broadly covers air defence, ballistic missile defence and  aerial offensive capabilities. So, statement 1 is correct. 
• The mission is designed to enhance rapid, precise and powerful defence responses. It is also linked to  India’s strategic autonomy, as its research, development and manufacturing are intended to be carried out  within India. So, statement 2 is correct. 
• One of the stated aims is to expand a nationwide security shield by 2035. Official highlights of the  Prime Minister’s address mention that all public places will be covered by an expanded nationwide  security shield by 2035. So, statement 3 is correct. 

Therefore, option (1) is the correct answer.