SSC
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was formed in:
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Answer: Option A — 1958
Detailed Solution
The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) was formed in 1958.
About the formation of DRDO:
- It was created by merging the Technical Development Establishments (TDEs) of the Indian Army and the Directorate of Technical Development and Production (DTDP) with the Defence Science Organisation (DSO).
- It began with about 10 laboratories; it now has about 40-50 laboratories and establishments across India.
About DRDO:
- It is the research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence, working under the Department of Defence Research and Development (set up in 1980).
- Its headquarters is in New Delhi (DRDO Bhawan).
- Its head is the Chairman, who is also the Secretary of the Department of Defence R&D.
- Its motto is "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam" ("The source of strength is science").
- Its aim is to make India self-reliant in defence technology by designing and developing weapons, missiles, aircraft, radars, electronic warfare systems, armoured vehicles and other equipment.
Major achievements:
Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP): launched in 1983 under Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It developed the missiles Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash and Nag.
BrahMos: a supersonic cruise missile developed jointly with Russia (named after the Brahmaputra and Moskva rivers).
Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA), developed with the Aeronautical Development Agency and HAL.
Arjun Main Battle Tank.
Pinaka multi-barrel rocket launcher.
Agni-V, an intercontinental-range ballistic missile; in March 2024, India tested Agni-V with MIRV technology ("Mission Divyastra").
Mission Shakti (2019): India's first anti-satellite (ASAT) missile test.
Akashteer and other air defence systems.
DRDO also developed products for civilian use during the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the 2-DG drug and oxygen plants.
Other defence organisations:
- Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL): 1954.
- Ordnance Factories: reorganised into seven Defence Public Sector Undertakings in 2021.
Why not the other options?
- ✗1947 is the year of India's independence.
- ✗1969 is the year ISRO was established.
- ✗1983 is the year the IGMDP was launched.
Quick tip
Remember: DRDO = 1958 (HQ New Delhi; motto "Balasya Mulam Vigyanam"; IGMDP 1983 under Kalam: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash, Nag); Mission Shakti (ASAT) = 2019; ISRO = 1969.
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Defence Technology & Missiles — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Defence Technology & Missiles, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's defence technology: the missiles developed under the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme and later, their types and ranges, DRDO, defence equipment such as aircraft, tanks, submarines and warships, and military exercises with other countries. Common questions ask what type a missile is (Prithvi is surface-to-surface, Akash is surface-to-air, and Nag is anti-tank), which missile was developed with Russia (BrahMos), and which countries take part in a joint exercise. Lists of exercises and newly inducted equipment change often, so check current affairs as well. Practise the defence technology and missiles questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.