Maharashtra SSC Defence Studies Grade flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

National Security

The protection of a state's territorial integrity, sovereignty, citizens, economy and core values against external and internal threats, using military and non-military means.

National Power

The total capability of a state to influence others, drawn from geography, population, economy, military strength, technology and national will.

Hard vs Soft Power

Hard power uses military and economic coercion; soft power attracts through culture, diplomacy, values and development assistance. Both contribute to national security.

National Security Council

India's apex security body, chaired by the Prime Minister, supported by the Strategic Policy Group, National Security Advisory Board and Secretariat.

Chief of Defence Staff

The CDS is the senior-most uniformed officer, heads the Department of Military Affairs, and promotes jointness among the three services.

Army Officer Ranks

Ascending order: Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier, Major General, Lieutenant General, General. The General is the Chief of Army Staff.

Army JCO Ranks

Junior Commissioned Officers are Naib Subedar, Subedar and Subedar Major. They bridge officers and Other Ranks, mainly in administration and training.

Central Armed Police Forces

CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB and Assam Rifles are paramilitary forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, used for border guarding and internal security.

Line of Control

The military control line between India and Pakistan in Jammu and Kashmir, established after the 1972 Simla Agreement; it is not an international border.

Line of Actual Control

The de facto boundary between India and China along the Himalayan frontier, divided into western, middle and eastern sectors; it remains undemarcated.

Siliguri Corridor

A narrow strip of West Bengal linking the north-eastern states to the rest of India, bordered by Nepal, Bhutan and Bangladesh; strategically vital.

Andaman and Nicobar Command

India's only tri-service theatre command, headquartered at Port Blair, guarding the approaches to the Malacca Strait and the eastern Indian Ocean.

Fundamental Duties

Eleven duties in Article 51A, added by the 42nd Amendment (1976), including respecting the Constitution and defending the country when called upon.

National Integration

The process of unifying diverse religious, linguistic, regional and ethnic groups into one nation while upholding constitutional values and equal citizenship.

Single Citizenship

India grants only Indian citizenship, with no separate state citizenship, a constitutional device that promotes national integration and unity.

National Disaster Management Authority

NDMA, chaired by the Prime Minister, formulates disaster management policy under the Disaster Management Act, 2005, and coordinates national response.

NDRF

The National Disaster Response Force is a specialised force for disaster response, with battalions drawn from central armed police forces and trained in rescue operations.

Disaster Cycle

The sequence of mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery phases; risk reduction before a hazard reduces later losses.

Drop Cover Hold

Earthquake safety drill: drop to the ground, take cover under sturdy furniture, and hold on until shaking stops; avoid windows and lifts.

DR ABC

First aid primary survey: check Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing and Circulation before giving further aid and calling emergency services.

Adult CPR Ratio

For adults, give 30 chest compressions at 100–120 per minute, about 5–6 cm deep, followed by 2 rescue breaths, and repeat.

Burn First Aid

Cool the burn under running water for about 20 minutes, cover with a clean non-stick dressing, and never apply oil, toothpaste or ice.

Snake Bite First Aid

Keep the victim calm and still, immobilise the bitten limb at heart level, remove rings or tight items, and reach hospital; do not cut or suck.

Balanced Diet

A diet supplying carbohydrates for energy, proteins for growth and repair, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water in appropriate proportions.

Deficiency Diseases

Scurvy from vitamin C lack, rickets from vitamin D lack, beriberi from vitamin B1 lack, night blindness from vitamin A lack, anaemia from iron lack.

Hand Washing

Washing hands with soap for at least 20 seconds, especially before meals and after toilet use, prevents diarrhoeal and respiratory infections.

BMI Formula

Body Mass Index equals weight in kilograms divided by height in metres squared; about 18.5–24.9 is the healthy adult range.

FITT Principle

A training framework using Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type of exercise to plan safe and progressive physical fitness programmes.

Maximum Heart Rate

Estimated as 220 minus age in years; moderate exercise targets about 50–70% of this value for cardiovascular benefit.

Grid Reference

A map location given by reading the easting (vertical grid line) first and the northing (horizontal line) second, then estimating the subdivision.

Contour Lines

Lines joining points of equal height above sea level; close spacing shows steep slopes, wide spacing shows gentle ground.

BrahMos Missile

A supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia, capable of launch from land, sea, air and submarine platforms.