UPMSP Intermediate Military Science cheat sheet

Battle of Hydaspes (326 BCE): Alexander defeated Porus on the Jhelum; Porus was reinstated as a vassal, showing Alexander's policy of absorbing Indian rulers.

Kalinga War (c. 261 BCE): Ashoka's conquest of Kalinga led to his embrace of Dhamma; the Thirteenth Rock Edict records remorse over the slaughter.

First Battle of Panipat (1526): Babur used field artillery (tulughma units) and defeated Ibrahim Lodi, founding Mughal rule.

Battle of Plassey (1757): Robert Clive's victory over Siraj-ud-Daulah followed the defection of Mir Jafar and gave the East India Company control of Bengal.

1857 revolt: began at Meerut on 10 May 1857; key centres were Delhi, Kanpur, Lucknow and Jhansi; it led to Crown rule by the Government of India Act 1858.

World War I (1914-18) introduced trench warfare, machine guns and chemical gas; World War II (1939-45) introduced blitzkrieg, radar and atomic weapons.

Evolution stages: ancient (chariots, elephants, phalanx), medieval (cavalry, fortresses), gunpowder era (artillery, muskets), industrial era (rail, telegraph), information era (precision, cyber).

Indian military history milestones: Mauryan standing army under Kautilya's Arthashastra, Chola naval power, Maratha guerrilla warfare under Shivaji, and the modern Indian Army raised in 1776.

The President of India is the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces; the Ministry of Defence is headed by the Raksha Mantri (Defence Minister).

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) heads the Department of Military Affairs and is the principal military adviser to the Government; the post was created in 2019.

Army is organised into commands (currently seven), each headed by a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief; the Army Chief holds the rank of General.

The Indian Navy has three commands (Western, Eastern, Southern) and the Indian Air Force has seven commands, including Training and Maintenance.

Roles of the armed forces: defend territorial integrity, assist civil authority, participate in UN peacekeeping, and provide disaster relief under 'Aid to Civil Authority'.

Paramilitary and central armed police forces include BSF (border guarding), CRPF (internal security), ITBP (Himalayan borders), SSB (Nepal/Bhutan borders) and CISF (industrial security).

The National Security Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and is supported by the Strategic Policy Group, the National Security Advisory Board and the Secretariat.

The Army Act 1950, Navy Act 1957 and Air Force Act 1950 provide the legal framework governing discipline and service in the respective forces.

Leadership traits expected of an officer: integrity, courage (physical and moral), initiative, loyalty, self-discipline and the ability to set a personal example.

Command follows unity of command and the chain of command; orders flow downward and responsibility flows upward.

Discipline in the armed forces is enforced through the Army Act 1950; offences include mutiny, desertion, insubordination and cowardice.

The 'officer-like qualities' (OLQ) assessed at SSB include planning and organising, social adjustment, social effectiveness, and dynamic qualities.

Ethical principles: lawful orders only, respect for human rights, humane treatment of prisoners under the Geneva Conventions, and avoidance of unnecessary force.

Loyalty is to the Constitution and the nation, not to individuals; political neutrality of the armed forces is a core value.

Esprit de corps means pride in the unit and the regiment; it is built through shared training, traditions and regimental identity.

Leadership styles: autocratic (quick decisions in combat), democratic (consultative), and laissez-faire (delegated; rarely suitable in operations).

Words of command have three parts: cautionary (preparatory), executive, and supplementary; the executive word is given on the correct foot or movement.

Drill positions: attention (heels together, toes apart at 30 degrees), stand-at-ease, stand easy, and salute.

Salute is given with the right hand; the palm faces outward, fingers straight, thumb close to the index finger, and the hand is brought to the right eyebrow.

Marching cadence: quick march is 120 steps per minute with a 30-inch pace; double march is 180 steps per minute.

Map scale: representative fraction (RF) such as 1:50,000 means 1 cm on the map equals 0.5 km on the ground.

Grid references: four-figure references give a 1 km square; six-figure references give a 100 m square; read eastings (right) before northings (up).

Contour lines join points of equal elevation; closely spaced contours indicate a steep slope, widely spaced contours indicate a gentle slope.

Map signs: blue for water, green for vegetation, brown for contours, black for man-made features, and red for roads on many topographic maps.

INSAS 5.56 mm rifle is the standard infantry small arm; the AK-47 fires 7.62 x 39 mm ammunition.

Ammunition components: cartridge case, primer, propellant, and projectile (bullet); calibre is measured in millimetres or inches.

Artillery pieces are classified by bore (gun, howitzer, mortar); a mortar fires at high angle of elevation above 45 degrees.

Tanks: the T-90 and Arjun are main battle tanks of the Indian Army; armour protects against small arms and shell fragments.

Missiles: Prithvi (short-range ballistic), Agni series (intermediate and intercontinental range), BrahMos (supersonic cruise), Akash (surface-to-air).

Aircraft: Rafale and Su-30MKI are multirole fighters; Tejas is an indigenous light combat aircraft; the C-17 and IL-76 are strategic lift aircraft.

Naval platforms: aircraft carrier INS Vikrant (indigenous), destroyers, frigates, submarines (including nuclear-powered INS Arihant) and patrol vessels.

Emerging technology: drones/UAVs, cyber warfare, electronic warfare, hypersonic weapons, and precision-guided munitions; DRDO is the principal defence R&D agency.

National security includes territorial integrity, internal security, economic security, energy security, cyber security and food security.

India's borders: 15,106 km land border; longest border with Bangladesh (4,096 km), then China (3,488 km), Pakistan (3,323 km), Nepal (1,751 km), Myanmar (1,643 km), Bhutan (699 km) and Afghanistan (106 km).

India's coastline is about 7,516 km including islands; the Exclusive Economic Zone extends 200 nautical miles from the baseline.

Nuclear doctrine: credible minimum deterrence, no first use, and civilian control through the Nuclear Command Authority chaired by the Prime Minister.

Strategic challenges: cross-border terrorism, insurgency in Jammu & Kashmir and the North-East, left-wing extremism, and maritime security in the Indian Ocean Region.

India is a member of the Quad (with the US, Japan and Australia) and participates in the Indian Ocean Rim Association and BIMSTEC.

Defence budget is a component of the Union Budget; defence acquisition follows the Defence Procurement Procedure/Manual.

Non-alignment and strategic autonomy remain guiding principles of India's foreign and defence policy.

Standard fitness tests for entry: 1.6 km run, push-ups, sit-ups and chin-ups; minimum standards differ by service and category.

First aid priorities follow DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

CPR: chest compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 5-6 cm for adults, ratio 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Types of bleeding: arterial (bright red, spurting), venous (dark red, steady), capillary (oozing); control with direct pressure and elevation.

Fractures: immobilise the limb with a splint above and below the injury; do not attempt to realign unless circulation is compromised.

Burns: cool with running water for at least 10-20 minutes, cover with a sterile non-stick dressing, do not apply oil or ice.

Field craft: camouflage and concealment, use of ground and cover, section formations (single file, arrowhead, line), and fire discipline.

Field signals: hand signals, whistle blasts, and radio procedure using prowords such as 'over', 'roger' and 'wilco'.

Civil Defence is the protection of civilians from hostile action; the Civil Defence Act 1968 provides its legal basis.

Civil Defence functions: warning, evacuation, rescue, first aid, fire-fighting, provision of shelters and restoration of essential services.

Disaster Management Act 2005 created the NDMA (national), SDMA (state) and DDMA (district) authorities, with NDRF as the specialised response force.

Disaster management cycle: mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

Hazards in India: earthquakes (Himalayan belt, Zone IV-V), floods (monsoon), cyclones (eastern coast), droughts, landslides and industrial accidents.

NDRF battalions are trained for collapsed structure search and rescue, and use equipment such as cutters, hydraulic jacks and sniffer dogs.

Nation building roles of the armed forces: border roads, disaster relief, medical camps, and Operation Sadbhavana in Jammu & Kashmir.

Community participation: NCC, NSS, Scouts and Guides, and Civil Defence volunteers contribute to disaster preparedness and social service.

Entry routes to the Army: NDA (after Class 12), TES, CDS (graduates), AFCAT (Air Force), and Indian Navy entries such as 10+2 B.Tech Cadet Entry.

NDA selection includes the UPSC written examination and the SSB interview; training is at the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla.

SSB interview has five days: screening (OIR and PPDT), psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview, and conference.

Physical standards: minimum height for men is generally 157 cm (varies by entry), with vision and medical standards specified in the notification.

Ranks: Army officer ranks from Lieutenant to Field Marshal; JCO ranks include Subedar Major, Subedar and Naib Subedar.

Defence institutions: IMA Dehradun (Army), OTA Chennai (short service commission), NDA Khadakwasla, Indian Naval Academy Ezhimala, and AFA Dundigal.

Current affairs focus areas: defence acquisitions, joint exercises (e.g., Yudh Abhyas, Malabar), indigenisation under 'Make in India', and UN peacekeeping missions.

Agnipath scheme (2022) provides a four-year engagement for Agniveers, with retention of 25 percent in the regular cadre.

Fundamental Duties under Article 51A were added by the 42nd Amendment (1976); there are eleven duties.

Article 51A(a) requires respect for the Constitution, the national flag and the national anthem; the flag is governed by the Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act 1950.

National symbols: national flag (Tiranga, adopted 22 July 1947), national anthem (Jana Gana Mana, adopted 24 January 1950), national song (Vande Mataram).

Fundamental Rights (Part III) include equality (Articles 14-18), freedom (19-22), and the right to constitutional remedies (Article 32).

The Preamble declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic; these words reflect the values of the Constitution.

Citizenship is governed by Articles 5-11 and the Citizenship Act 1955; it can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory.

Patriotism in a constitutional sense means allegiance to the Constitution and the rule of law, not merely emotional attachment to territory.

National integration is promoted through the National Integration Council, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat, and observance of days such as Republic Day and Independence Day.

Battle of Panipat I (1526) established Mughal rule; Panipat II (1556) restored it under Akbar; Panipat III (1761) checked Maratha expansion.

The Battle of Talikota (1565) ended Vijayanagara dominance in South India.

Chola naval expeditions to Srivijaya (11th century) are an early example of Indian maritime power projection.

The Anglo-Sikh Wars (1845-46, 1848-49) ended with annexation of Punjab and the disbandment of the Sikh Khalsa Army.

World War I saw Indian soldiers in Mesopotamia, France and East Africa; World War II saw the Indian Army in Burma, North Africa and Italy.

The 1971 Indo-Pak War led to the creation of Bangladesh; the Instrument of Surrender was signed on 16 December 1971.

The Kargil War (1999) was a limited conflict in the Kargil sector; Operation Vijay was the Indian response.

Post-1991 Gulf War, warfare shifted to precision strikes, information dominance and network-centric operations.

The Army is organised into arms (Infantry, Armoured, Artillery, Engineers, Signals) and services (ASC, AOC, EME, AMC).

A battalion is commanded by a Colonel or Lieutenant Colonel; a company is commanded by a Major; a platoon by a Junior Commissioned Officer.

The Indian Navy's primary roles are sea control, sea denial, deterrence and power projection.

The Indian Air Force's roles include air superiority, close air support, strategic bombing, airlift, and reconnaissance.

The Indian Coast Guard, established in 1978, protects maritime zones and conducts search and rescue.

The Territorial Army is a voluntary reserve force; it assists the regular army in operations and civil administration.

The National Cadet Corps (NCC) is a tri-service youth organisation with Army, Navy and Air Force wings.

The Ministry of Defence comprises the Department of Defence, Department of Defence Production, Department of Defence R&D and the Department of Ex-servicemen Welfare.

A commander's intent describes the desired end state and allows subordinates to act with initiative.

Mission command (Auftragstaktik) delegates authority to act within the commander's intent.

Discipline is enforced through summary and general court-martial, and through unit-level punishments.

The Geneva Conventions (1949) and Additional Protocols protect prisoners of war, the wounded and civilians.

Rules of engagement specify when and how force may be used in an operation.

A leader must balance mission accomplishment with the welfare of troops.

Courage is classified as physical courage (facing danger) and moral courage (doing what is right under pressure).

A code of conduct for armed forces emphasises loyalty, integrity, discipline, and respect for human dignity.

The salute is a mark of respect; it is exchanged between officers and between officers and men according to rank.

The march past is performed in quick time; the flag march and ceremonial parade follow prescribed formations.

The national flag is hoisted on Independence Day and unfurled on Republic Day.

A magnetic compass has a needle that points to magnetic north; magnetic declination is the angle between true north and magnetic north.

A prismatic compass is used to take bearings; the bearing is read in degrees from 0 to 360.

Map reading uses the grid system, scale, contours, and conventional signs to interpret terrain.

A route march is planned using the map, with checkpoints and timings calculated from distance and speed.

Field craft includes judging distance, which can be estimated by the unit-of-measure method or the appearance method.

The rifle has a magazine, bolt or gas-operated action, and a barrel; the bullet is the projectile.

The machine gun fires in bursts and provides sustained fire support at the section and platoon level.

Grenades are thrown weapons with a fuse; they are used for close combat and clearing bunkers.

The artillery uses indirect fire; a forward observer adjusts fire onto the target.

Air defence systems include guns and missiles; the Akash and QRSAM are Indian surface-to-air systems.

The Indian Army uses the T-72 and T-90 tanks; the Arjun is an indigenous main battle tank.

The Indian Navy operates aircraft carriers, destroyers, frigates, submarines and patrol vessels.

DRDO develops missiles, radars, aircraft and armaments; the Defence Research and Development Organisation was formed in 1958.

National security is the protection of a nation's territorial integrity, sovereignty and internal stability.

India's strategic environment includes China, Pakistan, the Indian Ocean Region and the extended neighbourhood.

India's nuclear doctrine is credible minimum deterrence with no first use.

The Indian Ocean is a key maritime domain; India's sea lanes of communication pass through it.

Terrorism is a major internal security challenge; the NIA and NSG are specialised agencies.

The Quad is a strategic dialogue among India, the US, Japan and Australia.

Defence diplomacy includes joint exercises, military exchanges and UN peacekeeping.

India's defence budget funds modernisation, personnel and infrastructure.

Physical fitness includes endurance, strength, flexibility and agility.

First aid is the immediate help given to a casualty before medical treatment.

DRABC: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation.

CPR is given at 100-120 compressions per minute with a depth of 5-6 cm for adults.

Bleeding is controlled by direct pressure, elevation and pressure points.

A fracture is immobilised with a splint; the splint should extend beyond the joints above and below the injury.

Burns are cooled with running water for 10-20 minutes and covered with a sterile dressing.

Field craft includes camouflage, concealment, use of cover, and fire discipline.

Civil Defence protects civilians from hostile action and natural disasters.

The Civil Defence Act 1968 provides the legal basis for civil defence in India.

The Disaster Management Act 2005 created the NDMA, SDMA and DDMA.

The disaster management cycle includes mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation.

India's hazards include earthquakes, floods, cyclones, droughts and landslides.

The NDRF is the specialised disaster response force.

The armed forces assist in disaster relief under 'Aid to Civil Authority'.

Nation building includes border roads, medical camps and Operation Sadbhavana.

NDA entry is after Class 12; the selection includes the UPSC written exam and the SSB interview.

CDS entry is for graduates; AFCAT is for the Air Force.

The SSB interview has five days: screening, psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview and conference.

Physical standards include height, vision and medical fitness as specified in the notification.

Army officer ranks run from Lieutenant to Field Marshal.

Defence institutions include IMA Dehradun, OTA Chennai, NDA Khadakwasla, INA Ezhimala and AFA Dundigal.

Current affairs include defence acquisitions, joint exercises and indigenisation.

The Agnipath scheme (2022) provides a four-year engagement for Agniveers.

Fundamental Duties are in Article 51A; there are eleven duties.

The national flag was adopted on 22 July 1947; the national anthem on 24 January 1950.

Fundamental Rights are in Part III; the right to constitutional remedies is Article 32.

The Preamble declares India a sovereign, socialist, secular, democratic republic.

Citizenship is governed by Articles 5-11 and the Citizenship Act 1955.

Patriotism means allegiance to the Constitution and the rule of law.

National integration is promoted through the National Integration Council and Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Republic Day and Independence Day are national festivals that promote patriotism.