UPMSP Intermediate Military Science flashcards

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

Battle of Hydaspes

Fought in 326 BCE between Alexander and Porus on the Jhelum river; Alexander won, and Porus was reinstated as a vassal, illustrating Alexander's policy of absorbing Indian rulers.

Kalinga War

Fought around 261 BCE by Ashoka; the bloodshed led him to embrace Dhamma, and the Thirteenth Rock Edict records his remorse over the slaughter.

Battle of Plassey

Fought in 1757 between Robert Clive and Siraj-ud-Daulah; the defection of Mir Jafar gave the East India Company control of Bengal.

Chief of Defence Staff

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

Paramilitary forces

Central armed police forces such as BSF, CRPF, ITBP, SSB and CISF; they handle border guarding, internal security and industrial security.

Army commands

The Indian Army is organised into commands, each headed by a General Officer Commanding-in-Chief; the Army Chief holds the rank of General.

Unity of command

A principle stating that each subordinate should have only one superior; orders flow downward and responsibility flows upward through the chain of command.

Esprit de corps

Pride in the unit and regiment, built through shared training, traditions and regimental identity; it strengthens cohesion and discipline.

Officer-like qualities

Qualities assessed at the SSB, including planning and organising, social adjustment, social effectiveness and dynamic qualities.

Words of command

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

Salute

Given with the right hand, palm facing outward, fingers straight, thumb close to the index finger, and hand brought to the right eyebrow.

Grid reference

A four-figure reference gives a 1 km square; a six-figure reference gives a 100 m square; read eastings (right) before northings (up).

Contour lines

Lines joining points of equal elevation; closely spaced contours indicate a steep slope, while widely spaced contours indicate a gentle slope.

INSAS rifle

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

BrahMos missile

A supersonic cruise missile developed jointly by India and Russia; it can be launched from land, sea and air platforms.

DRDO

The Defence Research and Development Organisation is India's principal defence R&D agency; it develops missiles, radars, aircraft and armaments.

Nuclear doctrine

India's doctrine of credible minimum deterrence with no first use; civilian control is exercised through the Nuclear Command Authority chaired by the Prime Minister.

Quad

A strategic dialogue among India, the United States, Japan and Australia, focused on a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Exclusive Economic Zone

A maritime zone extending 200 nautical miles from the baseline, in which the coastal state has rights over living and non-living resources.

DRABC

First aid priorities: Danger, Response, Airway, Breathing, Circulation; this sequence guides the initial assessment of a casualty.

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation: chest compressions at 100-120 per minute, depth 5-6 cm for adults, with a ratio of 30 compressions to 2 breaths.

Fracture immobilisation

A fractured limb is immobilised with a splint extending above and below the injury; realignment is not attempted unless circulation is compromised.

Civil Defence Act 1968

The Act provides the legal basis for civil defence in India, covering the protection of civilians from hostile action and related emergencies.

Disaster Management Act 2005

The Act created the NDMA at national level, SDMA at state level and DDMA at district level, with the NDRF as the specialised response force.

Disaster management cycle

The cycle includes mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery and rehabilitation; it guides planning before, during and after a disaster.

NDA entry

Entry to the National Defence Academy after Class 12; selection includes the UPSC written examination and the SSB interview, followed by training at Khadakwasla.

SSB interview

A five-day selection process: screening (OIR and PPDT), psychological tests, GTO tasks, personal interview and conference.

Agnipath scheme

Introduced in 2022, it provides a four-year engagement for Agniveers, with retention of 25 percent in the regular cadre.

Fundamental Duties

Added by the 42nd Amendment in 1976 under Article 51A; there are eleven duties, including respect for the Constitution, the flag and the anthem.

Article 32

The right to constitutional remedies; it allows a citizen to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights.

National symbols

The national flag (Tiranga) was adopted on 22 July 1947 and the national anthem (Jana Gana Mana) on 24 January 1950.

Citizenship Act 1955

Governs citizenship under Articles 5-11; citizenship can be acquired by birth, descent, registration, naturalisation or incorporation of territory.