What is the common examiner trap about Security & Defence in UPSC exams?

They may swap the names of the submarines (Arihant, Arighat, Aridhaman) or confuse their commissioning years/order. Another trap is mixing up the missile capacities (K-15 vs K-4) or their ranges.

What should UPSC aspirants remember about Security & Defence for Prelims?

1. Target this Data: INS Aridhaman can carry 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles (vs 12 in earlier subs). 2. Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy's SSBN program is under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC). 3. Target this Legal Point: India's nuclear doctrine is based on Credible Minimum Deterrence and a No First Use (NFU) policy.

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News 20 of 29

INS Aridhaman: India Commissions Third Arihant-Class SSBN, Can Carry 24 K-15 Sagarika Missiles

Q: The sea-based leg of India's nuclear triad, involving submarines like INS Aridhaman, falls under the operational command of which body?

Strategic Forces Command (SFC), The Strategic Forces Command (SFC) is the tri-services command responsible for the management and administration of India's tactical and strategic nuclear weapons stockpile. It exercises operational control over all nuclear delivery platforms, including SSBNs like INS Aridhaman.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding India's SSBN program: 1. INS Arihant was India's first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, commissioned in 2016. 2. INS Aridhaman, the third SSBN, has a greater missile carrying capacity than INS Arihant and INS Arighat. 3. The K-15 Sagarika missile is a land-based intermediate-range ballistic missile developed for the nuclear triad. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct as per the article. Statement 2 is correct as INS Aridhaman can carry 24 K-15 missiles compared to 12 in its predecessors. Statement 3 is incorrect because the K-15 Sagarika is a submarine-launched ballistic missile (SLBM), not a land-based missile.

Q: According to the news article, what is the reported displacement tonnage of the newly commissioned INS Aridhaman?

7,000 tonnes, The article explicitly states that INS Aridhaman is a larger 7,000-tonne vessel. This is a key data point distinguishing it from its predecessors in the Arihant class.

Q: The commissioning of INS Aridhaman is strategically significant primarily because it:

Strengthens the survivable, sea-based leg of India's nuclear deterrent., SSBNs like INS Aridhaman form the most survivable component of the nuclear triad due to their stealth. Their primary role is to ensure a second-strike capability, thereby strengthening nuclear deterrence as per India's doctrine. The other options describe conventional naval roles.

Security & Defence Science & TechHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

10 Apr 2026

~2 min

Source: The Hindu

Key Data:INS Aridhaman (April 2026)7,000 tonnes24 K-15 Sagarika missiles8 K-4/K-5 missilesINS Arihant (2016)INS Arighat (2024)

Bodies:Indian Navy

Practice MCQs from today's news ▸

~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.INS Aridhaman, the third SSBN in India's Arihant class, was quietly commissioned in April 2026, enhancing the naval leg of the nuclear triad.

2.The 7,000-tonne submarine can carry up to 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles or 8 K-4/K-5 nuclear-tipped missiles, a major upgrade over INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

3.For exam aspirants, this is a key update on India's strategic defence capabilities, focusing on vessel names, missile capacities, and the concept of a credible nuclear triad.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

India has reportedly commissioned its third nuclear ballistic missile submarine, INS Aridhaman, significantly upgrading its sea-based nuclear deterrence. This 7,000-tonne SSBN can carry more missiles than its predecessors, marking a crucial step in solidifying India's nuclear triad.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Vessel CommissionedINS Aridhaman (April 2026)

Class & TypeArihant-class SSBN (Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine)

Displacement7,000 tonnes

Missile Capacity (K-15)Up to 24 Sagarika missiles

Missile Capacity (K-4/K-5)Up to 8 nuclear-tipped missiles

Previous SSBNsINS Arihant (2016), INS Arighat (2024)

1-Minute Revision

›Vessel Commissioned: INS Aridhaman (April 2026)
›Class & Type: Arihant-class SSBN (Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine)
›Target this Data: INS Aridhaman can carry 24 K-15 Sagarika missiles (vs 12 in earlier subs).
›Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy's SSBN program is under the Strategic Forces Command (SFC).
›Target this Legal Point: India's nuclear doctrine is based on Credible Minimum Deterrence and a No First Use (NFU) policy.

Mastered this topic? Test your knowledge with a full MCQ quiz.

Practice exam-style questions, track your score, and strengthen your recall.

News Snapshot

🚢

Third SSBN Commissioned

INS Aridhaman, India's third indigenous nuclear ballistic missile submarine, has been commissioned, strengthening the sea-based leg of the nuclear triad.

⚡

Enhanced Firepower

With a capacity for 24 K-15 missiles or 8 K-4/K-5 missiles, Aridhaman represents a significant leap in payload compared to earlier Arihant-class submarines.

🎯

Strategic Deterrence

The commissioning underscores India's focus on achieving a credible and survivable second-strike capability, a cornerstone of its nuclear doctrine.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

India's pursuit of a nuclear triad (land, air, and sea-based delivery systems) is central to its No First Use (NFU) doctrine, ensuring a credible second-strike capability. The SSBN (Ship Submersible Ballistic Nuclear) program, initiated with INS Arihant in 2009, aims to provide the most survivable leg of this triad, as submarines are difficult to detect and can remain hidden for extended periods.

Core Analysis & Implications

The commissioning of INS Aridhaman marks a qualitative upgrade in India's strategic arsenal. Its larger size (7,000 tonnes vs. predecessors) and doubled missile capacity (24 K-15 vs. 12 earlier) enhance deterrence by allowing for a greater number of warheads to be deployed at sea. The inclusion of K-4 (and future K-5) missiles, with their longer range, extends India's strategic reach, complicating an adversary's calculus and bolstering regional stability through assured retaliation.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

The next Arihant-class submarine is slated for commissioning in 2027. The focus will now shift to the larger S-5 class of SSBNs, which are expected to carry more potent missiles. Concurrently, developing seamless command and control systems for the triad and ensuring continuous at-sea deterrence (CASD) will be critical operational challenges for the Indian Navy and the Nuclear Command Authority.

Key Facts at a Glance

Vessel CommissionedINS Aridhaman (April 2026)

Class & TypeArihant-class SSBN (Nuclear Ballistic Missile Submarine)

Displacement7,000 tonnes

Missile Capacity (K-15)Up to 24 Sagarika missiles

Missile Capacity (K-4/K-5)Up to 8 nuclear-tipped missiles

Previous SSBNsINS Arihant (2016), INS Arighat (2024)

You've read the full analysis. Now test your understanding.

Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageMediumUPSC, CDS, CAPF

The sea-based leg of India's nuclear triad, involving submarines like INS Aridhaman, falls under the operational command of which body?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC

Consider the following statements regarding India's SSBN program:

1. INS Arihant was India's first indigenous nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, commissioned in 2016.

2. INS Aridhaman, the third SSBN, has a greater missile carrying capacity than INS Arihant and INS Arighat.

3. The K-15 Sagarika missile is a land-based intermediate-range ballistic missile developed for the nuclear triad.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricEasyUPSC, SSC, CDS

According to the news article, what is the reported displacement tonnage of the newly commissioned INS Aridhaman?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, CDS

The commissioning of INS Aridhaman is strategically significant primarily because it:

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INS Aridhaman: India Commissions Third Arihant-Class SSBN, Can Carry 24 K-15 Sagarika Missiles

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Third SSBN Commissioned

Enhanced Firepower

Strategic Deterrence

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance