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

Examiners may confuse DAC with other procurement bodies like Defence Procurement Board (DPB) or Defence Production Board. Also, they may treat AoN as final approval instead of the first step. Additionally, they might swap VSHORADS with MANPADS or MRSAM with long-range SAMs.

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

1. Target this Data: Rs 52,000 crore (total value of proposals cleared by DAC) 2. Target this Nodal Body: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under Ministry of Defence 3. Target this System: Akash Tarang (Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System)

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DAC Clears Rs 52,000 Cr Defence Proposals: Akash Tarang, MRSAM, VSHORADS, Kamikaze Drones

Q: Which body grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital defence procurements in India?

Defence Acquisition Council, The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest body in the Ministry of Defence for granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for all big-ticket capital procurements. The AoN is the first step in the defence procurement process.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the recent DAC meeting: 1. The DAC cleared defence proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore. 2. The 'Akash Tarang' system is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system. 3. The previous DAC meeting in March 2026 cleared the procurement of additional S-400 systems. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 3, Statement 1 is correct: DAC cleared proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore. Statement 2 is incorrect: Akash Tarang is an anti-UAV electronic warfare system, not a surface-to-air missile. Statement 3 is correct: the last DAC meeting in March cleared five additional S-400 systems. Hence option C is correct.

Q: What is the approximate total value of defence procurement proposals cleared by the DAC in the recent meeting?

Rs 52,000 crore, The article states that the DAC cleared acquisition proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore. The other options are close distractors; Rs 42,000 crore is too low, while Rs 62,000 and Rs 72,000 crore are not mentioned.

Q: What is the primary purpose of the 'Akash Tarang' system approved by the DAC?

To provide effective anti-UAV protection to Army formations, According to the Ministry of Defence statement, 'Akash Tarang' will provide effective anti-UAV protection to the Army Formations. It is an Anti-Unmanned Aerial Vehicles Electronic Warfare System, not a missile-based air defence system.

Security & Defence Science & Tech PolityHIGH

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

03 Jul 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:Rs 52,000 croreAkash TarangMRSAMVSHORADSJet-Based Kamikaze DronesMPATGM

Bodies:Defence Acquisition CouncilMinistry of DefenceIndian ArmyIndian NavyIndian Air Force

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.DAC cleared proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore, including Akash Tarang (anti-UAV EW), MRSAM, VSHORADS, jet-based Kamikaze drones, MPATGM, Active Protection Systems, NSUAS, FW-HAPS, MIGM, and LBTF.

2.Grant of Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) is the first step in the defence procurement process; final orders may follow later.

3.The meeting was held after three months; the previous DAC meeting in March cleared the procurement of five additional S-400 systems from Russia.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) granted Acceptance of Necessity for defence proposals worth ~Rs 52,000 crore, including the anti-UAV electronic warfare system 'Akash Tarang', MRSAM, VSHORADS, jet-based Kamikaze drones, and other systems for the Army, Navy, and Air Force. This marks a major step in modernising India's air defence and electronic warfare capabilities.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Total Proposals Value~Rs 52,000 crore

Key Systems ApprovedAkash Tarang, MRSAM, VSHORADS, Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones, MPATGM, Active Protection Systems, NSUAS, FW-HAPS, MIGM, LBTF

AoN Granting BodyDefence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Previous DAC MeetingMarch 2026 (cleared 5 additional S-400 systems)

1-Minute Revision

›Total Proposals Value: ~Rs 52,000 crore
›Key Systems Approved: Akash Tarang, MRSAM, VSHORADS, Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones, MPATGM, Active Protection Systems, NSUAS, FW-HAPS, MIGM, LBTF
›Target this Data: Rs 52,000 crore (total value of proposals cleared by DAC)
›Target this Nodal Body: Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) under Ministry of Defence
›Target this System: Akash Tarang (Anti-UAV Electronic Warfare System)

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News Snapshot

🛡️

DAC Approves Rs 52,000 Cr Defence Buys

Defence Acquisition Council granted Acceptance of Necessity for multiple weapon systems for Army, Navy, and Air Force.

🚁

Akash Tarang: Anti-UAV EW System

‘Akash Tarang’ provides effective anti-UAV protection to Army formations.

🚀

Kamikaze Drones and High Altitude Pseudo Satellite

Jet-based Kamikaze drones enhance EW capability with lethality and cost-effectiveness; FW-HAPS will provide persistent ISR for IAF.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) is the highest body in the Ministry of Defence for granting Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital procurements. The last DAC meeting in March 2026 cleared the procurement of five additional S-400 Long Range SAM systems from Russia. The current meeting, after a gap of three months, cleared a diverse range of proposals worth Rs 52,000 crore, reflecting the government's focus on modernising air defence and electronic warfare capabilities across all three services.

Core Analysis & Implications

The approved systems address critical operational gaps: Akash Tarang counters the growing threat of enemy UAVs; MRSAM provides medium-range air defence against stand-off threats; VSHORADS enhances resilience with multi-spectral sensing; and jet-based Kamikaze drones offer cost-effective EW and lethality. Additionally, MPATGM and Active Protection Systems improve anti-tank capabilities and tank survivability. For the Navy, NSUAS and MIGM boost situational awareness and denial of manoeuvre. For the IAF, FW-HAPS ensures persistent ISR and telecom. This comprehensive package strengthens India's defence posture and aligns with Atmanirbhar Bharat, as many systems are indigenously developed.

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Grant of AoN is the first step; subsequent stages include vendor selection, contract negotiations, and final orders. The approved systems will likely be procured under the Buy (Indian) or Buy & Make (Indian) categories, boosting domestic defence manufacturing. Future DAC meetings may focus on additional high-value projects like next-generation fighter jets and naval vessels. The emphasis on electronic warfare and anti-UAV systems indicates a shift towards addressing modern asymmetric threats.

Key Facts at a Glance

Total Proposals Value~Rs 52,000 crore

Key Systems ApprovedAkash Tarang, MRSAM, VSHORADS, Jet-Based Kamikaze Drones, MPATGM, Active Protection Systems, NSUAS, FW-HAPS, MIGM, LBTF

AoN Granting BodyDefence Acquisition Council (DAC)

Previous DAC MeetingMarch 2026 (cleared 5 additional S-400 systems)

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which body grants the Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) for capital defence procurements in India?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the recent DAC meeting:

1. The DAC cleared defence proposals worth approximately Rs 52,000 crore.

2. The 'Akash Tarang' system is a medium-range surface-to-air missile system.

3. The previous DAC meeting in March 2026 cleared the procurement of additional S-400 systems.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What is the approximate total value of defence procurement proposals cleared by the DAC in the recent meeting?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, State PSC

What is the primary purpose of the 'Akash Tarang' system approved by the DAC?

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DAC Clears Rs 52,000 Cr Defence Proposals: Akash Tarang, MRSAM, VSHORADS, Kamikaze Drones

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

DAC Approves Rs 52,000 Cr Defence Buys

Akash Tarang: Anti-UAV EW System

Kamikaze Drones and High Altitude Pseudo Satellite

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance