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

Examiners may try to confuse the class of ships: Dunagiri is a Project 17A frigate (not Project 17 or 15B), Sanshodhak is a survey vessel (not a combat ship), and Agray is an Arnala-class ASW craft (not a frigate). Also, 'indigenous content' could be misstated as 70% or 80% instead of 75%+.

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

1. Target this Data: Commissioning date: June 21, 2026; Ships: INS Dunagiri (Project 17A), INS Sanshodhak (survey), INS Agray (Arnala-class); Indigenous content: >75% 2. Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy; Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata; Designer: Warship Design Bureau 3. Target this Legal Point: Not applicable (no legal provision directly mentioned)

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PM Modi Commissions 3 Indigenously Built Naval Ships: INS Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, Agray in Kolkata

Q: Which organization is responsible for designing the indigenously built naval ships mentioned in the news?

Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau, The article states that the ships were 'designed by the Indian Navy's Warship Design Bureau' and 'constructed by GRSE'. The Warship Design Bureau is the in-house design agency of the Navy, while GRSE is the builder. The Ministry of Defence is the parent ministry but not the designer.

Q: Consider the following statements regarding the three naval ships commissioned: 1. INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate equipped with BrahMos missiles. 2. INS Sanshodhak is a large survey vessel designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys. 3. INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare craft designed for deep ocean operations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Both 1 and 2, Statement 1 is correct: Dunagiri is a Project 17A frigate with BrahMos missiles. Statement 2 is correct: Sanshodhak is a survey vessel for hydrographic surveys. Statement 3 is incorrect: Agray is designed for 'shallow water' (littoral) operations, not deep ocean. Hence option C is correct.

Q: What is the percentage of indigenous content in the construction of these three naval ships?

75%, The article explicitly states 'indigenous content exceeding 75 per cent'. The other options are close distractors: 70% is below the stated figure, 80% and 85% are higher but not mentioned. Hence 75% is the correct threshold.

Q: What is the primary strategic objective of commissioning these three different types of naval platforms together?

To demonstrate a balanced approach to capability development across combat, survey, and anti-submarine domains, The article mentions the Navy's 'balanced approach to capability development' covering combat (Dunagiri), hydrographic survey (Sanshodhak), and anti-submarine warfare (Agray). While reducing dependence (A), increasing numbers (C), and promoting employment (D) are benefits, the core strategic objective is balanced capability development as stated.

Security & Defence Science & Tech InfrastructureCORE

Target:UPSC GS-IIIMPSCSSC GATeachingPrelims HighMains MediumStatic GK Link

19 Jun 2026

~2 min

Source: Indian Express

Key Data:June 21, 2026KolkataINS DunagiriINS SanshodhakINS AgrayProject 17A

Bodies:Indian NavyGRSEWarship Design Bureau

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~2 min · Quick mode

What This Article Covers

1.PM Modi to commission three frontline Indian Navy platforms in Kolkata on June 21: INS Dunagiri (Project 17A stealth frigate), INS Sanshodhak (survey vessel), and INS Agray (Arnala-class ASW craft).

2.All three ships are indigenously designed by the Navy's Warship Design Bureau and built by Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata, with indigenous content exceeding 75%.

3.The commissioning underscores India's growing naval capability, self-reliance in shipbuilding (Atmanirbhar Bharat), and strategic importance for blue-water operations and coastal security.

The Big Picture

Prelims · HighMains · Medium

PM Modi will commission three indigenously built Indian Navy warships – INS Dunagiri (stealth frigate), INS Sanshodhak (survey vessel), and INS Agray (ASW craft) – in Kolkata on June 21. These platforms, built by GRSE with over 75% indigenous content, mark a major step in India's naval self-reliance and blue-water capability.

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

Commissioning DateJune 21, 2026

LocationKolkata

Ships CommissionedINS Dunagiri (stealth frigate), INS Sanshodhak (survey vessel), INS Agray (ASW craft)

Indigenous ContentOver 75%

BuilderGarden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata

DesignerIndian Navy's Warship Design Bureau

1-Minute Revision

›Commissioning Date: June 21, 2026
›Location: Kolkata
›Target this Data: Commissioning date: June 21, 2026; Ships: INS Dunagiri (Project 17A), INS Sanshodhak (survey), INS Agray (Arnala-class); Indigenous content: >75%
›Target this Nodal Body: Indian Navy; Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata; Designer: Warship Design Bureau
›Target this Legal Point: Not applicable (no legal provision directly mentioned)

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News Snapshot

🚢

Three New Naval Assets

INS Dunagiri (Project 17A stealth frigate), INS Sanshodhak (large survey vessel), and INS Agray (Arnala-class ASW craft) will be commissioned in Kolkata.

🇮🇳

Atmanirbhar Bharat Milestone

All three ships are indigenously built by GRSE with over 75% indigenous content, involving more than 200 MSMEs.

⚔️

Operational Significance

These platforms enhance blue-water operations, maritime domain awareness, anti-submarine warfare, and hydrographic survey capabilities.

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

India has been pursuing a major naval modernisation drive under the 'Make in India' and 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' initiatives. The Project 17A frigates (like Dunagiri) are advanced stealth ships with enhanced survivability and combat capability. The Arnala-class (like Agray) is designed for shallow water anti-submarine warfare, crucial for littoral security. The large survey vessels (like Sanshodhak) support hydrographic and oceanographic data collection for defence and civil use.

Core Analysis & Implications

The commissioning of these three ships together demonstrates a balanced approach to naval capability development: combat (Dunagiri), survey (Sanshodhak), and anti-submarine (Agray). The high indigenous content (over 75%) and involvement of over 200 MSMEs highlight the growing maturity of India's shipbuilding ecosystem. This directly supports India's strategic goal of becoming a major blue-water navy and enhances maritime domain awareness in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Future Outlook / Way Forward

With the commissioning of these platforms, India's naval strength continues to grow. The Project 17A series (7 ships) and Arnala-class (8 ships) are being progressively inducted. The focus on indigenous design and construction will likely lead to further orders for GRSE and other shipyards, boosting local employment and defence exports. The Navy's emphasis on hydrographic survey and ASW capabilities will be critical for countering emerging underwater threats from peer competitors.

Key Facts at a Glance

Commissioning DateJune 21, 2026

LocationKolkata

Ships CommissionedINS Dunagiri (stealth frigate), INS Sanshodhak (survey vessel), INS Agray (ASW craft)

Indigenous ContentOver 75%

BuilderGarden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata

DesignerIndian Navy's Warship Design Bureau

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Practice exam-style questions based on this article.

Q1Static LinkageEasyUPSC, SSC, State PSC

Which organization is responsible for designing the indigenously built naval ships mentioned in the news?

Q2Statement-basedHardUPSC, SSC

Consider the following statements regarding the three naval ships commissioned:

1. INS Dunagiri is a Project 17A stealth frigate equipped with BrahMos missiles.

2. INS Sanshodhak is a large survey vessel designed for coastal and deep-water hydrographic surveys.

3. INS Agray is an anti-submarine warfare craft designed for deep ocean operations.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q3Data-centricMediumUPSC, Banking, SSC

What is the percentage of indigenous content in the construction of these three naval ships?

Q4Application/ImpactMediumUPSC, SSC, Banking

What is the primary strategic objective of commissioning these three different types of naval platforms together?

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PM Modi Commissions 3 Indigenously Built Naval Ships: INS Dunagiri, Sanshodhak, Agray in Kolkata

Exam Lens

Quick Exam Facts From News

1-Minute Revision

News Snapshot

Three New Naval Assets

Atmanirbhar Bharat Milestone

Operational Significance

Detailed Analysis & Strategic Depth

Context / Background

Core Analysis & Implications

Future Outlook / Way Forward

Prelims Flashpoints

Key Facts at a Glance