International Relations · 16 Jul 2026

China SLBM test nuclear posture

Match List I with List II and select the correct answer: List I (Item) List II (Description/Fact) A. JL-3 1. India's submarine-launched missile series, shorter-range than its Chinese counterpart B. Type 094 2. China's ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) class used in the July 2026 test C. K-series 3. China's submarine-launched ballistic missile used in the July 2026 test D. Treaty of Rarotonga 4. Establishes the South Pacific nuclear-free zone where the test warhead landed How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

AOnly one pair
BOnly two pairs
COnly three pairs
DAll four pairs

Tests precise recall and correct pairing of multiple technical designations (missile types, submarine classes, treaty names) across two countries simultaneously - an analytical matching skill distinct from single-fact recall.

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This question is based on: China's SLBM Test Signals a Shift Toward Early-Warning Counter-Strike Posture
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About this question

Why in news

China conducted its first-ever submarine-launched ballistic missile test into international waters on July 6, 2026, signalling a shift toward early-warning counter-strike nuclear posture with implications for India's second-strike survivability.

Why for UPSC

UPSC has tested Indo-Pacific strategic partnerships (AUKUS, 2021) in relation to China's military modernisation; this match-the-pairs format tests whether aspirants can correctly associate specific missile/submarine designations and treaty frameworks rather than conflating similar-sounding technical terms.

Prelims summary

China's JL-3 missile, launched from a Type 094 submarine, was tested into the Treaty of Rarotonga's South Pacific nuclear-free zone; India's comparable K-series missiles on Arihant-class submarines currently have shorter range.

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