Which one of the following is the best description of ‘INS Astradharini’, that was in the news recently?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (c) Torpedo launch and recovery vessel
INS Astradharini is an indigenously built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel, commissioned into the Indian Navy on 6 October 2015 at Visakhapatnam. It is a small support vessel used to launch and recover torpedoes during underwater weapon trials, not a warship or submarine.
- ✓ (c) The Ministry of Defence release describes it as an indigenously built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel, 50 m long, with a catamaran hull and a large deck with torpedo launchers.
- ✗ (a) An amphibious warfare ship carries and lands troops and vehicles; Astradharini is a 50 m trials-support vessel.
- ✗ (b) A nuclear-powered submarine is a combat vessel; Astradharini is a surface vessel for torpedo trials.
- ✗ (d) Astradharini is only 50 m long and is not an aircraft carrier of any kind.
Remember · INS Astradharini (commissioned 6 October 2015) is an indigenously built torpedo launch and recovery vessel of the Indian Navy.
Sources
- PIB, Ministry of Defence: INS Astradharini Joins The Indian Navy (6 October 2015) ↗ “An indigenously built Torpedo Launch and Recovery Vessel ‘INS Astradharini’, was commissioned today, 06th October 2015 by Vice Admiral Satish Soni, Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Naval Command … It can operate at high sea states and has a large deck area with Torpedo Launchers for deploying and recovering various kinds of torpedos during the trials.”
Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2016, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). ·