GK Questions on Operation Sindoor with Answers for Govt Exams

Operation Sindoor is one of the most important military events in recent times, and it is now a key topic in many government exams. Launched on May 7, 2025, this major operation was India’s strong response to the Pahalgam terror attack that took place on April 22, 2025. The attack led to the loss of 26 Indian lives, including tourists, and shook the nation. In reply, India launched a well-planned military strike named Operation Sindoor to destroy terrorist camps in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu & Kashmir (PoJK).

If you’re preparing for exams like UPSC, SSC, CDS, NDA, or other competitive government exams, you must study this topic carefully. Many recent exam questions have included GK Questions on Operation Sindoor for Govt Exams, so staying updated is very important.

Here are some key facts to help you understand the topic better:

• Operation Sindoor Full Form: It is not an acronym. “Sindoor” is a cultural term that symbolizes the safety of married women. In this context, it represents India’s promise to protect its citizens.
• Operation Sindoor Meaning in English: The word “Sindoor” refers to the traditional red powder worn by married women in India. Symbolically, it shows strength, duty, and protection.
• Operation Sindoor Date: It started on May 7, 2025.
• Sindoor Operation Lead Officer: This was a joint mission led by top officers of the Army, Navy, and Air Force:
  • Lt. General Rajiv Ghai (DGMO)
  • Air Marshal A.K. Bharti (DGAO)
  • Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod (DGNO)
  • Major General S.S. Sharda (Strategic Communications)

This article will give you the most relevant GK on Operation Sindoor with answers and cover every detail you need to remember for upcoming exams. You’ll also find a collection of Operation Sindoor Related GK Questions For Govt Exams that are likely to appear in current affairs on general knowledge sections.

GK on Operation Sindoor with Answers

What was the primary trigger for India to launch Operation Sindoor?

Ans: The Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, 2025, which resulted in 26 deaths.

When did Operation Sindoor officially commence?

Ans: May 7, 2025.

Which Indian military branches were primarily involved in Operation Sindoor?

Ans: Indian Air Force (IAF), Indian Army, and Indian Navy.

What was the total number of casualties sustained by Pakistan (terrorists and soldiers) during Operation Sindoor, as per Indian claims?

Ans: Over 200 casualties (42 Pakistani soldiers, 170 terrorists).

Name two key strategies or doctrines employed by India during Operation Sindoor.

Ans: “Mowing the grass” doctrine and a shift from strategic restraint to assertive military response.

Operation Sindoor was described as having a “gendered framing.” Which specific aspect highlighted this?

Ans: The significant role of women pilots, including Colonel Sofiya Qureshi and Wing Commander Vyomika Singh, in combat and media briefings.

Name one Pakistani airbase confirmed to have sustained extensive damage during Operation Sindoor, as per satellite imagery.

Ans: Nur Khan airbase.

What was the name of Pakistan’s retaliatory operation following India’s strikes in Operation Sindoor?

Ans: Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos.

How long did Pakistan’s retaliatory operation, Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos, last?

Ans: Approximately 8 hours.

Which Indian indigenous navigation system played a crucial role in the precision of Operation Sindoor strikes?

Ans: NavIC.

What significant non-military measure did India consider or implement in relation to Pakistan during or after Operation Sindoor?

Ans: Termination/suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty, closure of Attari-Wagah border, suspension of bilateral trade.

Name one terror organization whose infrastructure was targeted during Operation Sindoor.

Ans: Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM), Hizbul Mujahideen.

According to Indian claims, how many terror targets were hit deep inside Pakistan and PoJK during the operation?

Ans: Nine.

Which country claimed to have negotiated a ceasefire between India and Pakistan during Operation Sindoor, a claim disputed by India?

Ans: United States (USA).

What was the stated status of Operation Sindoor at the time of the ceasefire?

Ans: “Paused, not over.”

Operation Sindoor validated India’s policies of defense indigenization. What is the Indian government’s initiative for self-reliance in defense production?

Ans: Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India).

What did some critics, like “The Wire,” describe Operation Sindoor as being, despite official claims of success?

Ans: A “failure at the tactical, strategic, and diplomatic level.”

Which Pakistani General’s promotion was seen as a face-saving measure after the operation?

Ans: General Asim Munir.

What was the name of the armed group that claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam terror attack?

Ans: The Resistance Front (TRF).

When did the ceasefire between India and Pakistan become effective during Operation Sindoor?

Ans: May 10, 2025, at 5:00 PM IST.

Beyond terror camps, what other specific type of targets were hit during India’s counter-retaliation on May 10?

Ans: Pakistani Air Force (PAF) airbases.

What significant strategic shift did Operation Sindoor represent for India regarding its approach to cross-border terrorism?

Ans: A shift towards “swift, unrelenting, and unapologetic retaliation” and pre-emptive punishment.

What was the nature of targets hit by Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes during Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos?

Ans: Indian military bases, cities, and religious sites (e.g., Shambhu Temple).

How many casualties did India sustain during Operation Sindoor?

Ans: 7 casualties.

What did the Washington Post state about the extent of the Indian air assault during Operation Sindoor compared to previous conflicts?

Ans: It was the most extensive Indian air assault on Pakistan since the 1971 Bangladesh war.

What year did the Doklam standoff occur, which contributed to India’s military readiness for operations like Sindoor?

Ans: 2017.

Which Indian air defense systems were reportedly used to thwart Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes?

Ans: Multi-layered air defense systems, including Akash.

Name two international organizations or countries that expressed support for India’s right to self-defense and condemned terrorism after Operation Sindoor.

Ans: USA, UK, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, European Union, France, Netherlands, Japan, Iran, Bangladesh, Panama (any two).

What is the full form of PoJK, a region where some terror targets were hit during Operation Sindoor?

Ans: Pakistan Occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

What is one long-term implication of Operation Sindoor for the India-Pakistan strategic landscape?

Ans: Reshaping South Asia’s strategic landscape, challenging Pakistan’s nuclear deterrence, or establishing a new model for narrative warfare.

MCQs on Operation Sindoor Questions with Answers

When was Operation Sindoor launched by India?

• a) April 22, 2025
• b) May 1, 2025
• c) May 7, 2025
• d) May 10, 2025

What was the primary trigger for Operation Sindoor?

• a) Border incursions by Pakistani troops
• b) The Pahalgam terror attack
• c) Maritime disputes in the Arabian Sea
• d) Cyberattacks on Indian infrastructure

How many Indian security personnel were killed in the Pahalgam terror attack?

• a) 15
• b) 26
• c) 30
• d) 42

Which terror group allegedly claimed responsibility for the Pahalgam attack, according to Indian intelligence?

• a) Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM)
• b) Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)
• c) Hizbul Mujahideen
• d) The Resistance Front (TRF)

Which strategic doctrine did India employ during Operation Sindoor, characterized by routine, calibrated retaliation?

• a) Cold Start Doctrine
• b) Pro-active Operations Doctrine
• c) Mowing the Grass Doctrine
• d) Surgical Strike Doctrine

Operation Sindoor marked a shift in India’s military strategy from restraint to a more:

• a) Defensive posture
• b) Asymmetric warfare approach
• c) Assertive and punitive response
• d) Diplomatic resolution focus

Which type of weapons were extensively used by India for precision strikes deep inside Pakistan and PoJK?

• a) Ballistic Missiles
• b) Stand-off weapons like air-launched cruise missiles and drones
• c) Short-range artillery
• d) Nuclear weapons

Approximately how many casualties (terrorists and Pakistani soldiers) did Pakistan sustain in Operation Sindoor?

• a) Under 50
• b) 50-100
• c) Over 200
• d) Over 500

Which of the following Pakistani airbases was confirmed to have sustained extensive damage in satellite imagery after the operation?

• a) Kamra Airbase
• b) Sargodha Airbase
• c) Nur Khan Airbase
• d) Jacobabad Airbase

A notable aspect of Operation Sindoor was the significant role of which group in combat operations and media briefings?

• a) Special Forces units
• b) Reserve personnel
• c) Women pilots
• d) Naval intelligence officers

Which Indian indigenous navigation system reportedly played a crucial role in the precision of the strikes?

• a) GAGAN
• b) IRNSS (NavIC)
• c) GPS-Aided GEO Augmented Navigation
• d) BeiDou

The ceasefire for Operation Sindoor was agreed upon on May 10, 2025, at what time (IST)?

• a) 12:00 PM
• b) 3:00 PM
• c) 5:00 PM
• d) 8:00 PM

Operation Sindoor’s impact on Pakistan included the promotion of which general, seen as a face-saving measure?

• a) General Qamar Javed Bajwa
• b) General Asim Munir
• c) General Nadeem Raza
• d) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza

What phrase did India use to describe the status of Operation Sindoor after the ceasefire?

• a) Mission Accomplished
• b) Strategic Victory
• c) Paused, Not Over
• d) Ceasefire Permanent

Which international power did Pakistan reportedly seek help from to mediate the ceasefire?

• a) China
• b) Russia
• c) United States
• d) United Kingdom

Operation Sindoor is seen as validating India’s defense policy of:

• a) Non-alignment
• b) Strategic autonomy
• c) Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India)
• d) Collective security

Beyond military action, what non-military measure did India consider in response to Pakistan’s actions, though held in abeyance?

• a) Terminating cultural exchange programs
• b) Terminating the Indus Waters Treaty
• c) Imposing travel restrictions
• d) Recalling diplomatic staff

Which of the following was NOT among the confirmed terror targets hit by India inside Pakistan/PoJK?

• a) Markaz Subhan in Bahawalpur
• b) Muridke (Markaz Taiba)
• c) Abbottabad compound
• d) Gulpur

What was the name of Pakistan’s retaliatory operation that lasted only 8 hours on May 10, 2025?

• a) Operation Swift Retort
• b) Operation Al-Jihad
• c) Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos
• d) Operation Iron Shield

According to some critics like The Wire, Operation Sindoor was a failure at which levels?

• a) Economic and Social
• b) Tactical, Strategic, and Diplomatic
• c) Logistical and Intelligence
• d) Moral and Ethical

How many casualties did India sustain in Operation Sindoor?

• a) 0
• b) 7
• c) 15
• d) 26

Operation Sindoor aimed to achieve which of the following objectives?

• a) Regime change in Pakistan
• b) Permanent occupation of PoJK
• c) Degrade terror infrastructure and deter Pakistani aggression
• d) Annexation of Gilgit-Baltistan

The operation demonstrated India’s capability to conduct precision strikes how far inside Pakistan?

• a) 10-20 miles
• b) 50-70 miles
• c) Approximately 100 miles
• d) Over 200 miles

Which country’s President reportedly expressed solidarity with India and condemned terrorism during the operation?

• a) Russia
• b) France
• c) United States
• d) China

The “gendered framing” of Operation Sindoor refers to:

• a) Targeting specific gender-based terror groups
• b) Emphasizing the role of women in combat and leadership
• c) A diplomatic strategy appealing to international women’s rights groups
• d) Focusing on the impact of conflict on women and children

What was the primary purpose of India’s counter-retaliation on May 10, 2025, after Pakistan’s response?

• a) To seize Pakistani territory
• b) To target Pakistani airbases and military facilities
• c) To launch a full-scale ground invasion
• d) To evacuate Indian citizens from Pakistan

The international reaction to Operation Sindoor was primarily characterized by:

• a) Widespread condemnation of India
• b) Calls for de-escalation and condemnation of terrorism
• c) Unconditional support for Pakistan
• d) Complete silence from major powers

The Resistance Front (TRF) emerged after which significant event in Kashmir?

• a) Kargil War (1999)
• b) Pulwama attack (2019)
• c) Abrogation of Article 370 (2019)
• d) Doklam standoff (2017)

Operation Sindoor is seen by many analysts as a turning point for India in:

• a) Its economic relations with Pakistan
• b) Reshaping South Asia’s strategic landscape
• c) Its role in international peacekeeping missions
• d) Its focus on domestic security issues only

What aspect of India’s air defense was tested and validated during Pakistan’s retaliatory strikes?

• a) Its ability to launch offensive attacks
• b) Its multi-layered air defense systems
• c) Its capacity for rapid troop deployment
• d) Its naval air defense capabilities

Answer Key –

• c) May 7, 2025
• b) The Pahalgam terror attack
• b) 26
• d) The Resistance Front (TRF)
• c) Mowing the Grass Doctrine
• c) Assertive and punitive response
• b) Stand-off weapons like air-launched cruise missiles and drones
• c) Over 200
• c) Nur Khan Airbase
• c) Women pilots
• b) IRNSS (NavIC)
• c) 5:00 PM
• b) General Asim Munir
• c) Paused, Not Over
• c) United States
• c) Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-reliant India)
• b) Terminating the Indus Waters Treaty
• c) Abbottabad compound
• c) Operation Bunyan al-Marsoos
• b) Tactical, Strategic, and Diplomatic
• b) 7
• c) Degrade terror infrastructure and deter Pakistani aggression
• c) Approximately 100 miles
• c) United States
• b) Emphasizing the role of women in combat and leadership
• b) To target Pakistani airbases and military facilities
• b) Calls for de-escalation and condemnation of terrorism
• c) Abrogation of Article 370 (2019)
• b) Reshaping South Asia’s strategic landscape
• b) Its multi-layered air defense systems

Operation Sindoor for Govt Exams FAQs

What is Operation Sindoor and why is it important for govt exams?

Operation Sindoor is a major Indian military action launched on May 7, 2025, to destroy terror camps in Pakistan and PoJK. It is frequently included in government exam GK sections due to its national security significance.

What is the full form of Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor does not have a full form; Sindoor is a symbolic word referencing the sacred vermilion worn by married women, chosen to honor the widows of the Pahalgam attack victims.

Who led Operation Sindoor?

The operation was led by top Indian military officials, including Lt. Gen. Rajiv Ghai (Army), Air Marshal A.K. Bharti (Air Force), and Vice Admiral A.N. Pramod (Navy), under a coordinated tri-service command.

What is the date and purpose of Operation Sindoor?

Operation Sindoor was launched on May 7, 2025. Its purpose was to strike back at terrorist bases across the Line of Control in response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir.