In the context of India's defence services, which branch of the Indian armed forces conducted the artillery and firepower exercise known as “Exercise Topchi 2019”?

Introduction / Context:
Military exercises are an important part of defence preparedness, allowing armed forces to train, test equipment, and demonstrate capabilities. In India, different branches of the armed forces organise large scale exercises with specific code names. “Exercise Topchi 2019” was one such exercise, associated with artillery and firepower demonstrations. This question tests your knowledge of which branch of the Indian armed forces conducted this particular exercise.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The name of the exercise is “Exercise Topchi 2019.”
• The exercise involved artillery and firepower, typical of land based forces.
• The options are Indian Army, Indian Air Force, Indian Coast Guard, and Indian Navy.
• We assume that the exercise was conducted on land at a field firing range rather than at sea or in the air alone.

Concept / Approach:
The word “Topchi” in Hindi and related Indian languages is associated with artillery and gunnery. Artillery units belong to the Indian Army, which is responsible for land warfare, including the deployment of field guns, howitzers, and rocket systems. Therefore, the key to answering this question is to associate the nature of the exercise—artillery and firepower demonstrations—with the Army, rather than with the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard. This leads to the clear conclusion that the Indian Army conducted Exercise Topchi 2019.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Focus on the name and nature of the exercise, particularly the artillery and firepower aspects.Step 2: Recall that artillery regiments and field firing ranges are managed by the Indian Army.Step 3: Understand that while the Indian Air Force and Indian Navy also conduct exercises, these usually involve aircraft and ships respectively, not primarily field artillery.Step 4: Recognise that the Indian Coast Guard focuses on maritime law enforcement and search and rescue, not artillery drills like “Topchi.”Step 5: Conclude that Exercise Topchi 2019 was conducted by the Indian Army and select that option.

Verification / Alternative check:
Verification comes from remembering that media reports and defence press releases described Exercise Topchi as an annual artillery firepower demonstration held by the School of Artillery at Deolali, which is part of the Indian Army's training infrastructure. These events showcase advanced guns, rockets, and surveillance equipment operated by Army artillery units. No similar association of the “Topchi” name exists with the Air Force, Navy, or Coast Guard, confirming that the exercise belonged to the Indian Army.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option B (Indian Air Force) is incorrect because the Air Force primarily conducts air power exercises featuring fighters, transport aircraft, and helicopters, rather than field artillery displays under the “Topchi” label. Option C (Indian Coast Guard) is incorrect since it focuses on coastal security and maritime tasks, not land based artillery. Option D (Indian Navy) also specialises in naval operations and sea based exercises, making it an unsuitable match for an artillery centric exercise like Topchi.

Common Pitfalls:
One pitfall is to pick any armed force at random if you are unfamiliar with Hindi terminology. Another mistake is to think that all large exercises involving heavy weapons might belong to the Air Force or Navy because of news coverage of missiles and aircraft. To avoid such errors, it helps to remember that “Topchi” is directly related to guns and artillery, which are core responsibilities of the Indian Army.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is Indian Army, which conducted the artillery and firepower demonstration known as Exercise Topchi 2019.