Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has handed over a Dornier 228 light weight aircraft to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). What is the name given to this aircraft?

Introduction / Context:
Defence and space related current affairs are important for many competitive exams in India. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) manufactures various aircraft for the Indian armed forces, including the Dornier 228, which is a light weight utility aircraft. When HAL handed over a special Dornier 228 platform to the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), the aircraft was given a specific name. This question checks whether candidates remember that name from defence news updates.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• HAL is the Indian public sector aerospace and defence company.
• The aircraft involved is a Dornier 228 light weight aircraft.
• The aircraft was handed over to DRDO.
• Possible names are Vayurathna, Maharathna, Nabhrathna, and Aakashrathna.

Concept / Approach:
The approach to such news based questions is mainly recall. Many defence platforms, missiles, and aircraft are given Sanskrit inspired names. Exam aspirants should maintain short notes of important defence names and associations. Here, we need to connect the Dornier 228 platform provided by HAL to DRDO with the correct name from the options.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that HAL handed over a Dornier 228 that was to be used by DRDO for airborne surveillance and related research tasks. Step 2: Remember the specific name assigned to this modified aircraft platform in the news reports. Step 3: Among the options, Vayurathna, Maharathna, Nabhrathna and Aakashrathna all look similar, so simple pattern recognition alone is not sufficient. Step 4: From defence current affairs notes, the correct name of the aircraft handed over by HAL to DRDO is known as Nabhrathna. Step 5: Therefore, select Nabhrathna as the correct option.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, cross check with standard defence awareness compilations or authentic news summaries where the name Nabhrathna is clearly linked to the Dornier 228 platform handed over to DRDO by HAL. Repeated appearance of the same pairing in multiple sources confirms that Nabhrathna is correct and not any of the other similar sounding names.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Vayurathna: Although the name suggests a connection with air or wind, it is not the one assigned in this specific context, so it is incorrect here.
Maharathna: This term is commonly associated with a status given to certain large public sector undertakings, not specifically with this aircraft platform.
Aakashrathna: This also sounds like a plausible aviation related name but is not the one reported in the news about the Dornier 228 handed to DRDO.

Common Pitfalls:
The main pitfall is confusion due to similar sounding Sanskrit style names. Candidates might guess based on literal meanings (for example, something linked to the sky or air) without actually remembering the reported name. Another mistake is mixing up names of missiles, programmes, and aircraft. Keeping a neat list by category (missiles, aircraft, ships, exercises) helps avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
The Dornier 228 light weight aircraft handed over by HAL to DRDO was named Nabhrathna.