Which of the following missiles was successfully test fired by India as a quick reaction surface to air short range missile system (QR-SAM)?

Introduction / Context:
Defence technology and missile tests are standard topics in Indian general awareness and defence exams. India has several missile families such as Agni, Prithvi, and various surface to air systems. This question focuses on a specific category: a quick reaction surface to air short range missile, usually abbreviated as QR-SAM. The test firing of this missile system was widely reported in the news.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question clearly refers to a “quick reaction surface to air short range missile system (QR-SAM)”.
• The options include names of different launch vehicles and missile systems: Prithvi II, PSLV C 37, AGNI - VI, and a generic description of QR-SAM.
• We assume the question is based on India's successful test of the indigenous QR-SAM developed by DRDO.

Concept / Approach:
QR-SAM is a canister based, all weather, quick reaction surface to air missile designed to defend moving armoured columns from aerial threats. Among the options, PSLV C 37 is a space launch vehicle, not a missile; Prithvi II and Agni systems are ballistic missiles, not short range quick reaction surface to air systems. Therefore, the only option that correctly matches the description in the question is the one explicitly described as “Quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile (QR-SAM)”.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify the type of system mentioned: quick reaction surface to air short range missile (QR-SAM). Step 2: Eliminate options that clearly do not belong to this category, such as PSLV C 37 (a launch vehicle) and Agni series missiles (long range ballistic missiles). Step 3: Note that Prithvi II is a surface to surface ballistic missile and not the QR-SAM system highlighted in recent tests. Step 4: Select the option directly named “Quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile (QR-SAM)” as it exactly matches the system under discussion.

Verification / Alternative check:
Defence news capsules often list different categories: ballistic missiles (Agni, Prithvi), cruise missiles (Nirbhay, BrahMos), and surface to air missiles (Akash, QR-SAM, etc.). Verifying that QR-SAM belongs to the surface to air category and was successfully test fired from a canister launcher in Odisha affirms your choice.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Prithvi II: A short range surface to surface ballistic missile; not a quick reaction surface to air missile.
• PSLV C 37: A Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle mission of ISRO, associated with launching satellites, not a missile system.
• AGNI - VI: A proposed long range ballistic missile; the question is about a short range surface to air system.

Common Pitfalls:
Many students see familiar names like Prithvi and Agni and choose them without carefully reading the phrase “surface to air” and “quick reaction”. Another pitfall is confusing launch vehicles like PSLV with missiles because both involve rocket technology. Always read the full description in such questions and categorise the system correctly before selecting your answer.

Final Answer:
The missile successfully test fired by India as a quick reaction surface to air short range missile system was the Quick reaction surface-to-air short range missile (QR-SAM).