Q1. India's 'Mission Shakti' (March 2019) demonstrated which capability, making India the fourth country to possess it?
A Hypersonic glide vehicle technology
B Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon capability Correct
C Directed-energy weapon for missile defence
D Quantum-encrypted satellite communication
Explanation
Mission Shakti (March 27, 2019) was India's first Anti-Satellite (ASAT) weapon test. A DRDO-developed kinetic kill vehicle destroyed the Microsat-R satellite in Low Earth Orbit. India became the fourth country after the USA, Russia, and China to demonstrate ASAT capability. This is directly relevant to the bodyguard satellite programme aimed at protecting India's own satellites from similar threats.