Space and Space Technology: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Science and Technology)
2 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–2 of 2 questions
UPSC 2025Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q1. GPS-Aided Geo Augmented Navigation (GAGAN) uses a system of ground stations to provide necessary augmentation. Which of the following statements is/ are correct in respect of GAGAN? I. It is designed to provide additional accuracy and integrity. II. It will allow more uniform and high quality air traffic management. III. It will provide benefits only in aviation but not in other modes of transportation. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation) is a Satellite-Based Augmentation System (SBAS) developed jointly by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Airports Authority of India (AAI). Its primary objective is to provide satellite-based navigation services with enhanced accuracy and integrity, crucial for civil aviation applications. The system improves the accuracy of GPS signals, ensuring reliable and precise navigation over the Indian airspace.
Statement 2 is correct: GAGAN facilitates more uniform and high-quality air traffic management by providing accurate navigation services across the Indian Flight Information Region (FIR). This enhancement allows for improved air traffic control, efficient flight operations, and increased safety in the aviation sector.
Statement 3 is incorrect: While GAGAN was primarily developed for aviation, its applications extend beyond this sector. The system benefits other modes of transportation and sectors such as:
Maritime Navigation: Enhancing the safety and efficiency of ship movements. Railways: Improving train tracking and management systems. Road Transport: Assisting in vehicle navigation and traffic management. Agriculture: Supporting precision farming techniques. Disaster Management: Aiding in emergency response and resource deployment.
Exam tip:
For S2, it’s too general and positive to be false hence likely true, you can try the NOT approach discussed earlier too to prove it is true. For S3, why "ONLY" in the aviation sector. Is there any logic behind it? No! Hence clearly extreme and likely false. Giving
option D as correct.
UPSC 2025Science and Technology · Space and Space Technology
Q2. Consider the following space missions: I. Axiom-4 II. SpaDeX III. Gaganyaan How many of the space missions given above encourage and support micro-gravity research?
Explanation
Microgravity research refers to scientific studies conducted in environments where the force of gravity is extremely low, causing objects and people to appear weightless. In such conditions, often found in space or simulated on Earth, researchers can observe how physical, chemical, and biological systems behave differently than they do under normal gravity. Options 1, 2, and 3 are correct:
Axiom-4 is a private mission to the ISS that will conduct around 60 scientific studies, including several led by ISRO, with a strong focus on microgravity research across various disciplines such as biology, medicine, and materials science. ISRO and ESA are collaborating on microgravity research experiments specifically for Axiom-4. SpaDeX is an ISRO technology demonstrator for in-space docking. The mission uses the PSLV’s fourth stage (POEM-4) to carry 24 payloads from academia and startups, which will utilize the microgravity environment in orbit for scientific experiments. The mission explicitly provides opportunities for in-orbit microgravity experiments for extended durations. Gaganyaan is India’s first human spaceflight mission, led by ISRO. Scheduled to send Indian astronauts into low Earth orbit, it aims to demonstrate indigenous capability in crewed space missions. Gaganyaan will also facilitate scientific research in microgravity, marking a significant milestone in India’s space exploration journey.
Exam tip:
If a mission goes to space (especially to ISS or LEO), microgravity is either used, tested, or researched -- even if not the main goal. Hence, All three missions likely qualify to encourage and support micro-gravity research under this logic.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2025
(d) I and II only
2
2025
(c) All the three
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Space and Space Technology?
This page covers 2 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology), asked from 2002 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Space and Space Technology?
Questions on Space and Space Technology (Science and Technology) are available for 21 years, from 2002 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
