488 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on modern Indian history are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover British expansion and early resistance, the Anglo-Sikh wars, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, the rise of nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary movements and Partition, and nation-building up to 2000. Each question has an answer and an explanation, in the formats the exam uses.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 431–440 of 488 questions
Browse Modern Indian History chapters
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q431. Consider the following statements regarding India’s launch vehicles PSLV and GSLV: I. The PSLV is a four-stage launch vehicle utilizing both solid and liquid propulsion stages. II. The GSLV was developed primarily to place heavier satellites into Geostationary Transfer Orbits. III. The PSLV has never been used for interplanetary missions or lunar probes. IV. The development of indigenous cryogenic engine technology was critical for the success of the GSLV programme. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle is a highly reliable four-stage rocket using solid and liquid propulsion. It has been successfully utilized beyond low earth orbit for historic interplanetary missions like the Mars Orbiter Mission and lunar probes like Chandrayaan-1. Therefore, claiming it has never been used for such missions is inaccurate, as it remains a versatile workhorse for ISRO operations.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q432. Which of the following was the first supercomputer developed indigenously by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) in 1991?
Explanation
The PARAM 8000 stands as the first indigenous supercomputer developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing. Launched in 1991, it utilized a parallel processing architecture to achieve high computational speeds. This development marked India’s entry into the elite group of nations capable of building supercomputers, providing a vital tool for scientific research, weather forecasting, and strategic applications.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q433. What was the primary geopolitical cause that accelerated India’s decision to indigenously develop the PARAM supercomputer?
Explanation
India’s drive to develop indigenous supercomputing was accelerated by geopolitical restrictions on technology transfer. During the late 1980s, the United States refused to export advanced Cray supercomputers, citing concerns related to nuclear research and strategic dual-use. This denial prompted the Indian government to establish C-DAC with the specific mission of building domestic high-performance computing capabilities to ensure technological sovereignty.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q434. Match the missiles developed by DRDO in List I with their correct operational types in List II.
Missile Name
Operational Type
A. Prithvi
i. Anti-tank guided missile
B. Trishul
ii. Intermediate-range ballistic missile
C. Nag
iii. Short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile
D. Agni
iv. Short-range surface-to-air missile
Explanation
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme produced several distinct systems for defense. Prithvi is a short-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile, while Trishul serves as a short-range surface-to-air defense system. Nag was designed specifically as an anti-tank guided missile with fire-and-forget capabilities. Agni represents a series of intermediate to long-range ballistic missiles, forming a critical component of India’s strategic deterrent capabilities.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q435. In India’s three-stage nuclear power programme, the second stage involves the use of Fast Breeder Reactors (FBR). Which of the following fuels is bred in the blanket of the FBR to be used in the third stage of the programme?
Explanation
The second stage of the Indian nuclear power programme utilizes Fast Breeder Reactors. In these reactors, a blanket of thorium-232 is placed around the core. Through the process of neutron absorption, the thorium is converted into fissile uranium-233. This bred fuel is intended for use in the third stage of the programme, which focuses on utilizing India’s abundant thorium resources.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q436. Which of the following statements regarding the establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) post-independence is incorrect?
Explanation
The establishment of the Indian Institutes of Technology followed the recommendations of the Sarkar Committee. While IIT Bombay was indeed set up with significant help from the Soviet Union, it was not the first one established. That distinction belongs to IIT Kharagpur, which was inaugurated in 1951. The later Institutes of Technology Act of 1961 formally recognized these institutions nationwide.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q437. Consider the following key milestones in India’s post-independence scientific history: I. Adoption of the Scientific Policy Resolution II. Establishment of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) III. Launch of the Aryabhata satellite IV. First nuclear test at Pokhran V. Establishment of the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Which of the above events occurred before 1980?
Explanation
Several major scientific milestones occurred in the early decades after independence. The Scientific Policy Resolution was adopted in 1958, and ISRO was established in 1969. The first nuclear test at Pokhran took place in 1974, followed by the launch of the Aryabhata satellite in 1975. In contrast, the Department of Biotechnology was not established until 1986, after the 1980 threshold.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q438. The series of five nuclear bomb test explosions conducted by India at the Pokhran Test Range in May 1998 was carried out under the leadership of which Prime Minister?
Explanation
The series of five nuclear tests in May 1998, known as Operation Shakti, occurred under the political leadership of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. These tests confirmed India’s capability to deploy thermonuclear weapons and established the nation as a full-fledged nuclear-armed state. The event had significant geopolitical implications, leading to international sanctions while simultaneously strengthening the country’s national security posture.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q439. Consider the following statements regarding the Information Technology revolution in India: Statement I: The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) scheme was established in 1991 to encourage, promote, and boost software exports. Statement II: The Indian IT industry initially grew rapidly by catering exclusively to the domestic market before expanding to global outsourcing. Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
The Software Technology Parks of India scheme was launched in 1991 to boost software exports through tax incentives and infrastructure support. Unlike many industries, the Indian IT sector did not rely on the domestic market first. Instead, it grew rapidly by focusing on global outsourcing and international service delivery, leveraging skilled labor to meet the demands of foreign clients successfully.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q440. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) operates a wide network of national laboratories. Which of the following is NOT a laboratory operating under the CSIR network?
Explanation
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research oversees numerous national laboratories like the National Chemical Laboratory and National Physical Laboratory. These institutions focus on civil scientific research and industrial development. In contrast, the Defence Research and Development Laboratory is a major facility under the Defence Research and Development Organisation. Its primary mandate involves the design and development of missile systems.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
431
(b) III only
432
(c) PARAM 8000
433
(d) The US refusal to export Cray supercomputers to India due to nuclear proliferation concerns
434
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
435
(b) Uranium-233
436
(b) The first IIT was established in Bombay with assistance from the Soviet Union.
437
(a) I, II, III, and IV
438
(c) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
439
(a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect
440
(b) Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), Hyderabad
Key facts from Modern Indian History
The RPSC syllabus covers the period from the early 19th century to 2000: British imperialism, the Revolt of 1857, colonial policies, reform movements, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and nation-building.
Questions on colonial rule often turn on a single Act or reform and its year, such as the Government of India Act 1858 or the Indian Councils Act 1861.
Freedom-struggle questions pair a movement with its leader, place and date, for example Champaran in 1917 and the Dandi March in 1930.
Statement and chronology questions are common in the freedom struggle chapters, so learn events in order.
The post-independence chapters cover state reorganisation, planning, bank nationalisation and the growth of science and technology.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Modern Indian History?
This page has 488 practice MCQs on Modern Indian History. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the modern Indian history set cover?
Twelve chapters: British imperialism and early resistance, Anglo-Sikh wars and the Doctrine of Lapse, the Revolt of 1857, political and administrative policies, economic policies, socio-religious reform movements, early nationalism, the Gandhian era, revolutionary and regional movements and Partition, state reorganisation, planning and reforms, and science and technology.
Which period does RAS Prelims modern history cover?
RPSC lists the modern period from the early 19th century to 2000, including British imperialism and resistance, the Revolt of 1857, British policies, nationalism, the freedom struggle, Partition and post-independence nation-building.
How should I prepare modern history for RAS Prelims?
Build a timeline of Acts, movements and leaders first. Then attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the leader, place and year. Chronology questions are common, so revise the order of events a few times.
