Q481. Which of the following statements regarding India’s three-stage nuclear programme is incorrect?
Modern Indian History: RAS Prelims MCQs
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 481–488 of 488 questions
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Q482. Consider the following statements regarding the Aryabhata satellite:
I. It was designed to conduct scientific experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomics, and solar physics.
II. It was launched from the Kapustin Yar launch facility.
III. It functioned flawlessly in orbit, providing continuous telemetry data for over a decade.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was designed to conduct scientific experiments in X-ray astronomy, aeronomics, and solar physics.
II. It was launched from the Kapustin Yar launch facility.
III. It functioned flawlessly in orbit, providing continuous telemetry data for over a decade.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Aryabhata satellite was equipped with instruments to conduct experiments in X-ray astronomy and solar physics. It was launched from the Soviet facility at Kapustin Yar. However, the mission faced technical difficulties shortly after launch. A power failure occurred after only a few days in orbit, which halted scientific data collection, although the satellite remained in orbit for several years after that.
Q483. The successful application of High Yielding Variety (HYV) seeds during the Green Revolution necessitated which of the following concomitant inputs?
Explanation
High Yielding Variety seeds were central to the Green Revolution’s success, but they were highly demanding in terms of inputs. Unlike traditional crops, these varieties required a package of practices to reach their maximum potential. This included the use of chemical fertilizers to provide nutrients and pesticides for protection. Most importantly, they needed a controlled and assured water supply through irrigation.
Q484. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): By the early 21st century, India had established itself as a premier global hub for IT and business process outsourcing (BPO).
Reason (R): India possessed a demographic advantage characterized by a large pool of relatively low-cost, skilled, and English-speaking technical professionals. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): By the early 21st century, India had established itself as a premier global hub for IT and business process outsourcing (BPO).
Reason (R): India possessed a demographic advantage characterized by a large pool of relatively low-cost, skilled, and English-speaking technical professionals. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
India emerged as a global hub for IT and business process outsourcing due to several competitive advantages. The country possessed a large demographic of skilled, English-speaking professionals capable of providing high-quality technical services. Furthermore, the relatively lower labor costs compared to Western nations made India an attractive destination for global outsourcing, driving the rapid expansion of the domestic software industry.
Q485. Consider the following statements regarding Dr. Vikram Sarabhai:
I. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
II. He served as the first Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
III. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
IV. He was the chief designer of India’s first indigenous supercomputer, PARAM.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. He played a pivotal role in establishing the Indian Institute of Management (IIM) Ahmedabad.
II. He served as the first Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
III. He was posthumously awarded the Padma Vibhushan.
IV. He was the chief designer of India’s first indigenous supercomputer, PARAM.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai was a visionary who established numerous institutions, including ISRO and IIM Ahmedabad. His contributions were recognized posthumously with the Padma Vibhushan. However, he was not the designer of the PARAM supercomputer. The development of the PARAM series was led by Dr. Vijay Bhatkar and C-DAC in the late 1980s and early 1990s, long after Sarabhai’s death in 1971.
Q486. Apsara, the first nuclear research reactor in India and Asia, reached criticality in 1956. Which country provided technical assistance and the initial supply of enriched uranium fuel for Apsara?
Explanation
Apsara, the first nuclear research reactor in Asia, became critical in 1956 at the Trombay facility. This project was a major milestone for India’s atomic programme. While the reactor was designed and built indigenously by Indian scientists, the United Kingdom provided the necessary technical assistance and the initial supply of enriched uranium fuel required to operate the pool-type reactor successfully.
Q487. Identify the correct pair matching the prominent IT/Technology hub in India with its widely recognized colloquial title or specific software park establishment.
Explanation
Several Indian cities are renowned as major technology hubs. Hyderabad is famously associated with HITEC City, a major IT and business district often colloquially referred to as Cyberabad. In contrast, Bangalore is widely known as the Silicon Valley of India and Electronic City, while Pune is also a significant software hub. Matching Hyderabad with HITEC City correctly identifies a specific regional development project.
Q488. Consider the following statements regarding India’s nuclear tests:
Statement I: The Pokhran-I test in 1974 was officially characterized by the Indian government as a "peaceful nuclear explosion" (PNE).
Statement II: The Pokhran-II tests in 1998 were explicitly declared as weaponized tests, establishing India as a state possessing nuclear weapons.
Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Statement I: The Pokhran-I test in 1974 was officially characterized by the Indian government as a "peaceful nuclear explosion" (PNE).
Statement II: The Pokhran-II tests in 1998 were explicitly declared as weaponized tests, establishing India as a state possessing nuclear weapons.
Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
India’s approach to nuclear testing evolved significantly over time. The 1974 test was officially described as a peaceful nuclear explosion to emphasize its non-military intent. In contrast, the 1998 tests were explicitly declared by the government as weaponized detonations. These tests were intended to establish a credible minimum nuclear deterrent, formally declaring India’s status as a state possessing nuclear weapons to the world.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 481 | (c) The third stage utilizes Advanced Heavy Water Reactors fueled by highly enriched Uranium-235 imported from NSG countries. |
| 482 | (a) I and II |
| 483 | (c) Controlled and assured irrigation alongside chemical fertilizers and pesticides |
| 484 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 485 | (c) IV only |
| 486 | (c) United Kingdom |
| 487 | (a) Hyderabad - HITEC City |
| 488 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
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.