Q21. Identify the correct pair representing the space institution and its primary operational headquarters.
Science and Technology in Independent India: RAS Prelims MCQs
68 RAS Prelims MCQs on science and technology in independent India cover the nuclear and space programmes, missile development, supercomputers, the IT industry and biotechnology. Homi Bhabha, Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and the institutions they built are asked with their works and locations.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 68 questions
Q22. Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, widely regarded as the father of the Indian space programme, founded the Physical Research Laboratory (PRL) in 1947 in which of the following cities?
Explanation
Dr. Vikram Sarabhai established the Physical Research Laboratory in 1947 in Ahmedabad. Initially focusing on cosmic rays and the properties of the upper atmosphere, the institute eventually became the cradle of India’s space sciences. Under Sarabhai’s visionary leadership, it provided the scientific foundation and personnel required to launch the national space programme and establish the Indian Space Research Organisation.
Q23. Match the early nuclear research reactors of India in List I with their distinguishing features in List II.
| Nuclear Reactor | Features |
|---|---|
| A. Apsara | i. First reactor in the world to use Uranium-233 as fuel |
| B. CIRUS | ii. India’s first nuclear research reactor (1956) |
| C. PURNIMA-I | iii. Built with Canadian assistance, supplied weapons-grade plutonium |
| D. KAMINI | iv. India’s first experimental fast reactor using plutonium |
Explanation
India’s nuclear journey began with Apsara, the first research reactor in 1956. CIRUS, built with Canadian help, provided critical plutonium for research purposes. PURNIMA-I served as the country’s first experimental fast reactor utilizing plutonium fuel.
Q24. Which of the following is considered the most appropriate initial trigger for the growth of the multinational IT industry in Bangalore during the 1980s?
Explanation
The setting up of Texas Instruments’ R&D centre in Bangalore in 1985 was the first overseas R&D centre in India and triggered the growth of the multinational IT industry there.
Q25. Consider the following statements regarding the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP):
I. It was officially launched by the Government of India in 1983.
II. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the chief executive and architect of this programme.
III. The programme included the development of India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was officially launched by the Government of India in 1983.
II. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the chief executive and architect of this programme.
III. The programme included the development of India’s first indigenous nuclear-powered submarine.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The IGMDP was launched in 1983 and Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was its chief architect. It did not include the nuclear submarine, so III is wrong.
Q26. Four of the following terms belong to the category of indigenous supercomputers developed by various Indian institutions. Identify the odd one out.
Explanation
PARAM, Anupam and PACE are Indian supercomputers. Akash is a missile system, so it is the odd one out.
Q27. Given below are two statements, one labeled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The peaceful nuclear explosion at Pokhran in 1974 resulted in severe international technology embargoes and sanctions against India.
Reason (R): These sanctions completely permanently halted India’s indigenous development in the atomic energy and space sectors. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The peaceful nuclear explosion at Pokhran in 1974 resulted in severe international technology embargoes and sanctions against India.
Reason (R): These sanctions completely permanently halted India’s indigenous development in the atomic energy and space sectors. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
After the 1974 Pokhran explosion, India faced technology embargoes, so the assertion is true. The sanctions did not permanently halt its atomic energy and space programmes, so the reason is false.
Q28. India’s first satellite, Aryabhata, was launched into space using which of the following launch vehicles?
Explanation
India’s first satellite, Aryabhata (1975), was launched on a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket.
Q29. Consider the following statements regarding the growth of the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry in India:
I. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was set up under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1986.
II. Shantha Biotechnics developed India’s first indigenous recombinant DNA Hepatitis B vaccine.
III. India is currently one of the largest providers of generic medicines globally.
IV. The Indian Patents Act of 1970 recognized product patents in pharmaceuticals, which led to the immediate dominance of generic drugs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
I. The Department of Biotechnology (DBT) was set up under the Ministry of Science and Technology in 1986.
II. Shantha Biotechnics developed India’s first indigenous recombinant DNA Hepatitis B vaccine.
III. India is currently one of the largest providers of generic medicines globally.
IV. The Indian Patents Act of 1970 recognized product patents in pharmaceuticals, which led to the immediate dominance of generic drugs.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The DBT was set up in 1986 and Shantha Biotechnics made India’s first indigenous Hepatitis B vaccine, and India is a large generic supplier. The Patents Act of 1970 recognised process patents, not product patents, so IV is incorrect.
Q30. The development of indigenous cryogenic engine technology was critical for the GSLV programme. A cryogenic engine primarily utilizes which of the following propellant combinations?
Explanation
A cryogenic engine uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidiser, both kept at very low temperatures.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 21 | (d) Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) - Sriharikota |
| 22 | (a) Ahmedabad |
| 23 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 24 | (d) The establishment of the first overseas R&D center in India by Texas Instruments in 1985 |
| 25 | (a) I and II |
| 26 | (c) Akash |
| 27 | (c) A is true but R is false. |
| 28 | (a) Kosmos-3M |
| 29 | (b) IV only |
| 30 | (a) Liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer |
Key facts from Science and Technology in Independent India
- Homi J. Bhabha was the principal architect of India’s three-stage nuclear power programme.
- Vikram Sarabhai, father of the Indian space programme, founded the Physical Research Laboratory at Ahmedabad.
- Aryabhata, India’s first satellite, was launched in 1975 on a Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket; the Satish Dhawan Space Centre is at Sriharikota.
- The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme was launched in 1983 with A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as its architect; he earlier worked on SLV-3.
- Texas Instruments set up its R&D centre in Bangalore in 1985, which started the growth of the IT industry there.
- A cryogenic engine uses liquid hydrogen as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidiser; PARAM, Anupam and PACE are Indian supercomputers.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Science and Technology in Independent India?
This page has 68 practice MCQs on Science and Technology in Independent India (Modern Indian History). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
What is the three-stage nuclear power programme?
The plan devised by Homi J. Bhabha to use India’s limited uranium and large thorium reserves in three stages: natural uranium reactors, fast breeder reactors and, finally, thorium-based reactors. It remains the basis of India’s nuclear energy policy.
Which rocket launched Aryabhata?
A Soviet Kosmos-3M rocket, in April 1975. Aryabhata was India’s first satellite, built by ISRO, and it was launched from the Soviet Union because India had no launch vehicle of that capability at the time.
What is the IGMDP?
The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme, launched in 1983 under DRDO with Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam as its chief architect. It developed missiles such as Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Akash and Nag.