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 31–40 of 68 questions
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q31. Match the pioneering Indian scientists in List I with the specific field or programme they are most famously associated with in List II.
Scientist
Field/Programme
A. Homi J. Bhabha
i. Agricultural Science and Green Revolution
B. M.S. Swaminathan
ii. Telecommunications Revolution
C. Sam Pitroda
iii. Satellite Technology and ISRO
D. U.R. Rao
iv. Atomic Energy Programme
Explanation
Several scientists played transformative roles in India’s development. Homi J. Bhabha pioneered the atomic energy programme, while M.S. Swaminathan led the agricultural advancements of the Green Revolution. Sam Pitroda was instrumental in the telecommunications revolution during the 1980s. U.R. Rao made significant contributions to satellite technology and headed the space agency during a period of major expansion and successful orbital launches.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q32. The tragic death of Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, which dealt a significant blow to India’s early atomic energy programme, occurred in 1966 due to which of the following events?
Explanation
Dr. Homi J. Bhabha, the architect of India’s nuclear programme, died tragically in January 1966. His death occurred when Air India Flight 101 crashed on Mont Blanc in the Alps while he was traveling to an international conference. This sudden loss was a severe setback for the country’s scientific community, as he was a key figure in institutionalizing atomic research.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q33. Which of the following was NOT an initiative or committee associated with the early formative years of the Indian space programme under Vikram Sarabhai?
Explanation
The early years of the Indian space programme focused on basic infrastructure and experimental projects. Initiatives like INCOSPAR, the Thumba equatorial station, and the SITE project for educational broadcasting were foundational. However, NavIC is a much more recent development. It refers to the independent regional satellite navigation system that became operational only in the 21st century, long after Sarabhai’s leadership tenure.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q34. Consider the following statements regarding the structural evolution of the Indian space programme: I. INCOSPAR was established in 1962 under the Department of Atomic Energy. II. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was formed in 1969, superseding INCOSPAR. III. The Government of India constituted the Space Commission and established the Department of Space (DOS) in 1972. IV. ISRO was brought under the direct administrative control of the Department of Space in 1972. V. The Department of Space operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
The Indian space programme underwent significant structural changes to ensure its growth. INCOSPAR was followed by the creation of ISRO in 1969. In 1972, the Government established the Space Commission and the Department of Space to provide specialized oversight. Crucially, the Department of Space reports directly to the Prime Minister, rather than being under the administrative control of the Ministry of Defence.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q35. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian pharmaceutical industry post-independence: Statement I: India is often referred to as the ‘pharmacy of the world’ due to its massive production of affordable generic medicines. Statement II: The transition to the production of affordable generic medicines was heavily facilitated by the Indian Patents Act of 1970, which allowed process patents instead of product patents for pharmaceuticals. Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
India is widely recognized as the "pharmacy of the world" because it produces a vast quantity of affordable generic drugs. This success was facilitated by the Patents Act of 1970, which allowed for process patents in the pharmaceutical sector. This legal provision enabled Indian companies to innovate manufacturing methods for existing drugs, thereby lowering costs and expanding global healthcare access significantly.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q36. Arrange the following premier scientific organizations in chronological order of their formal establishment in post-independence India (or transitioning to their modern national role): I. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) II. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) III. Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) IV. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) - transitioning to national lab network Select the correct order from the given options:
Explanation
India’s scientific institutions were established in stages following independence. The CSIR began its national lab network expansion in the late 1940s. The Department of Atomic Energy was formally created in 1954. The Defence Research and Development Organisation followed in 1958 to consolidate defense research. Finally, the Indian Space Research Organisation was established in 1969, marking the formal start of the space agency.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q37. The first Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) was formally inaugurated in 1951 at the site of the former Hijli Detention Camp. Where is this campus located?
Explanation
The first Indian Institute of Technology was established at Kharagpur in West Bengal. It was formally inaugurated in 1951 on the site of the former Hijli Detention Camp, which had served as a prison during the struggle for independence. This location was chosen to transform a place of colonial confinement into a premier center for technical education and national progress.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q38. The establishment of the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and the subsequent creation of the PARAM series of supercomputers was a direct effect of which of the following events?
Explanation
The creation of C-DAC and the PARAM supercomputers was a direct response to international technology restrictions. In the late 1980s, the United States denied India’s request to purchase a Cray X-MP supercomputer for weather forecasting, citing strategic concerns. This refusal led the Indian government to prioritize the development of indigenous high-performance computing, resulting in the successful launch of the PARAM series.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q39. Which of the following statements best reflects the central philosophy of the Scientific Policy Resolution (SPR) of 1958 drafted by the Government of India?
Explanation
The Scientific Policy Resolution of 1958 reflected the government’s belief that science and technology are essential for national prosperity. Its central philosophy was to ensure that the country could fully benefit from scientific advancements through systematic cultivation and application. By promoting scientific research in all its aspects, the resolution aimed to solve social and economic problems and modernize the national infrastructure.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q40. Four of the following crops were primarily targeted for yield improvement during the initial phase of the Green Revolution in India. Identify the odd one out.
Explanation
The initial phase of the Green Revolution in India focused specifically on staple food crops to address chronic food shortages and achieve self-sufficiency. Significant yield improvements were achieved in wheat and rice through high-yielding varieties, followed by advances in maize and other cereals. Conversely, horticultural crops like apples were not the primary target of this intensive cereal-centric agricultural transformation programme.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
31
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
32
(d) A commercial airplane crash near Mont Blanc in the Alps
33
(c) Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC)
34
(b) V only
35
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
36
(a) IV, III, II, I
37
(c) Kharagpur
38
(a) The US denial of export clearance for Cray X-MP supercomputers to India
39
(d) To secure all benefits from the acquisition and application of scientific knowledge
40
(b) Apple
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.
