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 41–50 of 68 questions
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q41. Match the following major laboratories of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in List I with their respective locations in List II.
DRDO Laboratory
Location
A. Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE)
i. Pune
B. Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE)
ii. Bengaluru
C. Defence Laboratory (DLJ)
iii. Delhi
D. Laser Science and Technology Centre (LASTEC)
iv. Jodhpur
Explanation
DRDO operates a network of specialized laboratories across India. The Aeronautical Development Establishment is located in Bengaluru, focusing on flight technologies. The Armament Research and Development Establishment is based in Pune. The Defence Laboratory is situated in Jodhpur, while the Laser Science and Technology Centre operates in Delhi. These facilities work on different aspects of military hardware and strategic technological research.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q42. The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III (GSLV Mk III), which successfully launched the Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3 missions, has been officially renamed by ISRO as:
Explanation
The Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mark III is India’s most powerful launch vehicle, capable of carrying heavy payloads into orbit. It played a critical role in major lunar exploration missions, including Chandrayaan-2 and Chandrayaan-3. ISRO has officially renamed this heavy-lift rocket as LVM3 to reflect its mission capabilities more accurately as a versatile launch system for various orbital requirements.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q43. Which of the following statements regarding the administration of the Department of Space (DOS) in India is incorrect?
Explanation
The Department of Space in India has a unique administrative structure designed to ensure direct executive oversight. It reports directly to the Prime Minister, rather than being part of the Ministry of Science and Technology. The Space Commission provides policy guidance, while ISRO serves as the research arm. This arrangement facilitates rapid decision-making and strategic planning for the country’s space programme.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q44. Consider the following statements regarding the contributions of Homi J. Bhabha: I. He was the founding director of the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR). II. He served as the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission of India. III. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the cosmic ray cascade process. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Homi J. Bhabha was a central figure in Indian science, founding the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research and serving as the first Chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. While his theoretical work in physics was internationally acclaimed and led to nominations, he did not receive the Nobel Prize. His legacy primarily lies in institutionalizing scientific research and pioneering the atomic energy programme.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q45. Consider the following statements regarding the Indian IT industry: Statement I: The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) provided single-window clearance and tax incentives to IT companies in the 1990s. Statement II: Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) was one of the earliest Indian IT companies to pioneer the global delivery model for software services. Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
The growth of India’s IT industry was driven by both government support and private enterprise. The Software Technology Parks of India provided essential infrastructure and tax benefits during the 1990s. Simultaneously, companies like Tata Consultancy Services were pioneers in developing the global delivery model. These combined efforts allowed the sector to provide high-quality software services to international clients efficiently.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q46. Given below are two statements, one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The initial phase of the Green Revolution in India led to widening regional economic disparities. Reason (R): The high-yielding variety technologies were primarily successful in regions with assured irrigation infrastructure, such as Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. In the context of the above statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
The initial phase of the Green Revolution significantly boosted food production but also created regional economic disparities. This occurred because high-yielding variety seeds required reliable irrigation and chemical inputs, which were more readily available in states like Punjab, Haryana, and western Uttar Pradesh. Consequently, these regions prospered while areas lacking similar infrastructure did not experience the same level of agricultural growth.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q47. Consider the following statements regarding the Pokhran-II nuclear tests: I. The tests were conducted over three days in May 1998. II. The operation involved the testing of a thermonuclear device. III. Following the successful tests, India immediately signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT). IV. The date of the first test, May 11, was officially declared as National Technology Day in India. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Pokhran-II tests in May 1998 involved multiple detonations, including a thermonuclear device, over several days. Following these successful tests, the government declared May 11 as National Technology Day to celebrate scientific achievement. Crucially, India did not sign the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty afterward, maintaining its strategic autonomy and refusing to accept what it considered discriminatory international nuclear non-proliferation regimes.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q48. Although established before independence, the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bangalore saw significant expansion in its aerospace and scientific research capabilities post-independence under the directorship of which prominent space scientist?
Explanation
The Indian Institute of Science in Bangalore saw a major transformation in its aerospace and atmospheric research capabilities after independence. This expansion occurred significantly under the leadership of Satish Dhawan, who served as the Institute’s director. His dual role as the head of ISRO and IISc helped integrate academic research with the practical requirements of the burgeoning national space programmes.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q49. The Indian biotechnology sector has made massive strides in vaccine manufacturing. Which of the following is NOT an indigenous Indian biopharmaceutical company known for vaccine development or manufacturing?
Explanation
India’s biotechnology sector is home to several major indigenous firms specializing in vaccine production. Companies like the Serum Institute of India and Bharat Biotech have achieved global recognition for their manufacturing capacity and development of domestic vaccines. While Pfizer has a significant presence in India, it is a multinational corporation headquartered in the United States, not an indigenous Indian pharmaceutical company.
RAS PrelimsModern Indian History · Science and Technology in Independent India
Q50. Match the series of indigenous supercomputers in List I with the respective Indian organizations that developed them in List II.
Supercomputer Series
Developing Organization
A. PARAM series
i. Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)
B. Anupam series
ii. National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL)
C. PACE series
iii. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
D. Flosolver
iv. Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC)
Explanation
Different Indian organizations developed supercomputers to meet specialized needs. C-DAC produced the PARAM series for general-purpose high-performance computing. The Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed the Anupam series for nuclear research. DRDO created the PACE series for defense and aerodynamic simulations, while the National Aerospace Laboratories built the Flosolver specifically to solve complex fluid dynamics problems relevant to aviation and meteorological studies.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
41
(a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii
42
(d) LVM3 (Launch Vehicle Mark-3)
43
(a) The DOS operates under the administrative jurisdiction of the Ministry of Science and Technology
44
(a) I and II
45
(c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct
46
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
47
(c) I, II and IV
48
(c) Satish Dhawan
49
(b) Pfizer India
50
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-iii, D-ii
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.
