Q51. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, before heading the IGMDP under DRDO, made a historic contribution to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) by serving as the Project Director for which of the following missions?
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 51–60 of 68 questions
Q52. Identify the correct pair regarding the premier scientific research institutes and their locations in India.
Explanation
India has numerous specialized research institutes under the CSIR. The Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology is based in Hyderabad, and the Central Drug Research Institute is located in Lucknow. Similarly, the National Brain Research Centre is situated in Manesar. However, the National Botanical Research Institute is actually located in Lucknow, rather than Pune, making that specific geographic pair incorrect in the list.
Q53. The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize, one of the highest multidisciplinary science awards in India, is awarded annually by the CSIR. Which of the following is the most appropriate eligibility criterion for this award?
Explanation
The Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize is a prestigious award honoring excellence in various scientific disciplines in India. It is specifically designed to recognize and encourage young scientists who have made outstanding contributions to their respective fields. To be eligible for this award, a researcher must be an Indian citizen or an Overseas Citizen of India under the age of forty-five years.
Q54. Which of the following options represents the correct chronological order of the first successful flight tests of India’s indigenous missile systems?
Explanation
The development of India’s missile systems followed a distinct timeline. Prithvi-I, a short-range ballistic missile, was first tested in 1988. This was followed by the Agni-I technology demonstrator in 1989. Much later, the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile was successfully tested in 2001. Finally, the Agni-V, an intercontinental-range ballistic missile, conducted its first successful flight test in 2012, marking advanced strategic capability.
Q55. Four of the following terms belong to the category of Indian space launch vehicles. Identify the odd one out.
Explanation
India’s space programme utilizes various launch vehicles to place payloads into different orbits. ASLV, PSLV, and GSLV are all categories of rockets designed to carry satellites into space. In contrast, INSAT refers to the Indian National Satellite System, which is a series of multi-purpose geostationary satellites used for telecommunications and meteorology. Thus, INSAT is a satellite series, not a launch vehicle.
Q56. Which of the following statements correctly describes the capability of the Agni-V missile developed by DRDO?
Explanation
The Agni-V is a critical component of India’s strategic nuclear deterrence. It is a three-stage, solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile developed indigenously by DRDO. With a designated strike range exceeding 5,000 kilometers, it allows the country to reach targets across vast distances. This capability places India among an elite group of nations possessing advanced long-range missile technology for national defense.
Q57. Consider the following statements regarding the PARAM 8000 supercomputer:
Statement I: It was designed using a distributed memory parallel architecture.
Statement II: It relied entirely on imported microprocessors designed by the Soviet Union to bypass American sanctions.
Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Statement I: It was designed using a distributed memory parallel architecture.
Statement II: It relied entirely on imported microprocessors designed by the Soviet Union to bypass American sanctions.
Identify the correct statement from the options below.
Explanation
The PARAM 8000 supercomputer utilized a distributed memory parallel architecture, which allowed it to process multiple tasks simultaneously for high efficiency. Contrary to relying on Soviet technology, the project aimed to overcome Western sanctions through indigenous innovation. It used commercially available microprocessors integrated with custom-designed hardware and software, rather than specific Soviet-designed chips, to build a powerful domestic computing system.
Q58. What was the primary institutional cause for the establishment of Antrix Corporation Limited in 1992?
Explanation
Antrix Corporation Limited was established in 1992 as a wholly government-owned company. Its primary role is to function as the commercial and marketing arm of the Indian Space Research Organisation. By offering satellite launch services, providing satellite data, and marketing space-related technical consultancy, Antrix enables India to compete in the global space market and generate revenue from its indigenous capabilities.
Q59. Match the major Science and Technology policies of the Government of India in List I with their respective years of adoption in List II.
| Policy | Year |
|---|---|
| A. Scientific Policy Resolution | i. 1958 |
| B. Technology Policy Statement | ii. 1983 |
| C. Science and Technology Policy | iii. 2003 |
| D. Science, Technology and Innovation Policy (STIP) | iv. 2013 |
Explanation
The Government of India has periodically updated its science and technology framework through various policy documents. The foundational Scientific Policy Resolution was adopted in 1958. This was followed by the Technology Policy Statement in 1983. Later, the Science and Technology Policy was introduced in 2003. Finally, the more recent Science, Technology and Innovation Policy was adopted in 2013 to integrate innovation strategies.
Q60. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) was formally established as an autonomous body in September 1942. Its foundation day is annually celebrated in India on which date?
Explanation
The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research was formally established in 1942 as an autonomous society. Since then, it has grown into one of the world’s largest public-funded research organizations. To commemorate its establishment, CSIR celebrates its Foundation Day annually on September 26 across its network of national laboratories. This day serves to recognize scientific achievements and promote a research culture.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (a) Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-3) |
| 52 | (c) National Botanical Research Institute (NBRI) - Pune |
| 53 | (d) For outstanding contributions to science by researchers under the age of 45 |
| 54 | (a) Prithvi-I, Agni-I technology demonstrator, BrahMos, Agni-V |
| 55 | (c) INSAT |
| 56 | (d) An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) with a range over 5,000 km |
| 57 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect |
| 58 | (b) To act as ISRO’s commercial arm to market space products and launch services globally |
| 59 | (a) A-i, B-ii, C-iii, D-iv |
| 60 | (a) September 26 |
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.