Q61. Which of the following statements regarding India’s three-stage nuclear programme is incorrect?
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 61–68 of 68 questions
Q62. 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.
Q63. 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.
Q64. 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.
Q65. 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.
Q66. 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.
Q67. 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.
Q68. 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 |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) The third stage utilizes Advanced Heavy Water Reactors fueled by highly enriched Uranium-235 imported from NSG countries. |
| 62 | (a) I and II |
| 63 | (c) Controlled and assured irrigation alongside chemical fertilizers and pesticides |
| 64 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 65 | (c) IV only |
| 66 | (c) United Kingdom |
| 67 | (a) Hyderabad - HITEC City |
| 68 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct |
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.