Q1961. Conceptually, what was the significance of the "hop experiment" performed by the Vikram lander before it went to sleep?
RAS Prelims MCQ Practice
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Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q1962. Which of the following countries did NOT achieve a soft landing on the Moon before India?
Explanation
While several major nations had reached the lunar surface in the past, including the Soviet Union, the United States, and China, others were still working toward this goal. At the time of the successful landing in 2023, this particular East Asian nation had not yet achieved a soft landing on the moon. This achievement placed the country in a very select group of global powers with the technology and expertise to successfully land and operate vehicles on another world’s surface.
Q1963. To commemorate the success of Chandrayaan-3, August 23 has been declared in India as:
Explanation
To honor the historic success of the mission that landed near the moon’s south pole, the government designated this day as a special annual celebration. It serves to inspire future generations and recognize the immense hard work of the scientists and engineers involved in the space program. This day commemorates the nation’s growth into a leading spacefaring power and its commitment to exploring the frontiers of science and technology for the benefit of all humanity through peaceful space research.
Q1964. The cause of the Vikram lander and Pragyan rover permanently losing communication after 14 Earth days was:
Explanation
The mission was designed to operate for one lunar day, which lasts about two Earth weeks. When the sun went down at the landing site, the vehicles lost their source of energy and were exposed to extreme cold that they were not built to survive. While there was hope that they might wake up when the sun returned, the damage from the freezing night meant they stayed silent. This was the planned end for the primary phase of the successful mission.
Q1965. Identify the odd one out among the following Indian space missions:
Explanation
Most of the listed missions are part of a series dedicated to exploring the moon. This particular mission stands out because its target is a completely different planet. While the others have successfully reached or orbited the moon, this one is a future project aimed at studying the atmosphere and surface of Venus. This difference in target and mission class makes it the clear exception in a list otherwise focused on the country’s long-running and successful lunar exploration program.
Q1966. Consider the following statements regarding the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan):
I. It was launched in 2013 using the PSLV-C25.
II. It made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit.
III. It made ISRO the first space agency to succeed in a Mars mission on its maiden attempt.
IV. The total cost of the mission was approximately Rs 450 crore.
V. It included a lander named ‘Mars-Vikram’.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It was launched in 2013 using the PSLV-C25.
II. It made India the first Asian nation to reach Martian orbit.
III. It made ISRO the first space agency to succeed in a Mars mission on its maiden attempt.
IV. The total cost of the mission was approximately Rs 450 crore.
V. It included a lander named ‘Mars-Vikram’.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The mission to the red planet was launched in 2013 and achieved several major records. It made the nation the first in Asia to reach Mars and the first in the world to succeed on its initial attempt. The mission was also famous for being extremely cost-effective. However, it was an orbiter-only mission and did not include any landing vehicle. All statements regarding its launch date, cost, and historical significance are accurate, while the claim about a lander is incorrect.
Q1967. Mangalyaan (MOM) was launched from Sriharikota on:
Explanation
On this day, the mission to explore the red planet began with a successful lift-off from the national spaceport. The spacecraft started its journey using a reliable polar launch vehicle, which placed it into an initial orbit around Earth before it headed for Mars. This event marked the beginning of one of the most successful and celebrated chapters in the country’s space history, eventually leading to a perfect entry into Martian orbit nearly a year later in 2014.
Q1968. A globally recognized hallmark of the Mars Orbiter Mission was its cost-effectiveness. The mission’s approximate cost of $74 million was famously compared to:
Explanation
One of the most talked-about aspects of the mission was how little it cost compared to other deep space projects. The total expense was famously noted to be less than the amount spent on producing a major space-themed film in the United States. This achievement highlighted the efficiency and ingenuity of the national space agency, showing that high-quality scientific exploration could be done at a fraction of the cost typically associated with such ambitious interplanetary missions in other countries.
Q1969. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: India became the fourth space agency globally to reach Mars, after Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency.
Statement II: The Mars Orbiter Mission was designed for an operational life of 10 years but lasted only 6 months.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: India became the fourth space agency globally to reach Mars, after Roscosmos, NASA, and the European Space Agency.
Statement II: The Mars Orbiter Mission was designed for an operational life of 10 years but lasted only 6 months.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The successful arrival at the red planet placed the nation among a very small group of global agencies that have reached Mars. While the mission was originally designed to last for only six months, its performance was so good that it continued to operate and send data for many years. Suggestions that it failed early are completely false, as the spacecraft far outlived its expected lifespan, providing a wealth of information about the Martian atmosphere and surface features during its operation.
Q1970. Conceptually, what orbital maneuver did Mangalyaan use to travel from Earth to Mars while consuming minimal fuel?
Explanation
To reach a distant planet with the limited fuel available, the spacecraft used a specific type of efficient path. This involves moving in an elliptical curve that touches the orbits of both the starting and destination planets. By timing the launch and the engine firings perfectly, the mission was able to use the sun’s gravity to help it travel millions of kilometers. This classic maneuver is a standard in interplanetary travel but requires precise calculations to ensure a successful arrival.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1961 | (a) Engine firing for tech validation of future return missions. |
| 1962 | (c) Japan |
| 1963 | (d) National Space Day |
| 1964 | (c) Lunar night onset, freezing temperatures, and no solar power. |
| 1965 | (b) Shukrayaan-1 |
| 1966 | (a) I, II, III, and IV only |
| 1967 | (a) November 5, 2013 |
| 1968 | (c) The budget of the Hollywood movie ‘Gravity’. |
| 1969 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 1970 | (d) Hohmann transfer orbit |
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on RAS Prelims?
This page has 9654 practice MCQs on the RAS Prelims syllabus. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How should I practise MCQs for RAS Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation. Practise one chapter at a time, note the facts you got wrong and revise them. Repeat the chapter after a few days.
Are these actual RAS Prelims past-paper questions?
No. These are practice questions written for the RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the pattern the exam uses: factual questions, statement-based questions, match-the-list and assertion-reason.