Q91. What specific technology manages the inherently unstable design of the LCA Tejas to keep it flyable?
Defence and Space Technology in India: RAS Prelims MCQs
195 RAS Prelims MCQs on defence and space technology in India cover DRDO, the missile programme, nuclear policy and space missions. The founding year of DRDO, its motto, the five missiles of the IGMDP, Agni-V, the Nuclear Doctrine and the major ISRO missions are asked as facts, and each explanation connects the system to its purpose.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 91–100 of 195 questions
Q92. Consider the following statements:
Statement I: A large portion of the LCA Tejas airframe is built using carbon-fibre composite materials.
Statement II: The use of composite materials increases the aircraft’s weight but reduces its radar signature.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: A large portion of the LCA Tejas airframe is built using carbon-fibre composite materials.
Statement II: The use of composite materials increases the aircraft’s weight but reduces its radar signature.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
A significant portion of the aircraft’s structure is made from advanced carbon-fiber materials. These composites are used because they are much lighter than traditional aluminum while maintaining high strength. This weight reduction allows for better performance and fuel efficiency. Furthermore, these materials also help in reducing the aircraft’s visibility on radar. Suggestions that the use of composites increases the weight of the aircraft are incorrect, as their primary benefit is lightness.
Q93. The conceptual application of a glass cockpit in the LCA Tejas refers to:
Explanation
Modern aircraft use digital screens to provide the pilot with all necessary flight and combat information. This replaces the numerous mechanical gauges and dials found in older jets. These electronic displays can be customized to show specific data depending on the mission phase, which reduces the pilot’s workload and improves situational awareness. This transition from analog to digital instrumentation is what defines this advanced cockpit technology in contemporary high-performance combat aircraft.
Q94. Which of the following variants is NOT associated with the LCA Tejas development programme?
Explanation
The light combat aircraft was designed as a multi-role fighter for air defense and close air support missions. While various versions have been developed for training and naval operations, there is no plan to turn this small, agile platform into a large strategic bomber. Such a role requires an entirely different class of aircraft with much greater size and payload capacity. The program focuses on fighter, trainer, and carrier-based variants instead.
Q95. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding the systems on the LCA Tejas Mk-1A:
Explanation
The updated version of the fighter features a sophisticated indigenous radar system that provides superior tracking and targeting capabilities. While the aircraft uses an engine from a foreign supplier and seats from a specialized British manufacturer, the radar is a major domestic achievement. It allows the jet to detect multiple threats at long ranges. The integration of this advanced electronic system significantly enhances the combat effectiveness of the light fighter for modern air operations.
Q96. By definition, the LCA Tejas is classified as the smallest and lightest in which category of contemporary aircraft?
Explanation
This indigenous jet is notable for being one of the smallest and most lightweight planes in its category. Despite its size, it is capable of traveling faster than the speed of sound and carrying a wide array of modern weapons. It was specifically designed to be a highly maneuverable multi-role platform for air-to-air and air-to-ground missions. This combination of small footprint and high performance makes it a unique asset for the national air force.
Q97. What is the most appropriate historical objective of the LCA programme when it was initiated in the 1980s?
Explanation
When the program was first conceived several decades ago, its primary goal was to create a modern domestic alternative to the vast number of older Soviet-made jets. These aging aircraft were the backbone of the air force and needed a capable successor that could be produced locally. The indigenous fighter was designed to provide a versatile and technologically advanced platform to maintain air superiority and modernize the country’s tactical combat aircraft inventory.
Q98. Consider the following statements regarding the Advanced Towed Artillery Gun System (ATAGS):
I. It is a 155 mm / 52 calibre howitzer.
II. It was jointly developed by DRDO with private sector partners Tata Power SED and Bharat Forge.
III. It holds the record for the longest firing range in its class.
IV. It is a self-propelled tracked artillery gun akin to a tank.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. It is a 155 mm / 52 calibre howitzer.
II. It was jointly developed by DRDO with private sector partners Tata Power SED and Bharat Forge.
III. It holds the record for the longest firing range in its class.
IV. It is a self-propelled tracked artillery gun akin to a tank.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
This advanced artillery system is a towed howitzer with a hundred-and-fifty-five-millimeter caliber. It was developed through a successful partnership between national laboratories and several private sector engineering firms. The gun has demonstrated an exceptional firing range during trials, setting records for its class. It is designed to be moved by a vehicle and is not a self-propelled platform like a tank. The project showcases the strength of indigenous collaborative defense research and manufacturing.
Q99. Match the artillery systems in List I with their key descriptors in List II:
| System | Descriptor |
|---|---|
| A. ATAGS | i. Ultra-light howitzer from the USA |
| B. K9 Vajra | ii. Self-propelled tracked howitzer |
| C. Dhanush | iii. Indigenous towed 155mm/52 calibre gun |
| D. M777 | iv. Upgraded indigenous version of the Bofors gun |
Explanation
The ATAGS is a locally developed towed gun with a long-range capability. The K9 Vajra is a tracked, self-propelled howitzer. The Dhanush represents an upgraded indigenous version based on an older European design. Finally, the M777 is a lightweight gun imported for use in difficult terrain. These varied systems provide the army with a flexible artillery force capable of operating in different environments, from plains and deserts to high-altitude mountainous regions.
Q100. The ATAGS features a gun barrel of what caliber and length?
Explanation
This powerful artillery gun uses a barrel with a diameter of one hundred and fifty-five millimeters. The length of the barrel is fifty-two times its diameter, a specification that allows for high muzzle velocity and a significantly extended firing range. This combination of caliber and length is a standard for modern heavy artillery, ensuring that the system can provide effective and precise fire support over long distances during various types of combat operations and battlefield scenarios.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 91 | (d) Fly-by-wire digital flight control system |
| 92 | (a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect. |
| 93 | (b) Electronic displays rather than traditional analog dials. |
| 94 | (b) Tejas Strategic Bomber |
| 95 | (a) Radar : Uttam AESA radar (indigenous) |
| 96 | (c) Supersonic combat aircraft |
| 97 | (d) To replace the aging fleet of MiG-21 fighters. |
| 98 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 99 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-iv, D-i |
| 100 | (c) 155 mm / 52 calibre |
Key facts from Defence and Space Technology in India
- The Defence Research and Development Organisation was established in 1958; its motto is Balasya Mulam Vigyanam.
- The five core missiles of the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme are Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag and Akash, remembered as PATNA.
- The IGMDP was reinforced by the limits of the Missile Technology Control Regime; Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is called the Missile Man of India.
- Agni-V is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile; the Prithvi is a surface-to-surface battlefield missile.
- India formally adopted its Nuclear Doctrine in 2003.
- The Atmanirbhar Bharat reforms opened the space sector to private participation.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Defence and Space Technology in India?
This page has 195 practice MCQs on Defence and Space Technology in India (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
When was DRDO established?
In 1958. It is the research and development wing of the Ministry of Defence, and its motto is Balasya Mulam Vigyanam, meaning the source of strength is science.
What does PATNA stand for?
The five core missile systems of the IGMDP: Prithvi, Agni, Trishul, Nag and Akash. The programme was led by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam and launched in 1983.
What is the category of the Agni-V missile?
An Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM), with a range of more than 5,000 km. It can carry a payload of around 1,500 kg, and it can carry multiple warheads, which makes it a strategic weapon.