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 131–140 of 195 questions
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q131. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The primary reason for the failure of the Chandrayaan-2 lander was a software glitch that caused loss of control during the fine braking phase. Statement II: Chandrayaan-3 utilized the exact same lander design and software algorithms as Chandrayaan-2 without modifications. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The failure of the previous landing attempt was traced to a software issue during the final descent phase. For the subsequent mission, significant changes were made to both the hardware and the software to ensure success. This included strengthening the landing legs and updating the control algorithms to handle a wider range of conditions. Suggestions that the later mission used an identical design without any modifications are incorrect, as those changes were critical to the successful landing near the south pole.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q132. A key conceptual design change in the Chandrayaan-3 lander compared to Chandrayaan-2 was:
Explanation
To improve the chances of a successful touchdown, several important modifications were made to the landing vehicle. One key change was the simplification of the propulsion system by removing a central engine, which allowed for better control and more fuel capacity. Additionally, the structural support for the landing was made much stronger to withstand a wider range of impact speeds. These improvements were based on the lessons learned from the previous attempt and were essential for the successful landing.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q133. Which of the following components was NOT a part of the Chandrayaan-3 mission configuration?
Explanation
Unlike the previous mission, this one did not carry a full-featured science orbiter. Instead, it used a propulsion module to carry the lander and rover to the moon’s vicinity. Once the landing vehicle was released, the propulsion module stayed in orbit and carried a single scientific experiment. The focus of the mission was entirely on achieving a soft landing and conducting experiments on the surface, using the lander and rover as the primary platforms for scientific discovery and technological demonstration.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q134. Identify the correctly matched pair of the Chandrayaan mission elements:
Explanation
The vehicle designed to land softly on the lunar surface was named in honor of the father of the national space program. Meanwhile, the small six-wheeled vehicle that explored the surface was given a name meaning wisdom. Other terms were used for different parts of the mission or previous experiments. Correctly identifying these components is important for understanding the structure and history of the country’s successful efforts to explore the moon and achieve complex technological milestones in deep space.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q135. By definition, a Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI) maneuver during the Chandrayaan missions refers to:
Explanation
When a spacecraft traveling from Earth reaches the moon, it is moving too fast to stay in orbit naturally. To be captured by the moon’s gravity, the spacecraft must fire its engines in a specific direction to slow down. This critical maneuver allows it to transition from a journey through deep space into a stable path around the moon. Success in this step is essential for any mission that intends to study the moon from orbit or land on its surface.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q136. What is the most appropriate overarching objective of ISRO’s Chandrayaan series?
Explanation
The primary aim of these missions is to develop and prove the advanced technologies needed for landing on other worlds and exploring their surfaces. This includes mastering the complexities of deep space navigation, soft landing, and operating robotic vehicles in extreme environments. While the scientific data collected is valuable, the long-term goal is to build a foundation for future exploration and showcase the nation’s maturity as a major spacefaring power capable of complex interplanetary missions and scientific discovery.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q137. Consider the following scientific payloads carried by the Chandrayaan-3 Vikram lander: I. RAMBHA-LP II. ChaSTE III. ILSA IV. SHAPE Which of the above statement(s) is/are payloads situated on the lander itself?
Explanation
The landing vehicle carried several specialized instruments to study the lunar environment. These included tools to measure the thermal properties of the soil, the plasma density near the surface, and any seismic activity or moonquakes. These experiments were designed to provide a better understanding of the moon’s characteristics near its south pole. While other payloads were part of the overall mission, they were located on different components like the propulsion module or the mobile rover that explored the area.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q138. Match the Chandrayaan-3 payloads in List I with their functions in List II:
Payload
Function
A. ChaSTE
i. Measures lunar seismic activity
B. ILSA
ii. Derives elemental composition of lunar soil
C. APXS (on Rover)
iii. Measures near-surface plasma density
D. RAMBHA
iv. Measures thermal properties of the lunar surface
Explanation
Different instruments were assigned specific scientific tasks during the mission. One measured the temperature and heat conduction of the lunar soil, while another was designed to detect vibrations or seismic events. The mobile rover used its equipment to identify the chemical elements present in the rocks and dirt. Finally, an instrument on the lander studied the thin layer of gas and plasma near the surface. Together, these tools provided a comprehensive picture of the environment at the landing site.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q139. On which date did the Chandrayaan-3 lander successfully touch down near the lunar south pole?
Explanation
This specific day marked a historic achievement as the country successfully landed a spacecraft near the moon’s southern pole. The perfect touchdown followed a complex series of maneuvers and was watched by millions around the world. It made the nation the first to reach this challenging and scientifically important region of the moon. This event was a major victory for the space agency and is now celebrated as a significant milestone in the country’s scientific and technological history and progress.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q140. The Indian government officially named the landing site of Chandrayaan-3 as:
Explanation
Following the successful touchdown of the mission, the specific location where the vehicle landed was given an official name. This title was chosen to represent the combined strength and effort that led to the achievement. It has since become a permanent part of lunar geography, recognized in national and international records. Naming such landmarks is a tradition in space exploration to commemorate historic achievements and provide a lasting legacy for the teams of scientists and engineers involved.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
131
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
132
(a) Central engine removal and strengthening of landing legs.
133
(c) Dedicated lunar orbiter payload module.
134
(a) Lunar Lander : Vikram
135
(d) Engine firing to allow capture by the Moon’s gravity.
136
(b) To demonstrate tech capabilities for planetary exploration and lunar study.
137
(a) I, II, and III only
138
(a) A-iv, B-i, C-ii, D-iii
139
(b) August 23, 2023
140
(b) Shiv Shakti Point
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.
