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 171–180 of 195 questions
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q171. Consider the following statements: Statement I: GSAT-3, also known as EDUSAT, was India’s first exclusive satellite dedicated to the educational sector. Statement II: EDUSAT was a low earth orbit satellite meant to map university campuses. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
This particular satellite was a major milestone as it was the first in the world entirely dedicated to educational services. It allowed for interactive classrooms and distance learning across the country. However, it was placed in a high-altitude orbit to provide wide coverage, not in a low orbit for mapping. Suggestions that it was used for campus imaging are false, as its primary purpose was to deliver high-quality educational content via satellite links to thousands of remote schools and colleges.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q172. Conceptually, communication satellites like those in the GSAT series act as a relay station in space using:
Explanation
Communication satellites function by receiving signals from the ground, amplifying them, and then sending them back down to a wide area. This is done using specialized electronic devices that operate on different parts of the radio spectrum. Each frequency band is suited for different tasks, such as high-quality television or reliable data networks. This technology allows for the seamless transfer of information across the country, making the satellites an essential part of the modern national telecommunications and broadcasting infrastructure.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q173. Which of the following services is generally NOT provided by the standard INSAT/GSAT communication satellites?
Explanation
While these satellites provide many vital services like television broadcasting, internet access, and search and rescue support, they are not designed for high-resolution photography. Taking detailed pictures of the ground is the job of specialized Earth observation satellites that usually fly much closer to the planet. The high-altitude communication fleet is focused on relaying radio signals over vast areas, which is a fundamentally different task from using telescopes to capture detailed images of the surface for strategic intelligence or monitoring.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q174. Identify the correctly matched pair regarding specialized GSAT satellites:
Explanation
The space agency has developed several satellites tailored to the needs of specific users. One of these provides secure and reliable communication links for the naval fleet across the entire Indian Ocean region. Other similar satellites have been launched for the air force or to provide services for neighboring countries. Correctly matching these spacecraft to their primary users highlights how space technology is used to meet the specific strategic and developmental requirements of different branches of the military and the government.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q175. By definition, a High Throughput Satellite (HTS) in the GSAT fleet provides significantly more data capacity than traditional satellites by using:
Explanation
This advanced type of satellite provides much more data capacity than older models by using a specialized design. Instead of one wide signal covering everything, it uses many smaller, focused beams. This allows the same radio frequencies to be used several times in different areas, significantly increasing the total amount of information the satellite can handle. This technology is essential for providing high-speed internet and other data-heavy services to a large number of users across the country simultaneously.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q176. The most appropriate benefit of deploying GSAT networks for India’s rural health sector is:
Explanation
One of the most important uses of satellite technology is connecting remote areas with high-quality medical expertise. By providing reliable data links, these satellites allow doctors in rural clinics to consult with specialists in large cities. This helps in diagnosing and treating patients who might otherwise not have access to advanced care. This practical application of space science has a direct and positive impact on the health and well-being of people living in the most distant parts of the country.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q177. Consider the following statements regarding NavIC: I. It is India’s independent regional navigation satellite system. II. Its operational name is Navigation with Indian Constellation. III. The constellation currently consists of 24 satellites. IV. It provides coverage over the Indian landmass and extending up to 1500 km around it. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
This system is a locally developed navigation service that provides accurate positioning and timing information. It is designed to cover the entire country and a large area around its borders. While it provides essential data for both civilian and strategic users, the current group of satellites is much smaller than the dozens used by global systems. Statements about its name, purpose, and coverage area are correct, but the claim that it already has twenty-four satellites is not accurate.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q178. NavIC provides two types of services. These are:
Explanation
The navigation system provides two distinct levels of data. One is open to everyone and can be used by common devices like smartphones for everyday travel. The other is a highly secure and more accurate signal that is meant only for authorized government and military users. This dual-service approach ensures that the general public benefits from the technology while also providing the specialized and protected data needed for national security and other critical strategic and scientific applications.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q179. The space segment of the IRNSS (NavIC) originally consists of a constellation of how many satellites?
Explanation
The original design for the regional navigation system required a specific number of satellites to provide full and reliable coverage. This small group of seven spacecraft was placed in carefully chosen orbits to ensure they are always visible from any part of the country. This efficient configuration provides high accuracy for the intended area without the need for the dozens of satellites required by systems that aim for global coverage. It represents a major accomplishment in indigenous satellite network design and operation.
RAS PrelimsScience and Technology · Defence and Space Technology in India
Q180. Consider the following statements: Statement I: The NavIC constellation utilizes satellites placed in both Geostationary and Geosynchronous orbits. Statement II: NavIC relies on atomic clocks imported from Russia. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The navigation system uses a mix of high-altitude orbits to keep the satellites in view of the region at all times. This includes some that stay in one spot and others that move in a figure-eight pattern. While some early components were imported, the long-term goal has been to develop these critical parts indigenously. Suggestions that the system relies entirely on foreign-made clocks are incorrect, as successful efforts have been made to produce and use locally built atomic clocks for the satellites.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
171
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
172
(b) Transponders in C, Ku, and Ka bands.
173
(b) High-resolution optical spy imagery.
174
(a) GSAT-7 (Rukmini) : Dedicated communication for the Indian Navy
175
(c) Multiple spot beams for frequency reuse.
176
(d) Enabling Tele-medicine and expert consultation via VSAT.
177
(b) I, II, and IV only
178
(a) Standard Positioning Service (SPS) and Restricted Service (RS)
179
(b) 7
180
(a) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect.
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.
