Q141. India possesses vast reserves of Thorium, critical for the third stage of its nuclear program. These reserves are primarily found in monazite sands located in:
Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization: RAS Prelims MCQs
154 RAS Prelims MCQs on recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation cover Indian scientists and their work, recent technology and defence indigenisation. C. V. Raman, Ramanujan, Kalam, Bhabha, Khorana, mRNA vaccines, the Bhashini mission, INS Vikrant and defence exports are asked as facts, pairs and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 141–150 of 154 questions
Q142. Identify the correct pair matching the nuclear power station with its location state.
Explanation
The Kakrapar Atomic Power Station is a major nuclear facility located in Gujarat. It recently achieved a significant milestone with the commercial operation of its 700 MWe indigenous reactors. Other plants like Kudankulam are in Tamil Nadu, and Narora is in Uttar Pradesh. These stations are strategically distributed to provide stable, base-load power to different regional grids across the country, supporting industrial and domestic energy needs.
Q143. Which of the following statements regarding Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) in India is incorrect?
Explanation
Pressurised Heavy Water Reactors (PHWRs) are the mainstay of India’s first stage of nuclear power. A major technical advantage of these reactors is that they use natural uranium as fuel, eliminating the need for expensive and complex uranium enrichment facilities. They utilize heavy water as both a moderator and a coolant. Modern Indian-designed 700 MWe PHWRs represent a significant achievement in domestic engineering and safety standards.
Q144. What is the most appropriate reason for India developing Advanced Heavy Water Reactors (AHWRs)?
Explanation
The Advanced Heavy Water Reactor (AHWR) is a unique Indian design specifically developed to expedite the utilization of thorium for power generation. It serves as a technological bridge that demonstrates the feasibility of the thorium fuel cycle. By using a mix of thorium and other fissile materials, the AHWR provides a platform to refine the systems and safety protocols needed for large-scale thorium-based energy production.
Q145. Which of the following Indian states is an exception and currently DOES NOT have an operational commercial nuclear power plant?
Explanation
Commercial nuclear power plants in India are currently operational in states like Tamil Nadu (Kudankulam, Kalpakkam), Rajasthan (Rawatbhata), Karnataka (Kaiga), and Gujarat (Kakrapar). Other facilities exist in Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh. As of now, Bihar does not have an operational commercial nuclear power plant, although the government continues to evaluate potential sites across the country for the future expansion of the nuclear energy program.
Q146. Consider the following statements regarding India’s 3-stage nuclear program:
I. Stage 1 utilizes Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors fueled by natural Uranium.
II. Stage 2 utilizes Fast Breeder Reactors fueled by a mixed oxide of Plutonium and Uranium.
III. Stage 3 utilizes Advanced Heavy Water Reactors fueled by Thorium-232 and Uranium-233.
IV. Fast Breeder Reactors produce more fissile material than they consume.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. Stage 1 utilizes Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors fueled by natural Uranium.
II. Stage 2 utilizes Fast Breeder Reactors fueled by a mixed oxide of Plutonium and Uranium.
III. Stage 3 utilizes Advanced Heavy Water Reactors fueled by Thorium-232 and Uranium-233.
IV. Fast Breeder Reactors produce more fissile material than they consume.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan has implemented several digital initiatives, including e-Mitra for service delivery, RajKaj for government workflow, and Rajasthan Sampark for grievance redressal. The Single Sign-On system provides a unified identity for accessing these services. Together, these programs are designed to improve governance transparency, enhance the efficiency of citizen service delivery, and make the government more accessible to people through modern technology.
Q147. Despite a growing export footprint, India remains a significant importer of certain critical military platforms. Which of the following is an exception, being an area where India is aggressively pursuing export orders rather than importing?
Explanation
India is pursuing export orders for artillery systems like ATAGS and multi-barrel rocket launchers, whereas it still imports heavy turbofan engines, strategic bombers and heavy-lift transport aircraft.
Q148. Identify the odd one out among entities contributing majorly to India’s defence exports.
Explanation
Entities like Munitions India Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited are key manufacturers that contribute directly to India’s defense production and export volume. In contrast, SIPRI is an independent international institute based in Sweden that researches and provides data on global arms transfers, military spending, and disarmament. While it tracks India’s progress in the global arms market, it is not involved in manufacturing or exporting defense equipment.
Q149. What has been the primary economic effect of the Ministry of Defence notifying Positive Indigenization Lists on the export sector?
Explanation
The Positive Indigenization Lists create a guaranteed domestic market for Indian defense companies by banning the import of certain items. This assured demand allows manufacturers to invest in large-scale production facilities. As production volume increases, the unit cost of these weapon systems typically decreases. These lower costs, combined with proven technical performance, make Indian defense products much more attractive and competitive in the international export market.
Q150. The Ministry of Defence launched the SRIJAN portal to promote indigenization. What is the primary purpose of this portal?
Explanation
The SRIJAN portal is a central platform created to facilitate the "Make in India" initiative in the defense sector. It lists thousands of items and components that were previously imported by the military. By making this information transparent, the government encourages Indian MSMEs and private industries to take up the challenge of indigenizing these products, providing them with a clear roadmap of domestic procurement opportunities.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 141 | (c) The coastal beaches of Kerala and Odisha |
| 142 | (d) Kakrapar Atomic Power Station - Gujarat |
| 143 | (a) They require highly enriched uranium (over 90%) to sustain a chain reaction |
| 144 | (b) To serve as a bridge to the Thorium-based third stage nuclear program |
| 145 | (a) Bihar |
| 146 | (d) I, II, III, and IV |
| 147 | (d) Artillery systems (like ATAGS) and Multi- Barrel Rocket Launchers |
| 148 | (b) Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) |
| 149 | (c) Scaling domestic manufacturing lowers costs and boosts global competitiveness. |
| 150 | (a) To provide information on items imported by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) so that Indian industry can design, develop, and manufacture them domestically |
Key facts from Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization
- C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the scattering of light; National Science Day on 28 February marks the discovery of the Raman Effect.
- The IGMDP began in 1983; Kalam promoted PURA, the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas.
- Homi J. Bhabha is the father of the Indian nuclear programme, and his three-stage plan uses PHWRs, fast breeder reactors and thorium reactors.
- Har Gobind Khorana showed that nucleotide triplets code for specific amino acids.
- mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus or alter the genome; the cell breaks down the mRNA after making the viral protein.
- Bhashini uses AI to break language barriers; INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier; India is seeking export orders for ATAGS artillery.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization?
This page has 154 practice MCQs on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Why is National Science Day celebrated on 28 February?
To commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928 by C. V. Raman. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light.
What does PURA stand for?
Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas, a concept advocated by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It aimed to give villages the roads, connectivity and services of towns so that rural development would be balanced.
Do mRNA vaccines change human DNA?
No. mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cell or integrate with the human genome. The cell uses the instruction to make the viral protein and then breaks down the mRNA.