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Science & technology

Prelims · Science & technology · 22 questions

Space technology

Every UPSC Prelims question on this topic, 2016–2026, newest first. Tap an option to check yourself; the answer and explanation open below it.

Space technology questions per year: 2016: 2, 2017: 2, 2018: 3, 2019: 2, 2020: 1, 2021: 0, 2022: 1, 2023: 2, 2024: 2, 2025: 2, 2026: 2 Asked in 10 of 11 years · most in 2018 (3)

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Prelims 2026 · Q46

Medium Provisional key

भारत के अंतरिक्ष कार्यक्रम में निजी संस्थाओं की भागीदारी के संबंध में निम्नलिखित कथनों पर विचार कीजिए :

  1. 1.भारतीय राष्ट्रीय अंतरिक्ष संवर्धन एवं प्राधिकरण केंद्र (IN-SPACe) एक स्वायत्त अभिकरण है जिसकी स्थापना निजी संस्थाओं की भागीदारी को सुकर बनाने के लिए की गई है।
  2. 2.अग्निकुल कॉसमॉस ने विश्व में पहली बार 3D-प्रिंटेड रॉकेट इंजन का उपयोग करके उड़ान (फ्लाइट) का प्रक्षेपण किया।
  3. 3.स्काईरूट एयरोस्पेस ने GSLV के लिए तरल ईंधन (Liquid fuel) विकसित किया।

उपर्युक्त में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं ?

Read this question in English

Consider the following statements with regard to involvement of private entities in India’s space programme:

1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is an autonomous agency formed to facilitate participation of private entities.

2. Agnikul Cosmos launched the world’s first flight using 3D-printed rocket engine.

3. Skyroot Aerospace has developed liquid fuel for GSLV.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only · (b) 2 and 3 only · (c) 1 and 2 only · (d) 1, 2 and 3

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (c) केवल 1 और 2

IN-SPACe is the autonomous single-window agency that authorises and promotes private space activity, and Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD (May 2024) was the first flight with a single-piece 3D-printed engine. Skyroot Aerospace is known for its own Vikram launch vehicles; no official record shows it developing liquid fuel for GSLV, which is an ISRO rocket.

  • ✓ 1. IN-SPACe acts as an autonomous single-window agency to authorise and promote space activities by government entities and non-government entities.
  • ✓ 2. Agnikul's Agnibaan SOrTeD, launched from Sriharikota on 30 May 2024, was the world's first rocket flight with a single-piece 3D-printed engine.
  • ✗ 3. Skyroot Aerospace's own work is the Vikram series of launch vehicles; GSLV is ISRO's vehicle, and we found no official statement that Skyroot developed fuel for it.

Remember · IN-SPACe = single-window regulator and promoter for private space. Agnikul: first flight with a single-piece 3D-printed engine (2024). Skyroot: Vikram rockets, India's first private orbital vehicle.

Sources

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2026 · Q49

Easy Provisional key

राष्ट्रीय क्वांटम मिशन (NQM) के संबंध में, निम्नलिखित में से कौन-सा/कौन-से कथन सही है/हैं ?

  1. 1.इसका उद्देश्य 50 – 1000 भौतिक क्यूबिट की क्षमता वाले मध्यवर्ती-स्तर के क्वांटम कंप्यूटर विकसित करना है।
  2. 2.इसके कार्यान्वयन के अंतर्गत संपूर्ण भारत के शैक्षणिक और राष्ट्रीय अनुसंधान एवं विकास संस्थानों (R&D institutes) में चार विषयगत (थीमेटिक) केंद्रों (T-Hubs) की स्थापना करना सम्मिलित है।

नीचे दिए गए कूट का प्रयोग कर उत्तर चुनिए :

Read this question in English

Which of the following statements with regard to the National Quantum Mission (NQM) is/are correct?

1. It aims at developing intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50 – 1000 physical qubits.

2. Its implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in academic and national R&D institutes across India.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 only · (b) 2 only · (c) Both 1 and 2 · (d) Neither 1 nor 2

उत्तर और व्याख्या · explanation in English

Answer: (c) 1 और 2 दोनों

Both statements match the Cabinet-approved design of the National Quantum Mission: quantum computers of 50–1000 physical qubits within eight years, and four Thematic Hubs at leading academic and national R&D institutes.

  • ✓ 1. The Mission targets intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50–1000 physical qubits in 8 years, on platforms such as superconducting and photonic technology.
  • ✓ 2. Four T-Hubs are to be set up in top academic and national R&D institutes: quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology, and quantum materials and devices.

Remember · NQM (2023, eight years): 50–1000 qubit machines; four T-Hubs (computing, communication, sensing & metrology, materials & devices); run by the Department of Science and Technology.

Sources

  • PIB: Cabinet approves National Quantum Mission (April 2023) ↗ “The new mission targets developing intermediate scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology. … Four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) will be set up in top academic and National R&D institutes on the domains - Quantum Computing, Quantum Communication, Quantum Sensing & Metrology and Quantum Materials & Devices.”

Question and answer: UPSC's provisional GS Paper I (2026, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

The Syllabus X-Ray of this topic

1 of its 4 sub-topics is Core

1 Core · 2 High · 0 Steady · 1 Rare

  • Core #28Satellites, orbits & navigation · 8 questions
  • HighIndia's launch vehicles & space missions · 5 questions
  • HighAstronomy & astrophysics · 4 questions

The X-Ray ranks all 928 sub-topics of the UPSC syllabus by what UPSC has asked since 2016. The 60 Prelims Core sub-topics are behind 51% of Prelims questions.

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