Prelims · Science & technology · 22 questions

Space technology

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Prelims 2026 · Q46

Medium Provisional key

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?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) 1 and 2 only

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

PIB Explainer: A New Era, India Emerging as a Global Space Hub ↗ “The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) is acting as an autonomous single-window agency to authorise and promote space activities by Government entities and NGEs. … Vikram-1 , developed by Skyroot Aerospace , is India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle”
PIB: Agnikul launches World’s First Rocket with Fully 3D Printed Engine (30 May 2024) ↗ “has launched the world’s first rocket with a single piece 3D printed engine from Sriharikota”

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

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:

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

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.