2002 General Studies, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2002 · General Studies

Question 139: Science and Technology

With reference to Indian satellites and their launchers, consider the following statements:

  1. 1.All the INSAT-series of satellites were launched abroad
  2. 2.PSLVs were used to launch IRS-series of satellites
  3. 3.India used the indigenously built cryogenic engines for the first time for powering the third stage of GSLV
  4. 4.GSAT, launched in the year 2001, has payloads to demonstrate digital broadcasts and internet services

Which of these statements are correct?

a1, 2, 3 and 4
b2, 3 and 4
c1, 2 and 4
d1 and 3

AnswerThe answer is (c).

Statement 1 was true then: all INSAT satellites had been launched abroad, on Ariane, Delta or Titan rockets or the Space Shuttle (later ones such as INSAT-4CR in 2007 used the GSLV). Statement 2 is true: the PSLV launches the IRS remote-sensing series. Statement 4 is true: GSAT-1 was launched in April 2001 on the first GSLV, with payloads for digital broadcasting and Internet. Statement 3 is false: indigenous cryogenic engines were first flown in 2010; earlier GSLVs used Russian cryogenic stages.

  • 1. All INSAT satellites had been launched abroad at the time.
  • 2. PSLV launches the IRS series.
  • 3. Indigenous cryogenic engines were first flown in 2010; earlier GSLVs used Russian stages.
  • 4. GSAT-1 (2001) carried payloads for digital broadcasting and Internet services.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: Indigenous cryogenic engines were first flown in 2010; earlier GSLVs used Russian stages.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2 or 4.

This follows an unofficial answer: UPSC has not published its key for this year, and if that answer is wrong, so is this path.

Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.

Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Includes statement 3, which is false.
  • (b) Leaves out statement 1, which was true then.
  • (c) Right: statements 1, 2 and 4.
  • (d) Includes statement 3 and leaves out 2 and 4.

Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2002, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.