UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I
Question 37: Science and Technology
With reference to Agni-IV Missile, which of the following statements is/are correct?
- 1.It is a surface-to-surface missile.
- 2.It is fuelled by liquid propellant only.
- 3.It can deliver one-tonne nuclear warheads about 7500 km away.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (a).
Agni-IV is an intermediate-range surface-to-surface ballistic missile developed by the DRDO. It is a two-stage missile with solid propellant, not liquid only, and has a range of about 4,000 km while carrying a warhead of about one tonne. The figure of 7,500 km is wrong. Only statement 1 is correct. Remember that Agni-IV is solid-fuelled and road-mobile.
- 1. Agni-IV is a surface-to-surface ballistic missile.
- 2. It uses solid propellant, not liquid only.
- 3. Its range is about 4,000 km, not 7,500 km.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (b), (c) and (d) go: each of them includes 3.
What you needed to know: Its range is about 4,000 km, not 7,500 km.
Only (a) is left. You didn’t need statements 1 or 2.
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) Right. Only statement 1 is correct.
- (b) Wrong. It uses solid propellant and its range is about 4,000 km, so both statements 2 and 3 are false.
- (c) Wrong. Statement 3 overstates the range.
- (d) Wrong. Statements 2 and 3 are false.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.