UPSC Prelims 2025 · GS Paper I
Question 83: Science and Technology
Consider the following space missions :
- IAxiom-4
- IISpaDeX
- IIIGaganyaan
How many of the space missions given above encourage and support micro-gravity research?
AnswerThe answer is (b).
Axiom-4 carried experiments, including Indian ones, to the International Space Station, so it supported microgravity research. SpaDeX tested docking of two satellites, and its PSLV orbital platform also carried experiments in the microgravity environment, such as a seed germination experiment. Gaganyaan is India's human spaceflight programme, whose first crewed flight is still to take place, and its main aim is to demonstrate human spaceflight capability. The key counts two.
- I. Axiom-4 carried microgravity experiments to the space station.
- II. SpaDeX's orbital platform carried microgravity experiments.
- III. The key does not count this one; its first crewed flight had not yet taken place.
How you could have got this
No shortcut here: in a “how many” question, ruling out options doesn’t help. Every statement has to be judged.
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) Wrong: Axiom-4 and SpaDeX both carried microgravity experiments.
- (b) Right: the key counts two of the three missions.
- (c) Wrong: the key does not count all three.
- (d) Wrong: at least two missions carried microgravity research.
Worth knowing: All three missions carry or are planned to carry microgravity experiments, so (c) is defensible; the compilation's (b) needs one to be excluded without a clear reason.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2025, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.