2026 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I

Question 80: Science and Technology

The Bureau of Indian Standard (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal system. Which of the following statements with regard to this system is/are correct ?

  1. 1.The new standard is known as IS 19445 : 2025.
  2. 2.It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.
  3. 3.It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.

Select the answer using the code given below :

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

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).

BIS introduced IS 19445:2025 as a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal systems, and it improves the interoperability of equipment across agencies, so statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3, which says the standard was developed by TBRL, DRDO together with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute of Russia, is not accepted: UPSC's key treats it as incorrect.

  • 1. The standard is IS 19445:2025.
  • 2. It improves interoperability of equipment across agencies.
  • 3. The claimed Russian collaboration is not accepted in the key.

How you could have got this

  1. If you were sure statement 2 is correct, (d) goes: it leaves 2 out.

    What you needed to know: It improves interoperability of equipment across agencies.

  2. Then, if you were sure statement 3 is not correct, (a) and (b) go: each of them includes 3.

    What you needed to know: The claimed Russian collaboration is not accepted in the key.

Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statement 1.

This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.

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: statement 3, on the Russian collaboration, is not accepted.
  • (b) Wrong: statement 3 is incorrect, and statement 1 is correct.
  • (c) Right: the standard number and the interoperability benefit are correct.
  • (d) Incomplete: statement 2 is also correct.

Worth knowing: Who developed the standard could not be independently confirmed here; the explanation follows UPSC's key on statement 3.

Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.