UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PSLV setbacks will help in learning, says ISRO chief

Question 1

Under which official, in his capacity as Chairman of ISRO, were the two consecutive PSLV third-stage setbacks (C61 and C62) publicly reframed in 2026 as 'opportunities to learn'?

Accepted Answer

Dr. V. Narayanan

Answer

Dr. S. Somanath

Answer

Dr. K. Sivan

Answer

Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar

Question 2

The ill-fated PSLV-C62 mission of January 2026 was operationalised as a dedicated commercial flight by which entity, the commercial arm of ISRO/Department of Space?

Accepted Answer

NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)

Answer

Antrix Corporation Limited

Answer

Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe)

Answer

Indian Space Association (ISpA)

Question 3

How many satellites in total (primary plus co-passengers) were lost when the PSLV-C62 mission failed during its third stage in January 2026?

Accepted Answer

16

Answer

8

Answer

26

Answer

36

Question 4

With reference to the foreign co-passenger payloads carried by ISRO's PSLV-C62 (January 2026), consider the following countries:
1. Brazil
2. Nepal
3. Spain
4. China
Which of the above is/are correctly identified as having a co-passenger satellite aboard PSLV-C62?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 5

With reference to the co-passenger payloads aboard ISRO's PSLV-C62 (January 2026), consider the following countries:
1. Thailand
2. France
3. Spain
4. Japan
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a source of a co-passenger payload on PSLV-C62?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

3 and 4 only

Answer

2 only

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PSLV setbacks will help in learning, says ISRO chief

Q1. Under which official, in his capacity as Chairman of ISRO, were the two consecutive PSLV third-stage setbacks (C61 and C62) publicly reframed in 2026 as 'opportunities to learn'?

Q2. The ill-fated PSLV-C62 mission of January 2026 was operationalised as a dedicated commercial flight by which entity, the commercial arm of ISRO/Department of Space?

Q3. How many satellites in total (primary plus co-passengers) were lost when the PSLV-C62 mission failed during its third stage in January 2026?

Q4. With reference to the foreign co-passenger payloads carried by ISRO's PSLV-C62 (January 2026), consider the following countries: 1. Brazil 2. Nepal 3. Spain 4. China Which of the above is/are correctly identified as having a co-passenger satellite aboard PSLV-C62?

Q5. With reference to the co-passenger payloads aboard ISRO's PSLV-C62 (January 2026), consider the following countries: 1. Thailand 2. France 3. Spain 4. Japan Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a source of a co-passenger payload on PSLV-C62?