UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — How did the space sector fare in the Budget?

Q1. With reference to the Department of Space allocations in the Union Budget 2026-27 compared with 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. The Budget Estimate for the Department of Space for 2026-27 is higher than that for 2025-26 by about 2 per cent. 2. The Capital Outlay for 2026-27 has been raised over the previous year, while Revenue Expenditure has remained largely flat. 3. The Budget Estimate for 2026-27 is, in nominal terms, lower than the pre-pandemic peak allocation of 2019-20. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Budget Estimate for the Department of Space for 2026-27 is higher than that for 2025-26 by about 2 per cent.
  2. The Capital Outlay for 2026-27 has been raised over the previous year, while Revenue Expenditure has remained largely flat.
  3. The Budget Estimate for 2026-27 is, in nominal terms, lower than the pre-pandemic peak allocation of 2019-20.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Which one of the following is the nodal administrative department for India's civilian space programme, under which ISRO functions?

  • A. Department of Science and Technology under the Ministry of Science and Technology
  • B. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research under the Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Department of Space directly under the Prime Minister's Office
  • D. Department of Atomic Energy under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q3. In the Union Budget documents for 2026-27, the allocations to the Department of Space are presented under which one of the following Demand for Grants numbers?

  • A. Demand No. 87
  • B. Demand No. 92
  • C. Demand No. 95
  • D. Demand No. 99

Q4. In the context of India's space sector, which one of the following best describes the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe)?

  • A. The commercial arm of the Department of Space that markets ISRO's products and launch services internationally
  • B. An autonomous single-window agency under the Department of Space for authorising, promoting and regulating space activities of non-governmental entities
  • C. A Rs 1,000-crore venture capital fund announced in the Union Budget 2024 to finance Indian space startups
  • D. A statutory tribunal constituted under the Indian Space Policy 2023 to adjudicate disputes over satellite spectrum allocation
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