UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: PRIVATE SECTOR PARTICIPATION FACILITATED BY IN-SPACE

Q1. The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre (IN-SPACe) was constituted as an autonomous single-window agency functioning under which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Space, Government of India
  • B. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
  • D. Indian Space Research Organisation, as its regulatory wing

Q2. With reference to the institutional roles in India's space sector, consider the following statements: 1. IN-SPACe authorises and regulates the space activities of non-governmental entities, whereas NSIL functions as the commercial arm of ISRO. 2. Unlike ISRO, which undertakes research, development and missions, IN-SPACe does not itself build launch vehicles or satellites. 3. IN-SPACe is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) incorporated under the Department of Space. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. IN-SPACe authorises and regulates the space activities of non-governmental entities, whereas NSIL functions as the commercial arm of ISRO.
  2. Unlike ISRO, which undertakes research, development and missions, IN-SPACe does not itself build launch vehicles or satellites.
  3. IN-SPACe is a Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) incorporated under the Department of Space.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Which one of the following statements best describes NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)?

  • A. It is a Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Department of Space that acts as the commercial arm of ISRO for end-to-end commercial space business
  • B. It is the autonomous single-window agency that authorises and promotes non-governmental entities in space activities
  • C. It is the legacy marketing agency, established in 1992, that markets India's space products globally
  • D. It is the apex body that carries out research, development and launch of scientific and application satellites

Q4. The technical clearance and authorisation permitting a private company to launch its own rocket in India is granted by which agency?

  • A. IN-SPACe
  • B. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
  • C. Antrix Corporation Limited
  • D. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

Q5. The headquarters of IN-SPACe is located at Bopal, in which one of the following cities?

  • A. Ahmedabad
  • B. Bengaluru
  • C. Hyderabad
  • D. Thiruvananthapuram

Q6. With reference to the establishment of IN-SPACe, consider the following statements: 1. It was announced following the Union Cabinet's approval of space-sector reforms in 2020. 2. Its headquarters is located at Bopal, Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat. 3. It was created through a dedicated Act of Parliament enacted at the time of its constitution. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was announced following the Union Cabinet's approval of space-sector reforms in 2020.
  2. Its headquarters is located at Bopal, Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat.
  3. It was created through a dedicated Act of Parliament enacted at the time of its constitution.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under the Indian Space Policy 2023, which single entity is designated as primarily responsible for research and development of new space technologies and applications, while transferring mature technologies to industry?

  • A. ISRO
  • B. IN-SPACe
  • C. NSIL
  • D. Antrix Corporation Limited

Q8. The Indian Space Policy 2023 delineates the roles of key space-sector actors. Consider the following entity–role pairings: 1. Department of Space — nodal department for overall policy direction and coordination 2. ISRO — focuses on research, development and new technology creation 3. NSIL — commercialises space products and services as ISRO's commercial arm 4. IN-SPACe — manufactures and launches satellites for government missions Which of the pairings given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Department of Space — nodal department for overall policy direction and coordination
  2. ISRO — focuses on research, development and new technology creation
  3. NSIL — commercialises space products and services as ISRO's commercial arm
  4. IN-SPACe — manufactures and launches satellites for government missions
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. In which year did the Union Cabinet approve the amendment to the FDI policy permitting up to 100% foreign direct investment in the space sector under differentiated entry routes?

  • A. 2020
  • B. 2022
  • C. 2023
  • D. 2024

Q10. Vikram-S, India's first privately built sub-orbital launch vehicle authorised by IN-SPACe, carried how many payloads on its maiden flight?

  • A. 2
  • B. 3
  • C. 4
  • D. 5

Q11. India's first dedicated venture capital fund exclusively for space-sector startups, set up under the aegis of IN-SPACe, has a corpus of approximately:

  • A. ₹500 crore
  • B. ₹1,000 crore
  • C. ₹1,500 crore
  • D. ₹2,500 crore

Q12. As disclosed in the 2026 Parliament reply on NGE authorisations, IN-SPACe has permitted private dissemination of primary Earth-observation data of Indian territory up to what finest (best) spatial resolution?

  • A. ≤ 5 metre GSD
  • B. ≤ 1 metre GSD
  • C. ≤ 50 cm GSD
  • D. ≤ 30 cm GSD