UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PARLIAMENT QUESTION: APPLICATION OF SATELLITE-BASED SERVICES

Q1. In the Department of Space's categorisation of India's satellite fleet, a satellite classified under 'Technology Demonstration' is best described as one that:

  • A. is launched primarily to validate new space technologies or subsystems before their operational use
  • B. provides regular multispectral imagery of the Earth's surface for resource and land mapping
  • C. relays telecommunication and broadcasting signals over a fixed geographic footprint
  • D. transmits positioning, navigation and timing signals for civilian and strategic users

Q2. Consider the following categories and the number of satellites India has launched under each, as stated in the 12 February 2026 Parliament reply of the Department of Space: 1. Earth Observation — 50 2. Communication — 43 3. Navigation — 11 4. Space Science — 24 Which of the above pairs is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Earth Observation — 50
  2. Communication — 43
  3. Navigation — 11
  4. Space Science — 24
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q3. The space segment of the NavIC constellation is designed, built and operated by which one of the following?

  • A. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), under the Department of Space
  • B. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
  • C. Survey of India
  • D. Airports Authority of India

Q4. With reference to the technical features of NavIC, consider the following: 1. It provides service over India and up to about 1,500 km beyond the Indian mainland. 2. Its second-generation NVS-series satellites add a signal in the L1 band for civilian use. 3. The NVS-series satellites carry an indigenous Rubidium atomic clock. 4. NavIC operates only in the L1 band and uses neither the L5 nor the S band. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. It provides service over India and up to about 1,500 km beyond the Indian mainland.
  2. Its second-generation NVS-series satellites add a signal in the L1 band for civilian use.
  3. The NVS-series satellites carry an indigenous Rubidium atomic clock.
  4. NavIC operates only in the L1 band and uses neither the L5 nor the S band.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. Which one of the following was the first satellite of India's regional navigation constellation (IRNSS/NavIC)?

  • A. IRNSS-1A
  • B. IRNSS-1I
  • C. NVS-01
  • D. GSAT-6

Q6. With reference to the evolution and international recognition of NavIC, consider the following: 1. IRNSS was rechristened NavIC and the operational regional system was in service by 2018. 2. The International Maritime Organization recognised IRNSS as a component of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System in 2020. 3. This recognition covers NavIC's use for navigation in the Indian Ocean Region. 4. The World-Wide Radio Navigation System recognition for NavIC was accorded by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. IRNSS was rechristened NavIC and the operational regional system was in service by 2018.
  2. The International Maritime Organization recognised IRNSS as a component of the World-Wide Radio Navigation System in 2020.
  3. This recognition covers NavIC's use for navigation in the Indian Ocean Region.
  4. The World-Wide Radio Navigation System recognition for NavIC was accorded by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
  • A. 1 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the civil and commercial uptake of NavIC as reported to Parliament in February 2026, consider the following statements: 1. More than 40,000 fishing vessels have been fitted with NavIC-based devices for tracking and emergency alerts. 2. Over 10,400 locomotives of Indian Railways use a NavIC-based Real Time Train Information System. 3. Fewer than 20 mobile handset models currently support NavIC positioning. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. More than 40,000 fishing vessels have been fitted with NavIC-based devices for tracking and emergency alerts.
  2. Over 10,400 locomotives of Indian Railways use a NavIC-based Real Time Train Information System.
  3. Fewer than 20 mobile handset models currently support NavIC positioning.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. The NavIC-based Real Time Train Information System (RTIS) fitted on locomotives is deployed by which one of the following?

  • A. Indian Railways (Ministry of Railways), in collaboration with ISRO
  • B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • D. Ministry of Communications

Q9. With reference to the institutional architecture of India's space sector, consider the following: 1. The Department of Space functions directly under the Prime Minister. 2. ISRO is the research and implementing body under the Department of Space. 3. IN-SPACe is the autonomous nodal agency that authorises private space activities. 4. IN-SPACe functions as the commercial/marketing arm of ISRO. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The Department of Space functions directly under the Prime Minister.
  2. ISRO is the research and implementing body under the Department of Space.
  3. IN-SPACe is the autonomous nodal agency that authorises private space activities.
  4. IN-SPACe functions as the commercial/marketing arm of ISRO.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q10. Authorisation and supervision of non-governmental (private) entities seeking to carry out space activities in India is the single-window responsibility of:

  • A. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre)
  • B. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
  • C. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)
  • D. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI)

Q11. India's operational remote sensing era is generally traced to the commissioning of which satellite, and in which year?

  • A. IRS-1A, in 1988
  • B. Aryabhata, in 1975
  • C. Bhaskara-I, in 1979
  • D. Rohini RS-1, in 1980

Q12. Under the Gaganyaan programme roadmap, how many uncrewed orbital flights (the G1–G3 series) are planned before the first crewed mission?

  • A. Three
  • B. One
  • C. Two
  • D. Four