UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Tele-Robotics to add new dimension to healthcare with value addition through AI: Dr Jitendra Singh

Q1. In the Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography (TUS) demonstration linking AIIMS New Delhi with Maitri Station, which one of the following was the technology partner that designed the teleoperation, networking and control systems of the robotic arm?

  • A. IIT Delhi, through the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics (IHFC)
  • B. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa
  • C. Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi
  • D. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Q2. With reference to the Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography (TUS) system demonstrated between AIIMS New Delhi and Maitri Station, consider the following statements: 1. Unlike a conventional bedside ultrasound examination, the TUS system uses a robotic arm with six degrees of freedom to manipulate the probe. 2. During the demonstration, the sonographer physically operating the probe was co-located with the patient at Maitri Station in Antarctica. 3. The teleoperation systems were designed to function only over high-bandwidth links, unlike ordinary telemedicine. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike a conventional bedside ultrasound examination, the TUS system uses a robotic arm with six degrees of freedom to manipulate the probe.
  2. During the demonstration, the sonographer physically operating the probe was co-located with the patient at Maitri Station in Antarctica.
  3. The teleoperation systems were designed to function only over high-bandwidth links, unlike ordinary telemedicine.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. The live Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography demonstration of February 2026 bridged approximately what distance between AIIMS New Delhi and Maitri Station, Antarctica?

  • A. About 8,000 km
  • B. About 10,000 km
  • C. About 12,000 km
  • D. About 15,000 km

Q4. Consider the following institutions in the context of the AIIMS–Maitri Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography demonstration: 1. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR) 2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi 3. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru 4. Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi Which of the above is/are correctly identified as a collaborating institution in the demonstration?

  1. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR)
  2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi
  3. Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru
  4. Rajiv Gandhi Super Speciality Hospital, Delhi
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding India's Antarctic research stations: 1. Dakshin Gangotri, India's first Antarctic station, was established in 1983. 2. Maitri was commissioned in 1988–89, superseding Dakshin Gangotri. 3. Bharati, the newest station, became operational in 2015. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Dakshin Gangotri, India's first Antarctic station, was established in 1983.
  2. Maitri was commissioned in 1988–89, superseding Dakshin Gangotri.
  3. Bharati, the newest station, became operational in 2015.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following research stations: 1. Dakshin Gangotri 2. Maitri 3. Bharati 4. Himadri Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an Antarctic research station of India?

  1. Dakshin Gangotri
  2. Maitri
  3. Bharati
  4. Himadri
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q7. Which one of the following is the nodal agency responsible for planning, coordinating and executing India's polar research and the Indian Antarctic Programme?

  • A. National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa
  • B. Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS), Hyderabad
  • C. National Institute of Oceanography (NIO), Goa
  • D. Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM), Pune

Q8. Consider the following statements about the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR): 1. It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 2. It is headquartered at Vasco da Gama, Goa. 3. It functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology. 4. It maintains India's Antarctic stations Maitri and Bharati. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is an autonomous institution under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  2. It is headquartered at Vasco da Gama, Goa.
  3. It functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  4. It maintains India's Antarctic stations Maitri and Bharati.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q9. The proposed Maitri-II research station in Antarctica is being developed primarily to serve which one of the following purposes?

  • A. To replace the ageing Maitri station, which has exceeded its original design life
  • B. To establish India's first permanent station in the Arctic region
  • C. To decommission and replace the Bharati station
  • D. To function as a permanent Indian naval base in the Southern Ocean

Q10. The Maitri-II research station project in Antarctica is being taken up under the administrative authority of which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of Defence
  • D. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

Q11. Under the 'Whole-of-Science, Whole-of-Government' model, how many institutions collaborated to deliver the AIIMS–Maitri Tele-Robotic Ultrasonography demonstration?

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

Q12. Which one of the following is recognised as the world's largest telemedicine implementation in primary healthcare, run by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare?

  • A. eSanjeevani
  • B. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission
  • C. CoWIN
  • D. Aarogya Setu