UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Dr Jitendra Singh reviews plan to set up Space laboratories in Universities and Colleges across India; with seven such labs to be established in the first phase

Q1. IN-SPACe, the single-window nodal agency for promotion and authorisation of space activities, was operationalised with its headquarters inaugurated at Bopal, Ahmedabad in which year?

  • A. 2020
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2022
  • D. 2023

Q2. With reference to IN-SPACe, consider the following statements: 1. It is an autonomous body functioning under the Department of Space. 2. It acts as a single-window agency for authorisation of space activities of non-government entities. 3. Its headquarters is located at Ahmedabad. 4. It is the commercial arm responsible for commercialising ISRO's technologies. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It is an autonomous body functioning under the Department of Space.
  2. It acts as a single-window agency for authorisation of space activities of non-government entities.
  3. Its headquarters is located at Ahmedabad.
  4. It is the commercial arm responsible for commercialising ISRO's technologies.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Under the Indian Space Policy 2023, which agency is designated as the single-window body solely responsible for the promotion and authorisation of space activities of non-government entities?

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

Q4. The Indian Space Policy 2023 delineates the roles of various stakeholders. Consider the following pairings: 1. NSIL — a Public Sector Undertaking responsible for commercialising space technologies and platforms. 2. IN-SPACe — the single-window agency for authorisation and promotion of space activities. 3. ISRO — focus on research and development of space technologies. 4. Antrix Corporation — the statutory regulator of private space launches. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. NSIL — a Public Sector Undertaking responsible for commercialising space technologies and platforms.
  2. IN-SPACe — the single-window agency for authorisation and promotion of space activities.
  3. ISRO — focus on research and development of space technologies.
  4. Antrix Corporation — the statutory regulator of private space launches.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q5. In the first phase of the Department of Space's plan to set up Space laboratories in universities and colleges for hands-on training in satellite systems, rocketry and mission design, how many such labs are proposed to be established?

  • A. 5
  • B. 7
  • C. 11
  • D. 17

Q6. The University Space Labs initiative is being steered by the Department of Space, which functions under the Prime Minister's Office. As of 2026, the political charge of the Department of Space is held by a Minister of State (Independent Charge). Who holds this charge?

  • A. Dr Pawan Goenka
  • B. Dr V. Narayanan
  • C. Dr Jitendra Singh
  • D. Dr S. Somanath

Q7. The Technology Adoption Fund launched by IN-SPACe is best described as a fund that:

  • A. helps space startups commercialise space technologies, scale manufacturing and reduce import dependence
  • B. provides equity growth-stage capital of ₹10–60 crore per startup
  • C. gives seed grants of up to ₹1 crore along with mentoring to early-stage startups
  • D. insures private satellite launches against mission failure

Q8. With reference to IN-SPACe's funding instruments for the space sector, consider the following statements: 1. The Venture Capital Fund has a corpus of ₹1,000 crore with SIDBI acting as the investment manager. 2. The Technology Adoption Fund has a size of ₹500 crore. 3. The Venture Capital Fund has an indicative investment ticket size in the range of ₹10–60 crore. 4. The Seed Fund Scheme provides equity investment of up to ₹60 crore per startup. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Venture Capital Fund has a corpus of ₹1,000 crore with SIDBI acting as the investment manager.
  2. The Technology Adoption Fund has a size of ₹500 crore.
  3. The Venture Capital Fund has an indicative investment ticket size in the range of ₹10–60 crore.
  4. The Seed Fund Scheme provides equity investment of up to ₹60 crore per startup.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. With reference to the June 2020 space-sector reforms compared with the earlier regime, consider the following statements: 1. Before the 2020 reforms, private entities could not undertake end-to-end space activities in India. 2. The 2020 reforms established IN-SPACe as a new single-window autonomous agency under the Department of Space. 3. The 2020 reforms transferred ISRO from the Department of Space to the Ministry of Science and Technology. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before the 2020 reforms, private entities could not undertake end-to-end space activities in India.
  2. The 2020 reforms established IN-SPACe as a new single-window autonomous agency under the Department of Space.
  3. The 2020 reforms transferred ISRO from the Department of Space to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The June 2020 space-sector reforms opened up a range of activities to private/non-government participation. Consider the following: 1. Small satellite launch vehicles. 2. Satellite constellations and ground stations. 3. Propulsion systems and geospatial services. 4. Unregulated private launches requiring no authorisation from any nodal agency. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as opened up under the 2020 reforms?

  1. Small satellite launch vehicles.
  2. Satellite constellations and ground stations.
  3. Propulsion systems and geospatial services.
  4. Unregulated private launches requiring no authorisation from any nodal agency.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the entities under the Department of Space, consider the following statements: 1. NSIL is the commercial arm of the Department of Space, incorporated in 2019. 2. Antrix Corporation and NSIL are the only two Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Department of Space. 3. IN-SPACe is a Central Public Sector Enterprise exclusively responsible for commercialising ISRO's technologies. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. NSIL is the commercial arm of the Department of Space, incorporated in 2019.
  2. Antrix Corporation and NSIL are the only two Central Public Sector Enterprises under the Department of Space.
  3. IN-SPACe is a Central Public Sector Enterprise exclusively responsible for commercialising ISRO's technologies.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to the growth of India's space ecosystem after the 2020 reforms, consider the following statements: 1. The number of space startups has crossed 400 as of early 2026. 2. India's space economy is currently estimated at about USD 8.4 billion. 3. The private space ecosystem has attracted over USD 600 million in investment over five years. 4. India's space economy is targeted to remain at about USD 8.4 billion by 2033. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The number of space startups has crossed 400 as of early 2026.
  2. India's space economy is currently estimated at about USD 8.4 billion.
  3. The private space ecosystem has attracted over USD 600 million in investment over five years.
  4. India's space economy is targeted to remain at about USD 8.4 billion by 2033.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4