UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India established as a Serious Global Space Power with Vikram-1 Success; Dr. Jitendra Singh Says, the Historic Mission Vindicates PM Modi’s Landmark Space Reforms
Q1. Vikram-1, the launch vehicle flown by Skyroot Aerospace in July 2026, is configured with how many propulsion stages in total?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q2. With reference to the Vikram-1 launch vehicle, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 18 July 2026.
2. It was developed by the private company Skyroot Aerospace.
3. It is India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle.
4. It made its orbital flight under the banner 'Mission Prarambh'.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was launched from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, on 18 July 2026.
- It was developed by the private company Skyroot Aerospace.
- It is India's first privately developed orbital launch vehicle.
- It made its orbital flight under the banner 'Mission Prarambh'.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 3 only
- D. 4 only
Q3. Private orbital launch companies such as Skyroot Aerospace fall under the administrative umbrella of which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of Science and Technology
- B. Department of Space
- C. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
- D. Ministry of Defence
Q4. With reference to Skyroot Aerospace, consider the following statements:
1. It was founded in 2018.
2. Its co-founders are Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
3. It is headquartered in Hyderabad.
4. Both of its co-founders are former DRDO scientists.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was founded in 2018.
- Its co-founders are Pawan Kumar Chandana and Naga Bharath Daka.
- It is headquartered in Hyderabad.
- Both of its co-founders are former DRDO scientists.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 only
- C. 3 and 4
- D. 4 only
Q5. With reference to the Vikram family of rockets developed by Skyroot Aerospace, consider the following statements:
1. Vikram-S was a single-stage, solid-fuelled sub-orbital rocket launched in November 2022.
2. Vikram-S flew under the mission named 'Prarambh'.
3. The KALAM-1200 first-stage motor of Vikram-1 was successfully static-tested in August 2025.
4. The first stage of Vikram-1 is powered by a liquid-propellant engine.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Vikram-S was a single-stage, solid-fuelled sub-orbital rocket launched in November 2022.
- Vikram-S flew under the mission named 'Prarambh'.
- The KALAM-1200 first-stage motor of Vikram-1 was successfully static-tested in August 2025.
- The first stage of Vikram-1 is powered by a liquid-propellant engine.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 1 and 4
- D. 4 only
Q6. With reference to the Vikram-1 launch vehicle, consider the following statements:
1. KALAM-1200 is its first (solid) stage.
2. RAMAN-I is its liquid upper-stage engine.
3. Its first three stages are solid-propelled while the fourth is liquid-propelled.
4. Vikram-S is its second stage.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- KALAM-1200 is its first (solid) stage.
- RAMAN-I is its liquid upper-stage engine.
- Its first three stages are solid-propelled while the fourth is liquid-propelled.
- Vikram-S is its second stage.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q7. With reference to India's 2020 space-sector reforms, consider the following statements:
1. The Union Cabinet decision to open the sector to private players was taken in 2020.
2. IN-SPACe was created as the nodal agency to authorise and promote private participation.
3. Non-governmental entities were permitted to access ISRO's infrastructure.
4. The reforms transferred ISRO's launch pads to the Ministry of Defence.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- The Union Cabinet decision to open the sector to private players was taken in 2020.
- IN-SPACe was created as the nodal agency to authorise and promote private participation.
- Non-governmental entities were permitted to access ISRO's infrastructure.
- The reforms transferred ISRO's launch pads to the Ministry of Defence.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q8. Which body was established under the 2020 space-sector reforms as the single-window agency to authorise and promote private (non-governmental) space activities?
- A. NewSpace India Limited (NSIL)
- B. IN-SPACe
- C. Antrix Corporation
- D. Defence Research and Development Organisation
Q9. As designed under the space-sector reforms, IN-SPACe functions as an agency offering how many windows for the authorisation and clearance of private space activities?
- A. One (single-window)
- B. Two
- C. Three
- D. Four
Q10. The Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC), Sriharikota, from where Vikram-1 was launched, is owned and operated by which organisation?
- A. IN-SPACe
- B. Skyroot Aerospace
- C. ISRO
- D. NewSpace India Limited
Q11. The Department of Space, whose Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh described the Vikram-1 mission as a vindication of the 2020 reforms, functions directly under which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of Science and Technology
- B. Prime Minister's Office
- C. NITI Aayog
- D. Ministry of Home Affairs
Q12. With reference to India's private space launch companies, consider the following statements:
1. Skyroot's Vikram-S (2022) preceded Agnikul Cosmos's Agnibaan SOrTeD (2024) as India's first privately built rocket launch.
2. Agnibaan SOrTeD lifted off from India's first private launch pad, whereas Vikram-1 was launched from an ISRO spaceport.
3. Vikram-1 was India's first privately developed sub-orbital demonstrator rocket.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Skyroot's Vikram-S (2022) preceded Agnikul Cosmos's Agnibaan SOrTeD (2024) as India's first privately built rocket launch.
- Agnibaan SOrTeD lifted off from India's first private launch pad, whereas Vikram-1 was launched from an ISRO spaceport.
- Vikram-1 was India's first privately developed sub-orbital demonstrator rocket.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3