UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Dr. Jitendra Singh Informs Parliament that Private Space Sector Gains Strong Momentum as Investment Crosses USD 618 Million; Government Reinforces National Security Framework

Q1. With reference to IN-SPACe and NSIL, consider the following statements: 1. IN-SPACe was set up in 2020 as an autonomous nodal agency, whereas NSIL was incorporated earlier, in 2019, as a public sector enterprise. 2. IN-SPACe acts as the single-window authorising and promoting agency for Non-Government Entity (NGE) space activities, while NSIL functions as the commercial arm of ISRO. 3. Both IN-SPACe and NSIL function under the Ministry of Science and Technology. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. IN-SPACe was set up in 2020 as an autonomous nodal agency, whereas NSIL was incorporated earlier, in 2019, as a public sector enterprise.
  2. IN-SPACe acts as the single-window authorising and promoting agency for Non-Government Entity (NGE) space activities, while NSIL functions as the commercial arm of ISRO.
  3. Both IN-SPACe and NSIL function under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. As reported by Dr. Jitendra Singh to Parliament (2026), out of the total authorisations granted to Non-Government Entities, how many were issued specifically to space start-ups?

  • A. 15
  • B. 17
  • C. 30
  • D. 45

Q3. Under the Indian Space Policy, 2023, which one of the following best describes the mandate assigned to IN-SPACe?

  • A. Carrying out end-to-end commercial space business on a demand-driven basis
  • B. Undertaking research and development of new space technologies and applications
  • C. Authorising and promoting space activities of Non-Government Entities as an autonomous single-window agency
  • D. Framing overarching space policy and exercising administrative oversight of the sector

Q4. Under the Indian Space Policy, 2023, consider the following role-assignments: 1. ISRO — research and development of new space technologies and applications. 2. NSIL — commercialisation of space technologies and products as ISRO's commercial arm. 3. IN-SPACe — authorisation and promotion of Non-Government Entity space activities. 4. Department of Space — commercial marketing of satellites and launch services to foreign clients. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. ISRO — research and development of new space technologies and applications.
  2. NSIL — commercialisation of space technologies and products as ISRO's commercial arm.
  3. IN-SPACe — authorisation and promotion of Non-Government Entity space activities.
  4. Department of Space — commercial marketing of satellites and launch services to foreign clients.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q5. The ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund and the ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund created to catalyse private investment in the space sector are being operationalised through which body?

  • A. IN-SPACe
  • B. New Space India Limited (NSIL)
  • C. ISRO
  • D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Q6. The stated target of a five-fold increase in India's share of the global space economy, cited alongside the sharp rise in cumulative private investment, is anchored primarily in which framework?

  • A. Indian Space Policy, 2023
  • B. Space Activities Bill, 2017
  • C. SATCOM Policy, 2000
  • D. Remote Sensing Data Policy, 2011

Q7. With reference to the Government's support and facilitation framework for private (Non-Government Entity) space activities, consider the following: 1. A ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for space start-ups. 2. A ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund. 3. A ₹1,200 crore private-investment commitment tied to the Earth Observation Public-Private Partnership. 4. A liberalised FDI policy that bars all foreign direct investment in satellite establishment and operation. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. A ₹1,000 crore Venture Capital Fund for space start-ups.
  2. A ₹500 crore Technology Adoption Fund.
  3. A ₹1,200 crore private-investment commitment tied to the Earth Observation Public-Private Partnership.
  4. A liberalised FDI policy that bars all foreign direct investment in satellite establishment and operation.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q8. Which body grants authorisations to Non-Government Entities to carry out space activities in India?

  • A. IN-SPACe, the autonomous single-window agency for authorising space activities of NGEs
  • B. ISRO, which alone authorises all private space launches in the country
  • C. NSIL, which exclusively regulates every commercial space entity in India
  • D. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Q9. In which year was it disclosed to Parliament that dedicated Safety & Security Guidelines for private space activities are being developed to reinforce the national security framework?

  • A. 2020
  • B. 2023
  • C. 2025
  • D. 2026

Q10. Consider the following statements about the growth of India's space start-ups: 1. As per the DPIIT Startup India portal, the number of space start-ups rose from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023. 2. Active space start-ups currently number over 400, up from a single start-up in 2014. 3. This growth followed the incorporation of NSIL in 2019 as the single-window promotion and authorisation agency for NGEs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. As per the DPIIT Startup India portal, the number of space start-ups rose from just 1 in 2014 to 189 in 2023.
  2. Active space start-ups currently number over 400, up from a single start-up in 2014.
  3. This growth followed the incorporation of NSIL in 2019 as the single-window promotion and authorisation agency for NGEs.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Which entity is mandated to carry out end-to-end commercial space business on a demand-driven basis, functioning as the commercial arm of ISRO?

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

Q12. The Department of Space, which administers India's space programme, functions under the direct charge of which of the following?

  • A. The Ministry of Science and Technology
  • B. The Ministry of Defence
  • C. The Prime Minister
  • D. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology