TGPSC Group-I Prelims 2004

371 questions from the 2004 papers, each with the official answer and an explanation.

A question repeated across years is listed once, under one of the years it appeared.

321. Q321Sports

     17-year-old Miss Maria Sharapova from Russia became the third youngest woman to win the 200 Wimbledon women's title. Who were the first and second youngest women, respectively, to win this title in 1887 and again in 1997?

     • aSerena Kuznetsova and Martina Navratilova
     • bDitty Jen King and Martina Hingis
     • cDitty Jen King and Lottie Dod
     • dLottie Dod and Martina HingisAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because Lottie Dod became the youngest ever Wimbledon singles champion at age 15 in 1887, and Martina Hingis became the second youngest at age 16 in 1997. Youngest Wimbledon women's champions: Lottie Dod at 15 years, 285 days in 1887 Martina Hingis at 16 years, 278 days in 1997 Maria Sharapova at 17 years, 75 days in 2004 Option A: Serena Kuznetsova and Martina Navratilova are not the two youngest winners in Wimbledon history. Option B: Ditty Jen King is an erroneous distortion and did not win the 1887 title. Option C: Ditty Jen King was not the champion in 1887.

322. Q322Events, summits and observances

     The theme of Indian science congress, 2001 was:

     • a'Food nutrition and environmental security'Answer
     • b'Arrest declining interest in pure sciences'
     • c'Make India energy self-sufficient'
     • d'Make India I.T superpower'
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the focal theme of the 88th Indian Science Congress held at the Indian Agricultural Research Institute in New Delhi in January 2001 was Food, Nutrition and Environmental Security. Option B: It misstates the central theme, as reversing declining interest in pure sciences was a discussion topic rather than the focal title. Option C: It names an energy objective that was not the designated theme of the 2001 congress. Option D: It refers to information technology ambitions rather than the agricultural and environmental security theme adopted for 2001.

323. Q323Events, summits and observances

     Where was the 'Kids for Kids' International Film Festival held in June 2004?

     • aVienna
     • bBerlin
     • cTokyoAnswer
     • dCairo

     Official answer shown. The explanation is under review.

324. Q324Events, summits and observances

     Which of the following was the slogan of the 15th International AIDS Conference, the world's largest AIDS conference, which began in Bangkok on July 11, 2004?

     • a'Health Aid for All'
     • b'Access for All'Answer
     • c'End AIDS'
     • d'Community for All'
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the official theme and slogan of the 15th International AIDS Conference held in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2004 was 'Access for All', highlighting the need for universal access to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Option A: 'Health Aid for All' was not the slogan of the 2004 Bangkok conference. Option C: 'End AIDS' has been used as a broader global campaign slogan, not the specific theme of the 15th International AIDS Conference. Option D: 'Community for All' was not the official conference motto.

325. Q325Events, summits and observances

     The World Muslim Conference, called the 'Biggest News' after the former in Mecca, with 3 million votes from 70 countries, was held in December 2003 in?

     • aTongi, BangladeshAnswer
     • bKuala Lumpur, Malaysia
     • cJakarta, Indonesia
     • dJapan
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the event referred to is the annual Bishwa Ijtema organised by Tablighi Jamaat on the banks of the Turag River in Tongi, Gazipur, Bangladesh, which is the second-largest Muslim congregation in the world after the Hajj in Mecca. Option B: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosts various regional Islamic summits, but not this massive gathering. Option C: Jakarta, Indonesia, did not host this mass congregation. Option D: Japan has a very small Muslim population and has never hosted this mega gathering.

326. Q326Events, summits and observances

     Which group of countries among those listed below decided to start work in early 2004 to construct/develop the 1360 km long Moreh-Imphal-Mae Sot highway?

     • aChina, Bhutan, India
     • bIndia, Myanmar, ThailandAnswer
     • cMyanmar, Cambodia, India
     • dIndia, China, Myanmar
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the 1360 km Trilateral Highway project connecting Moreh in India to Mae Sot in Thailand through Myanmar was initiated collaboratively by the governments of India, Myanmar, and Thailand. Option A: China and Bhutan are not participating member states of the Moreh to Mae Sot trilateral highway project. Option C: Cambodia is not one of the three primary partner nations involved in the Moreh-Imphal-Mae Sot corridor. Option D: China is not part of this trilateral connectivity initiative.

327. Q327Events, summits and observances

     Where did the Biswa Iftema or World Muslim congregation, believed to be the largest Muslim gathering after the Haj of Mecca, take place during December 2003, where three million devotees from 70 countries participated ?

     • aTongi in BangladeshAnswer
     • bKuala Lumpur in Malaysia
     • cDjakarta in Indonesia
     • dJava
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the annual Biswa Ijtema (World Muslim congregation), organized by Tablighi Jamaat, takes place on the banks of the Turag River at Tongi near Dhaka in Bangladesh, drawing millions of pilgrims. Option B: Kuala Lumpur hosts international Islamic forums but is not the venue of the Biswa Ijtema. Option C: Djakarta is the capital of Indonesia and does not host the Biswa Ijtema gathering. Option D: Java is an Indonesian island and has never hosted this specific annual congregation.

328. Q328Events, summits and observances

     On July 5, 2004, exactly at 21:30 Indian Standard Time, to mark 50 years of 'Rock-n-Roll', which of the following British broadcasts aired it from 1,500 radio stations worldwide under the name “Global Movement in Time”?

     • aMoonwalk, Moonwalk
     • b'That's All Right Mama'Answer
     • c'No Fun Baby'
     • d'Riding on the Rain'
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Elvis Presley's debut single 'That's All Right Mama', recorded on July 5, 1954, was simultaneously broadcast across more than 1,500 radio stations worldwide on July 5, 2004, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of rock and roll. Option A: Moonwalk, Moonwalk is incorrect because it is not a song connected to the 1954 birth of rock and roll. Option C: 'No Fun Baby' is incorrect because no such track was featured in the global 50th anniversary broadcast. Option D: 'Riding on the Rain' is incorrect because it is not an Elvis Presley track or the credited foundation of rock and roll.

329. Q329Events, summits and observances

     The former world-renowned chess champion who sought political asylum in Japan in August 2004 because the US government was trying to apprehend him for rejecting sanctions imposed on Yugoslavia and for his stance on the 9/11 attacks.

     • aAnatoly Karpov
     • bGarry Kasparov
     • cBobby FischerAnswer
     • dJeff Spassky
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Bobby Fischer, the eleventh World Chess Champion from the United States, was detained in Japan in 2004 for using an invalid passport while fleeing US prosecution for violating international sanctions against Yugoslavia in 1992. Option A: Anatoly Karpov is a Soviet and Russian chess grandmaster who remained a member of the Russian parliament and never faced US sanctions or sought asylum in Japan. Option B: Garry Kasparov is a Russian grandmaster and political activist who took Croatian citizenship, with no record of seeking Japanese asylum in 2004. Option D: Boris Spassky (erroneously named Jeff) was Fischer's Soviet rival in 1972 and held French-Russian nationality without facing US prosecution.

330. Q330Events, summits and observances

     Bobby Jindal, an Indian-American who contested for the post of Governor of Louisiana in the United States, received 48 percent of the votes and lost to the candidate who secured 52 percent of the votes. Who defeated him in the head-to-head contest and was elected as the first female Governor of Louisiana from the Democrats?

     • aMargaret Simpson
     • bMary Marlo Laux Smith
     • cKathleen Babineaux BlancoAnswer
     • dJenda Raphael
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Kathleen Babineaux Blanco defeated Republican candidate Bobby Jindal in the 2003 Louisiana gubernatorial runoff election, securing about 52 percent of the vote to become the first female governor of Louisiana. Option A: Margaret Simpson is an incorrect name and was not a candidate in the 2003 Louisiana gubernatorial election. Option B: Mary Marlo Laux Smith is not a political figure associated with this election. Option D: Jenda Raphael did not contest this election.

331. Q331Events, summits and observances

     Who wrote the preamble to the proposed European Union Constitution?

     • aCardinal Dubois
     • bJacques Delors
     • cMaurice Druon
     • dValéry Giscard d'EstaingAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because former French President Valéry Giscard d'Estaing served as the President of the European Convention and personally drafted the preamble to the proposed European Union Constitution. Option A: Cardinal Dubois was an eighteenth-century French cardinal and statesman who lived long before the creation of the European Union. Option B: Jacques Delors served as President of the European Commission from 1985 to 1995 but was not the author of this preamble. Option C: Maurice Druon was a French novelist and politician who did not draft the European constitutional text.

332. Q332Events, summits and observances

     Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf survived bomb attacks on him for the first time on December 14, 2003, and for the second time on December 25, 2003, in the same city. In which city did these attacks take place?

     • aKarachi
     • bRawalpindiAnswer
     • cIslamabad
     • dLahore
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because both assassination attempts against General Pervez Musharraf in December 2003 took place in the garrison city of Rawalpindi along his regular travel route. December 14, 2003: Bomb detonated on the Jhanda Chichi bridge in Rawalpindi moments after his motorcade crossed December 25, 2003: Two suicide truck bombers attacked his motorcade near a petrol station in Rawalpindi Option A: Karachi was not the location of the twin motorcade bombing attempts in December 2003. Option C: Islamabad is adjacent to Rawalpindi, but both blasts took place inside Rawalpindi limits. Option D: Lahore was not the site of these targeted bombings.

333. Q333Events, summits and observances

     Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who served as head of state for the longest period in Asia, assumed office as President of Maldives for a 5-year term on November 11, 2003. How many times had he served as President of Maldives previously?

     • aThree times
     • bFour times
     • cFive timesAnswer
     • dSix times
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Maumoon Abdul Gayoom was first elected President of Maldives in 1978 and re-elected in 1983, 1988, 1993, and 1998, meaning he had completed five terms before beginning his sixth term on November 11, 2003. First term began: 1978 Second term began: 1983 Third term began: 1988 Fourth term began: 1993 Fifth term began: 1998 Sixth term began: 2003 Option A: Three times is incorrect because he had already completed five full terms prior to 2003. Option B: Four times is incorrect because it overlooks his fifth presidential term (1998-2003). Option D: Six times is incorrect because November 11, 2003 marked the start of his sixth term, meaning he had served five times previously.

334. Q334Reports, indices and rankings

     What place does India occupy among the world's largest possessors of the stock of International (Forex) Reserves?

     • a1. 10th
     • b2. 6th
     • c3. 8thAnswer
     • d4. 13th

     Official answer shown. The explanation is under review.

335. Q335Reports, indices and rankings

     Among the countries of the world holding large amounts of foreign exchange, what rank did India occupy?

     • aFifth
     • bSixthAnswer
     • cEighth
     • dThirteenth
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because at the time this exam was conducted, India held the 6th position globally among countries with the largest foreign exchange reserves, trailing China, Japan, Switzerland, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan/Russia. Option A: Fifth is incorrect as India had not yet consistently surpassed Russia or Taiwan into the top five. Option C: Eighth is incorrect because India held a higher rank well inside the top ten. Option D: Thirteenth is incorrect as it severely underestimates India's substantial foreign reserve holdings.

336. Q336Reports, indices and rankings

     On August 20, 2004, Forbes magazine announced that Sonia Gandhi, President of the Congress and Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), was ranked third among the world's most powerful women. Who were in the first and second positions?

     • aCondoleezza Rice and Wu YiAnswer
     • bWu Yi and Condoleezza Rice
     • cLaura Bush and Hillary Clinton
     • dLaura Bush and Chandrika Kumaratunga
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because Forbes placed United States National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice at rank one and Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi at rank two in its inaugural 2004 ranking of the world's most powerful women. Option B: Wu Yi held the second position, not the first position. Option C: Laura Bush ranked fourth and Hillary Clinton ranked fifth on the 2004 list. Option D: Laura Bush was fourth and Chandrika Kumaratunga held the 44th position.

337. Q337Reports, indices and rankings

     The 'UNDP Human Development Report-2004' mainly focused on which of the following aspects?

     • aPolitical and human rights
     • bCultural freedomAnswer
     • cEconomic development
     • dFamine and drought
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the UNDP Human Development Report 2004 was officially titled Cultural Liberty in Today's Diverse World, centering entirely on cultural diversity and human rights. Option A: Political and human rights was the designated theme of the Human Development Report 2000, not 2004. Option C: Economic development is a broad pillar of human development rather than the specific thematic focus of the 2004 edition. Option D: Famine and drought is not the theme of the 2004 report.

338. Q338Reports, indices and rankings

     According to the World Population Development Report, what is India's rank regarding water quality among a total of 122 countries?

     • a74
     • b120Answer
     • c96
     • d14
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the United Nations World Water Development Report placed India at 120th position out of 122 countries in the water quality index, indicating extremely poor quality of water resources. Total countries assessed: 122 India's rank: 120 Option A: 74 does not correspond to India's position in this water quality assessment. Option C: 96 is incorrect as India was placed much lower, near the bottom of the index. Option D: 14 is incorrect because top ranks were occupied by countries with high water quality, unlike India.

339. Q339Reports, indices and rankings

     Who among the following was featured as an exemplary figure on the cover page of UNICEF's 'The State of the World's Children: 2004' report, which was released in New Delhi on December 11, 2003?

     • aLalita KumariAnswer
     • bShyamala Ben
     • cMaria Cavilin
     • dNandita Das
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because Lalita Kumari, a young girl from Bihar who overcame severe social and economic barriers to pursue education through a community school initiative, was featured on the cover page of UNICEF's 'The State of the World's Children: 2004' report. Option B: Shyamala Ben was not the featured individual on the cover page of this UNICEF report. Option C: Maria Cavilin was not associated with the cover feature of this publication. Option D: Nandita Das is an Indian actor and activist who was not the cover feature of this 2004 report.

340. Q340Reports, indices and rankings

     On August 6, 2004, on the occasion of the 'State of the States - 2004' awards presented by India Today, which state not only won six awards but also received the highest award in all sectors among large states?

     • aUttar Pradesh
     • bHimachal Pradesh
     • cPunjabAnswer
     • dMadhya Pradesh
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Punjab was adjudged the best overall state among large states in the India Today State of the States 2004 awards, winning across multiple individual developmental sectors. Option A: Uttar Pradesh was among the lower-ranked states overall and did not win the top sector awards. Option B: Himachal Pradesh performed well in the small states category rather than the large states category. Option D: Madhya Pradesh did not win the top honors among large states in the 2004 evaluation.

341. Q341Reports, indices and rankings

     According to the recently released Indian Survey Report, which of the following items has been removed from the list of specified goods, stating that it does not fall under food items?

     • aCooking oil
     • bTeaAnswer
     • cCoffee
     • dMineral water
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because tea was officially excluded from the classification of specified food items under the survey guidelines, as it is categorized as a beverage or plantation product rather than a core food item. Option A: Cooking oil is categorized as an essential edible food commodity. Option C: Coffee remained classified under beverages with different commodity listings, not being the specific item removed in this report. Option D: Mineral water is treated as a packaged drinking product under packaged food and beverage regulations.

342. Q342Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Among the following statements about the National Social Security Number Card (NSSNC) introduced in the country in June, 2004, identify those which are not true. a. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, introduced it. b. Employees from both private and public sectors are eligible to seek the card c. It is a photo-identity card with a number in 14 digits d. It does not provide the facility to draw money from one's PF account without the knowledge of the employer. e. The same number continues, even if there is a change in the employment of a person f. The Hindustan Shipyard was the first PSU to receive the card

     • a1. a, d, f
     • b2. a, c, e
     • c3. b, e, f
     • d4. a, b, eAnswer

     Official answer shown. The explanation is under review.

343. Q343Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following Bollywood films recently became the world's first feature film to be offered for download from the popular net www. kazam. com at a cost of $ 2.99 ?

     • aKalHoNaHo
     • bSupariAnswer
     • cThe Legend of Bhagat Singh
     • dFire
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the Hindi feature film Supari, directed by Padam Kumar and released in 2003, became the first Bollywood movie officially licensed for legal paid digital download on the file-sharing network Kazaa (kazam.com) at 2.99 dollars. Option A: was released through standard theatrical and home-video channels without this internet download deal. Option C: was released in 2002 and was not distributed via this digital download agreement. Option D: was released in 1996 and was not part of the early-2000s Kazaa distribution deal.

344. Q344Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following has recently acquired the status of the world's first complete E-Networked rural district in India?

     • aKanyakumari in Tamil Nadu
     • bMalappuram in KeralaAnswer
     • cBharatpur in Rajasthan
     • dGaya in Bihar
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Malappuram district in Kerala achieved the distinction of becoming the first e-networked rural district through the successful implementation of the Akshaya project. Option A: Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu has high literacy but was not the first district to achieve complete e-networked rural status. Option C: Bharatpur in Rajasthan did not initiate or achieve the pioneer status for complete rural e-networking. Option D: Gaya in Bihar was not part of the pioneer rural electronic network rollout in India.

345. Q345Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     India’s first commercial civilian aircraft , Saras, which took to the skies recently at Bangalore, is named after the:

     • aArabian Sea- gull
     • bIndian CraneAnswer
     • cIndian Sparrow
     • dIndian Eagle
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Saras, the multi-role light transport aircraft developed by National Aerospace Laboratories, is named after the Indian Sarus crane, which is also the state bird of Uttar Pradesh. Option A: Arabian Sea-gull is an unrelated marine bird and is not the inspiration for the aircraft name. Option C: Indian Sparrow is not the bird associated with the civilian transport project. Option D: Indian Eagle is not the avian species from which the aircraft derives its name.

346. Q346Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     India's first Gramin Cyber Centre was launched in

     • aTamil Nadu
     • bAndhra PradeshAnswer
     • cMadhya Pradesh
     • dKarnataka
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the country's first Gramin Cyber Centre was established in undivided Andhra Pradesh to take internet access, computer literacy, and digital governance tools directly to rural citizens. Option A: did not establish the first center under this particular rural scheme. Option C: initiated e-governance projects like Gyandoot, but not the first Gramin Cyber Centre. Option D: launched the Bhoomi project for land records, not this specific rural cyber initiative.

347. Q347Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following cities has India's first "Techno Park"?

     • aGurgaon
     • bPune
     • cBangalore
     • dThiruvananthapuramAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because Technopark, established at Thiruvananthapuram in 1990 by the Government of Kerala, is the first and one of the largest information technology parks in India. Option A: Gurgaon developed its prominent IT and cyber hubs during the late 1990s and 2000s, well after Technopark was established. Option B: Pune began developing specialized software technology parks only in the late 1990s. Option C: Bangalore saw the launch of its landmark International Tech Park Bangalore in the late 1990s, years after Technopark had begun operations.

348. Q348Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The Integrated Coach Factory in Perambur designed a new type of unique train coaches for Konkan Railway Corporation. What is the name of that train?

     • aSky BusAnswer
     • bAero Bus
     • cRope Bus
     • dSonic Bus
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the Integrated Coach Factory (ICF) in Perambur designed lightweight, suspended coaches specifically for Konkan Railway's indigenous Sky Bus Metro transit prototype. Option B: Aero Bus is incorrect as no such train system was designed by ICF for Konkan Railway. Option C: Rope Bus is incorrect as this was not the designation of the suspended rail coaches. Option D: Sonic Bus is an invalid transit project name.

349. Q349Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following is the rural district in India that recently acquired the status of being the first district in the world to have complete e-networking?

     • aKanyakumari in Tamil Nadu
     • bMalappuram in KeralaAnswer
     • cBharatpur in Rajasthan
     • dGaya in Bihar
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Malappuram in Kerala became the first district in India—and recognized globally—to achieve complete e-networking and total grassroots computer literacy under the pioneering Akshaya project launched in 2002. Option A: Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu was not the pilot district for full e-networking. Option C: Bharatpur in Rajasthan did not hold this historical e-governance distinction. Option D: Gaya in Bihar was not associated with this universal e-literacy and networking project.

350. Q350Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     By June 2004, Singapore had become the global center for D-Senimark. Which country is going to develop as the global center for E-Senimark?

     • aKorea
     • bChina
     • cIndia
     • dHong KongAnswer

     Official answer shown. The explanation is under review.

351. Q351Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following is the recently released box office film that was made available for download by paying 2.99 dollars from the world's first popular net www.kazam.com?

     • aKill Jo Na Ho
     • bSupariAnswer
     • cThe Legend of Bhagat Singh
     • dFire
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the 2003 Hindi film Supari became the first Indian movie legally distributed for digital download via the peer-to-peer network KaZaA at a price of 2.99 dollars. Option A: Kill Jo Na Ho is not a film associated with the historic digital distribution partnership on KaZaA. Option C: The Legend of Bhagat Singh was released in theaters in 2002 and was not the title launched under this digital download model. Option D: Fire is a 1996 film by Deepa Mehta and was not released through the KaZaA platform.

352. Q352Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     China launched a manned spacecraft successfully on 15 October, 2003. Which of the following statements are not true about the event ? a. It is code-named ‘Project 920’. b. China has spent $ 2.2 billion so far on the project. c. The name of the spacecraft is Shenzhou-5. d. China became the 5th manned space - faring nation in the world with this launch. e. Yang Liwei, the person who manned the craft, is the 431st man of the 241 manned missions into space so far. f. The name of the two-stage launcher is Chang Zheng - 2F.

     • ab, f
     • ba, dAnswer
     • cc, f
     • dd, e
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because statements a and d are incorrect, while China's historic first manned spaceflight took place under Project 921 and made China the third nation to achieve independent human spaceflight. Code name of the human space program was Project 921, not Project 920 China was the 3rd spacefaring nation to launch humans into orbit, after the Soviet Union and the United States, not the 5th Option A: Statement b accurately states the 2.2 billion dollar expenditure, and statement f correctly identifies the launch vehicle as Chang Zheng-2F. Option C: Statement c correctly names the Shenzhou-5 spacecraft, and statement f accurately names the Long March 2F booster. Option D: Statement e is a factual detail regarding Yang Liwei's place in international human spaceflight records.

353. Q353Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Beagle - 2, surface probe of Mars, was successfully launched under the aegis of the European Space Agency on December 19, 2003. Which country built Beagle - 2 ?

     • aBritainAnswer
     • bFrance
     • cSweden
     • dNorway
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because the Beagle 2 lander was built by a consortium of British academic and industrial organisations led by Professor Colin Pillinger of the Open University, launched aboard the European Space Agency's Mars Express mission in 2003. Option B: France built other components and instruments for the Mars Express orbiter, but not the Beagle 2 lander itself. Option C: Sweden contributed scientific instruments to Mars Express rather than building the Beagle 2 lander. Option D: Norway was not the developer or builder of the Beagle 2 lander project.

354. Q354Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     CIVILS – 2004 1. Param Padma, which was in news recently, is:

     • aa new Civilian Award instituted by the Government of India
     • bthe name of a super computer developed by IndiaAnswer
     • cthe name given to a proposed network of canals linking northern and southern rivers of India
     • da software programmer to facilitate e-governance in Madhya Pradesh
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because PARAM Padma was a high-performance supercomputer developed by the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and unveiled in 2003. Option A: refers to civilian honours such as the Padma awards rather than a high-performance computing system. Option C: refers to the National River Linking Project and not a supercomputer project. Option D: refers to state e-governance software initiatives rather than the C-DAC computing architecture.

355. Q355Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     INSAT-3E, India's communication satellite, was launched in 2003 from:

     • aFrench GuianaAnswer
     • bSeychelles
     • cMauritius
     • dMauritania
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because INSAT-3E, India's communication satellite, was launched on September 28, 2003, using an Ariane 5 rocket from the Guiana Space Centre in Kourou, French Guiana. Option B: Seychelles does not operate an orbital spaceport or rocket launch facility. Option C: Mauritius houses an ISRO tracking telemetry station, not an orbital spaceport. Option D: Mauritania lacks any space launch infrastructure.

356. Q356Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The world's first human clone, a baby girl named 'Eve' was born on december 26, 2002. Name the company involved in the project.

     • aBrigitte
     • bColrmino
     • cClonaidAnswer
     • dCamisselier
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Clonaid, a human cloning company founded by the leader of the Raelian movement, announced the birth of the first alleged cloned baby, named Eve, in December 2002. Option A: It is incorrect because Brigitte refers to Brigitte Boisselier, the chief executive of Clonaid, rather than the name of the company itself. Option B: It is incorrect because Colrmino is a fictitious name not associated with the cloning project. Option D: It is incorrect because Camisselier is an erroneous variation referencing parts of the founder's name rather than the company.

357. Q357Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The space shuttle Columbia broke up in the sky over Tyler inTexas on February 1, 2003, killing all the crew members including Kalpana Chawla. What was chawla's rank on the shuttle?

     • aCommander
     • bpayload Speacialist
     • cMission SpecialistAnswer
     • dPilot
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Kalpana Chawla served as a Mission Specialist on STS-107 aboard Space Shuttle Columbia, where she conducted microgravity and earth science experiments. Option A: It is incorrect because Rick Husband served as the Commander of mission STS-107. Option B: It is incorrect because Ilan Ramon of the Israeli Air Force served as the primary Payload Specialist on the flight. Option D: It is incorrect because William McCool was the designated Pilot for the STS-107 mission.

358. Q358Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Saras, India's first civilian business aircraft, recently made its maiden flight in Bengaluru; its name is based on what?

     • aArabian Sea Gull bird.
     • bIndian Crane.Answer
     • cIndian Sparrow.
     • dIndian Eagle.
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because the Saras multi-role civilian aircraft, developed by the National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL), is named after the Sarus crane (Indian Crane), known for its elegance and flight endurance. Option A: Arabian Sea Gull bird is not the namesake of this indigenous aircraft. Option C: Indian Sparrow is not the bird after which the Saras project was titled. Option D: Indian Eagle is incorrect as Saras specifically derives from the Sanskrit word for the crane species.

359. Q359Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     On October 15, 2003, China successfully launched a manned spacecraft. Which of the following are not true regarding this event? a. Its secret name is Project 920. b. China has spent 2.2 billion dollars on this project so far. c. The name of this spacecraft is 'Shenzhou'. d. With this launch, China became the fifth country in the world to launch manned spacecraft. e. Yang Liwei, who traveled in this spacecraft, became the 431st person among the travelers who participated in the 241 manned space missions so far. f. Its two-stage launch vehicle is named Chang Zheng-2F.

     • ab, f
     • ba, dAnswer
     • cc, f
     • dd, e
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because statements a and d are false; China's crewed spaceflight program was officially codenamed Project 921, and the Shenzhou 5 mission made China the third country, not the fifth, to launch a human into space independently after the Soviet Union and the United States. Official codename: Project 921, not Project 920 Global position: Third nation with independent human spaceflight capability Launch date: October 15, 2003 Astronaut: Yang Liwei aboard Shenzhou 5 Launch vehicle: Chang Zheng-2F (Long March 2F) Option A: Statements b and f are correct descriptions of the mission's estimated expenditure and the two-stage Chang Zheng-2F rocket. Option C: Statements c and f are true because the spacecraft was named Shenzhou and used the Chang Zheng-2F launcher. Option D: Statement e is true regarding Yang Liwei's historical placement among cumulative space travelers, so this combination is incorrect.

360. Q360Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The world's first free bond-free cell car reached Sydney on December 27, 2003. Which of the following statements regarding this car are true? a. Students of Tasmania University in Australia designed, built, and drove it. b. In driving, water and sunlight are used separately. c. Its name is Anak Mouse. d. It made the world's first intercontinental journey of 4084 km in less than 9 days. e. Its name is Apollondine. f. It was designed and built by students of Tokyugawa University, and driven by students of Perth University.

     • aa, d, eAnswer
     • ba, b, f
     • cc, d, f
     • db, c, d

     Official answer shown. The explanation is under review.