TGPSC Group-I Prelims 2010

367 questions from the 2010 papers, each with the official answer and an explanation.

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

361. Q361Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Which of the following manuscripts is included in UNESCO's 'Memory of the World Register'?

     • aMahabharata
     • bRamayana
     • cRigvedaAnswer
     • dAbhidhamma Pitaka
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because 30 manuscripts of the Rigveda preserved at the Bhandarkar Oriental Research Institute in Pune were inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register in 2007. Option A: Mahabharata manuscripts as a collection have not been inscribed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Option B: Ramayana manuscripts are not listed on UNESCO's Memory of the World Register. Option D: Abhidhamma Pitaka manuscripts are not among the Indian entries included in this register.

362. Q362Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The day a total solar eclipse occurred in the 21st century:

     • a20 July, 2009
     • b21, 2009
     • c22, 2009Answer
     • d23, 2009
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because the longest total solar eclipse of the 21st century occurred on 22 July 2009, with totality lasting up to 6 minutes and 39 seconds. Date of the total solar eclipse: 22 July 2009 Duration of maximum totality: 6 minutes and 39 seconds Option A: 20 July 2009 had no solar eclipse; it was two days prior to the event. Option B: 21 July 2009 was the day preceding the solar eclipse. Option D: 23 July 2009 was the day following the eclipse.

363. Q363Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The day the largest solar eclipse in a thousand years occurred:

     • a15 January, 2010Answer
     • b16 January, 2010
     • c17 January, 2010
     • d18 January, 2010
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because on 15 January 2010, the longest annular solar eclipse of the third millennium occurred, having a maximum annularity duration of 11 minutes and 7.8 seconds, a record duration that will not be exceeded until the year 3043. Option B: No eclipse occurred on 16 January 2010. Option C: 17 January 2010 did not experience an eclipse event. Option D: 18 January 2010 had no solar eclipse.

364. Q364Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The spacecraft launched by 'NASA' in November 2009:

     • aAtlantisAnswer
     • bChallenger
     • cColumbia
     • dDiscovery
     ›Explanation

     Option A is correct because NASA launched the Space Shuttle Atlantis on November 16, 2009, on mission STS-129 to deliver critical spare parts and equipment to the International Space Station. Launch date: November 16, 2009 Mission: STS-129 Orbiter: Space Shuttle Atlantis Destination: International Space Station Option B: Challenger was lost in a tragic launch accident in January 1986 and was no longer operational. Option C: Columbia broke apart during atmospheric re-entry in February 2003 and was out of service. Option D: Discovery flew in August 2009 and April 2010, but was not launched during November 2009.

365. Q365Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Tiyanhe, a super computer has been developed by:

     • aJapan
     • bMalaysia
     • cThailand
     • dChinaAnswer
     ›Explanation

     Option D is correct because the Tianhe supercomputer series, including Tianhe-1 and Tianhe-2, was developed by the National University of Defense Technology in China. Option A: Japan developed supercomputers such as Fugaku and the K computer, not Tianhe. Option B: Malaysia does not have a supercomputer program named Tianhe. Option C: Thailand did not develop the Tianhe supercomputer.

366. Q366Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     The maximum range of the Agni-3 missile tested in February, 2010:

     • a3300 km
     • b3500 kmAnswer
     • c3700 km
     • d3900 km
     ›Explanation

     Option B is correct because Agni-3 is an intermediate-range ballistic missile developed by DRDO with an officially stated strike range of 3500 km. Agni-1 strike range: 700 to 900 km Agni-2 strike range: 2000 to 2500 km Agni-3 strike range: 3500 km Agni-4 strike range: 3500 to 4000 km Agni-5 strike range: 5000 km or more Option A: 3300 km is lower than the designated operational range of Agni-3. Option C: 3700 km exceeds the standard baseline range of Agni-3. Option D: 3900 km falls within the operational envelope of Agni-4 rather than Agni-3.

367. Q367Launches: schemes, missions and firsts

     Range of the Agni-1 missile tested in March, 2010:

     • a300 km
     • b500 km
     • c700 kmAnswer
     • d900 km
     ›Explanation

     Option C is correct because Agni-1 is a single-stage, solid-fuel, short-range ballistic missile with an established operational strike range of 700 km, successfully tested at that capability from Wheeler Island off the Odisha coast in March 2010. Option A: 300 km represents the range category of the Prithvi-II missile, not Agni-1. Option B: 500 km falls well short of the operational range of the Agni-1 system. Option D: 900 km represents the upper limit with lighter payloads, but the baseline operational rating of Agni-1 tested in this trial is 700 km.