2016 · GS Paper 3 · Q12 · 12 marks
Discuss India's achievements in the field of Space Science and Technology. How the application of this technology has helped India in its socio-economic development?
In short
India's space achievements, from an indigenous cryogenic stage and Chandrayaan-1 to a first-attempt Mars orbit and NavIC, have been matched by applications in disaster warning, agriculture, education, health and governance. Satellite forecasting helped evacuate around a million people before Cyclone Phailin in 2013.
Model answer
Ghissu Editorial · Verified 4 Oct 2026 · 275 words
Launchers and Planets
The PSLV became a reliable workhorse and GSLV-D5 flew an indigenous cryogenic stage in 2014; Chandrayaan-1 (2008) helped confirm water on the Moon, and Mangalyaan made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit on its first attempt.
Navigation and Frontiers
NavIC's seven-satellite constellation was completed in 2016, AstroSat (2015) became India's first space observatory, and the reusable launch vehicle and scramjet tests (2016) point to cheaper access; Chandrayaan-3 later landed near the lunar south pole (2023).
Disaster and Livelihoods
Satellite forecasts enabled the evacuation of around a million people before Cyclone Phailin (2013), FASAL forecasts crop output, and INCOIS fishing zone advisories cut fishers' fuel costs.
Education and Health
EDUSAT (2004) took classrooms to remote schools, and ISRO's telemedicine network links district hospitals with super-speciality centres, saving patients long journeys.
Governance and Connectivity
The Bhuvan geoportal geo-tags MGNREGA assets, groundwater prospect maps guide drinking-water wells, and INSAT-GSAT transponders carry DTH television and VSAT banking links to villages.
This model answer is indicative and the model can make mistakes; please verify key facts independently.
Practise this question
1Get the answer sheet
Sized for this question.
2Write your answer
Timed, by hand.
3Get it marked
Your score and what to fix.
This chapter in the exam
Space8 questions
Asked in 8 of 14 sittings since 2013
- 2026Mention salient features of 'Mission Drishti'. Discuss the imaging techniques used in the satellite launched on 3rd May 2026. Why it is being considered world's first satellite of its kind? (Answer in 250 words)
- 2024What are asteroids? How real is the threat of them causing extinction of life? What strategies have been developed to prevent such a catastrophe?
All 8 questions, sorted by sub-topic, with model answers and practice.
Question from the official UPSC Civil Services (Main) Examination 2016 paper. Answer written by Ghissu's engine and checked against our editorial standards. Found an error? Tell us and we correct it within 48 hours.