Science and Technology Mixed Practice — MCQs with Answers (Set 1)

The Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun was established in 1960, ahead of IIT Delhi (1961) and IIM Ahmedabad (1961). IISER Pune came much later, in 2006.

GPS genuinely uses a satellite network to find location. But it works by trilateration, measuring distances to at least three satellites, not by using latitude directly.

GAGAN provides additional accuracy and integrity (Statement 1 correct) and enables more uniform, high-quality air traffic management (Statement 2 correct), per AAI’s official description. But it is not aviation-only — GAGAN also benefits maritime navigation, road transport, and railways (Statement 3 wrong).

The answer is only two. The Coast Guard calls the Dornier 228 a maritime patrol aircraft, so pair I is correct. PIB’s induction release says India needed a strategic airlift platform and bought the C-17 for it, so pair III is correct. The IL-76 is a military transport, not a supersonic combat aircraft, so pair II is wrong.

FSSAI set a 1% tolerance, clarified on 8 February 2021. Listed crops need a GM-free certificate.

GEAC rules cover cultivation. GM food imports are governed mainly by FSSAI under the food safety law.

The Lok Sabha reply of 5 August 2026 cited a 70 to 90 per cent chance for June 2026 to February 2027.

Clearance applies when it is part of a building project over 20,000 sq m or a township project of 50 hectares or more.

The BioE3 Policy, approved on 24 August 2024, targets a $300 billion bioeconomy by 2030. It stood at over $130 billion in 2024.

GEAC is constituted under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. UPSC CSP 2015 tested this link.

The correct answer is six. They include bio-based chemicals, functional foods, precision biotherapeutics, climate resilient agriculture, biofuels and marine and space research. Memory hook: six verticals, six areas to name.

The correct answer is Bio-AI Hubs. Bio-enablers are biofoundries, biomanufacturing hubs and Bio-AI hubs. They support discovery and translational research across the sectors. Memory hook: foundry, hub, AI.

The correct answer is Kochi. India also hosted the Committee for Environmental Protection meeting there. Memory hook: Kochi welcomed the Treaty.

The correct answer is Bharati. It was built in 2012 in the Larsemann Hills. Dakshin Gangotri is no longer active, and Himadri is in the Arctic. Memory hook: Maitri and Bharati, friendship and India.

The correct answer is NCPOR, the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research. Memory hook: P for Polar, P for programme.

The correct answer is 1983. India signed the Treaty on 19 August 1983 and got consultative status on 12 September 1983. Memory hook: treaty and first station came the same year.

The correct answer is Schirmacher Oasis. Maitri became operational in 1989. Bharati stands in the Larsemann Hills. Memory hook: Maitri is in the Oasis.

The correct answer is Dakshin Gangotri. Ice later disabled it, and Maitri replaced it. Himadri is in the Arctic. Memory hook: first station, first ice victim.

The correct answer is Polar Circle. It was a chartered Norwegian icebreaker that carried 21 members. Memory hook: the Circle carried the first team.

The statement said India was in the vanguard of nations that ushered in the Partial Test Ban Treaty in 1963.

The Prime Minister announced three tests at 1545 hrs. Two more followed on 13 May.

The Executive Council is chaired by the National Security Advisor and carries out the Political Council’s directives.

The Political Council is chaired by the Prime Minister and is the sole body with this power.

The Cabinet Committee on Security met that day. It reviewed progress and chose to share the doctrine.