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Q71 (IAS/2015) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Indian earth observation satellites Official Key

In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used? 1. Assessment of crop productivity 2. Locating groundwater resources 3. Mineral exploration 4. Telecommunications 5. Traffic studies Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

Indian satellite systems can be grouped into two categories: Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System (IRS)[1]. The INSAT system is designed for telecommunications, meteorological observation and various other data and programmes[1], while IRS satellites collect data in several spectral bands and are very useful in the management of natural resources[2].

Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites are specifically used in assessment of crop productivity, locating groundwater resources, and mineral[4] exploration. Additionally, remote sensing and satellite imageries can be useful in identifying possible river-basins and identifying ground water potential[6]. Satellites like the IRS have played an important role, through infrared photographs, in locating geothermal areas[7].

Telecommunications is a function of the INSAT system, not IRS satellites. Traffic studies are not mentioned as an application of IRS satellites in the provided documents. Therefore, only activities 1, 2, and 3 are correct applications of IRS satellites, making option A the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Satellite Communication > p. 84
  2. [2] INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Satellite Communication > p. 84
  3. [5] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters > Consequences of Drought > p. 66
  4. [6] INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters > Consequences of Drought > p. 66
  5. [7] Environment, Shankar IAS Acedemy .(ed 10th) > Chapter 22: Renewable Energy > Recent Developments: > p. 295
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Q. In which of the following activities are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used? 1. Assessment of crop productivity 2. Locating gr…
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Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6/10 · 4/10
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This is a classic 'Definition & Application' question. It tests if you understand the fundamental binary of India's space program: IRS (Earth Observation/Cameras) vs. INSAT (Communication/Transponders). The answer lies directly in NCERT Geography Class XII, which explicitly separates these two systems.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Are Indian Remote Sensing (IRS) satellites used for assessment of crop productivity
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
INDIA PEOPLE AND ECONOMY, TEXTBOOK IN GEOGRAPHY FOR CLASS XII (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 7: Transport and Communication > Satellite Communication > p. 84
Presence: 4/5
“Satellites are mode of communication in themselves as well as they regulate the use of other means of communication. However, use of satellite in getting a continuous and synoptic view of larger area has made satellite communication very vital for the country due to the economic and strategic reasons. Satellite images can be used for the weather forecast, monitoring of natural calamities, surveillance of border areas, etc. On the basis of configuration and purposes, satellite system in India can be grouped into two: Indian National Satellite System (INSAT) and Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System (IRS). The INSAT, which was established in 1983,is a multi-purpose satellite system for telecommunication, meteorological observation and for various other data and programmes.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly names the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite System (IRS) as a dedicated remote sensing satellite system in India.
  • States that satellite images provide a continuous, synoptic view useful for applications like weather forecasting and monitoring large areas — capability required for crop monitoring and assessment.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 10: Spatial Organisation of Agriculture > AGRO-CLIMATIC REGIONS OF INDIA > p. 32
Presence: 4/5
“India has great variations in the geo-climatic, socioeconomic, and agricultural practices. The variations in the geo-ecological and socioeconomic conditions have closely influenced the agricultural activities. For the planning of agriculture, the Planning Commission and the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) have divided the country into 15 agro-climatic regions (Fig. 10.10). The main objectives of agro-climatic regions are • (i) to optimise agricultural production;• (ii) to increase farm income;• (iii) to generate more rural employment;• (iv) to make a judicious use of the available irrigation water; and• (v) to reduce the regional inequalities in the development of agriculture. These agro-climatic regions are as under:”
Why this source?
  • Notes that the National Remote Sensing Agency (NRSA) used remote sensing to divide India into 15 agro-climatic regions for agricultural planning.
  • Lists agricultural objectives of these remote-sensing-driven regions (optimise production, increase farm income, judicious use of irrigation) which imply use of remote sensing for crop-related assessment and planning.
INDIA PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT, Geography Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 6: Natural Hazards and Disasters > Consequences of Drought > p. 66
Presence: 3/5
“Identification of ground water potential in the form of aquifers, transfer of river water from the surplus to the deficit areas, and particularly planning for inter-linking of rivers and construction of reservoirs and dams, etc. should be given a serious thought. Remote sensing and satellite imageries can be useful in identifying the possible river-basins that can be inter-linked and in identifying the ground water potential. Dissemination of knowledge about drought-resistant crops and proper training to practise the same can be some of the long-term measures that will be helpful in drought-mitigation. Rainwater harvesting can also be an effective method in minimising the effects of drought.”
Why this source?
  • States remote sensing and satellite imageries are useful for identifying groundwater potential, river basins and in drought-mitigation planning — activities closely linked to sustaining crop productivity.
  • Shows satellite data is applied to practical agricultural/environmental assessments that affect crop outcomes.
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