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Q91 (IAS/2016) Science & Technology › Space & Defence Technology › Space exploration missions Official Key

Consider the following statements : The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the second country to have a spacecraft orbit the Mars after USA 3. made India the only country to be successful in making its spacecraft orbit the Mars in its very first attempt Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: C
Explanation

The correct answer is option C because statements 1 and 3 are correct, while statement 2 is incorrect.

Statement 1 is correct: In November 2013, the first interplanetary mission of ISRO was officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan.[1]

Statement 2 is incorrect: On September 24, 2014, India's space agency became the fourth agency to have launched a spacecraft that was successful in reaching Mars orbit, after the Russian, American, and the European space agencies.[1] Therefore, India was not the second country but the fourth space agency to achieve this feat.

Statement 3 is correct: India became the first country to have succeeded in reaching Mars in its very first attempt, and at a remarkably low cost.[1] This made India unique among all nations that had attempted Mars missions, as European, American and Russian probes managed to orbit or land on the planet only after several attempts.[2]

Sources
  1. [1] Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
  2. [2] https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/space-history-india-successfully-places-mars-spacecraft-in-orbit/article64111355.ece
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Consider the following statements : The Mangalyaan launched by ISRO 1. is also called the Mars Orbiter Mission 2. made India the secon…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 6.7/10 · 3.3/10

This is a classic 'National Pride' question rooted in Current Affairs but cemented in static history books (Post-Independence). The trap lies in Statement 2, which ignores the Cold War space giants (USSR/Russia) to confuse the ranking. It rewards knowing not just *what* we did, but *where* we stand globally.

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
Is the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
Presence: 5/5
“Amidst all the negative aspects that occupied the political discussion, it was heartening to watch the success of Indian space scientists. In November 2013, the first interplanetary mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan, was launched. [On September 24, 2014, India's space agency became the fourth agency to have launched a spacecraft that was successful in reaching Mars orbit, after the Russian, American, and the European space agencies. What is more, India became the first country to have succeeded in reaching Mars in its very first attempt, and at a remarkably low cost.]”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states the mission is 'officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan.'
  • Places the mission in ISRO's timeline (launch context), linking the two names to the same 2013 mission.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
Presence: 5/5
“India's Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), launched in 2013 by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was a big step in exploring Mars (Fig. 13.7). It carried tools to study the planet's atmosphere, surface, and signs of past water. Some of these sensors help scientists ask big questions—like was Mars Fig. 13.7: Mangalyaan ever suitable for life? Mangalyaan showed the world that India could do space science with smart, low-cost technology—and it helped bring Mars closer to all of us.”
Why this source?
  • Uses the parenthetical form 'Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission)', directly equating the popular and official names.
  • Specifies the 2013 ISRO launch, corroborating the identity and timing.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
Presence: 4/5
“2013: • PSLV-C25 successfully launches Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraftfrom Sriharikota (Nov 05, 2013). • Successful launch of GSAT-7 by Ariane-5 VA-215 from Kourou French Guiana (August 30, 2013). • Successful launch of INSAT-3D by Ariane-5 VA-214 from Kourou French Guiana (July 26, 2013). • PSLV-C22 successfully launches IRNSS-1A from Sriharikota (Jul 01, 2013). • PSLV-C20 successfully launches SARAL and six commercial payloadsfrom Sriharikota (Feb 25, 2013). • 2015: Ariane-5 VA-227 launched GSAT 15 (Communication Satellite) • GSLV-D6 launched GSAT 6 (Communication Satellite)• 2016: PSLV C35 launched Cartosat 2 (Meteorological Satellite) • GSLV F05 launched INSAT-3DR (Meteorological Satellite) • 2018: PSLV C41 launched IRNSS-11 (Navigation Satellite) • PSLV C40 launched Cartosat 2 (Earth Observation)• PSLV-C33 launched IRNSS-1G (Navigation satellite)”
Why this source?
  • Records the PSLV-C25 launch of the 'Mars Orbiter Mission' spacecraft on Nov 05, 2013, corroborating the mission event tied to Mangalyaan.
  • Provides launch/mission logistics that support identification of MOM with the 2013 ISRO Mars mission.
Statement 2
Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the second country after the United States to have a spacecraft orbit Mars?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 4/5
"Success would make India the fourth space power after the United States, Europe and Russia to orbit or land on the red planet."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states that success would make India the fourth space power, not the second.
  • Names the United States, Europe and Russia as the earlier powers to orbit or land on Mars, contradicting the claim that India was second after the U.S.
Web source
Presence: 5/5
"The Mangalyaan spacecraft successfully entered Mars orbit on September 23, 2014, making ISRO only the fourth space agency in the world to do so. Prior to India, only the United States, the Soviet Union and the European Space Agency (ESA) had successfully"
Why this source?
  • States Mangalyaan's Mars orbit insertion made ISRO only the fourth space agency to do so.
  • Specifically lists the United States, the Soviet Union and the European Space Agency as prior successful actors, directly refuting that India was second after the U.S.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"European, American and Russian probes have managed to orbit or land on the planet, but after several attempts."
Why this source?
  • Notes that European, American and Russian probes have previously orbited or landed on Mars.
  • Affirms India's success but places it after those earlier efforts, not as the second after the U.S.

Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
Strength: 5/5
“Amidst all the negative aspects that occupied the political discussion, it was heartening to watch the success of Indian space scientists. In November 2013, the first interplanetary mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan, was launched. [On September 24, 2014, India's space agency became the fourth agency to have launched a spacecraft that was successful in reaching Mars orbit, after the Russian, American, and the European space agencies. What is more, India became the first country to have succeeded in reaching Mars in its very first attempt, and at a remarkably low cost.]”
Why relevant

Explicitly lists the agencies that had successful spacecraft reach Mars orbit before India—Russian, American, and the European space agencies—implying India was the fourth agency to do so.

How to extend

A student could use this ordering and basic knowledge that 'Russian' refers to the USSR/Russia and that 'European' refers to ESA to infer India was not the second after the US but came after at least these three.

Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
Strength: 4/5
“2013: • PSLV-C25 successfully launches Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraftfrom Sriharikota (Nov 05, 2013). • Successful launch of GSAT-7 by Ariane-5 VA-215 from Kourou French Guiana (August 30, 2013). • Successful launch of INSAT-3D by Ariane-5 VA-214 from Kourou French Guiana (July 26, 2013). • PSLV-C22 successfully launches IRNSS-1A from Sriharikota (Jul 01, 2013). • PSLV-C20 successfully launches SARAL and six commercial payloadsfrom Sriharikota (Feb 25, 2013). • 2015: Ariane-5 VA-227 launched GSAT 15 (Communication Satellite) • GSLV-D6 launched GSAT 6 (Communication Satellite)• 2016: PSLV C35 launched Cartosat 2 (Meteorological Satellite) • GSLV F05 launched INSAT-3DR (Meteorological Satellite) • 2018: PSLV C41 launched IRNSS-11 (Navigation Satellite) • PSLV C40 launched Cartosat 2 (Earth Observation)• PSLV-C33 launched IRNSS-1G (Navigation satellite)”
Why relevant

Gives the launch date (Nov 05, 2013) of the Mars Orbiter Mission, providing a concrete timestamp to place India on a Mars timeline.

How to extend

Compare this date with known earlier Mars orbiter mission dates (e.g., Soviet and US missions, ESA missions) to check how many countries/agencies reached Mars orbit before 2013.

Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
Strength: 4/5
“India's Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), launched in 2013 by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was a big step in exploring Mars (Fig. 13.7). It carried tools to study the planet's atmosphere, surface, and signs of past water. Some of these sensors help scientists ask big questions—like was Mars Fig. 13.7: Mangalyaan ever suitable for life? Mangalyaan showed the world that India could do space science with smart, low-cost technology—and it helped bring Mars closer to all of us.”
Why relevant

Describes Mangalyaan as ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission and emphasizes its success in Mars exploration, clarifying the mission type (an orbiter) relevant to claims about 'orbiting' Mars.

How to extend

Use this confirmation that Mangalyaan was an orbiter plus a timeline of prior orbiters to judge whether India was the second country to orbit Mars after the US.

Statement 3
Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the only country to successfully place a spacecraft into Mars orbit on its first attempt?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
Presence: 5/5
“Amidst all the negative aspects that occupied the political discussion, it was heartening to watch the success of Indian space scientists. In November 2013, the first interplanetary mission of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), officially called the Mars Orbiter Mission and popularly known as Mangalyaan, was launched. [On September 24, 2014, India's space agency became the fourth agency to have launched a spacecraft that was successful in reaching Mars orbit, after the Russian, American, and the European space agencies. What is more, India became the first country to have succeeded in reaching Mars in its very first attempt, and at a remarkably low cost.]”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states India became the first country to succeed in reaching Mars on its very first attempt.
  • Places India as the fourth agency to reach Mars orbit, thus comparing prior actors and highlighting the 'first-attempt' claim.
Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
Presence: 3/5
“2013: • PSLV-C25 successfully launches Mars Orbiter Mission Spacecraftfrom Sriharikota (Nov 05, 2013). • Successful launch of GSAT-7 by Ariane-5 VA-215 from Kourou French Guiana (August 30, 2013). • Successful launch of INSAT-3D by Ariane-5 VA-214 from Kourou French Guiana (July 26, 2013). • PSLV-C22 successfully launches IRNSS-1A from Sriharikota (Jul 01, 2013). • PSLV-C20 successfully launches SARAL and six commercial payloadsfrom Sriharikota (Feb 25, 2013). • 2015: Ariane-5 VA-227 launched GSAT 15 (Communication Satellite) • GSLV-D6 launched GSAT 6 (Communication Satellite)• 2016: PSLV C35 launched Cartosat 2 (Meteorological Satellite) • GSLV F05 launched INSAT-3DR (Meteorological Satellite) • 2018: PSLV C41 launched IRNSS-11 (Navigation Satellite) • PSLV C40 launched Cartosat 2 (Earth Observation)• PSLV-C33 launched IRNSS-1G (Navigation satellite)”
Why this source?
  • Confirms PSLV-C25 successfully launched the Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) on Nov 5, 2013, verifying the mission and launch by ISRO.
  • Corroborates the mission identity and launch date, providing contextual support for the achievement described in evidence 1.
Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
Presence: 3/5
“India's Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), launched in 2013 by Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), was a big step in exploring Mars (Fig. 13.7). It carried tools to study the planet's atmosphere, surface, and signs of past water. Some of these sensors help scientists ask big questions—like was Mars Fig. 13.7: Mangalyaan ever suitable for life? Mangalyaan showed the world that India could do space science with smart, low-cost technology—and it helped bring Mars closer to all of us.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies Mangalyaan as ISRO's 2013 Mars Orbiter Mission and describes its scientific goals and significance.
  • Provides contextual background about the mission, supporting the claim that Mangalyaan was the relevant spacecraft achieving the milestone.
Pattern takeaway: UPSC loves 'Superlatives' in S&T (First, Largest, Only). Usually, extreme words like 'only' are traps, but for Mangalyaan, the 'only country to succeed on first attempt' was the specific USP of the mission. Do not blindly eliminate extreme statements in S&T without verifying the specific achievement.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. This was the biggest Indian scientific headline of the decade. Covered in every newspaper, yearbook, and even Spectrum's Post-Independence chapters.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Science & Technology > Space > Indian Missions > Global Rankings & Milestones.
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Mars Club' chronology: 1. USSR/Roscosmos, 2. USA/NASA, 3. ESA, 4. India/ISRO, 5. UAE (Hope), 6. China (Tianwen-1). Also, map the Launch Vehicles: MOM (PSLV-C25) vs Chandrayaan-3 (LVM3-M4).
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: When studying a flagship mission, fill this template: Official Name vs Popular Name, Launch Vehicle, Primary Objective, and the 'Superlative' (First to do X, Cheapest to do Y).
Concept hooks from this question
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Official vs. popular mission names
💡 The insight

References explicitly show Mangalyaan as the popular name and Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM) as the official name for the same ISRO mission.

UPSC often asks to match popular names with official programme names or acronyms (high-yield for Science & Tech/Modern India). Mastering this helps answer match-the-following and short-answer questions; learn by compiling lists of flagship missions and their official titles.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 ISRO's Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM): launch year and context
💡 The insight

Evidence identifies MOM/Mangalyaan as ISRO's 2013 Mars mission and situates it in ISRO's launch history.

Questions frequently probe dates, significance and achievements of major space missions (e.g., firsts, cost-efficiency). Memorise launch years, launch vehicles, and key outcomes; link to modern India developments and international comparisons.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S1
👉 Key ISRO missions and their targets
💡 The insight

References list ISRO missions (Chandrayaan, Aditya, Mangalyaan) and their celestial targets, showing a pattern of mission naming and objectives.

Knowing mission-target pairs is useful for both prelims and mains (Science & Tech, Geography, Contemporary History). Build a tabulated recall of missions, targets, launch years and vehicles to quickly answer matching and descriptive questions.

📚 Reading List :
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Keeping Time with the Skies > Our scientific heritage > p. 185
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
🔗 Anchor: "Is the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO also called the Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM)?"
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 India's Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) — achievements and significance
💡 The insight

The references identify Mangalyaan as ISRO's first interplanetary mission, launched in 2013, noted for succeeding on first attempt and being low-cost.

UPSC often asks about India's technological milestones and their broader diplomatic/economic significance. Mastering the mission's date, 'firsts' (first attempt success), objectives and cost framing helps answer questions in GS Paper III and essays. Prepare by memorising key missions (dates, objectives, notable claims) and cross-checking official/secondary sources.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the second country after the Unit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 Order of agencies/nations reaching Mars orbit
💡 The insight

Reference evidence explicitly lists the agencies that had successfully reached Mars orbit before India (Russian, American, European), which is directly relevant to the claim about India being 'second after the US'.

Chronologies and comparative lists (which country/agency achieved X first) are frequently tested in prelims and can appear in mains as analytical prompts. Learning ordered timelines of major space achievements aids quick elimination in prelims and forms factual backbone for policy analysis in mains. Build a simple timeline/table of missions and milestone achievements for revision.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the second country after the Unit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S2
👉 ISRO launch vehicle milestone: PSLV-C25 and mission execution
💡 The insight

Evidence names PSLV-C25 as the launcher for the Mars Orbiter Mission (Nov 5, 2013), linking ISRO launch capability to the successful mission.

Questions often probe India's indigenous launch capabilities and which vehicles enabled major missions. Knowing key launchers (PSLV variants) and notable payloads supports answers on technological capacity and space policy. Learn major vehicle-mission pairs and dates; use concise flashcards or a timeline.

📚 Reading List :
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Phase V: 2000–2010 > p. 56
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the second country after the Unit..."
📌 Adjacent topic to master
S3
👉 Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) — India's first interplanetary mission
💡 The insight

The references identify Mangalyaan as ISRO's 2013 Mars mission and establish it as the mission relevant to the 'first-attempt' success claim.

UPSC often asks about major national scientific milestones and their timelines. Mastering this concept helps answer questions on India's space achievements, comparative international milestones, and policy/technology narratives; prepare by memorising mission names, dates, objectives and their significance.

📚 Reading List :
  • Rajiv Ahir. A Brief History of Modern India (2019 ed.). SPECTRUM. > Chapter 39: After Nehru... > Space Venture to Mars > p. 771
  • Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 13: Our Home: Earth, a Unique Life Sustaining Planet > Our scientific heritage > p. 216
  • Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 12: Transport, Communications and Trade > Major Events > p. 58
🔗 Anchor: "Did the Mangalyaan launched by ISRO make India the only country to successfully ..."
🌑 The Hidden Trap

The specific payload or orbit is the next logical step. Mangalyaan carried the 'Methane Sensor for Mars'. Also, compare with NASA's MAVEN mission which arrived at Mars just days before Mangalyaan in the same year (2014).

⚡ Elimination Cheat Code

Apply 'Cold War Common Sense' to Statement 2. The statement claims India was the *second* after USA. The Space Race was primarily between USA and USSR. It is historically impossible for the USSR to not be on this list. Therefore, Statement 2 must be false. Eliminate options B and D.

🔗 Mains Connection

Link this to GS-3 (Indigenization of Technology) and GS-4 (Frugal Innovation). Mangalyaan cost ~$74 million (cheaper than the movie 'Gravity'), serving as a prime case study for India's 'Low-Cost, High-Efficiency' model in space diplomacy.

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