science1 min read
ISRO's Shukrayaan-1: India's Mission to Venus Scheduled
ISRO has announced the final configuration for Shukrayaan-1, India's first mission to explore the atmosphere of Venus.
Key Points for Quick Revision
- Shukrayaan-1 is India's first mission to Venus.
- Objective: Study Venusian atmosphere and surface chemistry.
- Payload includes Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR).
- Venus is often referred to as Earth's twin.
How This Topic is Tested in Competitive Exams
| Exam | Frequency | Approx. Marks | What Gets Asked |
|---|---|---|---|
| SSC (CGL / CHSL / MTS) | High | 4–8 | Basic science, space missions, ISRO launches, and defence technology are standard SSC GK topics. |
| UPSC / State PCS | Medium | 5–8 | UPSC tests Science & Technology through governance: space policy, biotech regulations, cyber security. |
| Railway (RRB NTPC / Group D) | Very High | 6–10 | Science and Technology is one of the largest GK sections in Railway papers. |
| State PCS / PSC | Medium | 3–5 | Space missions, defence acquisitions, and health research appear regularly. |
What to Memorize from This Topic
- ISRO missions: satellite name, purpose, launch date, orbit type
- Defence acquisitions: system name, origin country, inducted into which force
- COVID/health research: vaccine names, institutes involved, approval status
- Technology achievements: first-ever milestones, world records, India-specific achievements
- Scientific organizations: HQ, head, purpose (CSIR, DRDO, BARC, ICAR)
Practice Questions
Q1. Which planet is the target of ISRO's Shukrayaan-1 mission?
- Mars
- Venus
- Jupiter
- Mercury
Explanation: Shukrayaan-1 is ISRO's planned mission to the planet Venus.
Q2. What is the primary component of the Venusian atmosphere?
- Oxygen
- Nitrogen
- Carbon Dioxide
- Hydrogen
Explanation: The atmosphere of Venus is composed of about 96.5% carbon dioxide.
How to Prepare Science & Technology for Government Exams
For Railway exams, make flashcards for every major ISRO launch — name, payload, purpose, date. These repeat frequently.
For SSC, focus on defence acquisitions and their strategic significance rather than technical specs.
For UPSC, connect every scientific development to policy — climate targets, digital India, health policy.