Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: Vikram-1 is an orbital-class, small-lift launch vehicle, not a suborbital rocket. Furthermore, it was developed by Skyroot Aerospace, an Indian private space-tech start-up, making it India's first privately developed orbital rocket.

Statement 2 is correct: Vikram-1 is a four-stage, expendable launch vehicle. Its propulsion architecture is designed with three solid-fuel stages and a liquid-fuel upper stage (which is highly efficient for precise orbital insertion).

Statement 3 is correct: To drastically reduce weight and improve efficiency, the rocket incorporates advanced technologies such as carbon-composite structures, modular avionics systems, and 3D-printed liquid engines (such as the Raman engine).

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The maiden orbital mission, named "Aagaman", lifted off from the First Launch Pad at the Satish Dhawan Space Centre (SDSC) in Sriharikota.

Statement 2 is correct: The mission was a resounding success; the rocket lifted off and placed multiple technology demonstration payloads into an approximately 450-km Low Earth Orbit (LEO) in less than 20 minutes.

Statement 3 is correct: The success of Vikram-1 represents a massive leap for India's public-private partnership in space. Regulatory assistance, technical support, and seamless access to ISRO’s facilities are facilitated by IN-SPACe—an autonomous agency formed under the Department of Space to promote, authorize, and guide private space activities in India.

Answer: C

Explanation:

Statement 1 is incorrect: The MH-60R Seahawk (nicknamed "Romeo") is not an indigenous platform. It is an advanced multi-mission naval helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a division of Lockheed Martin.

Statement 2 is correct: Developed for the U.S. Navy and now operated by the Indian Navy, the helicopter is mainly designed for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), maritime surveillance, and search and rescue operations.

Statement 3 is correct: The aircraft is highly equipped for precision strikes, carrying primary weapons such as Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

Answer: D

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: In the inaugural rankings of the IFI 2026, Gujarat emerged as the most investment-friendly state among large states with a score of 56.6 out of 100, followed by Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

Statement 2 is correct: The index specifically categorizes states to allow fair comparisons. In the category of hilly and North-Eastern states, Uttarakhand topped the rankings, followed by Assam and Himachal Pradesh. Among UTs and city states, Goa secured the top spot.

Statement 3 is correct: NITI Aayog designed the index to go beyond being just a simple ranking system. It serves as a strategic reform tool that encourages competitive and cooperative federalism by helping states identify policy gaps, reduce regional disparities, and strengthen their investment ecosystem.

Answer: B

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: India's first and deepest twin geothermal wells were commissioned by the ONGC Energy Centre in the Puga Valley, Ladakh, as part of the country’s first 1 MW pilot geothermal power project. Each well is drilled to a depth of 1,000 metres at an altitude of over 14,000 feet.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Puga Valley is located in the Union Territory of Ladakh, not Jammu and Kashmir.

Statement 3 is correct: Unlike solar and wind energy, which fluctuate based on the time of day or season, geothermal energy is generated by the Earth's internal heat, allowing it to provide uninterrupted, 24/7 (base-load) power irrespective of weather conditions.