Acme Ai
A
अ
GS Paper IUPSC Prelims 2022
Space & ISRO
Question No. 102Interactive Test Mode
00:00
+2-0.66

Q102. If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth? 1. GPS and navigation systems could fail 2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions 3. Power grids could be damaged 4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth 5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet. 6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed. 7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?

  1. GPS and navigation systems could fail
  2. Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions
  3. Power grids could be damaged
  4. Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth
  5. Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
  6. Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
  7. Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over polar regions could be interrupted. Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Select the correct option below (or cross out options to eliminate)
PrevNext Question

Official Answer Key & Detailed Solution

3D PYQ Realm

Ready to check the official UPSC Answer Key?

Click any option above to test yourself under exam conditions, or reveal the explanation directly.

Official UPSC Answer KeyUPSC Prelims 2022 • Science and Technology

Correct Answer: Option (C) — 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only

Concept & Option Breakdown

Standard Reference Verified

Statements 1, 3, 4, 6, and 7 are correct: Solar storms (coronal mass ejections and flares) release streams of high-energy charged particles and electromagnetic radiation that induce geomagnetic disturbances. These can disrupt GPS signals (1), induce damaging geomagnetically induced currents in electrical grids (3), cause widespread auroras (4), increase atmospheric drag and perturb satellite orbits (6), and cause ionospheric blackouts affecting high-frequency radio over polar routes (7).

Statements 2 and 5 are incorrect: Tsunamis are seismic ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, not solar radiation. Solar flares are bursts of radiation and cannot physically ignite global forest fires.

Elimination Heuristic & Exam Approach

Eliminate direct terrestrial physical phenomena: Solar storms affect electromagnetic, electronic, and atmospheric domains, but do not directly cause mechanical geological events like tsunamis (eliminate 2) or direct thermal ignition like forest fires (eliminate 5).

Reviewed by Avinash Sir & Acme AI Research Team

Practice Full-Length & Sectional Prelims Mocks on this Interface

50 simulated tests in the APT Prelims Test Series (₹1,493) or 1-on-1 Mentorship with Avinash Sir.

1-on-1 MentorshipOpen Test Platform

Question Specifications & Syllabus Mapping

Examination & YearUPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2022 (Q102)
Paper & Marking SchemeGS Paper I • 2 Marks (-0.66 Negative for incorrect response)
Syllabus Subject & TopicScience and Technology → Space & ISRO
Official Answer KeyOption (C) — 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only

Related & Repeated Prelims PYQs (3)

Questions from other UPSC Prelims years testing the same or closely linked concept.

View Cluster in 3D Graph
2019 • Q10180% Match

In the context of which of the following do some scientists suggest the use of cirrus cloud thinning technique and the injection of sulphate aerosol into the st

Environment and Ecology • Climate Change & Global WarmingSolve
2011 • Q12280% Match

Satellites used for telecommunication relay are kept in a geostationary orbit. A satellite is said to be in such an orbit when: 1. The orbit is geosynchronous.

Science and Technology • Space & ISROSolve
2018 • Q7780% Match

In which of the following areas can GPS technology be used? 1. Mobile phone operations 2. Banking operations 3. Controlling the power grids Select the correct a

Science and Technology • Health & MedicineSolve

More PYQs from Science and Technology (Space & ISRO)

Master the Science and Technology syllabus cluster by practicing these related previous year questions.

View All Science and Technology PYQs
2024 • Q99Space & ISRO

Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Giant stars live much longer than dwarf stars. Statement-II: Compared to dwarf stars, giant stars have

Science and TechnologyPractice
2023 • Q100Space & ISRO

Consider the following pairs: | Objects in space | Description | | :--- | :--- | | 1. Cepheids | Giant clouds of dust and gas in space | | 2. Nebulae

Science and TechnologyPractice
2023 • Q101Space & ISRO

Which one of the following countries has its own Satellite Navigation System?

Science and TechnologyPractice
2021 • Q103Space & ISRO

Which one of the following is a reason why astronomical distances are measured in light-years?

Science and TechnologyPractice
2020 • Q104Space & ISRO

"The experiment will employ a trio of spacecraft flying in formation in the shape of an equilateral triangle that has sides one million kilometers lon

Science and TechnologyPractice
2019 • Q105Space & ISRO

Recently, scientists observed the merger of giant ‘blackholes’ billions of light years away from the Earth. What is the significance of this observati

Science and TechnologyPractice
2018 • Q106Space & ISRO

Consider the following statements: 1. Light is affected by gravity. 2. The Universe is constantly expanding. 3. Matter warps its surrounding space-tim

Science and TechnologyPractice
2018 • Q107Space & ISRO

With reference to India’s satellite launch vehicles, consider the following statements: 1. PSLVs launch the satellite useful for Earth resources monit

Science and TechnologyPractice

Frequently Asked Questions — UPSC Prelims 2022 Q102

What is the official answer for UPSC Prelims 2022 GS Paper I Question 102 (Science and Technology)?

The official UPSC answer key for this 2022 Science and Technology (Space & ISRO) question is Option (C): "1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only". Correct attempts carry 2 Marks with -0.66 Negative penalty for wrong answers.

Which UPSC Prelims syllabus topic does this 2022 question belong to?

This question belongs to GS Paper I under the subject "Science and Technology" and micro-topic "Space & ISRO". You can explore all repeated questions from Space & ISRO in Acme AI's 3D Prelims PYQ Realm or practice 50 full-length and sectional tests in the APT Prelims Test Series.

How can I solve this Space & ISRO UPSC Prelims question using option elimination?

Eliminate direct terrestrial physical phenomena: Solar storms affect electromagnetic, electronic, and atmospheric domains, but do not directly cause mechanical geological events like tsunamis (eliminate 2) or direct thermal ignition like forest fires (eliminate 5).

Beyond Previous Year Questions

Structured Prelims Practice & Mentorship

Pair previous year question analysis with full-length simulated mock tests and 1-on-1 faculty guidance.

APT 2027 • 50 Prelims Tests17% OFF

Acme Prelims Test Series (APT)

Built to eliminate 1/3rd negative marking losses and 50–50 option traps through structured simulation and NCERT-backed keys.

  • 50 High-Yield Tests: Subject Sectionals, Current Affairs, CSAT Paper II & Full-Length Simulators
  • 1/3rd Penalty & Trap Analytics: Identify whether marks are lost to over-attempting or conceptual gaps
  • Option-by-Option NCERT Keys: Detailed distractor analysis and elimination logic for every question
  • Custom PDF-to-Mock Generator: Convert your revision notes or current affairs PDFs into practice tests
Complete 50-Test Package
₹1,493₹1,799• Valid till Prelims 2027
Explore APT Test SeriesTry Free Mock
1-on-1 Personal MentorshipCapped at 10 Seats

1-on-1 UPSC Mentorship with Avinash Sir

Weekly 1-on-1 strategy reviews, daily study accountability, and personalized MCQ attempt audits with an experienced UPSC mentor.

  • Weekly 1-on-1 Sessions: Direct mentorship with Avinash Sir (Former Plutus IAS Mentor, UPSC & UPPCS Mains Written)
  • APT 50-Test Series Included: Full Prelims GS1 & CSAT test series bundled at no additional cost
  • Mock Attempt & Elimination Audit: Question-by-question review to calibrate your risk and attempt accuracy
  • Prelims & Integrated Tracks: Available as dedicated Prelims mentorship or end-to-end Prelims + Mains guidance
Prelims & Integrated Tracks
17% OFF• Includes APT 50-Test Series
Explore 1-on-1 MentorshipCompare Tracks
Previous Question"Climate Action Tracker" which monitors the emission reduction pledges of different countries is a:
Next QuestionWith reference to the proposals of Cripps Mission, consider the following statements: 1. The Constituent Assembly would have members nominated by the Provincial Assemblies as well as the Princely States. 2. Any Province, which is not prepared to accept the new Constitution would have the right to sign a separate agreement with Britain regarding its future status. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?