ISRO's expertise exploited by state for short-term gains

Rather than protecting ISRO from short-term pressures and enlarging its capacity, the state has been treating ISRO as an asset to be mobilised, consuming its capacities to satisfy immediate fiscal, political, and strategic objectives

Source

The Hindu — Science & Tech →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01ISRO's budget is relatively small compared to global counterparts.
02India's space sector operates on a limited budget allocation.
03The Indian state has been treating ISRO as an asset to be mobilized, consuming its capacities to satisfy immediate fiscal, political, and strategic objectives.
04ISRO's hard-won excellence is being drained due to short-term pressures and lack of capacity enlargement.
05India's space program was initially geared towards using space technology to address issues of poverty, health, education, and agriculture.
06The focus of India's early space program was on low-cost, high-impact missions with immediate benefits.

Trap alerts

Most people think ISRO is solely responsible for its own budget allocation, but actually the Indian state plays a significant role in allocating funds to ISRO.
Most people think ISRO's primary goal is to achieve deep-space missions and technology development, but actually it was initially focused on addressing domestic issues.

Mains Practice Question

Discuss how the state's increasing reliance on ISRO's capacities is impacting its hard-won excellence.

250 words

Practice this in the exam hall →

Prelims Practice MCQs

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding ISRO's Establishment and Role: 1. The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) was established in 1959. 2. ISRO is being treated as an asset to be mobilised by the state. 3. ISRO has been consuming capacities of other government bodies since its inception. How many of the above statements are correct?

A.Only one
B.Only two
C.All three
D.None

Statement-1 is incorrect because ISRO was established in 1969, not 1959. Statement-2 is correct as per fact list. Statement-3 is incorrect because it contradicts the fact that the state has been consuming ISRO's capacities.

Statement I & IIhard

Consider the following two statements: Statement-I: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is being treated as an asset to be mobilised by the state. Statement-II: This treatment of ISRO allows the state to satisfy its immediate fiscal, political, and strategic objectives. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I
B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct but Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I
Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

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