UPSC Prelims 2015 Q73: Science & Technology – Science & Technology Institutions
The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of
- (a) an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence
- (b) India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim
- (c) a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region
- (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region
Answer: (d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region
Explanation
IndARC
IndARC is India's first underwater moored observatory in the Arctic.
It was deployed in 2014 in the Kongsfjorden fjord of Svalbard, Norway.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Built by | National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research and National Institute of Ocean Technology |
| Measures | Temperature, salinity and currents at different depths |
| Purpose | Study how the Arctic affects climate, including the Indian monsoon |
India's polar stations:
| Region | Station |
|---|---|
| Arctic | Himadri (2008), Ny-Alesund, Svalbard |
| Antarctica | Maitri (1989) and Bharati (2012); Dakshin Gangotri is no longer in use |
The options checked: it is not a radar system, not a satellite, and not in Antarctica.
Answer: (d) India's underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. IndARC is not a radar system of the Indian Defence forces.
- (b) Incorrect. It is not a satellite for the Indian Ocean Rim countries.
- (c) Incorrect. It is in the Arctic, not a station in the Antarctic region.
- (d) CORRECT. IndARC is India's underwater observatory in the Arctic region.
Key point
IndARC (2014): India's underwater moored observatory in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. Arctic station: Himadri. Antarctic stations: Maitri and Bharati.
Remember
IndARC = Arctic underwater observatory (2014).
Common mistakes
- Mixing up Arctic (Himadri, IndARC) and Antarctic (Maitri, Bharati) facilities.
- Reading 'ARC' as a radar or archive.
- Forgetting that India is an observer in the Arctic Council (since 2013).
Exam tip
Ind + ARC = India + Arctic. The name gives the answer.
Sources
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research — IndARC mooring, Kongsfjorden
- Ministry of Earth Sciences — India's Arctic Policy (2022)