SSC CGL 2025 Tier-I · 16 September 2025, Shift 3 · General Awareness · Question 13 of 75

We transcribed this text from the pictures on a candidate's response sheet for this shift; the answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. Solution last reviewed 13 September 2026.

Where this paper and its answers come from

SSC does not publish CGL question papers or a public answer key. From 2025 the candidate response sheet prints every question and option as a picture, so the text here is transcribed from those pictures for this shift and checked against them independently; where the layout carries meaning, the picture is shown as well. Each answer is the key SSC colour-marked on that sheet. SSC released a tentative key for challenge and later its final one, both only to candidates behind a login, and the sheet does not say which of the two it carries. The solutions are written by UnlockIAS.

What is the maximum payload capacity of India’s upcoming Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV) to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)?

(a)10 tonnes
(b)20 tonnes
(c)30 tonnes
(d)40 tonnes

Answer

Why

Correct — C. The Union Cabinet approved ISRO's Next Generation Launch Vehicle on 18 September 2024. PIB's release says NGLV is designed for a maximum payload of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.

That is three times the present capability, which the same release puts at 10 tonnes to LEO → option (c).

Why the others are wrong

(a)
10 tonnes — 10 tonnes to LEO is what India can already launch, according to the Cabinet release. NGLV is meant to triple it.
(b)
20 tonnes — 20 tonnes is not the figure in the Cabinet approval. The release gives NGLV a maximum of 30 tonnes to LEO.
(d)
40 tonnes — 40 tonnes overshoots. The Cabinet release puts NGLV's maximum at 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit.

Concept

NGLV is ISRO's planned heavy rocket with a reusable first stage. The Cabinet approved ₹8,240 crore for it, covering three development flights (D1, D2 and D3) within 96 months.

The release ties it to the Bharatiya Antariksh Station and an Indian crewed landing on the Moon by 2040. It promises three times LVM3's payload at 1.5 times the cost.

Figures quoted elsewhere for NGLV's payload vary. The number SSC keys is the one in the Cabinet's approval release of 18 September 2024: 30 tonnes to LEO.

Key facts

The Union Cabinet approved NGLV on 18 September 2024 with ₹8,240 crore.
NGLV is designed for a maximum payload of 30 tonnes to Low Earth Orbit, with a reusable first stage.
It is to have three times LVM3's payload capability at 1.5 times the cost.
Development covers three flights, D1, D2 and D3, with a 96-month target.

Study next

ISRO launch vehicles: PSLV, GSLV, LVM3 and SSLVThe Bharatiya Antariksh StationGaganyaan and the human-rated LVM3

Common traps

Picking 10 tonnes because it is India's current LEO capability. NGLV is designed to triple it.
Mixing up LEO and GTO payloads. The 30-tonne figure is to Low Earth Orbit.

ISRO's human-spaceflight programme is also asked at 12 Sep 2025, 09:00, GA Q.10 (the Crew Escape System on HLVM3) and 17 Sep 2025, 12:30, GA Q.11 (Gaganyaan's orbit altitude).

Related PYQs

No directly related past PYQ was found.

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