Top 50 GK Questions and Answers on Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam GK Questions and Answers are important for competitive examinations, including UPSC, State PSC/GPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways and other government exams. Known as the “Missile Man of India” and the “People’s President,” Dr Kalam was an aerospace scientist who served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007. His contributions to India’s space and defence programmes, major civilian awards, books and vision for national development make his life and work important topics in General Studies and static GK.

Top 50 GK Questions and Answers on Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam

Q1. What was the full name of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

a) Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam

b) Abdul Pakir Jamiluddin Kalam

c) Avul Jamiluddin Abdul Kalam

d) Abdul Jainulabdeen Pakir Kalam

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: His full name was Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam. He was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

Q2. In which Indian state was Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam born?

a) Kerala

b) Karnataka

c) Tamil Nadu

d) Andhra Pradesh

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was born in Rameswaram, an island town in Tamil Nadu.

Q3. Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam served as which President of India?

a) 9th

b) 10th

c) 11th

d) 12th

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: He was the 11th President of India and held office from July 25, 2002, to July 25, 2007.

Q4. During which period did Dr Kalam serve as the President of India?

a) 1997–2002

b) 2000–2005

c) 2002–2007

d) 2007–2012

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam succeeded K. R. Narayanan and served as President for a five-year term from 2002 to 2007.

Q5. Why is Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam known as the “Missile Man of India”?

a) For developing India’s first satellite

b) For his contribution to India’s guided missile programme

c) For establishing the Indian Air Force

d) For developing India’s nuclear power plants

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: His contributions to India’s guided missile development, particularly through the Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP), earned him the title “Missile Man of India.”

Q6. Which two major scientific organisations were associated with Dr Kalam’s career?

a) BARC and HAL

b) ISRO and DRDO

c) CSIR and IIT Madras

d) RBI and DRDO

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam worked with the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), contributing to India’s space and defence programmes.

Q7. Which satellite launch vehicle was led by Dr Kalam as Project Director?

a) PSLV

b) GSLV

c) SLV-III

d) LVM3

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam served as Project Director of the Satellite Launch Vehicle-III (SLV-III), which successfully placed the Rohini satellite into near-Earth orbit in July 1980.

Q8. Which satellite was placed into orbit by India’s successful SLV-III launch in 1980?

a) Aryabhata

b) Rohini

c) INSAT-1A

d) Bhaskara-I

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: The SLV-III successfully placed the Rohini RS-1 satellite into orbit on July 18, 1980, marking a major milestone in India’s indigenous space-launch capability.

Q9. Which missile development programme was launched under Dr Kalam’s leadership in the 1980s?

a) Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme

b) National Space Programme

c) Advanced Technology Vessel Programme

d) National Nuclear Power Programme

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: The Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP) was initiated in 1983 to develop indigenous guided missile systems for India’s defence requirements.

Q10. Which of the following missile systems was associated with the IGMDP?

a) Agni

b) Prithvi

c) Akash

d) All of the above

Ans.: (d)

Explanation: The IGMDP included five major missile systems: Agni, Prithvi, Akash, Trishul and Nag.

Q11. Dr Kalam played a major role in India’s nuclear tests conducted in which year?

a) 1974

b) 1988

c) 1998

d) 2001

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was a key scientific coordinator during the Pokhran-II nuclear tests conducted in May 1998, also known as Operation Shakti.

Q12. What was the name of India’s first nuclear test conducted in 1974?

a) Operation Shakti

b) Smiling Buddha

c) Operation Vijay

d) Operation Meghdoot

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: India conducted its first nuclear test on May 18, 1974, at Pokhran in Rajasthan. The test was code-named Smiling Buddha.

Q13. Which is Dr Kalam’s autobiography?

a) Ignited Minds

b) India 2020

c) Wings of Fire

d) Turning Points

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Wings of Fire: An Autobiography recounts Dr Kalam’s life and professional journey. It was co-written with Arun Tiwari.

Q14. Who co-authored India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium with Dr Kalam?

a) Arun Tiwari

b) Y. S. Rajan

c) Srijan Pal Singh

d) A. Sivathanu Pillai

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium was co-authored by Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam and Y. S. Rajan. The book outlined a roadmap for transforming India into a developed nation.

Q15. Which book by Dr Kalam focuses on inspiring India’s youth and unlocking their potential?

a) Ignited Minds

b) The Luminous Sparks

c) Turning Points

d) Transcendence

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Ignited Minds: Unleashing the Power Within India discusses the role of young people, education and collective ambition in national development.

Q16. In which year did Dr Kalam receive the Bharat Ratna?

a) 1981

b) 1990

c) 1997

d) 2002

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam received the Bharat Ratna in 1997 for his contributions to science and technology. It is India’s highest civilian award.

Q17. In which year was Dr Kalam awarded the Padma Bhushan?

a) 1975

b) 1981

c) 1990

d) 1997

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: He received the Padma Bhushan in 1981, followed by the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997.

Q18. When did Dr Kalam receive the Padma Vibhushan?

a) 1981

b) 1985

c) 1990

d) 1997

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: The Government of India conferred the Padma Vibhushan on Dr Kalam in 1990 for his distinguished contribution to science and engineering.

Q19. What is the birth anniversary of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam?

a) October 2

b) October 15

c) November 14

d) December 11

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was born on October 15, 1931. His birthday is widely associated with World Students’ Day, although claims about its formal declaration by the United Nations should be treated cautiously.

Q20. On which date did Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam pass away?

a) July 15, 2015

b) July 27, 2015

c) August 15, 2015

d) October 15, 2015

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam passed away on July 27, 2015, after collapsing while delivering a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong.

Q21. At which institution did Dr Kalam collapse while delivering a lecture in 2015?

a) IIT Madras

b) IIM Ahmedabad

c) IIM Shillong

d) Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: He collapsed during a lecture at IIM Shillong in Meghalaya on July 27, 2015. He was 83 years old.

Q22. What was the title of the lecture Dr Kalam was delivering at IIM Shillong?

a) India 2020: A Vision for the New Millennium

b) Creating a Livable Planet Earth

c) Igniting Young Minds

d) Science for Rural Development

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was delivering a lecture titled “Creating a Livable Planet Earth” when he collapsed.

Q23. Which college awarded Dr Kalam his bachelor’s degree in Physics?

a) Presidency College, Chennai

b) St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli

c) Madras Institute of Technology

d) Loyola College, Chennai

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam graduated in Physics from St. Joseph’s College, Tiruchirappalli, in 1954 before pursuing aerospace engineering.

Q24. From which institution did Dr Kalam study aerospace engineering?

a) Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru

b) IIT Bombay

c) Madras Institute of Technology, Chennai

d) Anna University

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: He studied aerospace engineering at the Madras Institute of Technology (MIT) in Chennai.

Q25. What was Dr Kalam’s childhood ambition?

a) To become a doctor

b) To become a fighter pilot

c) To become a lawyer

d) To become a civil servant

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam aspired to become a fighter pilot but narrowly missed selection into the Indian Air Force.

Q26. What was the name of the early hovercraft project Dr Kalam worked on at DRDO?

a) Project Nandi

b) Project Akash

c) Project Rohini

d) Project Shakti

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Project Nandi involved the development of a prototype hovercraft. It was among Dr Kalam’s early assignments after joining the Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO.

Q27. Which Indian President did Dr Kalam succeed in 2002?

a) Shankar Dayal Sharma

b) R. Venkataraman

c) K. R. Narayanan

d) Pratibha Patil

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: K. R. Narayanan was the 10th President of India and served from 1997 to 2002. Dr Kalam succeeded him as the 11th President.

Q28. Who was Dr Kalam’s opponent in the 2002 presidential election?

a) Sonia Gandhi

b) Captain Lakshmi Sahgal

c) Pratibha Patil

d) Meira Kumar

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Captain Lakshmi Sahgal, a veteran of the Indian National Army, contested against Dr Kalam in the 2002 presidential election.

Q29. Which political alliance supported Dr Kalam’s presidential candidature in 2002?

a) United Progressive Alliance

b) National Democratic Alliance

c) United Front

d) Left Front alone

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was nominated with the support of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), led by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. He also received support from parties outside the alliance.

Q30. Why was Dr Kalam popularly called the “People’s President”?

a) He served as President for three terms

b) He was known for his accessibility and engagement with ordinary people and students

c) He led a political party

d) He introduced universal voting rights

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam earned the title “People’s President” because of his simple lifestyle, public engagement and frequent interactions with students and young people.

Q31. What was the name of the low-cost coronary stent developed by Dr Kalam and Dr B. Soma Raju?

a) Kalam-Raju Stent

b) Rameswaram Stent

c) Bharat Stent

d) Agni Stent

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: The Kalam-Raju Stent was developed to make coronary stent technology more affordable and accessible. The collaboration reflected Dr Kalam’s interest in applying technology to healthcare.

Q32. Which medical technology did Dr Kalam and Dr B. Soma Raju later work on for rural healthcare?

a) A low-cost healthcare tablet computer

b) A nuclear-powered pacemaker

c) A robotic surgical satellite

d) An artificial heart

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Dr Kalam and Dr Soma Raju developed the Kalam-Raju Tablet, a rugged computing device intended to support healthcare delivery, particularly in rural areas.

Q33. What does PURA stand for in Dr Kalam’s development vision?

a) Public Utilities and Rural Administration

b) Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas

c) Programme for Urban Renewal and Agriculture

d) Public Urban Reform Authority

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: PURA stands for Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas. Dr Kalam promoted it as a development model aimed at improving rural infrastructure, connectivity, services and livelihood opportunities.

Q34. What was the target year in Dr Kalam’s vision for transforming India into a developed nation?

a) 2015

b) 2020

c) 2025

d) 2030

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam popularised the vision of transforming India into a developed nation by 2020, notably through his book India 2020.

Q35. Which scientist is widely regarded as the father of India’s space programme and an important mentor in Dr Kalam’s scientific career?

a) Homi J. Bhabha

b) Vikram Sarabhai

c) C. V. Raman

d) Meghnad Saha

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Vikram Sarabhai is widely known as the father of India’s space programme. His vision helped shape India’s early space research and launch-vehicle development efforts.

Q36. Which organisation did Dr Kalam join after graduating in aerospace engineering?

a) Indian Space Research Organisation

b) Aeronautical Development Establishment of DRDO

c) Hindustan Aeronautics Limited

d) Bhabha Atomic Research Centre

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam joined the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE), an establishment associated with DRDO, in 1958.

Q37. Which Indian island was renamed in honour of Dr Kalam in 2015?

a) Majuli Island

b) Wheeler Island

c) Pamban Island

d) Elephanta Island

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Wheeler Island, an important missile-testing site off the coast of Odisha, was renamed Dr Abdul Kalam Island in 2015.

Q38. Where is the Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam National Memorial located?

a) Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh

b) Pei Karumbu, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu

c) Pokhran, Rajasthan

d) New Delhi

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: The memorial is located at Pei Karumbu in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, Dr Kalam’s birthplace. It was inaugurated in 2017.

Q39. Which musical instrument did Dr Kalam enjoy playing?

a) Sitar

b) Tabla

c) Veena

d) Flute

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam had an interest in music and played the veena, a traditional Indian string instrument.

Q40. Which e-paper was associated with Dr Kalam’s effort to communicate with and inspire young people?

a) Billion Beats

b) India Today

c) Young India

d) Science Weekly

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Billion Beats was an e-paper associated with Dr Kalam’s efforts to share ideas, encourage positive thinking and engage with India’s youth.

Q41. Which of the following books was co-authored by Dr Kalam and A. Sivathanu Pillai?

a) Mission India

b) Wings of Fire

c) The Luminous Sparks

d) Turning Points

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Mission India: A Vision for Indian Youth was co-authored by Dr Kalam and A. Sivathanu Pillai and focused on India’s development and the role of its youth.

Q42. Which book by Dr Kalam records his experiences and reflections connected with his presidency?

a) Turning Points

b) Ignited Minds

c) My Journey

d) The Luminous Sparks

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Turning Points: A Journey Through Challenges discusses significant experiences and decisions from Dr Kalam’s public life, including his presidential years.

Q43. Which of the following is a collection of Dr Kalam’s poems and illustrations?

a) The Luminous Sparks

b) India 2020

c) Mission India

d) Envisioning an Empowered Nation

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: The Luminous Sparks: A Biography in Verse and Colours brings together poetry and visual material reflecting Dr Kalam’s thoughts and experiences.

Q44. Which international award did Dr Kalam receive in 2009?

a) Nobel Peace Prize

b) Hoover Medal

c) Booker Prize

d) Abel Prize

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam received the Hoover Medal in 2009, an honour recognising notable contributions to public service and engineering-related achievement.

Q45. Which British scientific society made Dr Kalam an Honorary Fellow?

a) Royal Society of Edinburgh

b) British Academy

c) Royal Geographical Society

d) Royal Astronomical Society

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Dr Kalam was an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh. He also received the King Charles II Medal from the Royal Society in 2007.

Q46. Which high-altitude military region did Dr Kalam visit as President in 2004?

a) Nathu La

b) Siachen Glacier

c) Tawang

d) Kargil

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Dr Kalam visited the Siachen Glacier in 2004. The visit highlighted his engagement with India’s armed forces and personnel serving in challenging conditions.

Q47. Which university was renamed in honour of Dr A.P.J. Abdul Kalam in Uttar Pradesh?

a) Banaras Hindu University

b) Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University

c) Aligarh Muslim University

d) Lucknow University

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh Technical University was renamed Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Technical University in 2015. The university is based in Lucknow.

Q48. Which of the following best describes Dr Kalam’s role during the Pokhran-II nuclear tests?

a) He was India’s Prime Minister

b) He was a key scientific coordinator and headed DRDO

c) He was the Chief Justice of India

d) He was the head of the Election Commission

Ans.: (b)

Explanation: During the 1998 nuclear tests, Dr Kalam served as Secretary of the Department of Defence Research and Development and was a key scientific coordinator alongside other leading scientists.

Q49. Which of the following statements about Dr Kalam’s major civilian awards is correct?

a) Padma Bhushan in 1981, Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 1997

b) Padma Shri in 1981, Bharat Ratna in 1990 and Padma Bhushan in 1997

c) Bharat Ratna in 1981, Padma Bhushan in 1990 and Padma Vibhushan in 1997

d) Padma Vibhushan in 1981, Padma Shri in 1990 and Bharat Ratna in 2002

Ans.: (a)

Explanation: Dr Kalam received the Padma Bhushan in 1981, the Padma Vibhushan in 1990 and the Bharat Ratna in 1997, reflecting his contributions to science, engineering and national development.

Q50. What was one of the central messages Dr Kalam consistently conveyed to India’s youth?

a) Avoid scientific research

b) Focus only on government employment

c) Dream ambitiously and turn ideas into action

d) Leave national development to policymakers

Ans.: (c)

Explanation: Dr Kalam encouraged young people to dream, pursue knowledge, develop scientific thinking and translate their ideas into action. His message linked individual ambition with national progress.