GK Questions and Answer on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam

APJ Abdul Kalam or Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, India and died on July 27, 2015, in Shillong. He was a scientist and politician from India who played a key role in the development of the country's missile and nuclear weapons programmes. From 2002 until 2007, he served as India's 11th president. Every year, and whenever India achieves a scientific milestone, especially in space and missiles, the country honours him. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a crucial figure in the Agni and Prithvi missile development. Dr. Kalam also penned a number of books, including the well-known Wings of Fire and Ignited Minds, that aimed to inspire both children and adults to pursue their dreams.

Former Indian President and Indian scientist Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam is regarded as the "People's President of India” and as well as "Missile Man of India". His involvement with India's Space and Missile Development Program earned him the moniker "Missile Man of India." 

Before taking a look into the GK questions on Abdul Kalam, one must know about his life, work, and achievements.

Early Life

His own personal life was similar to a superhero. Dr. Kalam was born on October 15, 1931, in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu, to a modest family. Throughout his life, he suffered difficulties but never gave up. Dr. Kalam received his bachelor's degree in Physics from St. Joseph's College after graduating from Schwartz Higher Secondary School. He is known to have studied for hours without stopping, focusing particularly on mathematics. Dr. Kalam earned a degree in aeronautical engineering from the Madras Institute of Technology after graduating.

Professional Life

In 1958, Dr. Kalam joined the Defence Research and Development Organization (DRDO), then in 1969, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). (ISRO). He oversaw the development and construction of India's first satellite launch vehicle, the SLV-III. In 1982, Dr. Kalam returned to the DRDO and implemented the Integrated Guided Missile Development Program, earning him the title "Missile Man of India."

Life as a Scientist

Kalam began his career with the Defence Research and Development Service after graduating from Madras Institute of Technology in 1960 and working as a scientist for the Defence Research and Development Organisation's Aeronautical Development Establishment (via Press Information Bureau, Government of India). He began his career by developing a miniature hovercraft, but his choice to work with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) disillusioned him. Kalam had also been a respected member of the INCOSPAR committee, which was chaired by Vikram Sarabhai, a prominent space scientist.

Kalam was transferred to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 1969, where he was the project director of India's first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III). Under his supervision, SLV-II successfully launched the Rohini satellite into near-Earth orbit in July 1980. Thereafter, Kalam had begun independently working on an expandable rocket project at DRDO in 1965. In 1969, Kalam received official approval and expanded the initiative to include more engineers.

In the years of 1963 and 1964, he paid visits to Goddard Space Flight Centre in Greenbelt, Maryland, NASA's Langley Research Centre in Hampton, Virginia, and Wallops Flight Facility. During the 1970s and 1990s, Kalam worked on the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) and SLV-III projects, both of which were successful.

Kalam served as the Prime Minister's Chief Scientific Adviser and Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation from July 1992 until December 1999. During this time, he was heavily involved in politics and technology, and the Pokhran-II nuclear testing was carried out. During the testing phase, Kalam and Rajagopala Chidambaram functioned as the Chief Project Coordinators. During this time, Kalam became the country's most well-known nuclear physicist due to media coverage.

In 1998, Kalam collaborated with cardiologist Soma Raju to develop the "Kalam-Raju Stent," a low-cost coronary stent. In 2012, the team created the "Kalam-Raju Tablet," a robust tablet computer for health treatment in remote locations.

Presidency

As India's 11th President, Kalam succeeded K. R. Narayanan. In the 2002 presidential election, he received 922,884 electoral votes, beating Lakshmi Sahgal's 107,366 votes. From July 25, 2002, to July 25, 2007, he served as President of this country. He was affectionately regarded as the People's President throughout his presidency.

Death

On July 27, 2015, Kalam travelled to Shillong to give a lecture at the Indian Institute of Management Shillong on "Creating a Livable Planet Earth." He was uncomfortable while mounting a flight of steps, but after a brief respite, he was able to enter the theatre. He passed out about 6:35 p.m. IST, only five minutes into his lecture. He was transported to the adjacent Bethany Hospital in critical condition, with no pulse or other indications of life when he arrived. Despite being admitted to the intensive care unit, Kalam died at 7:45 p.m. IST from a sudden cardiac arrest.

APJ Abdul Kalam Quiz

Now let’s delve into some of the multiple-choice GK questions and answers on Dr APJ Abdul Kalam. 

1. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam had not worked in one of the following positions:

a. Secretary of the Ministry of Defence

b. Secretary of the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

c. Project director of India’s first Satellite Launch Vehicle (SLV-III)

d. Chief Scientific Adviser to the Prime Minister

Ans: A

2. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is known as:

(A) Missile Man of India

(B) Iron Man of India

Ans: A

3. Former President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam had worked with which of the following organisations?

a. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)

b. Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)

c. A and b both

d. Neither a nor b

Ans: C

4. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was honoured with Bharat Ratna (India’s highest civilian honour) in-

a. 1997

b. 1999

c. 2015

d. 2001

Ans: A

5. Former President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam passed away on the following date-

a. 24 July 2015

b. 25 July 2015

c. 26 July 2015

d. 27 July 2015

Ans: D

6. The place where former President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam was born?

a. Rameswaram

b. Kottayam

c. Hyderabad

d. Madras (Chennai)

Ans: A

7. Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, India's 11th President, succeeded one of the following personalities:

a. K. R. Narayanan

b. Narendra Modi

c. Dr. SD Sharma

d. Ram Nath Kovind

Ans: A

8. Which of the following statements on Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is incorrect-

a. Kalam was the 11th president of the Republic of India

b. Kalam was against of Uniform Civil Code in India

c. Kalam was the third President of India to be awarded the Bharat Ratna

d. Kalam was also the first scientist and the first bachelor to occupy Rashtrapati Bhawan

Ans: B

9. Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam became President of India in:

a. 2001

b. 2002

c. 2003

d. 2000

Ans: B

10. The former President of India Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam passed away in:

a. Guwahati

b. Mumbai

c. Shillong

d. Kolkata

Ans: C

To summarise, if you want to answer APJ Abdul Kalam questions and answers efficiently, then you must read the aforementioned article carefully. You must learn about the life of this eminent scientist and former President of India first. Then you can answer any APJ Abdul Kalam Quiz in no time literally.