In the context of lunar exploration, water on the moon was first clearly confirmed with the help of instruments from which country?

Introduction / Context:
The discovery of water on the moon is one of the most significant findings in modern planetary science. It changed the way scientists think about the moon's surface and its potential to support future human missions. This question focuses on which country's mission and instruments played a key role in clearly confirming the presence of water molecules on the lunar surface.

Given Data / Assumptions:
- The subject is the discovery or clear confirmation of water on the moon.
- The options are India, Japan, Russia and China.
- The question reflects the widely cited general knowledge fact linked with a specific mission.

Concept / Approach:
India's first lunar mission, Chandrayaan 1, carried instruments that detected water molecules on the lunar surface. While the mission involved international cooperation, including instruments from NASA, the spacecraft itself was launched and operated by India. As a result, general knowledge references often state that water on the moon was discovered by India through Chandrayaan 1, making India the correct answer in this context.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Chandrayaan 1 was India's first lunar mission, launched by ISRO. Step 2: Remember that data from instruments aboard Chandrayaan 1, including a NASA spectrometer, indicated the presence of water molecules on the moon's surface. Step 3: Understand that popular GK sources credit India's Chandrayaan 1 with this discovery. Step 4: Compare this understanding with the options and choose India.

Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, one can connect this discovery with the pride India expressed after Chandrayaan 1's success. News reports and exam guides frequently note that water on the moon was discovered by India's mission, even though it included international collaboration. Japan, Russia and China have their own important lunar missions, but the specific breakthrough in detecting water in lunar soil is repeatedly linked with Chandrayaan 1.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
- Japan: Conducted missions like Kaguya, but is not typically credited in exam material as the first clear discoverer of lunar water.
- Russia: Had early lunar probes, yet the modern water evidence is associated more directly with Chandrayaan 1.
- China: Has an active lunar programme, but the question refers to the commonly accepted earlier discovery credited to India's mission.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may overthink the role of international instruments on board Chandrayaan 1 and wonder if the credit should go to another country. For competitive exam purposes, however, the answer is usually framed in terms of the mission operator, which is India. It is important to distinguish between technical details and the way general knowledge questions are framed in standard study material.

Final Answer:
Water on the moon was first clearly confirmed with the help of instruments aboard India's Chandrayaan 1 mission, so the correct answer is India.