Which Indian Navy warship became the first warship in India to install a solar power system on board, making use of solar panels for power generation?

Introduction / Context:
The Indian Navy has taken steps to adopt renewable energy technologies, including solar power, to reduce fuel consumption and support environmental sustainability. One notable achievement was the installation of a solar power system on board a naval warship, using solar panels to generate electricity for various onboard needs. This question tests awareness of that pioneering warship and highlights the role of renewable energy in modern defence forces.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The question asks about the first Indian warship to install a solar power system on board.
• The technology involves solar panels used for generating electrical power.
• The options list INS Sindhudurg, INS Sarvekshak, INS Vindhyagiri, and INS Godavari.
• We assume the reference is to the widely reported project undertaken by the Indian Navy in the late 2010s.

Concept / Approach:
The concept is a mix of current affairs and defence awareness. The warship INS Sarvekshak, a survey vessel of the Indian Navy, was in the news for becoming the first Indian naval ship to go green by installing a solar power system. The approach is to match this fact with the options given and recognise that the other ships, although important, were not associated with this specific solar innovation.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Carefully read the phrase “first warship to install solar panels on board” and note that it is about a specific innovation.Step 2: Recall defence current affairs that highlighted INS Sarvekshak as the ship that deployed solar panels on its hangar to power lights and equipment.Step 3: Check the list of options to see whether INS Sarvekshak is present.Step 4: Confirm that no other ship among the options was reported as the first warship to use a solar power system in that way.Step 5: Select INS Sarvekshak as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
The answer can be verified by recalling that news reports mentioned INS Sarvekshak as a survey class vessel based at Kochi that installed a flexible solar panel system generating several kilowatts of energy. This project was highlighted as a first for the Indian Navy and in some reports even as a pioneering step globally. INS Sindhudurg, INS Vindhyagiri, and INS Godavari have been in service for other roles and achievements but were not linked to this solar power milestone.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (INS Sindhudurg) is incorrect because it has not been reported as the first solar powered warship. Option C (INS Vindhyagiri) is a frigate with its own service history but without this particular claim to fame. Option D (INS Godavari) is also a well known warship class but was not the first to adopt a solar panel system on board as described in the question.

Common Pitfalls:
Some candidates may choose a ship name at random because all of them sound similar or familiar. Another pitfall is to ignore recent defence news and rely only on older static facts, which leads to guessing. To avoid this, exam preparation should include a dedicated review of environmental initiatives by the armed forces, including renewable energy projects, so that names like INS Sarvekshak remain clearly associated with their unique achievements.

Final Answer:
The correct answer is INS Sarvekshak, the Indian Navy warship that became the first to install a solar power system on board.