NASA and ISRO decided to work together to inspect an archaeological site believed to be linked with one of the world's oldest civilisations in which Indian state?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Haryana

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question is based on a current affairs item linking space research agencies with archaeology. NASA of the United States and ISRO of India planned to inspect an ancient site in India which some researchers associate with a very old civilisation. Such news items are often converted into one line questions in competitive exams to test awareness of important collaborations and Indian states where these sites are located.


Given Data / Assumptions:

    The agencies mentioned are NASA and ISRO.
    They intend to inspect a site related to an oldest civilisation claim.
    The options are Gujarat, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Telangana.
    We assume the site in question is in the region of the Saraswati or Ghaggar basin associated with Harappan remains.


Concept / Approach:
The approach here is to remember which state was highlighted in news as the location of the ancient river bed and archaeological traces that attracted joint scientific interest. Several Harappan and pre Harappan sites exist in Haryana along the Ghaggar Hakra belt. Reports mentioned that high resolution satellite data and ground surveys would be used to study this region. This association points towards Haryana rather than western coastal or southern states.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that many news articles talked about NASA and ISRO collaborating on the study of an ancient river system and settlement patterns in northwestern India. Step 2: Identify which state in the list falls in that geographic zone. Haryana lies in northern India and hosts several important archaeological sites linked to the Indus Saraswati civilisation. Step 3: Gujarat also has Harappan sites like Lothal and Dholavira, but the specific joint inspection news item mentioned a site in Haryana. Step 4: Rajasthan has desert and Harappan locations too, yet the question mirrors a popular one liner that names Haryana as the answer. Step 5: Telangana is in southern India and is not central to this particular civilisation debate.


Verification / Alternative check:
General knowledge sources and current affairs capsules describe that NASA imagery earlier hinted at a dried up river channel, which, along with field surveys by Indian agencies, led to renewed interest in Haryana as the location for a very ancient civilisation site along the Ghaggar river. When this collaboration was highlighted again around 2017, the state mentioned was Haryana. This matches the wording in many exam targeted questions.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Gujarat, while rich in Harappan archaeology, was not the focal point of the specific NASA ISRO inspection mentioned in this question. Rajasthan also has sites, but the news that spawned this MCQ did not point there as the primary target. Telangana has many heritage sites but is unrelated to the Indus Saraswati civilisation region described as among the oldest in the subcontinent.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to pick Gujarat simply because it is strongly associated with Harappan ports and often appears in other archaeology questions. Another pitfall is to over generalise and think any northern state might fit. To avoid confusion, candidates should note that this particular collaboration focused on Haryana and its possible link to a very old river based civilisation.


Final Answer:
NASA and ISRO planned to jointly inspect the ancient civilisation site located in the state of Haryana.

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