U. R. Rao, who passed away at the age of 85, was prominently associated with which of the following fields?

Introduction / Context:
Udupi Ramachandra Rao, commonly known as U. R. Rao, was one of India's most respected space scientists and former Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Questions like this test awareness of important Indian personalities and their fields of contribution, which is a favourite area in competitive exams and general knowledge sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are asked about U. R. Rao, who passed away at the age of 85.
• The task is to identify the field with which he was prominently associated.
• Options mention different professional domains such as scientist, poet, politician, and author.
• We assume the question refers to his primary, nationally recognised role.

Concept / Approach:
To answer personality-based GK questions, we recall the major achievements and roles of the individual. U. R. Rao is best known for his work in space science and satellite technology. He played a crucial role in making India self-reliant in satellite development and launch capabilities, which clearly places him in the category of a scientist, more specifically a space scientist and engineer.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall who U. R. Rao was – an eminent Indian space scientist and former ISRO Chairman. Step 2: Note that he supervised the design and launch of many Indian satellites, contributing to communication, meteorology, and remote sensing. Step 3: Compare this information with the options: scientist, poet, politician, and author. Step 4: Only the option “Scientist” matches his main, widely known professional identity. Step 5: Conclude that “Scientist” is the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
If you have ever read about the history of ISRO or India’s early satellite missions such as Aryabhata and Bhaskara, you would have come across U. R. Rao's name as a leading scientist. General awareness materials, obituaries, and government awards also consistently describe him as a renowned space scientist, never as a poet, politician, or literary author. This cross-check confirms the correctness of the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Poet: There is no major record of U. R. Rao as a poet or literary figure; this distractor tests whether candidates confuse him with literary personalities. Politician: He was not known for holding elected office or leading a political party. His fame came from scientific and administrative contributions to ISRO. Author: Although scientists may write technical papers, he is not famous as a general author or novelist; this is not his primary field.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes rush and associate any famous Indian name with politics or literature, because these fields are widely covered in the news. Others may vaguely remember his name but confuse him with different personalities. Another pitfall is not distinguishing between someone who may have written books and someone whose primary identity is as an author. In exam practice, always ask yourself: “For what is this person mainly celebrated nationwide?”

Final Answer:
The primary field with which U. R. Rao was prominently associated is Scientist.