Wheeler Island, a missile testing facility off the coast of Odisha in the Bay of Bengal, has been officially renamed as which of the following?

Introduction / Context:
Wheeler Island is an important missile testing site for India, particularly for trials of ballistic missiles and other strategic systems. In recognition of the contributions of a key scientific leader, the island was officially renamed. Questions of this type combine defence awareness with honours given to national figures and often appear in current affairs sections.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The island mentioned is Wheeler Island, used as a missile testing facility.

• The question asks for its new official name after renaming.

• Options list names of prominent Indian scientists and personalities.

• The learner is expected to know which scientist the island was named after.

Concept / Approach:
Wheeler Island was renamed Abdul Kalam Island in honour of Dr A P J Abdul Kalam, who played a central role in India missile and space programmes and later served as the President of India. The correct approach is to connect Wheeler Island with missile testing and then recall that Dr Kalam is popularly known as the Missile Man of India, making the renaming highly symbolic.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify Wheeler Island as a missile testing range off the coast of Odisha. Step 2: Recall that the Government of India decided to rename this island in honour of a leading scientist. Step 3: Recognise that Dr A P J Abdul Kalam is strongly associated with India missile development and is therefore the most fitting choice. Step 4: Among the options, locate Abdul Kalam Island. Step 5: Select Abdul Kalam Island as the correct new name.

Verification / Alternative check:
Official announcements from the Government of India and defence ministry, as well as widely circulated news reports, clearly state that Wheeler Island was renamed Abdul Kalam Island. Exam preparatory books that compile important renaming events also include this fact. Cross checking multiple reliable sources leaves no doubt about this association.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan and Homi Bhabha are all eminent scientists in the fields of space and nuclear science, and C V Raman is a Nobel Prize winning physicist. However, none of them is used for the official renaming of Wheeler Island. Other facilities or institutions may carry their names, but the specific missile test range was renamed exclusively to honour Dr Abdul Kalam, which makes the other options incorrect.

Common Pitfalls:
Because there are many institutions and places named after leading Indian scientists, learners may confuse which scientist is associated with which facility. For example, Satish Dhawan Space Centre refers to a launch site in Andhra Pradesh, and Vikram Sarabhai is linked with research institutions in space science. Careful reading and separate mental notes help avoid mixing these names. Remembering that Abdul Kalam is particularly tied to missiles makes it easier to connect him with Wheeler Island.

Final Answer:
Wheeler Island has been officially renamed as Abdul Kalam Island.