Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer by using the codes given below the lists: List-I List-II List-I A) Curiosity Rover B) Messenger C) Rustam-1 D) Akash-2 List-II 1) Tablet 2) Unmanned Aerial 3) Mars probe space vehicle of U.S.A. 4) Mercury probe space vehicle of NASA

The correct answer is A: A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1.

• Curiosity Rover is a Mars probe of NASA (USA). It landed in Gale Crater in August 2012 under the Mars Science Laboratory mission, so it matches 3.
• Messenger was NASA's probe to Mercury. It orbited the planet from 2011 until it ended its mission in April 2015, so it matches 4.
• Rustam-1 is a DRDO unmanned aerial vehicle built for surveillance and reconnaissance, so it matches 2.
• Akash-2 belongs to the Akash family of surface-to-air missiles developed by DRDO. The 'Tablet' label in List-II is clearly garbled, so the only remaining fit by elimination is 1.

The core concept here is the distinction between planetary missions, UAVs and indigenous missile systems. Mains GS-III and Science and Technology questions often ask about India's defence indigenisation and deep-space missions, so knowing what each system is for helps.

Trap: Students often match Akash-2 or Rustam-1 by name similarity without checking the category. Then they choose option B or D by mistake. Also remember that the Messenger mission targeted Mercury, not Mars.