UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 1: Science and Technology in India – Policy, Institutions and Funding (21 MCQs)

← Back

UPSC Science and Technology – Chapter 1: Science and Technology in India – Policy, Institutions and Funding (21 MCQs) – 21 questions, subject: Science & Technology. Every question has the correct answer with a one-line explanation; tap "Show Answer". Free practice for TNPSC, UPSC, SSC, Bank and RRB exams – Shanmugam IAS Academy, Coimbatore.

Get daily current affairs & exam alerts – follow us YouTube WhatsApp Channel Telegram Channel Facebook Page Instagram
Share with friends & study groups
Link to this page from your website / blog (HTML code)
1.  

The duty "to develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform" is found in:

Correct Answer: D [Article 51A(h)]

Explanation:

a Fundamental Duty added in 1976.

2.  

The VAJRA scheme of the Government of India mainly aims to:

Correct Answer: B [bring overseas scientists, including NRIs, to work in Indian institutions as visiting faculty]

Explanation:

VAJRA (Visiting Advanced Joint Research) Faculty scheme brings overseas scientists, including NRIs and OCIs, to Indian institutions for joint research.

3.  

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research functions under the:

Correct Answer: A [Department of Scientific and Industrial Research]

Explanation:

CSIR, a registered society set up in 1942, functions under the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR, 1985).

4.  

The Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme with a corpus of ₹1 lakh crore, approved in 2025, is mainly meant to:

Correct Answer: B [provide long-term, low-cost finance for private-sector R&D in sunrise and strategic sectors]

Explanation:

approved by the Cabinet on 1 July 2025, it gives long-term concessional finance to private R&D in sunrise sectors.

5.  

The National Innovation Foundation–India mainly supports:

Correct Answer: D [grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge]

Explanation:

NIF-India, an autonomous body of DST set up in 2000, scouts and supports grassroots innovations and traditional knowledge.

6.  

The Department of Biotechnology was set up in:

Correct Answer: B [1986]

Explanation:

The Department of Biotechnology was created in 1986 under the Ministry of Science and Technology.

7.  

The Technology Policy Statement of 1983 stressed mainly:

Correct Answer: A [technological self-reliance]

Explanation:

The 1983 Technology Policy Statement aimed at technological self-reliance and absorbing and adapting imported technology.

8.  

India's gross expenditure on research and development is about:

Correct Answer: B [less than 1 per cent of GDP]

Explanation:

0.64 per cent in 2020-21 and about 0.84 per cent in 2023-24 (DST).

9.  

The first Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India was:

Correct Answer: D [A. P. J. Abdul Kalam]

Explanation:

the office was created in 1999.

10.  

Consider the following statements:

1. DST, DBT and DSIR are departments of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
2. ISRO was set up before the Department of Space.
3. ICMR began as the Indian Research Fund Association.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Correct Answer: B [1, 2 and 3]

Explanation:

ISRO 1969, Department of Space 1972; IRFA 1911.

11.  

Assertion (A): India spends a smaller share of its GDP on R&D than China or the United States.

Reason (R): The private sector's share of R&D spending in India is low compared with leading economies.

Correct Answer: A [Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A]

Explanation:

India’s GERD is under 1 per cent of GDP, and the low private-sector contribution is a major reason for the gap with leading economies.

12.  

The Ministry of Earth Sciences was set up in:

Correct Answer: C [2006]

Explanation:

The Ministry of Earth Sciences was formed in 2006 for weather, ocean, polar and seismology research.

13.  

Which of the following was launched in 2023?

Correct Answer: C [National Quantum Mission]

Explanation:

The National Quantum Mission was approved in 2023 for quantum computing, communication and sensing.

14.  

The Defence Research and Development Organisation was set up in:

Correct Answer: D [1958]

Explanation:

DRDO was formed in 1958 by merging existing defence technical establishments with the Defence Science Organisation.

15.  

Which policy introduced the idea of "innovation for inclusive growth"?

Correct Answer: C [Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, 2013]

Explanation:

The STI Policy 2013 put innovation for inclusive growth at its centre for the decade of innovation.

16.  

INSPIRE, launched in 2008, aims mainly to:

Correct Answer: B [attract young students to science careers]

Explanation:

INSPIRE, a DST scheme launched in 2008, attracts talented young students to study science and take up research careers.

17.  

Arrange the following in chronological order:

1. Setting up of CSIR
2. Setting up of the Department of Biotechnology
3. Scientific Policy Resolution
4. ANRF Act

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: C [1-3-2-4]

Explanation:

CSIR 1942, Resolution 1958, DBT 1986, ANRF Act 2023.

18.  

India's rank in the Global Innovation Index 2024 was:

Correct Answer: A [39th]

Explanation:

WIPO's Global Innovation Index 2024 ranked India 39th; it rose to 38th in 2025.

19.  

The Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) was set up in:

Correct Answer: B [2018]

Explanation:

PM-STIAC was set up in 2018 to advise the Prime Minister on science, technology and innovation and cross-cutting missions.

20.  

Which one of the following pairs of CSIR laboratory and its field is NOT correctly matched?

Correct Answer: C [SERC – space electronics]

Explanation:

SERC is the Structural Engineering Research Centre.

21.  
UPSC Prelims 2015

Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?

1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government
2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India's premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Correct Answer: A [1 only]

Explanation:

NIF (2000) is an autonomous body of DST that supports grassroots innovators.

➤ Full notes, maps, tables, a reason for every option and Mains PYQs – U17 · Science and Technology (UPSC book, ₹249): www.shanmugamiasacademy.in/study-materials/upsc-science-technology

📘 U17 · Science and Technology – UPSC Civil Services (Prelims & Mains)
Here you get the answer with a one-line explanation. 21 chapters · 552 MCQs incl. UPSC Prelims PYQs with a reason for every option · 105 Mains questions + Mains PYQs · maps, tables, revision cards
Get the book – ₹249 ₹499 →
Score: 0 Answered: 0 / 0