UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Inaugural Edition of Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) focuses on Strategic Autonomy and Disruptive Technologies
Q1. With reference to the inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI), 2026, consider the following:
1. It was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
2. It was convened as a closed-door, by-invitation gathering of about 80 participants.
3. It was held alongside the Raisina Dialogue 2026 (5–7 March 2026).
4. It was organised as a fully open, ticketed public expo with over 5,000 registered attendees.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It was held at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
- It was convened as a closed-door, by-invitation gathering of about 80 participants.
- It was held alongside the Raisina Dialogue 2026 (5–7 March 2026).
- It was organised as a fully open, ticketed public expo with over 5,000 registered attendees.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 4 only
Q2. The inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was jointly convened by the Observer Research Foundation together with which one of the following arms of the Government of India?
- A. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
- B. Ministry of External Affairs
- C. NITI Aayog
- D. Office of the Prime Minister's Economic Advisory Council
Q3. Consider the following statements comparing the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) and the Raisina Dialogue:
1. The Office of the PSA was established in 1999, whereas the Raisina Dialogue was launched in 2016.
2. Unlike the parent Raisina Dialogue, which the Ministry of External Affairs co-hosts, the SDI is convened by the Office of the PSA with ORF.
3. The Office of the PSA functions as a subordinate wing of the Ministry of External Affairs.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The Office of the PSA was established in 1999, whereas the Raisina Dialogue was launched in 2016.
- Unlike the parent Raisina Dialogue, which the Ministry of External Affairs co-hosts, the SDI is convened by the Office of the PSA with ORF.
- The Office of the PSA functions as a subordinate wing of the Ministry of External Affairs.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q4. With reference to the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) to the Government of India, consider the following:
1. Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood has served as the PSA since April 2022.
2. The PSA chairs the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
3. The Office advises the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on matters of science and technology.
4. The Office is a statutory body created under a dedicated Act of Parliament.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood has served as the PSA since April 2022.
- The PSA chairs the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC).
- The Office advises the Prime Minister and the Cabinet on matters of science and technology.
- The Office is a statutory body created under a dedicated Act of Parliament.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q5. The Raisina Dialogue, India's flagship conference on geopolitics and geo-economics held annually since 2016, is hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with which one of the following?
- A. Ministry of External Affairs
- B. Ministry of Defence
- C. NITI Aayog
- D. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser
Q6. The Raisina Dialogue is best described as which one of the following?
- A. India's flagship multilateral conference on geopolitics and geo-economics
- B. A treaty-based intergovernmental collective-security bloc
- C. A United Nations-mandated multilateral climate negotiation forum
- D. A track-II nuclear disarmament verification mechanism
Q7. The inaugural SDI theme, 'Strategic Autonomy and Disruptive Technologies', explicitly addressed which of the following?
1. Tech-control regimes such as export-control arrangements
2. Research-security norms
3. Equitable participation of the Global South in global standards-setting
4. Reform of the permanent membership of the UN Security Council
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?
- Tech-control regimes such as export-control arrangements
- Research-security norms
- Equitable participation of the Global South in global standards-setting
- Reform of the permanent membership of the UN Security Council
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q8. Regarding the inaugural SDI's framing of 'Strategic Autonomy and Disruptive Technologies', consider the following:
1. Strategic autonomy is framed as reducing dependence on single-source suppliers of critical and emerging technologies.
2. The theme engages tech-control regimes such as export-control arrangements.
3. Strategic autonomy, as framed, requires India to completely sever all international research collaboration.
4. The theme covers India's voice in global standards-setting.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Strategic autonomy is framed as reducing dependence on single-source suppliers of critical and emerging technologies.
- The theme engages tech-control regimes such as export-control arrangements.
- Strategic autonomy, as framed, requires India to completely sever all international research collaboration.
- The theme covers India's voice in global standards-setting.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 4
- D. 3 only
Q9. With reference to the three-pillar framework of science diplomacy, consider the following statements:
1. 'Science in diplomacy' refers to informing foreign-policy objectives with scientific advice.
2. 'Diplomacy for science' refers to facilitating international scientific cooperation.
3. 'Science for diplomacy' refers to using export controls to restrict the transfer of critical technology.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- 'Science in diplomacy' refers to informing foreign-policy objectives with scientific advice.
- 'Diplomacy for science' refers to facilitating international scientific cooperation.
- 'Science for diplomacy' refers to using export controls to restrict the transfer of critical technology.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q10. Consider the following statements about the Geneva Science and Diplomacy Anticipator (GESDA) in relation to the Raisina SDI:
1. GESDA was represented among the co-chairs of the inaugural Raisina SDI.
2. Prof. Marilyne Andersen, Director General of GESDA, co-chaired the inaugural SDI alongside the President of the International Science Council.
3. GESDA is an initiative convened jointly by India's Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and ORF.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- GESDA was represented among the co-chairs of the inaugural Raisina SDI.
- Prof. Marilyne Andersen, Director General of GESDA, co-chaired the inaugural SDI alongside the President of the International Science Council.
- GESDA is an initiative convened jointly by India's Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and ORF.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q11. The inaugural edition of the Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was co-chaired by how many individuals?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Five
Q12. With reference to the Observer Research Foundation (ORF), consider the following:
1. It began its journey in 1990 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
2. It co-hosts the Raisina Dialogue in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.
3. It is a non-profit, non-partisan, independent think tank.
4. It is a statutory body of the Government of India established under the Cabinet Secretariat.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- It began its journey in 1990 and is headquartered in New Delhi.
- It co-hosts the Raisina Dialogue in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs.
- It is a non-profit, non-partisan, independent think tank.
- It is a statutory body of the Government of India established under the Cabinet Secretariat.
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 4
- D. 4 only