UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Celebrating 42nd Foundation Day of DSIR, Government Announces Relaxation for Deep-Tech Startups for DSIR recognition, Strengthens India’s R&D and Innovation Ecosystem
Q1. The Secretary of the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR) invariably holds which one of the following posts concurrently?
- A. Director General, Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)
- B. Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
- C. Secretary, Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- D. Chairperson, Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)
Q2. With reference to the Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR), consider the following statements:
1. It was set up through a Presidential Notification dated 4 January 1985.
2. It functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
3. The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) functions under DSIR.
4. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a subordinate office under DSIR.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- It was set up through a Presidential Notification dated 4 January 1985.
- It functions under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
- The Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR) functions under DSIR.
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) is a subordinate office under DSIR.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 3 and 4
Q3. Which one of the following DSIR sub-schemes is specifically designed to promote innovations by individuals, startups and MSMEs?
- A. PRISM
- B. PACE
- C. CRTDH
- D. A2K+
Q4. With reference to the Common Research & Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH) scheme, consider the following statements:
1. It was initiated in 2014-15.
2. As of its tenth year, 18 CRTDHs have been established across the country.
3. It provides shared R&D infrastructure primarily to MSMEs.
4. CRTDHs are set up exclusively within the IITs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- It was initiated in 2014-15.
- As of its tenth year, 18 CRTDHs have been established across the country.
- It provides shared R&D infrastructure primarily to MSMEs.
- CRTDHs are set up exclusively within the IITs.
- A. 1, 2 and 3
- B. 1 and 3 only
- C. 2 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 4
Q5. The Common Research & Technology Development Hubs (CRTDH) scheme is implemented by which one of the following?
- A. Department of Scientific & Industrial Research (DSIR)
- B. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- C. Department of Science and Technology (DST)
- D. Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)
Q6. The relaxation announced for deep-tech startups exempts them from a mandatory minimum existence period — previously required for DSIR recognition — of how many years?
- A. 2 years
- B. 3 years
- C. 5 years
- D. 7 years
Q7. The 2026 relaxation of the three-year existence norm for deep-tech startups was announced under which one of the following?
- A. DSIR's Industrial Research and Development Promotion Programme
- B. The ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme
- C. The National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP)
- D. The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme
Q8. DSIR, which organised its 42nd Foundation Day celebrations, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?
- A. Ministry of Science and Technology
- B. Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
- C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
- D. Ministry of Education
Q9. How many new initiatives were launched by DSIR on its 42nd Foundation Day?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Six
Q10. In-house R&D centres recognised by DSIR have historically been eligible for a weighted deduction on R&D expenditure under which section of the Income-tax Act, 1961?
- A. Section 35(2AB)
- B. Section 35(1)(ii)
- C. Section 80-IB
- D. Section 10AA
Q11. With reference to India's deep-tech and R&D ecosystem, consider the following statements:
1. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established through the ANRF Act, 2023.
2. A ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is anchored by ANRF.
3. A draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) was released for public consultation.
4. ANRF functions as a department under DSIR.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
- The Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) was established through the ANRF Act, 2023.
- A ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund is anchored by ANRF.
- A draft National Deep Tech Startup Policy (NDTSP) was released for public consultation.
- ANRF functions as a department under DSIR.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 3 and 4 only