UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Research Development Innovation (RDI) funding for industry-backed projects to start by the end of this month: Dr Jitendra Singh

Q1. With reference to the financing architecture of the Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Scheme approved in 2025, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It carries a total corpus of ₹1 lakh crore.
  2. The corpus is to be deployed over a period of six years.
  3. ₹20,000 crore was earmarked for the scheme in the Union Budget for FY 2025-26.
  4. Assistance to the private sector is extended as short-tenor loans at prevailing commercial market interest rates.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Under the RDI Scheme, the assistance channelled to private-sector-led research is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. Long-tenor concessional loans and refinancing at low or nil interest rates
  • B. Outright non-repayable grants disbursed directly to private firms
  • C. Tax rebates and weighted deductions on corporate R&D expenditure
  • D. Government purchase of majority equity stakes in funded startups

Q3. The Special Purpose Fund that acts as custodian of the ₹1 lakh crore RDI corpus is housed within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation, which was established under which one of the following?

  • A. The Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023
  • B. The Science and Engineering Research Board Act, 2008
  • C. The University Grants Commission Act, 1956
  • D. The National Institutes of Technology Act, 2007

Q4. Comparing the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) with the body it replaced, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the erstwhile SERB, ANRF's apex governing body is presided over by the Prime Minister in an ex-officio capacity.
  2. ANRF subsumed the Science and Engineering Research Board, which had been set up in 2008.
  3. The administrative department for ANRF is the Department of Biotechnology.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following bodies has been approved as the Second-Level Fund Manager responsible for RDI projects spanning ALL sunrise and strategic sectors?

  • A. Technology Development Board (TDB)
  • B. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
  • C. Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI)
  • D. National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD)

Q6. The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme was approved on 1 July 2025 by the Union Cabinet under whose chairship?

  • A. The Prime Minister
  • B. The Union Finance Minister
  • C. The Union Minister of Science & Technology
  • D. The Cabinet Secretary

Q7. Over how many years is the ₹1 lakh crore corpus of the RDI Scheme to be deployed?

  • A. Four years
  • B. Five years
  • C. Six years
  • D. Seven years

Q8. With reference to the Technology Development Board (TDB) and BIRAC, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. TDB was constituted under the Technology Development Board Act, 1995.
  2. TDB functions as a statutory body under the Department of Science & Technology.
  3. BIRAC was set up by the Department of Biotechnology.
  4. BIRAC is a statutory body created by an Act of Parliament.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q9. In legal terms, BIRAC—one of the first RDI Second-Level Fund Managers—is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A Section 8 not-for-profit company under the Companies Act, 2013
  • B. A Section 25 private limited company under the Companies Act, 1956
  • C. A statutory corporation established by a dedicated Act of Parliament
  • D. A Section 135 entity constituted for corporate social responsibility

Q10. Regarding the administrative ownership of the RDI Scheme and its first fund managers, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The nodal department for implementing the RDI Scheme is the Department of Science & Technology.
  2. The RDI Scheme is administered within the Ministry of Science & Technology, headed by Dr Jitendra Singh.
  3. BIRAC, one of the first SLFMs, functions under the Department of Science & Technology.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Which one of the following best describes the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

  • A. An apex body established under the ANRF Act, 2023 to provide high-level strategic direction to scientific research, with an estimated outlay of ₹50,000 crore over five years
  • B. A department within NITI Aayog created to finance only academic research in central universities
  • C. A statutory board under the Ministry of Education set up to replace the University Grants Commission
  • D. An autonomous society under the Department of Biotechnology dedicated solely to biotech research funding