UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh launches first RDI Fund call, unveils unique initiative of Innovation financing: Unveils First TDB Window to Fund High-Risk Technology Commercialisation

Q1. In the operational architecture of the ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund, the term 'Special Purpose Fund (SPF)' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. A fund established within the Anusandhan National Research Foundation that acts as custodian of the RDI corpus and channels capital to second-level fund managers
  • B. A dedicated corpus within the Ministry of Finance that directly disburses grants to deep-tech startups
  • C. A SEBI-registered alternative investment fund that co-invests rupee-for-rupee alongside private venture capital
  • D. A reserve managed by the Reserve Bank of India to underwrite defaults on high-risk technology loans

Q2. Under the RDI Fund, which one of the following was approved as the first Second-Level Fund Manager (SLFM) mandated to fund projects spanning ALL of the RDI 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. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)

Q3. Which one of the following is the administrative department responsible for operationalising the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF)?

  • A. Department of Science and Technology (DST)
  • B. Department of Biotechnology (DBT)
  • C. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR)
  • D. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India

Q4. With reference to the governance framework created under the Anusandhan National Research Foundation Act, 2023, consider the following statements: 1. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of the ANRF Governing Board. 2. The Union Minister of Science & Technology and the Union Minister of Education are ex-officio Vice-Presidents. 3. The Act repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and subsumed it. 4. The Ministry of Education is the administrative department of the ANRF. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of the ANRF Governing Board.
  2. The Union Minister of Science & Technology and the Union Minister of Education are ex-officio Vice-Presidents.
  3. The Act repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and subsumed it.
  4. The Ministry of Education is the administrative department of the ANRF.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q5. Which one of the following statements best captures the distinction of the Technology Development Board (TDB) at the time of its constitution?

  • A. It was the first organisation within the Government framework with the sole objective of translating indigenous research into commercial products or services
  • B. It was India's first dedicated venture capital fund for biotechnology start-ups
  • C. It was the first statutory body empowered to regulate the import of foreign technology into India
  • D. It was the first autonomous body set up under CSIR for patent commercialisation

Q6. With reference to the forms of financial assistance provided by the Technology Development Board (TDB), consider the following: 1. Equity capital to industrial concerns. 2. Soft loans for commercialisation of indigenous technology. 3. Grants to research and development institutions. 4. Interest-free foreign-currency loans provided exclusively to public sector undertakings. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Equity capital to industrial concerns.
  2. Soft loans for commercialisation of indigenous technology.
  3. Grants to research and development institutions.
  4. Interest-free foreign-currency loans provided exclusively to public sector undertakings.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) framework as applied to the first TDB RDI Call, consider the following statements: 1. TRL 4 denotes component/breadboard validation in a laboratory environment, whereas TRL 9 denotes an operational system in production. 2. The first TDB RDI Call supports projects at TRL 4 and above. 3. The TRL framework is defined only on a scale ranging from 1 to 5. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. TRL 4 denotes component/breadboard validation in a laboratory environment, whereas TRL 9 denotes an operational system in production.
  2. The first TDB RDI Call supports projects at TRL 4 and above.
  3. The TRL framework is defined only on a scale ranging from 1 to 5.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. On the Technology Readiness Level (TRL) scale, TRL 4 — the eligibility threshold for the first TDB RDI Call — corresponds to which one of the following stages?

  • A. Component and/or breadboard validation in a laboratory environment
  • B. Basic principles observed and reported
  • C. System prototype demonstration in an operational environment
  • D. Actual system proven and operational in production

Q9. Under the first TDB Open Call of the RDI Fund, the maximum funding support extended to a project is capped at what proportion of the total project cost?

  • A. 50%
  • B. 75%
  • C. 90%
  • D. 100%

Q10. With reference to the financing features of the first TDB Open Call under the RDI Fund, consider the following statements: 1. The financing is collateral-free, with no requirement for personal or corporate guarantees. 2. The interest rate is concessional, in the range of 2–4%. 3. The maximum loan tenure is up to 15 years, including a moratorium. 4. The support is provided solely as outright grants carrying no repayment obligation. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The financing is collateral-free, with no requirement for personal or corporate guarantees.
  2. The interest rate is concessional, in the range of 2–4%.
  3. The maximum loan tenure is up to 15 years, including a moratorium.
  4. The support is provided solely as outright grants carrying no repayment obligation.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q11. Distinguishing the RDI Fund's institutional ecosystem from earlier S&T funding bodies, consider the following statements: 1. The ANRF Act, 2023 repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and subsumed it. 2. BIRAC was set up by the Department of Biotechnology as its industry-academia interface agency. 3. Under the RDI Fund, both TDB and BIRAC were approved as Second-Level Fund Managers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The ANRF Act, 2023 repealed the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB) and subsumed it.
  2. BIRAC was set up by the Department of Biotechnology as its industry-academia interface agency.
  3. Under the RDI Fund, both TDB and BIRAC were approved as Second-Level Fund Managers.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. With reference to the ministerial roles of Dr. Jitendra Singh, who launched the first RDI Fund call, consider the following statements: 1. He holds independent charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology. 2. He holds independent charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 3. He is the Cabinet Minister for the Ministry of Finance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. He holds independent charge of the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  2. He holds independent charge of the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
  3. He is the Cabinet Minister for the Ministry of Finance.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3