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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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
  • 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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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.
  • 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?

  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.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only
  • NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam
    NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam

    The notification of Borjuli site in Sonitpur, Assam as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under an NRAA-funded wild rice conservation project is a named, verifiable fact. Biodiversity Heritage Sites and wild crop genetic resource conservation are tested Prelims topics.

  • India Advances Global Green Hydrogen Leadership under National Green Hydrogen Mission

    Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), a landmark commercial deal for green ammonia and methanol export to Japan (IHI Corporation named) is a concrete outcome. India's green hydrogen ambitions and NGHM are recurring Prelims themes; this adds a factual export-deal hook.

  • NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"
    NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"

    A named NITI Aayog report on Ayurveda's global expansion is testable as a policy document. NITI Aayog reports, AYUSH sector initiatives, and traditional medicine diplomacy are recurring Prelims themes; the report's launch date and authoring body are clean factual hooks.

  • INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TRIKAND RESPONDS TO PIRACY ATTEMPT ON MV GOLDEN ARSENAL IN THE GULF OF ADEN

    A named Indian Navy anti-piracy operation with specific ship (INS Trikand — identified as a stealth frigate), vessel flag state (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and location (Gulf of Aden) offers testable facts. India's maritime security operations are plausible Prelims hooks but appear occasionally, not frequently.

  • Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide ‘Viksit Bharat – G-Ram G Act’ from Andhra Pradesh with Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan

    A newly named nationwide scheme launched by the Rural Development ministry that explicitly positions itself as moving 'beyond MGNREGA' is potentially testable. However, the excerpt lacks concrete numbers or statutory grounding, keeping it at 3 rather than 4.

  • MANAS: A Digital Shield Against Drugs

    MANAS is a named government digital initiative (national narcotics helpline) with a specific mandate under Nasha Mukt Bharat. Named government portals/helplines with specific functions are tested in Prelims, though this release is a backgrounder without new launch data.

  • VB-G RAM G Act comes into force across the country from today; “A historic day for rural India”: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    The VB-G RAM G Act (likely a renamed/revised MGNREGA or rural employment guarantee framework) came into force across India from July 1, 2026. Key facts: national launch in Tirupati on July 2; revised wage rates notified with no daily wage below ₹300; national average wage increased by over 10%. A new central Act coming into force with specific wage figures is high-priority Prelims material.

  • India Achieves Major Milestone with Approval of Country’s First PinS Instrument Approach Procedure for Helicopter Operations

    DGCA approved India's first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations, implemented at Undavalli Heliport (developed by AAI). This is a named first in Indian aviation with a specific location and implementing body — classic Prelims material for science/tech and aviation sections.

  • 11 Years of Digital India: Better Healthcare & Digital Markets Making Lives Easier

    This release contains high-quality testable data: Greece is named as the 10th country to adopt UPI; every second real-time digital transaction globally is processed via India's UPI; 13 lakh Anganwadi workers connected via Poshan Tracker covering 9 crore beneficiaries. Multiple concrete facts that are prime Prelims material.

  • India, EU Advance Cooperation on Sustainable Ship Recycling; Three Indian Yards Ready for EU Recognition

    India has a 35.4% global market share in sustainable ship recycling. Three Indian ship-recycling yards are ready for EU recognition. India committed $8 billion to strengthen shipbuilding and recycling, with a target of recycling 16,000 ships. These are specific, verifiable figures in a sector where India leads globally — strong Prelims material on maritime/shipping sector.

  • GAGAN: Navigating India’s Skies with Precision

    Detailed backgrounder on GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), India's Satellite-Based Augmentation System developed jointly by ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI). It enhances GPS accuracy for aviation, is certified to international standards, and supports satellite-based landing approaches. GAGAN is a recurring Prelims topic and this backgrounder consolidates key testable facts about its developers, purpose, and certification status.

    • The Hindu

    Latest PIB

    Latest from The Hindu

    Explore