Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)? 1. NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government. 2. NIF is an initiative to strengthen the highly advanced scientific research in India's premier scientific institutions in collaboration with highly advanced foreign scientific institutions. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- (a) 1 only ✓ UPSC's answer
- (b) 2 only
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Why the answer is (a)
• The National Innovation Foundation (2000) is an autonomous body under the Department of Science and Technology, based in Gandhinagar (statement 1).
• Statement 2 is wrong: NIF's mandate is grassroots innovation — documenting, protecting and scaling up innovations and traditional knowledge of farmers, artisans and students (the Honey Bee Network), not advanced research collaborations with foreign institutions.
• Hence 1 only, option (a).
Why the other options are wrong
- (b) 2 only
- Statement 2 is wrong: NIF supports grassroots, not advanced, innovation.
- (c) Both 1 and 2
- Statement 2 is wrong.
- (d) Neither 1 nor 2
- Statement 1 is correct: NIF is under DST.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2015, held on 23 August 2015. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.