Q. Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding National Innovation Foundation-India (NIF)?
- NIF is an autonomous body of the Department of Science and Technology under the Central Government.
- 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.
Answer:
1 only
Notes: The correct answer is
[A] 1 only. The National Innovation Foundation (NIF) - India is dedicated to supporting grassroots innovators rather than elite institutional research.
- Statement 1 (Correct): The NIF was set up in February 2000 by the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India. It functions as an autonomous body aimed at providing institutional support to grassroots innovators and outstanding traditional knowledge holders.
- Statement 2 (Incorrect): The NIF does not focus on "highly advanced scientific research" in "premier institutions" or foreign collaborations as its primary mandate. Instead, its mission is to help India become a creative and knowledge-based society by expanding the policy and institutional space for grassroots technological innovators. It scouts, supports, and spawns' innovations created by farmers, artisans, and other unlettered individuals.
Key Objectives of NIF:
- Scouting and Documentation: It conducts nationwide campaigns to find "hidden" innovations from the informal sector.
- Value Addition: It helps bridge the gap between a raw idea and a market-ready product through Prototyping and IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) support.
- The Honey Bee Network: NIF works closely with this network to ensure that the creators of knowledge are recognized and rewarded for their contributions.
- Awards: It organizes biennial national competitions for grassroots green innovations and outstanding traditional knowledge.