UPSC Prelims 2006 Q109: Science & Technology – Science & Technology Institutions
Who is the President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research?
- (a) President of India
- (b) Vice - President of India
- (c) Prime Minister of India
- (d) Union Minister of Science and Technology
Answer: (c) Prime Minister of India
Explanation
President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
| Office | Role in CSIR |
|---|---|
| President of India | Visitor of institutions, not CSIR President |
| Vice-President of India | Not the CSIR head |
| Prime Minister of India | Ex-officio President of the CSIR Society |
| Union Minister of Science and Technology | Ex-officio Vice-President of CSIR |
The Prime Minister of India is the President of the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research.
Answer: (c) Prime Minister of India.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. The President of India is not the head of CSIR.
- (b) Incorrect. The Vice-President of India is not the head of CSIR.
- (c) CORRECT. The Prime Minister is the ex-officio President of CSIR.
- (d) Incorrect. The Union Minister of Science and Technology is the Vice-President of CSIR.
Key point
The Prime Minister of India is the ex-officio President of CSIR, with the Science and Technology Minister as Vice-President.
Remember
The Prime Minister is President of CSIR.
Common mistakes
- Giving the post to the President of India as head of state.
- Reversing the President and Vice-President roles of the Council.
- Confusing CSIR with the Planning Commission, also headed by the Prime Minister.
Exam tip
CSIR President = Prime Minister; Vice-President = Science and Technology Minister.
Sources
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — Governance: the CSIR Society (President: the Prime Minister of India)
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research — CSIR Annual Report 2005–06