RAS question
BIRAC (Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council) functions under:
Correct answer: (A) Department of Biotechnology (DBT).
BIRAC functions under the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, as a not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise linked to the Ministry of Science and Technology.
Explanation
BIRAC stands for Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council. It is a Public Sector Enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology, Government of India. In exam terms, the key point is institutional placement: BIRAC is not an independent science body, defence body, or electronics ministry platform; it is DBT's industry-facing biotechnology support arm. BIRAC is a not-for-profit Public Sector Enterprise under DBT, Ministry of Science and Technology. Its role is to support biotech startups and SMEs through funding, mentoring, and infrastructure, with programmes such as BIG, BIPP, SBIRI, and SPARSH.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) CSIR is not BIRAC's parent body; BIRAC is a Public Sector Enterprise set up by the Department of Biotechnology.
- (C) MeitY relates to electronics and information technology, while BIRAC functions under the Department of Biotechnology.
- (D) DRDO is a defence research organisation, whereas BIRAC is linked to biotechnology industry support through the Department of Biotechnology.
Concept
This tests institutional mapping in Science and Technology, especially which ministry or department runs a specialised innovation body. RAS often asks such questions because schemes, councils, and sectoral agencies are easy to confuse unless their administrative parent is clear.