RAS question
India's Nano Mission is coordinated by:
Correct answer: (A) Department of Science and Technology (DST).
India's Nano Mission was coordinated by the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to promote nanoscience and nanotechnology research.
Explanation
India's Nano Mission was launched in May 2007 to promote nanoscience and nanotechnology research in India. The coordinating body is the Department of Science and Technology, not a sector-specific agency. The programme is the National Programme on Nano Science and Technology, earlier the Nano Mission, with contact points in the Technology Mission Division (Nano Mission) of DST. The Nano Mission has since been converted into a National Programme on Nano Science and Technology, with existing supported projects being monitored under that framework. DST is the institutional answer because programme coordination belongs to DST, not to downstream users of nanotechnology.
Why the other options are wrong
- (B) ISRO is linked to space, whereas the Nano Mission is housed under DST's Nano Science and Technology framework.
- (C) DRDO handles defence research, but the Nano Mission's coordination is with DST, not a defence research organisation.
- (D) The Ministry of Health does not coordinate the Nano Mission or the DST nanoscience programme.
Concept
Science and Technology governance includes matching national research missions to their nodal or coordinating department. RAS uses institution-programme mapping as a compact way to test policy architecture without asking technical nanoscience.