Australia-India Strategic Research Fund

06.07.2024

Australia-India Strategic Research Fund

Why in the news?

The Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology unveiled the results of the 15th round of the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund (AISRF).

About Australia-India Strategic Research Fund:

• It is a bilateral program that supports collaborative research projects between Australia and India.
• It aims to strengthen the scientific relationship between the two countries and address common challenges through joint research efforts.
• It is a platform for bilateral collaboration in science, jointly managed and funded by the governments of India and Australia.

Objectives

• To increase the uptake of leading-edge science and technology (S&T) by supporting collaboration between Australian and Indian researchers in strategically focused, leading-edge scientific research and technology projects, and strengthening strategic alliances between Australian and Indian researchers;
• Facilitate India’s and Australia’s access to the global S&T system.
• The priority areas for collaborative research projects in Round Fifteen of the Indo-Australian S&T Fund are Artificial Intelligence and machine learning, New and Renewable energy technologies (particularly ultra-low-cost solar and clean hydrogen), and Urban mining and electronic waste recycling.

                                                               Source: PIB

Ques :- Consider the following statements regarding the Australia-India Strategic Research Fund:

Statement-I

 It is jointly managed and funded by the governments of India and Australia.

Statement-II

 It is only used for research in the field of Artificial Intelligence and machine learning.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

1. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
2. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
3. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.
4. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

             Answer C