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8 August 2026

Technology Development Board conflict of interest

The topic highlights a specific governance and ethical challenge regarding conflict of interest in the disbursement of public funds by the Technology Development Board, which is directly relevant to GS2 policy implementation and GS4 probity in governance.

1 min read 2 questions 1 prelims

Notes

  • The Technology Development Board (TDB), under the Department of Science and Technology (DST), is responsible for disbursing public funds to technology start-ups.
  • The TDB is a key agency for channeling funds under the Centre’s ₹1 lakh crore Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) Fund.
  • As of July, the TDB has approved 22 projects involving ₹2,192 crore in RDI financing.
  • The TDB Investment Committee, which adjudicates funding eligibility, includes members with financial links to companies receiving TDB support.
  • TDB officials maintain that conflict of interest is 'unavoidable' in the innovation ecosystem due to the interconnected nature of experts and start-ups.
  • The TDB manages these conflicts through established guidelines rather than total exclusion of experts with industry ties.

Questions

  1. Discuss the challenges of managing conflict of interest in expert committees tasked with the allocation of public funds for research and innovation. How can institutional mechanisms ensure transparency and accountability in such processes? 150 words
    Attempt this — 150 words in 8 min
    0 / 150 words 8:00
  2. The integration of private sector expertise into public governance is essential for fostering a robust innovation ecosystem. However, it raises significant concerns regarding ethical standards and conflict of interest. Critically examine the balance between leveraging expert knowledge and maintaining the integrity of public funding mechanisms in India. 250 words
    Attempt this — 250 words in 11 min
    0 / 250 words 11:00

Prelims

  1. The Technology Development Board (TDB) functions under the administrative control of which of the following?

Syllabus

Topics

Sources

250words.in · https://250words.in/daily/2026-08-08/technology-development-board-conflict-of-interest