UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Can India eliminate malaria by 2030?

Q1. Which one of the following is the central nodal technical agency for implementing the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030 in India?

  • A. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • B. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
  • C. National Vector Borne Disease Control Programme (NVBDCP) under the Directorate General of Health Services
  • D. National Health Authority under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Q2. As reported by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in late 2025 (cited in the World Malaria Report 2025), how many districts in India have recorded zero indigenous malaria cases for three consecutive years (2022-2024)?

  • A. 122 districts across 18 States/UTs
  • B. 145 districts across 20 States/UTs
  • C. 160 districts across 23 States/UTs
  • D. 198 districts across 25 States/UTs

Q3. In which year was the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME), aligned with the WHO Global Technical Strategy for Malaria 2016-2030, launched by the Government of India?

  • A. 2014
  • B. 2016
  • C. 2017
  • D. 2020

Q4. With reference to India's evolving malaria elimination strategy, consider the following statements: 1. The National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (NSPME) 2023-2027 retains the interim goal of zero indigenous cases by 2027 set under the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030. 2. Unlike the earlier NSPME 2017-2022, the NSPME 2023-2027 leverages real-time case reporting through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP). 3. India exited the WHO 'High Burden to High Impact' (HBHI) group in 2024, during the NSPME 2023-2027 cycle. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination (NSPME) 2023-2027 retains the interim goal of zero indigenous cases by 2027 set under the National Framework for Malaria Elimination (NFME) 2016-2030.
  2. Unlike the earlier NSPME 2017-2022, the NSPME 2023-2027 leverages real-time case reporting through the Integrated Health Information Platform (IHIP).
  3. India exited the WHO 'High Burden to High Impact' (HBHI) group in 2024, during the NSPME 2023-2027 cycle.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. According to the WHO Global Malaria Programme, a country can be certified 'malaria-free' when which one of the following conditions has been satisfied?

  • A. The country reports fewer than one indigenous case per 1,000 population at risk for at least five consecutive years.
  • B. The chain of local transmission of all human malaria parasites has been interrupted nationwide for at least three consecutive years, with a functional surveillance and response system in place.
  • C. Indigenous transmission of Plasmodium falciparum has been interrupted for at least five years, irrespective of P. vivax transmission.
  • D. Imported cases account for less than 10% of reported cases for at least two consecutive years and an external WHO audit confirms zero deaths.