UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — More drugs to get QR codes amid fight against fake products

Q1. Under the 2026 expansion of Schedule H2 of the Drugs Rules, 1945, which single drug category has been given the longest implementation runway (i.e. the latest effective date for mandatory QR code/barcode track-and-trace)?

  • A. All vaccines
  • B. Anti-cancer medicines
  • C. Antimicrobials
  • D. Narcotic and psychotropic drugs

Q2. By the 2026 amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945, how many new drug categories were brought within the ambit of QR code/barcode-based track-and-trace under Schedule H2?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q3. In the context of the Drugs Rules, 1945, what does the inclusion of a drug in 'Schedule H2' precisely require?

  • A. That a barcode or QR code carrying machine-readable product identity data be printed/affixed on the drug's packaging to enable track-and-trace authentication
  • B. That the drug be sold only against the prescription of a registered medical practitioner, with the pharmacist maintaining a record of the prescription for three years
  • C. That the drug be supplied only through government supply chains and be exempt from retail sale
  • D. That the drug carry a mandatory red-line warning indicating it is a habit-forming antibiotic

Q4. Which Union ministry notified the 2026 amendment to the Drugs Rules, 1945 expanding Schedule H2 QR code traceability, and operationalises it through the CDSCO?

  • A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of AYUSH