UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — ‘Frame no-fault compensation policy for adverse events post COVID vaccination’

Q1. In Rachana Gangu v. Union of India (2026), the Supreme Court anchored the State's positive obligation to provide a structured redressal mechanism for serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination primarily in which one of the following provisions of the Constitution of India?

  • A. Article 14
  • B. Article 19(1)(g)
  • C. Article 21
  • D. Article 47

Q2. With reference to the Supreme Court's judgment in Rachana Gangu v. Union of India (2026), consider the following statements about the directions issued by the Court: 1. The Centre was directed to formulate a structured no-fault compensation policy for serious AEFIs arising from COVID-19 vaccination. 2. The Court directed that AEFI-related data be periodically placed in the public domain. 3. The Court itself fixed the quantum of compensation at a uniform lump sum for every reported vaccine-related death. 4. The Court held the Union Government retrospectively, strictly liable for all past AEFI-related deaths. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Centre was directed to formulate a structured no-fault compensation policy for serious AEFIs arising from COVID-19 vaccination.
  2. The Court directed that AEFI-related data be periodically placed in the public domain.
  3. The Court itself fixed the quantum of compensation at a uniform lump sum for every reported vaccine-related death.
  4. The Court held the Union Government retrospectively, strictly liable for all past AEFI-related deaths.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q3. In Rachana Gangu v. Union of India (2026), the responsibility to operationalise the no-fault compensation framework for serious adverse events following COVID-19 vaccination was placed exclusively on which one of the following Ministries of the Government of India?

  • A. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (Department of Pharmaceuticals)
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of AYUSH
  • D. Ministry of Law and Justice

Q4. In the context of vaccine-injury redressal, the term 'no-fault compensation' is most accurately defined as:

  • A. Compensation paid only after a court adjudicates negligence on the part of the vaccine manufacturer or administrator.
  • B. Financial relief paid to a vaccine-injury victim without requiring proof of negligence by the manufacturer, administrator or the State.
  • C. Compensation recovered from the vaccine manufacturer under strict product-liability tort principles.
  • D. Ex gratia relief granted only where the AEFI is classified as 'consistent with causal association' under the WHO algorithm.