UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The U.S. tariff shock, India’s pharma future

Q1. The provision in the Indian Patents Act, 1970 that is widely credited with preventing 'evergreening' of pharmaceutical patents — by barring patents on mere new forms of a known substance unless they differ significantly in efficacy — was inserted exclusively through which one of the following?

  • A. Patents (Amendment) Act, 1999
  • B. Patents (Amendment) Act, 2002
  • C. Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005
  • D. Patents Rules, 2003

Q2. With reference to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Pharmaceuticals vis-à-vis the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs (KSMs/DIs/APIs) of the Department of Pharmaceuticals, consider the following statements: 1. The financial outlay of the PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals is larger than that of the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs. 2. While the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs targets critical APIs, KSMs and drug intermediates, the PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals covers categories such as biopharmaceuticals, complex generics and patented drugs. 3. Under the Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks (₹3,000 crore outlay), parks have been approved in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The financial outlay of the PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals is larger than that of the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs.
  2. While the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs targets critical APIs, KSMs and drug intermediates, the PLI Scheme for Pharmaceuticals covers categories such as biopharmaceuticals, complex generics and patented drugs.
  3. Under the Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks (₹3,000 crore outlay), parks have been approved in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Maharashtra.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In the context of the September 2025 U.S. tariff announcement on pharmaceutical imports, India's position in the United States generic medicines market is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The largest single foreign supplier, accounting for nearly half of all generic medicines consumed in the U.S.
  • B. The second-largest foreign supplier, after China
  • C. The third-largest foreign supplier, after China and Ireland
  • D. A marginal supplier whose share is below 10%, with Israel being the largest

Q4. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials / Drug Intermediates / Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients in India is implemented by which one of the following?

  • A. Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology