UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Privatisation and policy gaps threaten India’s public health system

Q1. Among the physical-infrastructure sub-components being created under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), which one of the following accounts for the largest number of facilities sanctioned?

  • A. Block Public Health Units (BPHUs)
  • B. Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs)
  • C. Urban Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (U-AAMs)
  • D. Building-less Sub-Health Centres being upgraded to Ayushman Arogya Mandirs

Q2. In the context of India’s public health policy, the term ‘Ayushman Vay Vandana Card’ refers to:

  • A. A card providing ₹5 lakh annual cashless hospitalisation cover under AB-PMJAY to all citizens aged 70 years and above, irrespective of their socio-economic status
  • B. A pension-linked health voucher issued to BPL senior citizens above 60 years under the National Social Assistance Programme
  • C. A diagnostic-only card entitling senior citizens to free cancer and cardiac screening at all empanelled public hospitals
  • D. A subsidised-premium card enabling senior citizens to purchase private health insurance from IRDAI-approved insurers

Q3. At the national level, which of the following is the agency responsible for operationalising the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY)?

  • A. National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. National Health Mission Directorate functioning under NITI Aayog
  • C. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI)
  • D. Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS) Directorate under the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

Q4. With reference to the Ayushman Vay Vandana cover for senior citizens as compared with the original Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike the original AB-PMJAY whose eligibility is drawn from the SECC deprivation criteria, the Vay Vandana cover is available to all citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of socio-economic status. 2. The annual health cover under the Vay Vandana extension is ₹10 lakh per beneficiary — double the ₹5 lakh per family per year provided under the original AB-PMJAY. 3. Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one under the Vay Vandana extension, as is the case under the original AB-PMJAY. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the original AB-PMJAY whose eligibility is drawn from the SECC deprivation criteria, the Vay Vandana cover is available to all citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of socio-economic status.
  2. The annual health cover under the Vay Vandana extension is ₹10 lakh per beneficiary — double the ₹5 lakh per family per year provided under the original AB-PMJAY.
  3. Pre-existing diseases are covered from day one under the Vay Vandana extension, as is the case under the original AB-PMJAY.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3