UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Provision of Rs 13000 cr for BioPharma SHAKTI & 3 Dedicated Chemical Parks is a strategic bet on India’s future

Q1. Among the following manufacturing-promotion interventions for India's pharma and chemicals space announced or in force around the Union Budget 2026-27, which one carries the LARGEST financial outlay?

  • A. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI scheme
  • B. PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs (KSMs/DIs/APIs)
  • C. PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech) Scheme
  • D. Bulk Drug Parks Scheme

Q2. With reference to the Bio-Pharma SHAKTI scheme announced in Union Budget 2026-27, consider the following as its declared components/features: 1. Establishment of three new NIPERs and upgradation of seven existing NIPERs. 2. Creation of a network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites. 3. Setting up of three dedicated Chemical Parks under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 4. Building a domestic ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Establishment of three new NIPERs and upgradation of seven existing NIPERs.
  2. Creation of a network of over 1,000 accredited clinical trial sites.
  3. Setting up of three dedicated Chemical Parks under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  4. Building a domestic ecosystem for biologics and biosimilars.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. Under the Bulk Drug Parks Scheme, the appraisal of State proposals was guided by an Advisory Committee headed by which one of the following?

  • A. CEO, NITI Aayog
  • B. Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • C. Cabinet Secretary
  • D. Drugs Controller General of India (CDSCO)

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the Bulk Drug Parks Scheme with the three dedicated Chemical Parks: 1. The Bulk Drug Parks Scheme provides up to 90% financial assistance for parks in hilly States such as Himachal Pradesh, against 70% for other selected States. 2. The Bulk Drug Parks Scheme was notified in 2020, whereas the three dedicated Chemical Parks were announced in the Union Budget 2026-27. 3. Both the Bulk Drug Parks Scheme and the new Chemical Parks scheme are implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Bulk Drug Parks Scheme provides up to 90% financial assistance for parks in hilly States such as Himachal Pradesh, against 70% for other selected States.
  2. The Bulk Drug Parks Scheme was notified in 2020, whereas the three dedicated Chemical Parks were announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.
  3. Both the Bulk Drug Parks Scheme and the new Chemical Parks scheme are implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Under the PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech) Scheme, 'Component A' specifically refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Strengthening research infrastructure by setting up Centres of Excellence at NIPERs
  • B. Providing financial assistance to industry, MSMEs and startups for R&D projects
  • C. Establishing world-class Bulk Drug Parks with common infrastructure
  • D. Creating a national network of accredited clinical trial sites

Q6. The scheme to set up three dedicated Chemical Parks announced in Union Budget 2026-27 selects States through which one of the following mechanisms?

  • A. A challenge-based selection mechanism
  • B. Automatic sanction to every State that submits a proposal
  • C. A lottery drawn among all willing States
  • D. Direct nomination by the Finance Commission

Q7. Consider the following scheme–feature pairings: 1. Bulk Drug Parks Scheme — Rs 3,000 crore outlay notified in 2020. 2. Three dedicated Chemical Parks — challenge-based route announced in Union Budget 2026-27. 3. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI — Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years. 4. PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs — Rs 5,000 crore outlay. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Bulk Drug Parks Scheme — Rs 3,000 crore outlay notified in 2020.
  2. Three dedicated Chemical Parks — challenge-based route announced in Union Budget 2026-27.
  3. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI — Rs 10,000 crore outlay over five years.
  4. PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs — Rs 5,000 crore outlay.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q8. As per the vision linked to the Union Budget 2026-27 Chemical Parks push, what target has been set for India's share of the global chemical value chain by 2030?

  • A. A 5-6% share of the global chemical value chain by 2030
  • B. A 12% share of the global chemical value chain by 2030
  • C. A 5% share of the global chemical value chain by 2040
  • D. A 20% share of the global chemical value chain by 2040

Q9. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI and the three dedicated Chemical Parks announced in Union Budget 2026-27 are both initiatives of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q10. Consider the following scheme–implementing department pairings: 1. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI — Department of Pharmaceuticals. 2. Three dedicated Chemical Parks — Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals. 3. PRIP Scheme — Department of Pharmaceuticals. 4. Bulk Drug Parks Scheme — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Bio-Pharma SHAKTI — Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  2. Three dedicated Chemical Parks — Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals.
  3. PRIP Scheme — Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  4. Bulk Drug Parks Scheme — Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to India's dependence on imported APIs/bulk drugs and the related policy response, consider the following statements: 1. In FY 2024-25, China accounted for about 73.7% of India's imports of APIs, bulk drugs and intermediates. 2. In FY 2024-25, India imported around 200 categories of APIs and bulk drugs worth about USD 4.35 billion. 3. For some specific bulk drugs, India's import dependence lies in the range of 80-100%. 4. The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs targets domestic manufacturing of 200 identified critical bulk drugs. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. In FY 2024-25, China accounted for about 73.7% of India's imports of APIs, bulk drugs and intermediates.
  2. In FY 2024-25, India imported around 200 categories of APIs and bulk drugs worth about USD 4.35 billion.
  3. For some specific bulk drugs, India's import dependence lies in the range of 80-100%.
  4. The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs targets domestic manufacturing of 200 identified critical bulk drugs.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only