UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Biopharma Shakti Scheme

Q1. Under the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, the dedicated 'scientific review cadre' of specialists is to be created within which one of the following, identified as the lead drug regulator to be strengthened to global standards?

  • A. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • B. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • C. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
  • D. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

Q2. Biopharma SHAKTI is implemented by which one of the following nodal departments?

  • A. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • B. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Q3. With reference to the financing of the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It has a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore. 2. The outlay is spread over a five-year period. 3. It is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 4. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded on a 60:40 Centre–State sharing basis. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It has a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
  2. The outlay is spread over a five-year period.
  3. It is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  4. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded on a 60:40 Centre–State sharing basis.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q4. Biopharma SHAKTI is a central (central sector) scheme. Which one of the following best describes the funding character of such a scheme?

  • A. It is funded entirely by the Union Government and implemented through central agencies
  • B. It is always funded equally on a 50:50 Centre–State basis
  • C. It is funded wholly by the States under broad central guidelines
  • D. It is invariably funded by an external multilateral loan routed through the Centre

Q5. Consider the following initiatives: 1. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 2. Biopharma SHAKTI 3. Rare Earth Corridors / Permanent Magnets scheme 4. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Which of the above is/are correctly identified as part of the manufacturing push announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?

  1. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0
  2. Biopharma SHAKTI
  3. Rare Earth Corridors / Permanent Magnets scheme
  4. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Among the strategic and frontier manufacturing initiatives announced in Union Budget 2026-27, which one carried the largest financial outlay?

  • A. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0
  • B. Biopharma SHAKTI
  • C. Scheme for dedicated Chemical Parks
  • D. Rare Earth Corridors scheme

Q7. Under Biopharma SHAKTI, the proposed India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites is to be developed primarily in linkage with which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • B. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
  • C. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • D. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Q8. Consider the following: 1. Biopharma Discovery Grant Fund 2. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites 3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive 4. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Mobile Phone Manufacturing Which of the above is/are correctly identified as components of the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme?

  1. Biopharma Discovery Grant Fund
  2. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites
  3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive
  4. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Mobile Phone Manufacturing
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Going beyond the institutional base of earlier biopharma initiatives, how many NEW National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) are proposed to be established under Biopharma SHAKTI?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Ten

Q10. Biopharma SHAKTI is designed to address segments where India lags despite being the 'pharmacy of the world'. Consider the following: 1. Biosimilars 2. Gene therapy 3. Small-molecule generic formulations 4. Fermentation-based bulk drugs and building blocks Which of the above is/are correctly identified as areas of India's capability gap that the scheme seeks to bridge?

  1. Biosimilars
  2. Gene therapy
  3. Small-molecule generic formulations
  4. Fermentation-based bulk drugs and building blocks
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Biopharma SHAKTI aims to make affordable 'biosimilars' a key part of India's healthcare basket. Which one of the following best describes a biosimilar?

  • A. A biological product highly similar to an already-approved reference biologic, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy
  • B. A chemically synthesized generic copy of a small-molecule reference drug
  • C. An entirely novel patented molecule with a new mechanism of action
  • D. A standardized herbal formulation manufactured for export markets