UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Biopharmaceuticals Are Shaping the Future of Modern Healthcare; India Well-Positioned to Emerge as a Global Leader : Smt. Anupriya Patel

Q1. With reference to the architecture of the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, consider the following components: 1. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites 2. Strengthening of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with a dedicated Scientific Review Cadre 3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive 4. Establishment of three Greenfield Bulk Drug Parks as the exclusive manufacturing pillar of the scheme Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a component of Biopharma SHAKTI?

  1. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites
  2. Strengthening of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with a dedicated Scientific Review Cadre
  3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive
  4. Establishment of three Greenfield Bulk Drug Parks as the exclusive manufacturing pillar of the scheme
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q2. Among the following classes of pharmaceutical products, which one is typically the largest and most structurally complex molecule, manufactured in living cell systems rather than by conventional chemical synthesis?

  • A. Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) of a small-molecule generic drug
  • B. Key Starting Material (KSM) used in bulk-drug manufacture
  • C. Biologic such as a monoclonal antibody
  • D. Drug Intermediate produced en route to an API

Q3. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials, Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs) is implemented by which one of the following?

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

Q4. With reference to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) schemes for bulk drugs and pharmaceuticals and the Bulk Drug Parks scheme, consider the following statements: 1. The PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs has a financial outlay of Rs 6,940 crore and targets 41 identified critical bulk drugs. 2. The PLI scheme for Pharmaceuticals (Rs 15,000 crore) explicitly includes biopharmaceuticals and cell or gene therapy drugs among its eligible product categories. 3. Under the Bulk Drug Parks scheme, central financial assistance is provided up to 100% of the cost of Common Infrastructure Facilities for parks located in North-eastern and hilly States. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The PLI scheme for Bulk Drugs has a financial outlay of Rs 6,940 crore and targets 41 identified critical bulk drugs.
  2. The PLI scheme for Pharmaceuticals (Rs 15,000 crore) explicitly includes biopharmaceuticals and cell or gene therapy drugs among its eligible product categories.
  3. Under the Bulk Drug Parks scheme, central financial assistance is provided up to 100% of the cost of Common Infrastructure Facilities for parks located in North-eastern and hilly States.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Which one of the following is the apex statutory body whose clearance is mandatory for the environmental release of genetically engineered organisms (including recombinant biologics produced in GE organisms) in India?

  • A. Review Committee on Genetic Manipulation (RCGM)
  • B. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC)
  • C. Institutional Biosafety Committee (IBSC)
  • D. Recombinant DNA Advisory Committee (RDAC)

Q6. With reference to the 9th edition of 'India Pharma 2026' held recently, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was the 9th annual edition of the India Pharma conference, held at Federation House, New Delhi on 13–14 April 2026.
  2. Its theme was 'Discover in India: Leapfrogging Life-Sciences Innovation'.
  3. It was organised by the Department of Biotechnology under the Ministry of Science and Technology.
  4. It was held in association with the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) and the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA).
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q7. With reference to the 9th 'India Pharma 2026' conference held in New Delhi, consider the following as themes/focus areas of its plenary discussions: Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a focus area of the conference?

  1. Drug discovery and complex generics
  2. Biosimilars and AI-driven innovation in pharmaceuticals
  3. Setting India's sovereign crude oil price benchmarks for global trade
  4. Contract Research, Development and Manufacturing Organisations (CRDMO) and pharma financing ecosystems
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q8. With reference to the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy approved by the Union Cabinet, consider the following thematic sectors: 1. Precision biotherapeutics 2. Carbon capture and its utilization 3. Rare earth element extraction and refining 4. Climate resilient agriculture Which of the above is/are correctly identified as thematic sectors under the BioE3 Policy?

  1. Precision biotherapeutics
  2. Carbon capture and its utilization
  3. Rare earth element extraction and refining
  4. Climate resilient agriculture
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. In the context of India's biotechnology push aligned with Viksit Bharat 2047, the acronym 'E3' in the 'BioE3 Policy' approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024 stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Economy, Environment and Employment
  • B. Ecology, Energy and Entrepreneurship
  • C. Education, Equity and Enterprise
  • D. Exports, Ease-of-doing-business and Ecosystem

Q10. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, which is the nodal authority for India's pharmaceutical sector and implements schemes such as the PLI for Bulk Drugs and Biopharma SHAKTI, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

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

Q11. Indian manufacturers account for the single largest share — about 90% of global demand — for which one of the following vaccines procured by the World Health Organization?

  • A. Bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) vaccine
  • B. Diphtheria, Pertussis and Tetanus (DPT) vaccine
  • C. Oral Polio Vaccine (OPV)
  • D. Measles vaccine