UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — 12 Years of Transformative Growth in Pharmaceuticals Sector Driving Affordable Healthcare and Atmanirbhar Bharat

Q1. Which one of the following is the nodal implementing agency of the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)?

  • A. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
  • B. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • C. Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI)
  • D. Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission (IPC)

Q2. The Department of Pharmaceuticals, which administers the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
  • C. Ministry of AYUSH
  • D. Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q3. Under the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promotion of Domestic Manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials, Drug Intermediates and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (the 'PLI Bulk Drugs' scheme) notified by the Department of Pharmaceuticals in 2020, financial incentives are linked to the domestic manufacture of how many identified critical products?

  • A. 25
  • B. 33
  • C. 41
  • D. 53

Q4. In the context of the Department of Pharmaceuticals' PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, the term 'Key Starting Material (KSM)' is most accurately defined as which one of the following?

  • A. A raw material, intermediate or an API that is used in the production of an API and is incorporated as a significant structural fragment into the structure of the API
  • B. An inert substance added to a formulation to give the active drug its required physical form, bulk or stability
  • C. A patented molecule whose patent is nearing expiry, manufactured domestically for export as a generic
  • D. A finished dosage form produced from imported active ingredients and packaged for retail sale through Jan Aushadhi Kendras

Q5. Under the Scheme for 'Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks' notified in 2020, what is the maximum Central financial assistance (in ₹ crore) admissible per Bulk Drug Park for creation of Common Infrastructure Facilities?

  • A. ₹500 crore
  • B. ₹1,000 crore
  • C. ₹1,500 crore
  • D. ₹3,000 crore

Q6. With reference to India's role as the 'Pharmacy of the World', which of the following are correctly identified as features of India's global pharmaceutical footprint?

  1. India is the largest provider of generic medicines in the world by share of global supply by volume.
  2. India accounts for about 60% of global vaccine production.
  3. India supplies nearly 40% of the generic medicine demand of the United States.
  4. India contributes about 90% of the WHO's demand for the BCG vaccine.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 2, 3 and 4 only

Q7. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Promoting Domestic Manufacturing of Medical Devices in India is implemented by which of the following?

  • A. Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers
  • B. Department of Health Research under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Department of Heavy Industry under the Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q8. Consider the following States in which Bulk Drug Parks have been granted approval by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Scheme for Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks: 1. Andhra Pradesh 2. Gujarat 3. Himachal Pradesh 4. Madhya Pradesh Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. Andhra Pradesh
  2. Gujarat
  3. Himachal Pradesh
  4. Madhya Pradesh
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q9. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP) as it stands in 2026 compared with its earlier phase, consider the following statements: 1. PMBJP is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers. 2. The Government has set a target of operationalising 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 31 March 2025, up from fewer than 100 Kendras in 2014. 3. Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas and Island territories are eligible for an additional financial incentive over and above the normal assistance available to other Kendras. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PMBJP is implemented by the Pharmaceuticals & Medical Devices Bureau of India (PMBI) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilisers.
  2. The Government has set a target of operationalising 25,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras by 31 March 2025, up from fewer than 100 Kendras in 2014.
  3. Jan Aushadhi Kendras opened in North-Eastern States, Himalayan areas and Island territories are eligible for an additional financial incentive over and above the normal assistance available to other Kendras.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Which one of the following statements best describes the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)?

  • A. An autonomous body under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare that grants marketing approval to new drugs and medical devices in India.
  • B. A regulator under the Department of Pharmaceuticals that fixes and revises ceiling prices of scheduled formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
  • C. A statutory authority constituted under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 that conducts risk-based inspections of pharmaceutical manufacturing units.
  • D. A central public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilisers that procures generic medicines for sale through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.

Q11. With reference to the regulatory architecture of the pharmaceuticals and medical devices sector in India, consider the following statements: 1. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) functions under the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 2. While CDSCO regulates the approval, safety and quality of drugs and medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the NPPA fixes ceiling prices of scheduled formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013. 3. Both CDSCO and NPPA were constituted as statutory bodies under the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) functions under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, whereas the National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) functions under the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  2. While CDSCO regulates the approval, safety and quality of drugs and medical devices under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the NPPA fixes ceiling prices of scheduled formulations under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
  3. Both CDSCO and NPPA were constituted as statutory bodies under the National Medical Devices Policy, 2023.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3