UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Health Minister Shri Jagat Prakash Nadda Unveils Operational Guidelines on National Ambulance Services (NAS), 2026

Q1. With reference to the Operational Guidelines on National Ambulance Services (NAS), 2026, consider the following features. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. It is the first comprehensive national framework for planning, operating and monitoring ambulance services across all States and UTs.
2. It was unveiled by the Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare in June 2026.
3. It makes compliance with the AIS-125 ambulance standard one of its core pillars.
4. It replaces the National Health Mission as the parent programme of ambulance services in India.

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2 and 4 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the NAS 2026 Operational Guidelines with the earlier ambulance arrangements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Unlike the pre-2026 state-by-state arrangements, NAS 2026 provides a single national operational framework applicable across States and UTs.
2. Unlike the 2012 NAS scheme, the 2026 guidelines incorporate mandatory AIS-125 compliance and integrated command-centre norms into the framework.
3. NAS 2026 shifts the funding of ambulance services from the National Health Mission to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. In the context of the National Ambulance Services, what is 'AIS-125'?

• A. The National Ambulance Code laying down minimum standards for the construction and equipment of road ambulances
• B. A telemedicine protocol prescribed for emergency teleconsultation during ambulance transit
• C. An insurance code governing reimbursement for emergency medical transport
• D. A Bureau of Indian Standards code for infection control in hospitals

Q4. Compliance with the AIS-125 ambulance standard was made mandatory for road ambulances through an amendment to which rules, and by which authority?

• A. An amendment to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), notified by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
• B. An amendment to the Clinical Establishments Rules, notified by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
• C. An amendment to the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules, notified by the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
• D. An amendment to the Bureau of Indian Standards Rules, notified by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs

Q5. The Dial-102 ambulance service is operated as a component of which programme under the National Health Mission?

• A. Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)
• B. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan
• C. Ayushman Bharat Health and Wellness Centres
• D. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram

Q6. With reference to the road-ambulance types defined under the National Ambulance Code (AIS-125), consider the following. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an ambulance type under the Code?

1. First Responder ambulance (Type A)
2. Patient Transport ambulance (Type B)
3. Basic Life Support ambulance (Type C)
4. Mobile Operation Theatre ambulance (Type E)

• A. 1 only
• B. 4 only
• C. 3 and 4
• D. 1 and 2

Q7. Consider the following statements distinguishing Basic Life Support (BLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. An ALS ambulance carries advanced equipment such as a defibrillator and ventilator, whereas a BLS ambulance provides essential resuscitation and oxygen support.
2. Under the National Ambulance Code, BLS ambulances correspond to Type C and ALS ambulances to Type D.
3. Unlike BLS ambulances, ALS ambulances are restricted exclusively to inter-facility transfer of pregnant women.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. In the context of India's emergency ambulance services, what is the Emergency Management and Research Institute (EMRI)?

• A. A not-for-profit organisation that pioneered the Dial-108 emergency response service on a public-private partnership model
• B. A statutory regulator that certifies ambulance manufacturers under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
• C. A central public-sector undertaking that manufactures BLS and ALS ambulances for States
• D. An autonomous trauma-care research council functioning under the Indian Council of Medical Research

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding the funding and lineage of the National Ambulance Services under the National Health Mission. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The NAS scheme was launched in 2012 under the National Health Mission, whose rural component evolved from the National Rural Health Mission of 2005.
2. Under the NHM, the central-to-state funding ratio for most States is generally 60:40, with a higher central share for North-Eastern and Himalayan States.
3. For the Dial-108 service, the National Health Mission permanently bears 100% of the operational cost from the year of launch.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. Consider the following statements about the technology and command-centre dimension of the NAS 2026 guidelines. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The NAS 2026 guidelines envisage integrated emergency command centres in place of the earlier fragmented, state-by-state control-room arrangements.
2. The NAS 2026 guidelines were unveiled alongside Aarogya Setu 2.0 and other digital health initiatives of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3. Under NAS 2026, the integrated command centres are placed under the administrative control of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Under the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the subject 'Public health and sanitation' is placed in which one of the following?

• A. State List (Entry 6)
• B. Union List
• C. Concurrent List
• D. Residuary subjects exclusively with Parliament