UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India sees 38% drop in TB mortality since 2015: WHO report

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. The rise in India's TB treatment coverage between 2015 and 2024 indicates that a larger share of its estimated TB cases was being notified and treated.
  2. TB treatment coverage is the proportion of patients started on treatment who are cured or complete their course of treatment.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. Even where TB diagnosis and drugs are provided free of charge at public facilities, a TB-affected household may still be counted as facing catastrophic costs.
  2. WHO's measure of catastrophic TB costs adds direct non-medical expenditure, such as travel and food, and income losses to direct medical expenditure.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. According to the WHO Global Tuberculosis Report 2026, the South-East Asia, Western Pacific and African Regions account for about 35%, 27% and 25% of the world's new TB cases respectively. India alone accounts for about a quarter of global new cases, and about 88% of new cases occur in 30 countries. Which of the following inferences can be drawn from the above?

  1. More than two-thirds of the new TB cases in the WHO South-East Asia Region occur in India.
  2. All the other WHO regions together account for less than one-seventh of the world's new TB cases.
  3. All 30 countries that together account for 88% of new cases must lie within these three regions.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. In a population where latent TB infection is widespread, a rise in HIV prevalence is usually followed by a rise in TB cases. Which one of the following best explains this?

  • A. HIV makes TB bacteria more airborne, so each patient infects far more contacts than usual.
  • B. HIV makes TB bacteria resistant to rifampicin, so first-line treatment fails in most cases.
  • C. HIV weakens the immune system, so existing TB infections progress to disease more often.
  • D. HIV damages lung tissue directly, so TB bacteria can cause disease without prior infection.