UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Govt. to simplify drug import rules for test, examination, analysis

Q1. The draft notification proposing an acknowledgement-based mechanism for importing small quantities of drugs for test, examination and analysis (June 2026) was issued by which of the following?

  • A. Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Directorate General of Foreign Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Indian Council of Medical Research, Department of Health Research

Q2. The proposed shift from a formal import licence to an acknowledgement-based prior-intimation system for small-quantity drug imports for analysis is being effected by amending which of the following?

  • A. Drugs Rules, 1945
  • B. New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019
  • C. Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
  • D. Medical Devices Rules, 2017

Q3. In the context of the proposed reform, the 'acknowledgement-based (prior intimation) system' for importing drugs for test/examination/analysis means that the importer:

  • A. Submits a prior intimation and proceeds on the basis of an auto-generated acknowledgement, instead of waiting for a formal import licence
  • B. Must obtain a fresh import licence for each consignment but with a fast-tracked 7-day approval
  • C. Is exempted from all documentation and may import any quantity without informing the regulator
  • D. Receives a one-time blanket licence valid for all future imports of the same drug

Q4. Which set of rules was the FIRST to be amended (in January 2026) to introduce a notification/prior-intimation system, providing the template later extended to drug imports for testing?

  • A. New Drugs and Clinical Trials Rules, 2019
  • B. Drugs Rules, 1945
  • C. Cosmetics Rules, 2020
  • D. Medical Devices Rules, 2017

Q5. Under the proposed simplified procedure, certain categories of drugs are excluded and will continue to require a prior import licence for examination/test/analysis. Consider the following: 1. Sex hormones 2. Cytotoxic drugs 3. Vitamin formulations 4. Narcotic and psychotropic substances Which of the above is/are correctly identified as still requiring a prior import licence?

  1. Sex hormones
  2. Cytotoxic drugs
  3. Vitamin formulations
  4. Narcotic and psychotropic substances
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
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