UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Economic Survey 2025-26 Highlights India’s Shift Toward High-Value Pharma and Innovation

Q1. In the context of the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs, the term 'Key Starting Materials (KSMs)' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Finished formulations packaged for retail sale under generic brand labels
  • B. The essential chemical raw materials from which drug intermediates and active pharmaceutical ingredients are synthesised
  • C. The biological reference products against which the similarity of a biosimilar is established
  • D. The inert excipients added to a formulation to stabilise its shelf life

Q2. With reference to India's pharmaceutical export standing as highlighted in the Economic Survey 2025-26, which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

  1. India is the third-largest producer of pharmaceuticals in the world by volume.
  2. India ranks 11th globally in pharmaceutical exports by value.
  3. India meets roughly 20% of global generic medicine demand by volume.
  4. About 50% of India's pharmaceutical exports are directed to less-regulated African markets.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q3. At the central level, the pharmaceutical industry — including its export-oriented PLI incentives and industrial policy — is administered primarily by which one of the following?

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

Q4. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Medical Devices, which supports domestic manufacturing of high-end equipment, provides incentives over which one of the following periods?

  • A. 2020-21 to 2027-28
  • B. 2020-21 onwards, on a perpetual basis with no terminal year
  • C. 2015-16 to 2022-23
  • D. 2022-23 to 2030-31

Q5. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which one of the following statements is NOT correct?

  1. It was launched in 2008 and relaunched in 2015.
  2. It is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  3. Jan Aushadhi medicines are priced 50%–80% lower than branded equivalents.
  4. Only Below Poverty Line (BPL) cardholders are eligible to buy medicines at Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q6. With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP), which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Quality generic medicines are sold through dedicated outlets called Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
  2. It seeks to promote the prescription of generic drugs, especially in government hospitals.
  3. As of 2025, the number of Jan Aushadhi Kendras had crossed 17,000.
  4. Purchases at Jan Aushadhi Kendras are open exclusively to holders of a special Jan Aushadhi membership card.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. The National Medical Devices Promotion Council (NMDPC), set up to promote the domestic medical device industry, functions under the chairpersonship of which one of the following?

  • A. Secretary, Department of Pharmaceuticals
  • B. Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Director General, Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
  • D. Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade

Q8. In the Economic Survey 2025-26's discussion of India's shift toward value-driven pharmaceutical manufacturing, a 'biosimilar' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A chemically synthesised generic version of a small-molecule drug whose patent has expired
  • B. A biological product highly similar to an already-approved reference biologic, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety and efficacy
  • C. A wholly novel biologic molecule protected by a fresh product patent
  • D. A single-dose combination of two or more off-patent active pharmaceutical ingredients