UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Budget 2026–27 announcement of "Biopharma Shakti" to catalyse India's global role in the next industrial revolution and also establish India as a global biomanufacturing hub: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Q1. Biopharma SHAKTI, announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, is to be operationalised primarily through which of the following?
- A. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
- B. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
- C. Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
- D. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research
Q2. With reference to Biopharma SHAKTI and the BioE3 Policy, consider the following statements:
1. The acronym SHAKTI expands to 'Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation'.
2. 'BioE3' in the BioE3 Policy stands for 'Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment'.
3. Biopharma SHAKTI is a policy framework of the Department of Biotechnology, whereas BioE3 was announced as a scheme in a Union Budget.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- The acronym SHAKTI expands to 'Strategy for Healthcare Advancement through Knowledge, Technology and Innovation'.
- 'BioE3' in the BioE3 Policy stands for 'Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment'.
- Biopharma SHAKTI is a policy framework of the Department of Biotechnology, whereas BioE3 was announced as a scheme in a Union Budget.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q3. The inter-ministerial committee constituted to design and monitor the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme is headed by the Secretary of which department?
- A. Department of Pharmaceuticals
- B. Department of Biotechnology
- C. Department of Health Research
- D. Department of Science and Technology
Q4. With reference to the financial contours of Biopharma SHAKTI, consider the following statements:
1. It carries an outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
2. The outlay is spread over a period of five years.
3. Its outlay is larger than the funding support approved for the Bio-RIDE scheme under the BioE3 Policy.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- It carries an outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
- The outlay is spread over a period of five years.
- Its outlay is larger than the funding support approved for the Bio-RIDE scheme under the BioE3 Policy.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 2 and 3 only
- C. 1 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q5. Under the BioE3 Policy, how many distinct categories of 'BioEnablers' are envisaged to be set up across the country?
- A. Two
- B. Three
- C. Four
- D. Six
Q6. Which one of the following is NOT one of the six thematic sectors identified under the BioE3 Policy for high-performance biomanufacturing?
1. Precision biotherapeutics
2. Carbon capture and utilisation
3. Functional foods and smart proteins
4. Rare earth element extraction and processing
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a BioE3 thematic sector?
- Precision biotherapeutics
- Carbon capture and utilisation
- Functional foods and smart proteins
- Rare earth element extraction and processing
- A. 1 and 3
- B. 2 only
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 4 only
Q7. Among the mega-science facilities announced in the Union Budget 2026-27, which one is described as the 2nd LED Dome planetarium to be built in India, at Amaravathi?
- A. COSMOS-2
- B. National Large Solar Telescope (NLST)
- C. National Large Optical-Infrared Telescope (NLOT)
- D. Upgraded Himalayan Chandra Telescope (uHCT)
Q8. In the context of the Union Budget 2026-27 announcements, the 'SHANTI Act' refers to which of the following?
- A. Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India Bill, 2025
- B. Strategic Harmonisation of Advanced Nuclear Technology in India Act
- C. Sustainable Habitat and National Thermal Infrastructure Act
- D. Scheme for Harnessing Atomic and Nuclear Technology Initiatives
Q9. With reference to the trajectory of India's bioeconomy, consider the following statements:
1. India's bioeconomy crossed USD 100 billion in 2022.
2. India's bioeconomy stood at about USD 165.75 billion in 2024.
3. The bioeconomy contributed roughly 4.25% to India's GDP in 2024.
4. India's bioeconomy is targeted to reach USD 500 billion by 2030.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- India's bioeconomy crossed USD 100 billion in 2022.
- India's bioeconomy stood at about USD 165.75 billion in 2024.
- The bioeconomy contributed roughly 4.25% to India's GDP in 2024.
- India's bioeconomy is targeted to reach USD 500 billion by 2030.
- A. 1, 2 and 3 only
- B. 1 and 4 only
- C. 2, 3 and 4 only
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q10. In India, the regulatory approval of new biologics and biosimilars — the segment that Biopharma SHAKTI seeks to strengthen — falls under which authority?
- A. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
- B. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
- C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- D. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)
Q11. The joint call for proposals to establish 'Moolankur' Bioenabler hubs under the BioE3 Policy was issued by the Department of Biotechnology together with which of the following?
- A. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
- B. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
- C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
- D. Technology Development Board (TDB)
Q12. Dr. Jitendra Singh, who elaborated on Biopharma SHAKTI following the Union Budget 2026-27, holds the office of Minister of State (Independent Charge) principally for which of the following?
- A. Science and Technology
- B. Chemicals and Fertilizers
- C. Health and Family Welfare
- D. Commerce and Industry