UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India’s dependence on imported APIs

Q1. As per data on India's dependence on imported APIs for FY 2024-25, which single country was the largest source of India's imports of APIs, bulk drugs and drug intermediates?

  • A. United States
  • B. China
  • C. Germany
  • D. Italy

Q2. The FY 2024-25 data on India's dependence on imported APIs was compiled and placed by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, which functions as the nodal department under which Union Ministry?

  • A. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q3. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for promotion of domestic manufacturing of critical Key Starting Materials/Drug Intermediates and APIs was approved by the Union Cabinet in which year?

  • A. 2018
  • B. 2019
  • C. 2020
  • D. 2021

Q4. The PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs is designed to promote domestic manufacturing of how many identified critical bulk drugs?

  • A. 25
  • B. 41
  • C. 48
  • D. 53

Q5. Under the Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks Scheme, which selected state receives the highest rate of central financial assistance — 90% of the cost of common infrastructure facilities — on account of being a hilly state?

  • A. Himachal Pradesh
  • B. Gujarat
  • C. Andhra Pradesh
  • D. Uttarakhand

Q6. With reference to the states selected for setting up parks under the Promotion of Bulk Drug Parks Scheme, consider the following: 1. Himachal Pradesh 2. Gujarat 3. Andhra Pradesh 4. Tamil Nadu Which of the above is/are correctly identified as states with an approved Bulk Drug Park under the scheme?

  1. Himachal Pradesh
  2. Gujarat
  3. Andhra Pradesh
  4. Tamil Nadu
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. The Patents Act, 1970 is credited with reviving India's bulk-drug industry by shifting to a 'process patent' regime. In this context, a process patent means which of the following?

  • A. A patent granted on the specific method or process of manufacturing a drug, and not on the drug molecule itself, allowing others to make the same molecule by a novel route
  • B. A patent granted on the final drug molecule, barring any other method of producing it
  • C. A patent that permanently prevents any other manufacturer from producing the drug for twenty years
  • D. A patent granted jointly on the drug molecule and its packaging and branding

Q8. The legal shift that enabled India to build early self-sufficiency in bulk drugs by abolishing product patents for pharmaceutical substances was brought about through which of the following?

  • A. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
  • B. The Patents Act, 1970
  • C. The Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 1970
  • D. The Patents (Amendment) Act, 2005

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing the PRIP scheme with the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs: 1. PRIP primarily incentivises research and innovation, whereas the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs primarily incentivises volume of domestic production. 2. Both PRIP and the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs are implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. 3. PRIP has a larger total financial outlay than the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. PRIP primarily incentivises research and innovation, whereas the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs primarily incentivises volume of domestic production.
  2. Both PRIP and the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs are implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers.
  3. PRIP has a larger total financial outlay than the PLI Scheme for Bulk Drugs.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. In the context of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat push to reduce import dependence, the term 'Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API)' most precisely refers to which of the following?

  • A. The biologically active component of a drug that produces the intended therapeutic effect
  • B. The inert excipient or binder that gives a tablet its shape and stability
  • C. The finished, packaged formulation as dispensed to the patient
  • D. The solvent or reagent consumed and removed during manufacturing

Q11. Which body functions as the apex authority for fixing and revising the prices of scheduled drugs in India, operating as an attached office of the Department of Pharmaceuticals?

  • A. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • B. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
  • C. Pharmaceuticals Export Promotion Council (Pharmexcil)
  • D. National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPER)