UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Union Health Minister Shri J.P. Nadda Launches Annual Nationwide Mass Drug Administration Campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis Elimination across 12 Endemic States

Q1. The annual Mass Drug Administration (MDA) campaign against Lymphatic Filariasis is operationalised in India exclusively through which one of the following bodies acting as the nodal agency under the Ministry of Health & Family Welfare?

  • A. National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
  • B. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
  • C. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • D. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)

Q2. In India, which one of the following mosquito genera is the primary vector responsible for the transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis?

  • A. Culex
  • B. Anopheles
  • C. Aedes
  • D. Mansonia

Q3. With reference to the two-drug (DA) and triple-drug (IDA) mass drug administration regimens in India, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The two-drug DA regimen consists of DEC and Albendazole, while the triple-drug IDA regimen adds Ivermectin to these two drugs.
  2. In the February 2026 round, the IDA regimen was implemented in a larger number of districts than the two-drug DA regimen.
  3. The IDA (triple-drug) regimen was introduced in India earlier than the DA (DEC + Albendazole) co-administration regimen.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the evolution of India's anti-filaria efforts and related WHO milestones, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The National Filaria Control Programme was launched in 1955, whereas nationwide Mass Drug Administration for LF began in 2004.
  2. India became a signatory to the World Health Assembly resolution for the global elimination of Lymphatic Filariasis in 1997.
  3. India's nationwide Mass Drug Administration was launched earlier than the National Filaria Control Programme.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. India's strategy to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis, as reflected in its national roadmap, rests on how many principal strategic pillars?

  • A. Two
  • B. Three
  • C. Four
  • D. Five

Q6. In the context of India's Lymphatic Filariasis elimination target, 'elimination as a public health problem' is defined as reducing the microfilaria (Mf) prevalence rate below which one of the following thresholds in all endemic areas?

  • A. Below 1%
  • B. Below 5%
  • C. Below 0.1%
  • D. Zero, i.e. complete absence of the parasite

Q7. India has set a national target to eliminate Lymphatic Filariasis by 2027. By how many years does this national deadline precede the global Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3.3) elimination target?

  • A. 3 years
  • B. 2 years
  • C. 5 years
  • D. 7 years

Q8. With reference to the annual nationwide MDA campaign launched in February 2026, consider the following campaign figures. Which of the pairings given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Number of LF-endemic States covered — 12
  2. Total number of districts covered — 124
  3. Number of blocks covered — 719
  4. Number of districts under the two-drug DA regimen — 69
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The annual nationwide Mass Drug Administration campaign for Lymphatic Filariasis elimination launched in February 2026 across 12 endemic States was flagged off under the authority of which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Health Minister, Shri J.P. Nadda
  • B. The Union Minister of State for Health, Shri Prataprao Ganpatrao Jadhav
  • C. The Union Health Minister, Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya
  • D. The Union Minister of State for Health, Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel

Q10. The National Center for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC), the lead technical body for the Lymphatic Filariasis elimination programme, functions under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
  • B. Ministry of AYUSH
  • C. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • D. Ministry of Rural Development

Q11. With reference to the clinical features and WHO classification of Lymphatic Filariasis, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Lymphatic Filariasis is classified by WHO among the Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
  2. Lymphoedema (elephantiasis) and hydrocele are among the chronic disabling manifestations of the disease.
  3. Under the WHO road map, Lymphatic Filariasis is targeted for eradication, i.e. reduction to zero cases worldwide, rather than elimination as a public health problem.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3