UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and Brazil Sign TKDL Access Agreement to Strengthen Protection of Traditional Knowledge and Patent Examination Cooperation

Q1. With reference to the systems whose formulations/techniques have been transcribed into the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL), consider the following: 1. Ayurveda 2. Siddha 3. Homeopathy 4. Sowa-Rigpa Which of the above are correctly identified as systems covered by the TKDL?

  1. Ayurveda
  2. Siddha
  3. Homeopathy
  4. Sowa-Rigpa
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. The Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL) is most accurately described as which one of the following?

  • A. The world's first prior-art database documenting India's codified traditional knowledge for defensive protection
  • B. India's first geographical indications registry for herbal and medicinal products
  • C. The world's first positive-protection patent pool granting IP rights over indigenous medicine
  • D. India's first digital repository of modern pharmaceutical patents filed by Indian firms

Q3. Consider the following biopiracy patent episodes often cited in the context of TKDL's creation: 1. Turmeric — patent granted by the USPTO and later revoked 2. Neem — patent granted by the EPO and later revoked 3. Basmati — patent dispute involving the USPTO 4. Kava — patent granted by WIPO and later revoked Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified?

  1. Turmeric — patent granted by the USPTO and later revoked
  2. Neem — patent granted by the EPO and later revoked
  3. Basmati — patent dispute involving the USPTO
  4. Kava — patent granted by WIPO and later revoked
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 4 only

Q4. The initiation of the TKDL is historically attributed to India's patent battles over how many of the following commodities — turmeric, neem and basmati?

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

Q5. In the 2026 India–Brazil TKDL Access Agreement, which one of the following is the Indian institution that entered into the arrangement with INPI, Brazil?

  • A. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • B. Ministry of AYUSH
  • C. Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
  • D. National Biodiversity Authority

Q6. With the inclusion of INPI, Brazil in February 2026, the number of patent offices worldwide having access to the TKDL rose to:

  • A. Fifteen
  • B. Sixteen
  • C. Eighteen
  • D. Twenty

Q7. In the context of the TKDL access agreements signed with foreign patent offices, the 'defensive protection' of traditional knowledge refers to:

  • A. Making documented traditional knowledge available as prior art so that wrongful patents on it can be prevented, without creating any new IP right
  • B. Granting exclusive patent rights over traditional formulations to the communities that hold them
  • C. Registering traditional knowledge as geographical indications to enable commercial exploitation abroad
  • D. Transferring ownership of traditional knowledge to international patent offices for safe custody

Q8. Consider the following patent offices/organizations: 1. European Patent Office (EPO) 2. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) 3. Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO) 4. African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO) Which of the above are correctly identified as having signed TKDL access agreements?

  1. European Patent Office (EPO)
  2. United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)
  3. Eurasian Patent Organization (EAPO)
  4. African Regional Intellectual Property Organization (ARIPO)
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q9. Following the widening of access, the traditional-knowledge information in the TKDL has been transcribed from various local languages into how many international languages?

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

Q10. Consider the following categories in the context of the 2022 Cabinet decision that widened TKDL access beyond patent offices: 1. Herbal healthcare and pharmaceutical companies 2. Public and private research institutions 3. AYUSH/ISM practitioners and knowledge holders 4. The Registrar of Geographical Indications, designated as the sole licensing authority Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a category of users granted access under that decision?

  1. Herbal healthcare and pharmaceutical companies
  2. Public and private research institutions
  3. AYUSH/ISM practitioners and knowledge holders
  4. The Registrar of Geographical Indications, designated as the sole licensing authority
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 1 and 3
  • D. 4 only

Q11. Consider the following statements regarding WIPO and the TKDL: 1. WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) deals with genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore. 2. The TKDL database is owned and maintained by WIPO. 3. Foreign patent offices are given TKDL access under Non-Disclosure Agreements. 4. The WIPO Director-General has described the TKDL as a strategy for South-South cooperation. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. WIPO's Intergovernmental Committee (IGC) deals with genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore.
  2. The TKDL database is owned and maintained by WIPO.
  3. Foreign patent offices are given TKDL access under Non-Disclosure Agreements.
  4. The WIPO Director-General has described the TKDL as a strategy for South-South cooperation.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4

Q12. Which one of the following correctly identifies the body that develops and maintains India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL)?

  • A. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) jointly with the Ministry of AYUSH
  • B. The Ministry of AYUSH alone
  • C. The Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs and Trade Marks
  • D. The National Biodiversity Authority