UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Biopharma Shakti Scheme

Q1. Under the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, the dedicated 'scientific review cadre' of specialists is to be created within which one of the following, identified as the lead drug regulator to be strengthened to global standards?

  • A. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • B. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • C. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)
  • D. Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB)

Q2. Biopharma SHAKTI is implemented by which one of the following nodal departments?

  • A. Department of Pharmaceuticals, Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • B. Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • D. Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

Q3. With reference to the financing of the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme, consider the following statements: 1. It has a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore. 2. The outlay is spread over a five-year period. 3. It is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals. 4. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded on a 60:40 Centre–State sharing basis. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It has a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore.
  2. The outlay is spread over a five-year period.
  3. It is implemented by the Department of Pharmaceuticals.
  4. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme funded on a 60:40 Centre–State sharing basis.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q4. Biopharma SHAKTI is a central (central sector) scheme. Which one of the following best describes the funding character of such a scheme?

  • A. It is funded entirely by the Union Government and implemented through central agencies
  • B. It is always funded equally on a 50:50 Centre–State basis
  • C. It is funded wholly by the States under broad central guidelines
  • D. It is invariably funded by an external multilateral loan routed through the Centre

Q5. Consider the following initiatives: 1. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0 2. Biopharma SHAKTI 3. Rare Earth Corridors / Permanent Magnets scheme 4. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan Which of the above is/are correctly identified as part of the manufacturing push announced in the Union Budget 2026-27?

  1. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0
  2. Biopharma SHAKTI
  3. Rare Earth Corridors / Permanent Magnets scheme
  4. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Among the strategic and frontier manufacturing initiatives announced in Union Budget 2026-27, which one carried the largest financial outlay?

  • A. India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0
  • B. Biopharma SHAKTI
  • C. Scheme for dedicated Chemical Parks
  • D. Rare Earth Corridors scheme

Q7. Under Biopharma SHAKTI, the proposed India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites is to be developed primarily in linkage with which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • B. Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
  • C. Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
  • D. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Q8. Consider the following: 1. Biopharma Discovery Grant Fund 2. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites 3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive 4. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Mobile Phone Manufacturing Which of the above is/are correctly identified as components of the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme?

  1. Biopharma Discovery Grant Fund
  2. India Clinical Trial Sites Network of 1,000 accredited sites
  3. Fermentation-based Bulk Drugs and Building Blocks Manufacturing Incentive
  4. Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Mobile Phone Manufacturing
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. Going beyond the institutional base of earlier biopharma initiatives, how many NEW National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research (NIPERs) are proposed to be established under Biopharma SHAKTI?

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

Q10. Biopharma SHAKTI is designed to address segments where India lags despite being the 'pharmacy of the world'. Consider the following: 1. Biosimilars 2. Gene therapy 3. Small-molecule generic formulations 4. Fermentation-based bulk drugs and building blocks Which of the above is/are correctly identified as areas of India's capability gap that the scheme seeks to bridge?

  1. Biosimilars
  2. Gene therapy
  3. Small-molecule generic formulations
  4. Fermentation-based bulk drugs and building blocks
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. Biopharma SHAKTI aims to make affordable 'biosimilars' a key part of India's healthcare basket. Which one of the following best describes a biosimilar?

  • A. A biological product highly similar to an already-approved reference biologic, with no clinically meaningful differences in safety or efficacy
  • B. A chemically synthesized generic copy of a small-molecule reference drug
  • C. An entirely novel patented molecule with a new mechanism of action
  • D. A standardized herbal formulation manufactured for export markets
  • NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam
    NRAA-Funded Wild Rice Conservation Project Secures Major Milestone in Assam

    The notification of Borjuli site in Sonitpur, Assam as a Biodiversity Heritage Site under an NRAA-funded wild rice conservation project is a named, verifiable fact. Biodiversity Heritage Sites and wild crop genetic resource conservation are tested Prelims topics.

  • India Advances Global Green Hydrogen Leadership under National Green Hydrogen Mission

    Under the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), a landmark commercial deal for green ammonia and methanol export to Japan (IHI Corporation named) is a concrete outcome. India's green hydrogen ambitions and NGHM are recurring Prelims themes; this adds a factual export-deal hook.

  • NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"
    NITI Aayog launches report on "Strategic Roadmap for Making Ayurveda Global"

    A named NITI Aayog report on Ayurveda's global expansion is testable as a policy document. NITI Aayog reports, AYUSH sector initiatives, and traditional medicine diplomacy are recurring Prelims themes; the report's launch date and authoring body are clean factual hooks.

  • INDIAN NAVAL SHIP TRIKAND RESPONDS TO PIRACY ATTEMPT ON MV GOLDEN ARSENAL IN THE GULF OF ADEN

    A named Indian Navy anti-piracy operation with specific ship (INS Trikand — identified as a stealth frigate), vessel flag state (St. Vincent and the Grenadines), and location (Gulf of Aden) offers testable facts. India's maritime security operations are plausible Prelims hooks but appear occasionally, not frequently.

  • Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches nationwide ‘Viksit Bharat – G-Ram G Act’ from Andhra Pradesh with Chief Minister Shri Chandrababu Naidu and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Pawan Kalyan

    A newly named nationwide scheme launched by the Rural Development ministry that explicitly positions itself as moving 'beyond MGNREGA' is potentially testable. However, the excerpt lacks concrete numbers or statutory grounding, keeping it at 3 rather than 4.

  • MANAS: A Digital Shield Against Drugs

    MANAS is a named government digital initiative (national narcotics helpline) with a specific mandate under Nasha Mukt Bharat. Named government portals/helplines with specific functions are tested in Prelims, though this release is a backgrounder without new launch data.

  • VB-G RAM G Act comes into force across the country from today; “A historic day for rural India”: Shivraj Singh Chouhan

    The VB-G RAM G Act (likely a renamed/revised MGNREGA or rural employment guarantee framework) came into force across India from July 1, 2026. Key facts: national launch in Tirupati on July 2; revised wage rates notified with no daily wage below ₹300; national average wage increased by over 10%. A new central Act coming into force with specific wage figures is high-priority Prelims material.

  • India Achieves Major Milestone with Approval of Country’s First PinS Instrument Approach Procedure for Helicopter Operations

    DGCA approved India's first Private Point-in-Space (PinS) Instrument Approach Procedure for helicopter operations, implemented at Undavalli Heliport (developed by AAI). This is a named first in Indian aviation with a specific location and implementing body — classic Prelims material for science/tech and aviation sections.

  • 11 Years of Digital India: Better Healthcare & Digital Markets Making Lives Easier

    This release contains high-quality testable data: Greece is named as the 10th country to adopt UPI; every second real-time digital transaction globally is processed via India's UPI; 13 lakh Anganwadi workers connected via Poshan Tracker covering 9 crore beneficiaries. Multiple concrete facts that are prime Prelims material.

  • India, EU Advance Cooperation on Sustainable Ship Recycling; Three Indian Yards Ready for EU Recognition

    India has a 35.4% global market share in sustainable ship recycling. Three Indian ship-recycling yards are ready for EU recognition. India committed $8 billion to strengthen shipbuilding and recycling, with a target of recycling 16,000 ships. These are specific, verifiable figures in a sector where India leads globally — strong Prelims material on maritime/shipping sector.

  • GAGAN: Navigating India’s Skies with Precision

    Detailed backgrounder on GAGAN (GPS Aided GEO Augmented Navigation), India's Satellite-Based Augmentation System developed jointly by ISRO and Airports Authority of India (AAI). It enhances GPS accuracy for aviation, is certified to international standards, and supports satellite-based landing approaches. GAGAN is a recurring Prelims topic and this backgrounder consolidates key testable facts about its developers, purpose, and certification status.

  • The Hindu

    Latest PIB

    Latest from The Hindu

    Explore