UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government Notifies Navi Mumbai Airport as a Port for Import of Drugs under the Drugs Rules, 1945

Q1. With reference to the 2026 notification adding Navi Mumbai Airport as a port for import of drugs, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. It was effected by amending Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945.
  2. With this addition, the total number of notified ports of entry for drug import became 42.
  3. The amendment was carried out by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  4. Navi Mumbai is the only airport in Maharashtra notified as a port of entry for the import of drugs.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q2. Regarding the legal architecture of the 2026 notification of Navi Mumbai Airport for drug import, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945 lists the ports through which drugs may be legally imported into India.
  2. The parent statute enabling the Drugs Rules, 1945 is the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
  3. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board was consulted before the amendment was notified.
  4. The ports notifiable under Rule 43A are confined to air and sea modes only.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q3. With reference to the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 and the Drugs Rules, 1945, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 regulates the import, manufacture, distribution and sale of drugs and cosmetics.
  2. The Drugs Rules, 1945 were framed under the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940.
  3. The Drugs Rules, 1945 classify drugs under various Schedules.
  4. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 was enacted by the Constituent Assembly of India.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4

Q4. Comparing the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940 with the Drugs Rules, 1945, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Act, 1940 is the primary legislation, whereas the Rules, 1945 are subordinate legislation framed under it.
  2. The addition of a new port of entry for drug import is made by amending the Rules, not the parent Act.
  3. Unlike the Act, the Rules, 1945 can be amended without any consultation with a statutory advisory board.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board (DTAB) is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The highest statutory body that advises the Central and State Governments on technical matters arising out of the administration of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
  • B. An autonomous body that grants marketing approval for every new drug launched in India
  • C. A tribunal that adjudicates disputes between drug manufacturers and the Central Government
  • D. A price-fixing authority that caps the retail prices of essential medicines

Q6. The Drugs Technical Advisory Board functions under, and draws its Chairman from, which one of the following?

  • A. The Directorate General of Health Services under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • B. The Department of Pharmaceuticals under the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
  • C. The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. The Indian Council of Medical Research under the Department of Health Research

Q7. With reference to notified ports of entry for the import of drugs under Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. A consignment of imported drugs must clear customs at a port notified under Rule 43A.
  2. Ports notifiable under Rule 43A span air, sea, road and rail modes.
  3. Newly operationalised ports and airports are periodically added to the Rule 43A list by amendment.
  4. Drugs may be imported through any Indian port irrespective of whether it is notified under Rule 43A.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q8. The list of ports through which drugs may legally be imported into India is specified under which one of the following?

  • A. Rule 43A of the Drugs Rules, 1945
  • B. Section 10 of the Customs Act, 1962
  • C. Rule 24 of the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013
  • D. Schedule M of the Drugs Rules, 1945

Q9. When fully developed, the Navi Mumbai International Airport is designed to handle approximately how many passengers annually?

  • A. 90 million
  • B. 20 million
  • C. 45 million
  • D. 3.25 million

Q10. The Navi Mumbai International Airport, described as India's largest greenfield airport, was inaugurated in October 2025 by which one of the following?

  • A. The Prime Minister of India
  • B. The President of India
  • C. The Union Minister of Civil Aviation
  • D. The Chief Minister of Maharashtra

Q11. Comparing the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) with State Drug Control Organisations, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. CDSCO is the National Regulatory Authority of India and functions under the Directorate General of Health Services, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
  2. Unlike the State Drug Control Organisations, CDSCO is responsible for approval of new drugs and control over the quality of imported drugs.
  3. CDSCO functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, whereas State Drug Controllers function under respective State Health Departments.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q12. In the context of notifying new ports for the import of drugs, the term 'trade facilitation' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Simplification and streamlining of the procedures and infrastructure governing cross-border movement of goods so as to reduce time and cost
  • B. The grant of tariff concessions and duty exemptions exclusively to domestic pharmaceutical exporters
  • C. The imposition of quantitative restrictions on imports to protect domestic drug manufacturers
  • D. The fixing of ceiling prices for imported medicines to make them affordable