UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Update on Immunization Programme and Pandemic Preparedness
Q1. With reference to the Universal Immunization Programme (UIP) in India, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched in 1978 as the Expanded Programme on Immunization.
2. It was renamed the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985 when it was extended from urban centres to rural areas.
3. The National Health Policy, 2017 set the goal of achieving and maintaining Full Immunization Coverage above 90%.
4. Vitamin A supplementation was included in the programme in the year of its launch, 1978.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- It was launched in 1978 as the Expanded Programme on Immunization.
- It was renamed the Universal Immunization Programme in 1985 when it was extended from urban centres to rural areas.
- The National Health Policy, 2017 set the goal of achieving and maintaining Full Immunization Coverage above 90%.
- Vitamin A supplementation was included in the programme in the year of its launch, 1978.
- A. 1, 2 and 4
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q2. The policy goal of achieving and maintaining Full Immunization Coverage at above 90% was formally set under which one of the following?
- A. National Health Policy, 2002
- B. National Health Policy, 2017
- C. National Population Policy, 2000
- D. National Vaccine Policy, 2011
Q3. With reference to the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign launched in India in 2026, consider the following statements:
1. It was launched on 28 February 2026 from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
2. The primary beneficiary group is girls aged 14 years.
3. The vaccine is provided free of cost at government facilities.
4. It was formally launched by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare from New Delhi.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
- It was launched on 28 February 2026 from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
- The primary beneficiary group is girls aged 14 years.
- The vaccine is provided free of cost at government facilities.
- It was formally launched by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare from New Delhi.
- A. 1 only
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 3 only
- D. 4 only
Q4. In the design of India's HPV vaccination programme, the 'catch-up' component refers to which one of the following?
- A. A one-time vaccination of girls aged 9–14 years to cover those not reached by routine vaccination, before shifting to routine introduction at age 9
- B. Re-vaccinating every girl who received only a partial dose during an earlier state pilot programme
- C. Vaccinating all boys aged 9–14 years alongside girls to achieve complete herd immunity
- D. Providing a mandatory booster dose to all women aged 15–20 years nationwide
Q5. The 2022 recommendation endorsing a single-dose HPV vaccination schedule as offering protection comparable to a two-dose schedule was issued on the advice of which one of the following?
- A. WHO's Strategic Advisory Group of Experts on Immunization (SAGE)
- B. India's National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)
- C. WHO's Global Advisory Committee on Vaccine Safety (GACVS)
- D. Gavi's Independent Review Committee
Q6. Which one of the following correctly describes the implementing arrangement of India's HPV vaccination campaign?
- A. It is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the Universal Immunization Programme platform
- B. It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development through the ICDS/Anganwadi platform
- C. It is implemented by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY insurance platform
- D. It is implemented by the Ministry of Education exclusively through the school health programme
Q7. Under Ayushman Bharat, which one of the following is the flagship institution for delivering comprehensive primary health care at the community level, at which the April 2026 integrated training module is anchored?
- A. Jan Aushadhi Kendra
- B. Health and Wellness Sub-Centre
- C. Ayushman Arogya Mandir
- D. Wellness on Wheels unit
Q8. Consider the following statements about Ayushman Arogya Mandirs and the training module launched for their primary healthcare teams:
1. Ayushman Arogya Mandir is the renamed form of the Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre.
2. The April 2026 Integrated Training Module targets the whole primary healthcare team, including Medical Officers, Staff Nurses, Community Health Officers, ANMs and ASHAs.
3. Unlike the earlier centres, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs deliver only maternal and child health services.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
- Ayushman Arogya Mandir is the renamed form of the Ayushman Bharat – Health and Wellness Centre.
- The April 2026 Integrated Training Module targets the whole primary healthcare team, including Medical Officers, Staff Nurses, Community Health Officers, ANMs and ASHAs.
- Unlike the earlier centres, Ayushman Arogya Mandirs deliver only maternal and child health services.
- A. 1 only
- B. 1 and 2 only
- C. 2 and 3 only
- D. 1, 2 and 3
Q9. Under the Pradhan Mantri–Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), how many Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakh?
- A. 730
- B. 602
- C. 3,382
- D. 11,024
Q10. Under PM-ABHIM, which one of the following is being established at the rate of one in each district as the lead facility to strengthen public-health diagnostics and surveillance?
- A. Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory
- B. Block Public Health Unit
- C. Integrated Health Information Platform
- D. Integrated Public Health Laboratory
Q11. The Virus Research and Diagnostic Laboratory (VRDL) network in India is established and coordinated primarily by which one of the following?
- A. National Centre for Disease Control
- B. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation
- C. Indian Council of Medical Research
- D. National Institute of Virology, exclusively
Q12. With reference to the National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), consider the following statements:
1. It is the apex advisory body on immunization in India.
2. It is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
3. It is a statutory body with regulatory powers to license vaccines for use in India.
4. It recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunization Programme.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- It is the apex advisory body on immunization in India.
- It is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
- It is a statutory body with regulatory powers to license vaccines for use in India.
- It recommended the introduction of the HPV vaccine into the Universal Immunization Programme.
- A. 1, 3 and 4
- B. 2, 3 and 4
- C. 1, 2 and 3
- D. 1, 2 and 4