Social Justice MCQs for UPSC Prelims — February 2026

Q1. The Union Government's intention to encourage HPV vaccination of girls against cervical cancer was first announced through which one of the following?

  • A. The Union Budget 2023-24
  • B. The Interim Union Budget 2024-25
  • C. The Economic Survey 2023-24
  • D. The Union Budget 2025-26

Q2. Which one of the following HPV types is the single most carcinogenic type, responsible for the largest share of cervical cancer cases worldwide?

  • A. HPV type 6
  • B. HPV type 11
  • C. HPV type 16
  • D. HPV type 18

Q3. The global 90-70-90 strategy to accelerate the elimination of cervical cancer was formally adopted in 2020 by which one of the following?

  • A. The United Nations General Assembly
  • B. The World Health Assembly of the WHO
  • C. The Executive Board of UNICEF
  • D. The Governing Body of the World Bank

Q4. The nationwide HPV vaccination programme launched in February 2026 is operationalised primarily under which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Women and Child Development
  • B. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
  • C. Ministry of AYUSH
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q5. Under the WHO Global Strategy, cervical cancer is considered to be 'eliminated as a public health problem' in a country when it achieves which one of the following?

  • A. An annual incidence of 4 or fewer new cases per 100,000 women
  • B. 90% coverage of HPV vaccination among girls by age 15
  • C. 70% screening coverage among women aged 35 and 45
  • D. Zero new cases of cervical cancer in a calendar year

Q6. The inclusion of the HPV vaccine in India's public immunisation framework, which preceded the 2026 national rollout, was recommended by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI)
  • B. Drug Controller General of India (DCGI)
  • C. Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO)
  • D. National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA)

Q7. Consider the following pairs of staple food and the micronutrient(s) with which it is fortified under FSSAI standards: 1. Salt : Iodine and Iron 2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D 3. Milk : Vitamins A and D 4. Wheat flour : Iodine Which of the pairs given above is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Salt : Iodine and Iron
  2. Edible oil : Vitamins A and D
  3. Milk : Vitamins A and D
  4. Wheat flour : Iodine
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4

Q8. With reference to anaemia and micronutrient deficiency in India, consider the following statements: 1. As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), anaemia among women aged 15–49 years is about 57%. 2. As per NFHS-5, anaemia among children aged 6–59 months is about 67%. 3. Between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, the prevalence of anaemia among women declined. 4. Hidden hunger refers to deficiency of micronutrients. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. As per NFHS-5 (2019-21), anaemia among women aged 15–49 years is about 57%.
  2. As per NFHS-5, anaemia among children aged 6–59 months is about 67%.
  3. Between NFHS-4 and NFHS-5, the prevalence of anaemia among women declined.
  4. Hidden hunger refers to deficiency of micronutrients.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. In the context of nutrition policy, the term 'hidden hunger' is best defined as:

  • A. Deficiency of essential vitamins and minerals despite adequate calorie/energy intake
  • B. Chronic shortage of calories leading to famine-like conditions
  • C. Seasonal food shortage in agrarian households during lean months
  • D. Protein-energy malnutrition caused primarily by inadequate protein intake

Q10. With reference to the 2026 decision on rice fortification, consider the following statements: 1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution. 2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028. 3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The decision to temporarily discontinue rice fortification was taken by the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution.
  2. It pauses a continuation of free fortified rice that the Union Cabinet had, in October 2024, approved as a Central Sector initiative with 100% central funding up to December 2028.
  3. The decision followed a shelf-life study by IIT Kharagpur, which concluded that packaging material and relative humidity have no significant bearing on the stability of fortified rice.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. With reference to fortification of rice in India, consider the following micronutrients: 1. Iron 2. Vitamin B12 3. Iodine 4. Vitamin D Which of the above is/are correctly identified as micronutrients mandatorily added to fortified rice under FSSAI norms?

  1. Iron
  2. Vitamin B12
  3. Iodine
  4. Vitamin D
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q12. As per the FSSAI (Fortification of Foods) Regulations, 2018, how many micronutrients are mandatorily added when rice is fortified?

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

Q13. With reference to the WHO Global Strategy to Accelerate the Elimination of Cervical Cancer, consider the following statements: 1. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2020. 2. Elimination as a public health problem is defined as an incidence below 4 per 100,000 women. 3. The 90-70-90 targets are set to be achieved by the year 2030. 4. The strategy mandates a uniform two-dose HPV schedule in all member states. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It was adopted by the World Health Assembly in 2020.
  2. Elimination as a public health problem is defined as an incidence below 4 per 100,000 women.
  3. The 90-70-90 targets are set to be achieved by the year 2030.
  4. The strategy mandates a uniform two-dose HPV schedule in all member states.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2, 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q14. The HPV vaccination initiative announced under 'Nari Shakti' in the 2024-25 Budget has been operationalised in 2026 by integrating it into which of the following?

  • A. Universal Immunization Programme
  • B. Mission Indradhanush
  • C. Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram
  • D. Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan

Q15. With reference to the HPV vaccination measure announced in the Union Budget 2024-25 under the 'Nari Shakti' focus, consider the following statements: 1. The announcement was made in the Interim Union Budget 2024-25. 2. It proposed to encourage HPV vaccination for girls in the 9–14 age group. 3. The measure was presented under the 'Nari Shakti' focus of the Budget. 4. The vaccination was aimed at preventing breast cancer. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. The announcement was made in the Interim Union Budget 2024-25.
  2. It proposed to encourage HPV vaccination for girls in the 9–14 age group.
  3. The measure was presented under the 'Nari Shakti' focus of the Budget.
  4. The vaccination was aimed at preventing breast cancer.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q16. With reference to the Nationwide HPV Vaccination Drive launched from Ajmer on 28 February 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. 2. The vaccine is provided free of cost at designated government health facilities. 3. Girls who turn 15 within 90 days of the campaign are also eligible. 4. The vaccine used is quadrivalent, covering HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. The programme is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
  2. The vaccine is provided free of cost at designated government health facilities.
  3. Girls who turn 15 within 90 days of the campaign are also eligible.
  4. The vaccine used is quadrivalent, covering HPV types 6, 11, 16 and 18.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3
  • D. 3 only

Q17. With reference to India's malaria situation between the 2015 baseline and 2023, consider the following statements: 1. India recorded over an 80% reduction in malaria cases between 2015 and 2023. 2. The number of States/UTs in Category 3 (high burden) fell from ten in 2015 to only two in 2023. 3. India was the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to exit the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group, doing so in 2024. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India recorded over an 80% reduction in malaria cases between 2015 and 2023.
  2. The number of States/UTs in Category 3 (high burden) fell from ten in 2015 to only two in 2023.
  3. India was the first country in the WHO South-East Asia Region to exit the High Burden to High Impact (HBHI) group, doing so in 2024.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q18. As per official data cited on World Malaria Day 2025, how many States/UTs in India remained classified as 'high burden' (Category 3) for malaria in 2023?

  • A. 1
  • B. 2
  • C. 5
  • D. 10

Q19. India's currently operational National Strategic Plan for Malaria Elimination, which guides the push for zero indigenous cases, covers which one of the following periods?

  • A. 2016–2030
  • B. 2017–2022
  • C. 2023–2027
  • D. 2025–2030

Q20. Which one of the following organisations was the principal organiser of the International Malaria Conference (IMC) 2026 held in New Delhi?

  • A. National Centre for Vector Borne Diseases Control (NCVBDC)
  • B. ICMR–National Institute of Malaria Research (ICMR–NIMR)
  • C. National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC)
  • D. All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi

Q21. In the evolution of Ayushman Bharat, the National Health Policy 2017 is best described as which of the following?

  • A. The policy document that recommended the creation of PM-JAY towards Universal Health Coverage
  • B. The Act that made access to healthcare a fundamental right
  • C. The centrally sponsored scheme that preceded and was subsumed by PM-JAY
  • D. The constitutional amendment transferring health to the Union List

Q22. With reference to State-level implementation of AB-PMJAY, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Odisha implements AB-PMJAY in convergence with its Gopabandhu Jan Arogya Yojana.
  2. West Bengal implements AB-PMJAY across the State.
  3. Odisha became the 34th State/UT to implement AB-PMJAY.
  4. The NCT of Delhi is among the jurisdictions not implementing AB-PMJAY.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q23. In the update as on 31 January 2026, the figure of ₹1.15 lakh crore of authorised hospital admissions pertains chiefly to which single category of hospitals?

  • A. Private (empanelled) hospitals
  • B. Government hospitals only
  • C. AIIMS and central-government hospitals only
  • D. ESIC hospitals only

Q24. As per the official update given in the Lok Sabha in February 2026, approximately how many Ayushman cards have been created under AB-PMJAY?

  • A. 30.69 crore
  • B. 35.69 crore
  • C. 41.69 crore
  • D. 45.69 crore

Q25. The extension of AB-PMJAY cover to all senior citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income was approved by which authority?

  • A. The Union Cabinet
  • B. The National Health Authority
  • C. Parliament through a statutory amendment
  • D. NITI Aayog

Q26. With reference to the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card, consider the following statements. Which of the above is NOT correct?

  1. It extends cover to all citizens aged 70 years and above irrespective of income.
  2. It provides a ₹5 lakh health cover on a family basis for eligible senior citizens.
  3. Eligibility is restricted to senior citizens below the poverty line as per SECC 2011.
  4. The extension was approved by the Union Cabinet in 2024.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q27. The Governing Board of the National Health Authority, which implements PM-JAY, is chaired by whom?

  • A. Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare
  • B. Prime Minister of India
  • C. Chief Executive Officer of NITI Aayog
  • D. Cabinet Secretary

Q28. Following Odisha's onboarding, in how many States and Union Territories is AB-PMJAY operational (as of 2025)?

  • A. 32
  • B. 33
  • C. 34
  • D. 35

Q29. How many pillars does the Ayushman Bharat programme comprise?

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

Q30. Ayushman Bharat rests on two pillars. Which one of the following is the insurance/assurance component providing ₹5 lakh cover and is described as the world's largest government-funded health assurance scheme?

  • A. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
  • B. Ayushman Arogya Mandir
  • C. Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana
  • D. National Health Mission