Question 1

The Biopharma SHAKTI scheme focuses on boosting generic chemical drugs and Ayurvedic medicines.

Accepted Answer

It strictly targets the production of high-value, complex biologics and biosimilars using advanced techniques like organoids.

Question 2

India has finally met its National Health Policy spending target by crossing Rs 1 lakh crore in the 2026-27 budget.

Accepted Answer

The allocation represents barely 1.96% of the total budget expenditure and roughly 0.3% of GDP, far below the 2017 policy target of 2.5% of GDP.

Question 3

Consider the following statements regarding the health sector announcements in the Union Budget 2026-27:
1. The Biopharma SHAKTI scheme aims to transition India into a global hub for generic chemical drug manufacturing.
2. The budget announced the establishment of NIMHANS-2 in North India to address the lack of national mental healthcare institutes in the region.
3. Basic Customs Duty has been completely waived on all life-saving drugs imported for communicable diseases.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

(a) Only one — Statement 1 is incorrect because Biopharma SHAKTI focuses on high-value biologics and biosimilars, not generic chemical drugs. Statement 2 is correct as NIMHANS-2 is proposed for North India. Statement 3 is incorrect; customs duty was waived specifically for 17 essential cancer drugs and 7 rare diseases (which are non-communicable), not all life-saving communicable disease drugs.

Question 4

Match the following budgetary initiatives/institutions (List I) with their primary objective or characteristic (List II) as per Budget 2026-27:

List I:
A. Biopharma SHAKTI
B. NIMHANS-2
C. Silver Economy Care
D. Regional Apex Mental Health Institutes

List II:
1. Upgrading existing facilities in Ranchi and Tezpur
2. Training 1.5 lakh caregivers for geriatric and wellness care
3. Development of complex biologics and biosimilars
4. New specialized infrastructure for North India

Select the correct code:

Accepted Answer

(a) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1 — Biopharma SHAKTI (A) is allocated for biologics/biosimilars (3). NIMHANS-2 (B) is a newly planned institute for North India (4). Silver Economy initiatives (C) focus on geriatric care via multi-skilled caregivers (2). The Ranchi and Tezpur institutes (D) are being upgraded to Regional Apex status (1).

Question 5

Assertion (A): The Union Budget 2026-27 marks a strategic shift in India's pharmaceutical policy by heavily funding the Biopharma SHAKTI scheme.
Reason (R): India's disease burden is increasingly shifting toward non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like cancer and autoimmune disorders, which are best treated using complex biological medicines.
Select the correct answer from the codes given below:

Accepted Answer

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A — The assertion is true as the budget allocated Rs 10,000 crore for Biopharma SHAKTI to pivot from generics to biologics. The reason is also true and directly explains the assertion: the rising burden of NCDs necessitates advanced, affordable domestic biologics and biosimilars, which is the exact rationale cited for launching the scheme.

Union Budget 2026-27 Health Sector Announcements

25th Bharat Rang Mahotsav Inaugurated in Mumbai