UPSC Practice Questions: PM-ABHIM & Global Health Governance

 

UPSC Practice Questions: PM-ABHIM & Global Health Governance

1. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) was launched with a primary objective to:

(a) Replace all private healthcare institutions with public ones.

(b) Provide free health insurance to all citizens.

(c) Strengthen India's health infrastructure for pandemic preparedness and emergency response.

(d) Focus exclusively on maternal and child healthcare.

Answer: (c) Strengthen India's health infrastructure for pandemic preparedness and emergency response.

Explanation:

• The text explicitly states that PM-ABHIM works "to strengthen India's health infrastructure for pandemic preparedness and emergency response." While it advances Universal Health Coverage (UHC), its core focus, as launched post-COVID-19, is on building resilience against future health emergencies.

2. Consider the following statements regarding the World Health Organization's Pandemic Agreement:

1. It was adopted by member states in May 2025.

2. It aims to establish a Pathogen Access and Benefit-Sharing (PABS) system.

3. It will enter into force immediately upon adoption by the World Health Assembly.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a) 1 and 2 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 is correct: The agreement was adopted in May 2025.

• Statement 2 is correct: The resolution outlines steps to establish a PABS system.

• Statement 3 is incorrect: The agreement will enter into force only after it is ratified by 60 countries, not immediately upon adoption.

3. Which of the following is a key component of PM-ABHIM's Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS)?

(a) Establishing Medical Colleges in every district.

(b) Upgrading building-less Sub-Health Centres into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).

(c) Providing direct cash transfers to patients.

(d) Privatizing urban health facilities.

Answer: (b) Upgrading building-less Sub-Health Centres into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs).

Explanation:

• The text provides specific data, stating that "17,788 building-less Sub-Health Centres have been approved for upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (AAMs)." This is a core infrastructural component under the CSS part of PM-ABHIM.

4. The financial allocation for PM-ABHIM over the period 2021-26 is:

(a) ₹ 1,21,837 crore

(b) ₹ 64,180 crore

(c) ₹ 54,204 crore

(d) ₹ 32,928 crore

Answer: (b) ₹ 64,180 crore

Explanation:

• This is a direct factual question. The introduction mentions the allocation is ₹64,180 crore, which is also reflected in the grand total of the financial table, including Monitoring & Evaluation and Project Management Consultancy.

5. PM-ABHIM is closely related and complementary to which of the following major health initiatives?

(a) National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat Scheme

(b) National Digital Health Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission

(c) Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan and Mission Indradhanush

(d) National AIDS Control Programme and Revised National Tuberculosis Control Programme

Answer: (a) National Health Mission and Ayushman Bharat Scheme

Explanation:

• The text clearly states that PM-ABHIM "builds on the National Health Policy 2017 and converging with the National Health Mission and the Ayushman Bharat scheme." It is explicitly described as one of the four pillars of the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

6. The 'One Health' approach, promoted under PM-ABHIM, recognizes the interdependence of:

(a) Allopathy, Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy.

(b) Human, Animal, and Environmental health.

(c) Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary healthcare.

(d) Central, State, and Local health governance.

Answer: (b) Human, Animal, and Environmental health.

Explanation:

• The text mentions that PM-ABHIM promotes health research "by advancing the One Health approach, which recognises the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health." This is a key concept in modern epidemiology for preventing zoonotic diseases.

7. What is the purpose of establishing Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) under PM-ABHIM?

(a) To replace all existing district hospitals.

(b) To be set up in districts with a population exceeding five lakh.

(c) To provide exclusively pediatric care.

(d) To manage only COVID-19 cases.

Answer: (b) To be set up in districts with a population exceeding five lakh.

Explanation:

• The text provides a specific criterion: "602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks (CCBs) are being set up in districts with populations exceeding five lakh." This is a targeted approach to strengthen tertiary care in high-burden districts.

8. The Pandemic Agreement of the WHO aims to complement which of the following existing international regulations?

(a) The International Health Regulations

(b) The WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control

(c) The International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes

(d) The Alma-Ata Declaration

Answer: (a) The International Health Regulations

Explanation:

• The text states, "The Agreement complements the International Health Regulations, amended last year to enhance global outbreak detection and response." The IHR is the principal international legal instrument governing global health security.

9. Under PM-ABHIM, the establishment of Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) is planned at which administrative level?

(a) One in each Block

(b) One in each District

(c) One in each State

(d) One in each Region

Answer: (b) One in each District

Explanation:

• The text specifies that "730 Integrated Public Health Laboratories (IPHLs) are being developed—one in each district." This is a key initiative to enhance diagnostic and disease surveillance capabilities at the district level.

10. The policy foundation for PM-ABHIM is based on:

(a) The National Education Policy 2020

(b) The National Health Policy 2017

(c) The National Population Policy 2000

(d) The National Nutrition Strategy 2017

Answer: (b) The National Health Policy 2017

Explanation:

• The text explicitly mentions that "PM-ABHIM strengthens India's health system by building on the National Health Policy 2017." This policy set the stage for strengthening India's health system, which PM-ABHIM operationalizes.