20 UPSC MCQs on AMR (with Detailed Explanations)
**1. The WHO’s Global Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance System (GLASS) was in news.
It is primarily concerned with:**
a) Monitoring antibiotic manufacturing standards
b) Tracking global antimicrobial resistance trends
c) Regulating international antibiotic trade
d) Certifying national microbiology laboratories
Answer: b)
Explanation:
GLASS is WHO’s platform for collecting global AMR data, harmonising surveillance, and monitoring resistance patterns.
2. According to GLASS 2025, in India, approximately how many bacterial infections were resistant to commonly used antibiotics in 2023?
a) 1 in 10
b) 1 in 6
c) 1 in 3
d) 1 in 2
Answer: c)
Explanation:
The WHO report noted one in three infections in India were antibiotic-resistant.
3. India enrolled in the GLASS global surveillance system in which year?
a) 2015
b) 2016
c) 2017
d) 2018
Answer: c)
Explanation:
India formally joined GLASS in 2017.
4. Which of the following national surveillance networks track AMR in India?
-
ICMR – AMRSN / i-AMRSS
-
NCDC – NARS-Net
-
NVBDCP – VectorNet
-
FSSAI – Foodborne AMR Portal
Select the correct answer:
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: a)
Explanation:
Only ICMR-AMRSN / i-AMRSS and NCDC’s NARS-Net are AMR surveillance networks.
The others do not exist in this context.
5. A major limitation of India’s AMR surveillance data is that most samples come from:
a) Veterinary hospitals
b) Community health centres
c) Tertiary care hospitals
d) Rural primary health centres
Answer: c)
Explanation:
Most data come from medical colleges / referral hospitals, which overestimate resistance.
6. The National Action Plan on AMR (NAP-AMR) was launched in:
a) 2015
b) 2017
c) 2019
d) 2020
Answer: b)
Explanation:
NAP-AMR was released in 2017 with a One Health framework.
7. Which State has implemented the strongest AMR control plan in India?
a) Maharashtra
b) Kerala
c) Gujarat
d) Tamil Nadu
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Kerala implemented:
-
KARSAP (2018)
-
AMRITH (2024) to end OTC antibiotic sales
-
AMR literacy programme (target 2025)
8. AMRITH, recently seen in news, is related to:
a) Universal vaccination against bacterial diseases
b) Banning antibiotic use in agriculture
c) Eliminating OTC sale of antibiotics
d) Establishing rural diagnostic labs
Answer: c)
Explanation:
AMRITH: Antimicrobial Resistance Intervention for Total Health, launched by Kerala (2024).
9. Colistin, banned in India in 2019, was mainly used earlier as:
a) A common painkiller
b) Growth promoter in poultry and livestock
c) Antiviral for influenza
d) Pesticide in agriculture
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Colistin was misused heavily as an animal growth promoter, driving AMR.
10. The WHO classifies which group as the highest-priority pathogens requiring new antibiotics?
a) MDR Gram-negative bacteria
b) MDR Gram-positive bacteria
c) Mycobacterium leprae
d) Mycoplasma pneumoniae
Answer: a)
Explanation:
Carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative organisms (CRE, CRAB, etc.) are highest-priority critical pathogens.
11. Which of the following are examples of Gram-negative bacteria showing high resistance in India?
-
E. coli
-
Klebsiella pneumoniae
-
Salmonella typhi
-
Staphylococcus aureus
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 1, 2, and 3
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3, and 4
Answer: b)
Explanation:
1, 2, 3 = Gram-negative.
Staphylococcus aureus (incl. MRSA) is Gram-positive.
12. Consider the following regarding India’s AMR challenges:
-
Unregulated OTC antibiotic use
-
Environmental contamination from pharma waste
-
Incomplete antibiotic courses
-
Excessive vaccination in rural areas
Which contribute significantly to AMR?
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 1, 2 and 4 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Answer: a)
Explanation:
Vaccination reduces infection burden → does NOT promote AMR.
13. The One Health approach, often mentioned in AMR discussions, integrates:
-
Human health
-
Animal health
-
Environmental health
-
Oceanic biodiversity protection
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: a)
Explanation:
One Health links ** humans + animals + environment**; oceans are not a core component.
14. Which Indian state aims to become “antibiotic-literate” by December 2025?
a) Karnataka
b) Kerala
c) Odisha
d) Sikkim
Answer: b)
Explanation:
Kerala has launched widespread AMR awareness literacy campaigns.
15. Which of the following WHO reports tracks the antibiotic development pipeline globally?
a) GLASS
b) GHO
c) GAP-AMR
d) WHO Pipeline Report
Answer: d)
Explanation:
The WHO Antibiotic Pipeline Report tracks new antibiotic R&D.
16. According to recent data, how many antibiotic candidates were in the global clinical/preclinical pipeline in 2023?
a) 45
b) 60
c) 80
d) 97
Answer: d)
Explanation:
The pipeline increased to 97 candidates in 2023 (from 80 in 2021).
17. The AMR Industry Alliance focuses on:
-
New antibiotic discovery
-
Diagnostic tools
-
Equitable access to antibiotics
-
Responsible antibiotic manufacturing
a) 1, 2 and 3 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 1, 2, 3 and 4
d) 2 and 4 only
Answer: c)
Explanation:
AMR Industry Alliance works across R&D, access, stewardship, manufacturing standards.
18. Which of the following are recommended to make India’s AMR surveillance more representative?
-
Integrating 500+ NABL labs into surveillance
-
Expanding to secondary and primary hospitals
-
Exclusive focus on tertiary hospitals
-
Building microbiology capacity at district level
a) 1, 2 and 4 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 3 and 4 only
Answer: a)
Explanation:
Representativeness requires wider geographic + hospital-level diversity.
19. Which programme focuses on regulating antibiotic over-the-counter (OTC) sales at the State level?
a) AMRSN
b) AMRITH
c) NARS-Net
d) i-AMRSS
Answer: b)
Explanation:
AMRITH (Kerala) specifically targets OTC sale of antibiotics.
20. As per experts, what is the most critical structural problem in India's AMR fight?
a) Lack of pharmaceutical companies
b) Shortage of hospitals
c) Insufficient and inconsistent funding
d) Lack of vaccines
Answer: c)
Explanation:
Funding for AMR surveillance, innovation, and stewardship is sporadic and inadequate, making it the key bottleneck.
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