UPSC MCQs on Hepatitis A, Typhoid, UIP & Public Health (with Explanations)

UPSC Prelims 2026 Practice Set

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1. Consider the following statements about Hepatitis A in India:

1. Historically, most infections occurred in early childhood, producing mild illness and lifelong immunity.

2. With improved sanitation, susceptibility has increased among adolescents and young adults.

3. Hepatitis A now frequently causes acute liver failure in India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 only

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: d)

Explanation:

All three statements reflect the epidemiological shift described: early childhood exposure declined → immunity fell → severe disease in older age groups including liver failure.

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2. Hepatitis A is transmitted primarily through:

a) Contaminated blood transfusions

b) Sexual contact

c) Feco–oral route

d) Mosquito vectors

Answer: c)

Explanation:

Hepatitis A is transmitted feco–orally, often via contaminated food/water.

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3. Which of the following statements correctly describes the Hepatitis A vaccine?

1. India has an indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine.

2. A single-dose live-attenuated vaccine can provide long-lasting immunity.

3. Waning immunity is a significant challenge with Hepatitis A vaccines.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Statement 3 is incorrect. Hepatitis A vaccines provide durable immunity with minimal waning.

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4. Typhoid Conjugate Vaccines (TCVs) are considered important because:

1. India has the world’s highest typhoid burden.

2. Antibiotic resistance in Salmonella Typhi is rising.

3. TCVs eliminate the carrier state permanently.

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Statement 3 is incorrect — TCVs do not eliminate chronic carriers.

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5. Seroprevalence studies for Hepatitis A in urban India suggest:

a) Immunity remains above 90%

b) Immunity has declined to below 60%

c) Immunity is increasing due to better hygiene

d) Immunity patterns are unchanged since the 1990s

Answer: b)

Explanation:

Improved sanitation reduced early exposure → seroprevalence dropped below 60%.

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6. The Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) is credited with:

1. Eradicating polio

2. Reducing measles-related deaths

3. Universal vaccination against Hepatitis A since 2010

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Hepatitis A is not yet part of UIP.

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7. Why is Hepatitis A now considered a priority for immunisation?

a) It shows high antimicrobial resistance

b) It affects older children and adults more severely

c) It is transmitted through insect vectors

d) Its vaccine requires annual boosters

Answer: b)

Explanation:

Disease severity increases with age → adolescents & adults are now more vulnerable.

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8. Which of the following characteristics make Hepatitis A vaccine a strong candidate for inclusion in UIP?

1. Single-dose schedule

2. Long-lasting immunity

3. Indigenous manufacturing

4. Need for booster doses every 5 years

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 1 and 4 only

c) 3 and 4 only

d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: a)

Explanation:

Boosters are not required; immunity lasts 15–20 years or lifelong.

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9. Which one of the following best explains the current epidemiological shift in Hepatitis A?

a) Increased vector populations

b) Climate change

c) Improved sanitation delaying primary exposure

d) Overuse of antibiotics

Answer: c)

Explanation:

Better hygiene → late exposure → more severe disease.

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10. India’s indigenous Hepatitis A vaccine mentioned in the article is manufactured by:

a) Serum Institute of India

b) Biological E

c) Bharat Biotech

d) Panacea Biotech

Answer: b)

Explanation:

The vaccine Biovac-A is developed by Biological E.

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11. Typhoid mortality has declined primarily due to:

a) High vaccination coverage

b) Universal access to monoclonal antibodies

c) Availability of effective antibiotics

d) Elimination of carrier state

Answer: c)

Explanation:

Typhoid remains treatable with antibiotics (though AMR is emerging).

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12. Which of the following differences between Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccines is correct?

a) Hepatitis A vaccines face antimicrobial resistance; typhoid vaccines do not

b) Hepatitis A vaccines require multiple boosters unlike TCV

c) Hepatitis A vaccines offer more durable immunity than TCV

d) Typhoid vaccine is indigenous; Hepatitis A vaccine is not

Answer: c)

Explanation:

Hepatitis A vaccines show longer-lasting immunity; TCV immunity may wane over time.

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13. Public health experts recommend introducing Hepatitis A vaccine first in:

a) States with high malaria burden

b) States with repeated Hepatitis A outbreaks

c) States with high typhoid positivity

d) States with high HIV prevalence

Answer: b)

Explanation:

States like Kerala, Maharashtra, Delhi, UP have frequent outbreaks.

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14. Which of the following makes Hepatitis A vaccination more programmatically simple compared to typhoid vaccination?

1. Requires only a single dose

2. Does not need frequent boosters

3. No issue of antibiotic resistance

4. Does not require cold-chain storage

a) 1, 2 and 3 only

b) 1 and 4 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 3 and 4 only

Answer: a)

Explanation:

All vaccines need cold-chain storage → statement 4 is incorrect.

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15. What is the strongest argument for prioritizing Hepatitis A over Typhoid vaccine in UIP right now?

a) Hepatitis A outbreaks are rising in adolescents and young adults

b) Typhoid vaccines are unsafe

c) Hepatitis A never causes severe disease in children

d) Hepatitis A vaccine is imported

Answer: a)

Explanation:

The combination of rising outbreaks, higher severity in older groups, and a highly effective indigenous vaccine makes Hepatitis A a priority.