2014 GS Paper I, all questions

UPSC Prelims 2014 · GS Paper I

Question 12: Science and Technology

Consider the following diseases :

  1. 1.Diphtheria
  2. 2.Chickenpox
  3. 3.Smallpox

Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?

a1 and 2 only
b3 only
c1, 2 and 3
dNone

AnswerUPSC’s answer is (b).

Smallpox is the only one of the three that has been eradicated in India; the country's last case was in the mid-1970s and the disease was declared eradicated from the world in 1980. Diphtheria and chickenpox are still present: diphtheria is controlled by vaccination in the DPT schedule, and chickenpox still occurs and is not covered by the national immunization schedule. Remember that smallpox is the only human disease eradicated worldwide.

  • 1. Diphtheria is controlled by vaccination but still occurs.
  • 2. Chickenpox still occurs in India.
  • 3. Smallpox was eradicated in India in the 1970s.
Why each option is right or wrong
  • (a) Wrong. Diphtheria and chickenpox still occur in India.
  • (b) Right. Only smallpox has been eradicated.
  • (c) Wrong. Diphtheria and chickenpox have not been eradicated.
  • (d) Wrong. Smallpox has been eradicated, so the answer is not none.

Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.

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Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2014, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.