Q81. Covaxin, developed indigenously in India for COVID-19, is based on which of the following vaccine platforms?
Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization: RAS Prelims MCQs
154 RAS Prelims MCQs on recent advances, Indian contributors and indigenisation cover Indian scientists and their work, recent technology and defence indigenisation. C. V. Raman, Ramanujan, Kalam, Bhabha, Khorana, mRNA vaccines, the Bhashini mission, INS Vikrant and defence exports are asked as facts, pairs and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 81–90 of 154 questions
Q82. Covaxin incorporates an adjuvant called Algel- IMDG. What is the primary conceptual role of this adjuvant in the vaccine?
Explanation
Adjuvants are substances added to vaccines to enhance the body’s immune response. Covaxin uses a unique adjuvant called Algel-IMDG, which specifically helps in generating a robust T-cell response. This is important because while antibodies block the virus from entering cells, T-cells help identify and destroy already infected cells, providing more comprehensive and durable protection against the viral infection.
Q83. Covaxin was developed by Bharat Biotech in close collaboration with which of the following apex research institutions of India?
Explanation
Covaxin was the result of a highly successful public-private partnership in India. The SARS- CoV-2 virus was first isolated and characterized by the National Institute of Virology in Pune. This viral strain was then transferred to Bharat Biotech for large-scale development and manufacturing. The Indian Council of Medical Research provided crucial scientific support and oversight throughout the clinical trial and development process.
Q84. Which of the following statements correctly identifies an advantage of the Covaxin platform during the pandemic?
Explanation
One of the major advantages of Covaxin during the global rollout was its ease of storage and transport. Unlike mRNA vaccines that require extremely cold temperatures, Covaxin remains stable at standard refrigerator temperatures of 2-8°C. This made it highly suitable for India’s existing immunization infrastructure, allowing for easier distribution to remote rural areas without the need for specialized ultra-cold storage equipment.
Q85. Identify the correct pair matching the Indian COVID-19 vaccine with its manufacturing company.
Explanation
India’s vaccine landscape involves several different companies and technologies.
Q86. Which of the following is an exception to the general advantages of whole-virion inactivated vaccines like Covaxin?
Explanation
Whole-virion inactivated vaccines have several advantages, including a proven safety record and the ability to present multiple viral proteins to the immune system. However, their manufacturing process is relatively slow and complex compared to mRNA vaccines. They require growing large batches of the live virus in specialized biocontainment facilities, a process that takes significantly longer than synthesizing a genetic sequence.
Q87. What was the specific physiological effect of adding the Toll-like receptor 7/8 (TLR7/8) agonist to the Covaxin formulation?
Explanation
The inclusion of a TLR7/8 agonist in Covaxin was a strategic scientific choice to improve the vaccine’s efficacy. This specific component helps direct the immune system toward a Th1- biased response, which is particularly effective at fighting viral infections. This type of response ensures that the body produces the right kinds of cells and antibodies needed to neutralize the virus and clear infected cells.
Q88. Identify the odd one out among the following vaccines based on their fundamental technology platform.
Explanation
Covaxin, the Salk Polio vaccine, and the standard Rabies vaccine are all based on the whole-virion inactivated platform, where a killed version of the pathogen is used to trigger immunity. The Pfizer- BioNTech vaccine, however, utilizes messenger RNA technology, which is a fundamentally different approach. It uses genetic instructions to prompt the body’s own cells to produce a specific viral protein.
Q89. Consider the following statements regarding the development of Covaxin:
I. The SARS-CoV-2 strain used for Covaxin was isolated by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
II. It was manufactured using Vero cell culture technology.
III. It was the first Indian vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization.
IV. The technology transfer for Covaxin was exclusively purchased from a European pharmaceutical company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The SARS-CoV-2 strain used for Covaxin was isolated by the National Institute of Virology, Pune.
II. It was manufactured using Vero cell culture technology.
III. It was the first Indian vaccine to receive Emergency Use Listing (EUL) from the World Health Organization.
IV. The technology transfer for Covaxin was exclusively purchased from a European pharmaceutical company.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Covaxin was developed using a strain isolated by NIV Pune and manufactured using established Vero cell culture technology. It achieved international recognition by receiving the Emergency Use Listing from the World Health Organization. Importantly, the technology was developed indigenously in India through a partnership between national research institutes and a domestic company, rather than being purchased from overseas.
Q90. Which Indian biotechnology company developed GEMCOVAC-19, India’s first indigenous mRNA COVID-19 vaccine?
Explanation
Gennova Biopharmaceuticals, based in Pune, developed GEMCOVAC-19, which is India’s first indigenous mRNA vaccine for COVID-19. This achievement placed India among a small group of nations capable of producing mRNA-based medical products. The project was supported by the Department of Biotechnology and represents a significant milestone in India’s capacity for high-tech pharmaceutical innovation and pandemic preparedness.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 81 | (d) Whole-virion inactivated technology |
| 82 | (b) To stimulate a stronger and longer-lasting immune response, particularly T-cell immunity |
| 83 | (c) Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and National Institute of Virology (NIV) |
| 84 | (d) Inactivated vaccines store at standard 2-8°C refrigerator temperatures. |
| 85 | (a) Corbevax - Biological E |
| 86 | (b) They can be manufactured in a matter of days simply by synthesizing the genetic sequence. |
| 87 | (a) It induced a strong Th1-biased immune response, necessary for effective clearance of intracellular viral infections. |
| 88 | (c) Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine |
| 89 | (a) I, II, and III only |
| 90 | (c) Gennova Biopharmaceuticals |
Key facts from Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization
- C. V. Raman won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for the scattering of light; National Science Day on 28 February marks the discovery of the Raman Effect.
- The IGMDP began in 1983; Kalam promoted PURA, the Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas.
- Homi J. Bhabha is the father of the Indian nuclear programme, and his three-stage plan uses PHWRs, fast breeder reactors and thorium reactors.
- Har Gobind Khorana showed that nucleotide triplets code for specific amino acids.
- mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus or alter the genome; the cell breaks down the mRNA after making the viral protein.
- Bhashini uses AI to break language barriers; INS Vikrant (IAC-1) is the first Indigenous Aircraft Carrier; India is seeking export orders for ATAGS artillery.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization?
This page has 154 practice MCQs on Recent Advances, Indian Contributors and Indigenization (Science and Technology). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Why is National Science Day celebrated on 28 February?
To commemorate the discovery of the Raman Effect on 28 February 1928 by C. V. Raman. He won the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1930 for his work on the scattering of light.
What does PURA stand for?
Provision of Urban Amenities to Rural Areas, a concept advocated by Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam. It aimed to give villages the roads, connectivity and services of towns so that rural development would be balanced.
Do mRNA vaccines change human DNA?
No. mRNA vaccines do not enter the nucleus of the cell or integrate with the human genome. The cell uses the instruction to make the viral protein and then breaks down the mRNA.