100+ Free UPSC Drug Inspector Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: UPSC Drug Inspector Exam

150

Exam Questions

UPSC

2 hours

Exam Duration

UPSC

₹25

Application Fee

General/OBC Male

50%

Qualifying Marks

UR/EWS Category

1/3rd

Negative Marking

UPSC Penalty

CDSCO

Appointing Body

Government of India

The UPSC Drug Inspector recruitment exam features 150 objective-type MCQs with a 2-hour limit (120 minutes) and negative marking of 1/3rd mark for each wrong answer. General/EWS candidates require a minimum qualifying score of 50% (150/300 marks) in the recruitment test to be considered for the interview stage. The application fee is a nominal ₹25 for General/OBC males and is entirely waived for female, SC, ST, and PwBD candidates. The exam is not held annually, making it highly competitive with thousands of applicants contesting for limited CDSCO vacancies.

Sample UPSC Drug Inspector Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your UPSC Drug Inspector exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of Sulfonamides?

A.Inhibition of dihydropteroate synthase

B.Inhibition of cell wall synthesis

C.Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase

D.Inhibition of protein synthesis by binding to the 50S ribosome

Explanation: Sulfonamides are structural analogs of PABA and act as competitive inhibitors of dihydropteroate synthase (DHPS), a key enzyme in bacterial folate synthesis. Trimethoprim inhibits dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) in the next step, and their combination is synergistic.

2What is the mechanism of action of Statins in lowering blood cholesterol levels?

A.Binding to bile acids in the intestine

B.Inhibition of cholesterol absorption in the brush border of the small intestine

C.Competitive inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase

D.Activation of lipoprotein lipase to increase clearance of triglycerides

Explanation: Statins (e.g., atorvastatin, simvastatin) are competitive inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in hepatic cholesterol synthesis. This leads to upregulation of LDL receptors and increased clearance of LDL cholesterol.

3Which of the following describes the irreversible mechanism of action of Aspirin?

A.Irreversible inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2 via acetylation of a serine residue

B.Reversible inhibition of COX-1 and COX-2

C.Direct inhibition of thromboxane synthase

D.Antagonism of glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors

Explanation: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) irreversibly inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 (COX-1) and COX-2 by transfer of its acetyl group to a serine residue in the active site. Because platelets cannot synthesize new protein, this block persists for the life of the platelet (7-10 days).

4What is the cellular mechanism of action of Digoxin in the treatment of heart failure?

A.Inhibition of the Na+/K+ ATPase pump

B.Inhibition of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger directly

C.Opening of L-type calcium channels

D.Stimulation of beta-1 adrenergic receptors

Explanation: Digoxin binds to and inhibits the membrane-bound Na+/K+ ATPase pump. This increases intracellular sodium, which decreases the calcium efflux via the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger. The resulting increase in intracellular calcium increases cardiac contractility (positive inotropic effect).

5Which of the following is a classic adverse effect associated with long-term Phenytoin therapy?

A.Gingival hyperplasia

B.Aplastic anemia

C.Acute renal failure

D.Pulmonary fibrosis

Explanation: Phenytoin therapy is famously associated with gingival hyperplasia (gum overgrowth), hirsutism, osteomalacia (due to altered vitamin D metabolism), megaloblastic anemia (due to folate deficiency), and peripheral neuropathy.

6What is the primary mechanism of action of Metformin in managing Type 2 Diabetes?

A.Activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to reduce hepatic gluconeogenesis

B.Stimulation of insulin secretion from pancreatic beta cells

C.Binding to PPAR-gamma receptors to increase insulin sensitivity

D.Inhibition of alpha-glucosidase in the brush border of the intestine

Explanation: Metformin works by activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which suppresses hepatic gluconeogenesis (glucose production), decreases intestinal absorption of glucose, and improves insulin sensitivity by increasing peripheral glucose uptake.

7Aminoglycoside antibiotics like Gentamicin are primarily known for causing which dual toxicities?

A.Ototoxicity and Nephrotoxicity

B.Hepatotoxicity and Cardiotoxicity

C.Pulmonary toxicity and Neurotoxicity

D.Pancreatitis and Myelosuppression

Explanation: Aminoglycosides (e.g., gentamicin, amikacin, streptomycin) are concentrated in the renal cortex and endolymph of the inner ear, leading to classic nephrotoxicity (usually reversible) and ototoxicity (vestibular and cochlear, which can be irreversible).

8Which of the following agents is classified as a selective beta-1 adrenergic receptor blocker?

A.Atenolol

B.Propranolol

C.Carvedilol

D.Labetalol

Explanation: Atenolol is a selective beta-1 blocker (cardioselective). Propranolol is a non-selective beta blocker. Carvedilol and labetalol are mixed alpha-1 and beta blockers.

9Which antidepressant is an irreversible inhibitor of Monoamine Oxidase (MAO)?

A.Phenelzine

B.Moclobemide

C.Selegiline

D.Fluoxetine

Explanation: Phenelzine is a non-selective, irreversible monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). Moclobemide is a reversible inhibitor of MAO-A (RIMA). Selegiline is a selective MAO-B inhibitor at low doses. Fluoxetine is an SSRI.

10Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) like Omeprazole irreversibly inhibit which of the following enzymes?

A.H+/K+ ATPase

B.Carbonic anhydrase

C.Na+/K+ ATPase

D.Mucosal adenylate cyclase

Explanation: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are prodrugs that accumulate in the acidic canaliculi of parietal cells, where they are activated to form a sulfenamide intermediate. This intermediate binds covalently to sulfhydryl groups of cysteines on the H+/K+ ATPase (proton pump), irreversibly inactivating it.

About the UPSC Drug Inspector Exam

The UPSC Drug Inspector Recruitment Test is a highly competitive exam for pharmaceutical professionals aiming to enter Central Government service under the CDSCO.

Questions

150 scored questions

Time Limit

2 hours

Passing Score

50%

Exam Fee

₹25 (UPSC)

UPSC Drug Inspector Exam Content Outline

25%

Pharmaceutics & Microbiology

Tablet technology, sterile products, sterilization methods, rheology, and biopharmaceutics.

25%

Pharmacology & Toxicology

Drug mechanisms, adverse effects, dosing, autonomic and cardiovascular pharmacology.

20%

Pharmaceutical Chemistry & Analysis

Assays, limit tests, spectroscopy, chromatography, and medicinal chemistry structures.

20%

Drugs and Cosmetics Act & Rules

Regulatory duties, powers of drug inspectors, schedules, and drug pricing controls.

10%

General Knowledge & Studies

Indian constitution, general science, current affairs, and basic English aptitude.

How to Pass the UPSC Drug Inspector Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50%
Exam length: 150 questions
Time limit: 2 hours
Exam fee: ₹25

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

UPSC Drug Inspector Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize key schedules under the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules (such as Schedule M, H, G, X, Y) and sections detailing the powers and duties of a Drug Inspector.

2Focus on core pharmacology concepts, particularly mechanisms of action, major side effects, and clinical indications for cardiovascular and autonomic nervous system drugs.

3Review biopharmaceutics, tablet technology, sterile parenterals, and standard sterilization parameters (dry vs. moist heat).

4Solve numerical problems related to drug calculations, chromatography (Rf values, resolution), and Beer-Lambert law calculations.

5Stay updated on current affairs, basic Indian polity/constitution, and practice general aptitude/English questions for the General Studies section.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the qualification required for UPSC Drug Inspector?

Candidates must possess a Bachelor's degree in Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or Medicine with specialization in Clinical Pharmacology or Microbiology from a recognized university.

What is the application fee for the UPSC Drug Inspector exam?

The application fee is ₹25 (Rupees Twenty-Five only) for General, OBC, and EWS male candidates. All female candidates and candidates belonging to SC, ST, and PwBD categories are completely exempted from paying the fee.

Is there negative marking in the UPSC Drug Inspector recruitment test?

Yes, there is negative marking. For every incorrect answer, 1/3rd (one-third) of the marks assigned to that question will be deducted as a penalty.

What are the passing or qualifying marks for the UPSC DI exam?

UPSC sets minimum qualifying standards for the written recruitment test: 50% for General/EWS, 45% for OBC, and 40% for SC/ST/PwBD candidates out of the total marks (usually 300).

What is the age limit to apply for the UPSC Drug Inspector position?

The upper age limit is 30 years for General and EWS candidates. Age relaxation is applicable: up to 33 years for OBC and up to 35 years for SC/ST candidates.

What is the exam pattern and duration?

The exam is a single written paper containing 150 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) carrying 300 marks. The total duration of the test is 2 hours (120 minutes) and the medium of instruction is English.

100+ Free UPSC Drug Inspector Practice Questions

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