Question map
Consider the following diseases : 1. Diphtheria 2. Chickenpox 3. Smallpox Which of the above diseases has/have been eradicated in India?
Explanation
Smallpox was eradicated in India in 1979, a year before its global eradication.[1] This makes smallpox the only disease among the three options that has been eradicated in India.
Diphtheria and chickenpox have not been eradicated in India. While India has made significant progress in controlling diphtheria through its Universal Immunization Programme (which includes the DPT vaccine), the disease has not been eradicated and cases still occur. Similarly, chickenpox (varicella) continues to be present in India, though vaccines are available.
The key distinction here is between "eradication" (complete elimination of a disease globally or in a specific region) versus "control" through vaccination and public health measures. Only smallpox has achieved true eradication status in India, making option B the correct answer for this 2014 UPSC question.
Sources- [1] https://www.niti.gov.in/sites/default/files/2023-03/Vision-2035-Public-Health-Surveillance-in-India.pdf
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis question was directly triggered by India being declared 'Polio-free' in March 2014. The examiner tested if you could distinguish between the newly eradicated disease (Polio), the historically eradicated one (Smallpox), and common endemic diseases (Chickenpox, Diphtheria). It is a classic 'Current Affairs derived Static' question.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Explicitly states which diseases were eradicated in India (smallpox) and that India was declared polio-free in 2014.
- Does not list diphtheria among the diseases described as eradicated, implying diphtheria was not eradicated by 2014.
- States India’s progress in elimination: 'Smallpox was eradicated worldwide and Polio has been eliminated in India.'
- Again identifies eradicated/eliminated diseases but does not include diphtheria among them, supporting that diphtheria was not eradicated by 2014.
States the general rule that mass vaccination can eradicate a disease (example: smallpox).
A student could use this to infer that checking diphtheria vaccination coverage and historical vaccination campaigns in India would be relevant to judging eradication status.
Notes that India is a major vaccine producer, implying capacity to run large immunisation programmes.
A student could combine this with knowledge of national immunisation policy and WHO data to assess whether sufficient vaccine supply existed to eliminate diphtheria by 2014.
Describes that infectious diseases (here dengue) have recurring outbreaks in India despite long awareness, indicating diseases can persist.
A student might treat this as a caution that presence of outbreaks for other diseases suggests one should check surveillance data for ongoing diphtheria cases rather than assume eradication.
Mentions government schemes aimed at eradicating animal diseases (rinderpest), showing that eradication is a specific policy goal that can be targeted by authorities.
A student could extend this by looking for whether a similar targeted national eradication programme or official declaration existed for human diphtheria by 2014.
Points out that large-scale planning has often failed to eradicate major social/health problems, implying eradication is difficult in practice.
A student could use this to justify consulting empirical surveillance or WHO/Ministry reports for diphtheria rather than assuming eradication based on policy goals alone.
- Explicitly lists diseases that have been eradicated or eliminated in India (smallpox eradicated 1979; polio declared 'Polio free' in 2014).
- The passage names specific eradicated/eliminated diseases but does not list chickenpox among them, implying chickenpox was not considered eradicated.
- Poses a 2014 MCQ that lists 'Chickenpox' alongside other diseases when asking which have been eradicated in India, indicating uncertainty or that chickenpox was not widely regarded as eradicated.
- The inclusion of chickenpox as an option to evaluate eradication status suggests it was not an acknowledged eradicated disease as of 2014.
States that mass vaccination eventually helped eradicate smallpox worldwide — gives a clear example of how a communicable disease can be eradicated through vaccination.
A student could check whether a similar nationwide mass-vaccination program against chickenpox existed in India before 2014 or whether chickenpox vaccination coverage reached levels comparable to smallpox campaigns.
Defines chickenpox explicitly as a communicable disease alongside other vaccine-preventable infections.
Use this to frame chickenpox as theoretically eradicable via public-health measures; then look up India-specific surveillance data or vaccination policy for varicella prior to 2014.
Notes smallpox was declared eradicated (no cases from 1977–1980), reinforcing that eradication is a formal status achieved after global absence of cases.
A student should therefore look for an official declaration (e.g., WHO/Indian health ministry) or documented absence of cases for several years to support an eradication claim for chickenpox.
Lists chickenpox among common infectious diseases in an educational context, implying it remains a recognized, diagnosed condition.
Combine this with hospital/epidemiological reports or public-health listings from India circa 2014 to see if chickenpox was still being diagnosed and reported then.
- Explicitly states smallpox was 'declared eradicated' in 1977, implying global eradication before 2014.
- Notes that no cases were reported from 1977 to 1980, supporting the claim of sustained cessation of cases after the declaration.
- Mentions India’s large 1950 epidemic, which contextualises that India was affected historically but eradication was achieved later.
- Says mass vaccination 'helped eradicate smallpox worldwide', supporting the mechanism and the global eradication status relevant to India.
- Frames eradication as an outcome of vaccination campaigns, reinforcing that eradication applied globally (and thus to India) by 2014.
- States directly that the deadly disease smallpox 'was eradicated by vaccination', corroborating other snippets about eradication.
- Supports the conclusion that smallpox was no longer endemic where vaccination campaigns succeeded, consistent with eradication prior to 2014.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Smallpox eradication is a fundamental fact found in NCERT Science (Class VIII) and General Knowledge. Diphtheria and Chickenpox are visibly present in Indian society.
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: Public Health Milestones. The 2014 Polio certification forced a review of India's disease status sheet (Eradicated vs. Eliminated vs. Controlled).
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize India's 'Free' status list: Smallpox (1977/79), Guinea Worm (2000), Polio (2014), Yaws (2016), Maternal & Neonatal Tetanus (2015), Trachoma (2017). Contrast with targets: TB (2025), Malaria (2030).
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Whenever a 'Status Change' occurs in news (e.g., Polio-free), immediately list all other items holding that status. Don't just study the news; study the category.
Reference [6] explicitly links mass vaccination to eradication (smallpox), a concept directly relevant when asking if a disease like diphtheria has been eradicated.
UPSC often asks about public health achievements and policy tools; understanding how mass vaccination can lead to eradication vs control helps answer questions on disease status and immunisation programmes. Master by studying case studies (smallpox) and comparing mechanisms of eradication versus control for other diseases.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Application > p. 38
Reference [9] highlights India's large-scale vaccine manufacturing—important background when assessing national disease control and eradication efforts.
Questions may link domestic vaccine capacity to immunisation campaign success and export diplomacy; aspirants should know India's production strengths, policy implications for public health, and how manufacturing capacity affects outbreak response. Prepare by reviewing India's vaccine industry, supply chains, and past campaign outcomes.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > India's Role in Vaccine Production > p. 39
Reference [3] shows reliance on MOHFW statistics for tracking infections; declaring eradication depends on robust surveillance and official reporting.
UPSC may test understanding of how disease status is decided (surveillance, case definitions, timeframes). Learn how reporting systems, threshold criteria and credible statistics underpin policy claims about eradication vs elimination; practise by comparing disease-specific reporting frameworks.
- Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > Corona Pandemic > p. 26
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Application > p. 38
References explicitly classify diseases (including chickenpox) as communicable, which is fundamental when assessing spread, control, and eradication potential.
High-yield for UPSC public health and geography questions: helps distinguish disease transmission dynamics, informs prevention and policy responses (surveillance, vaccination). Connects to epidemiology, health policy and disaster management. Prepare by memorising classifications and implications for control measures; practise applying them to case studies.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Keep the curiosity alive > p. 42
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Non-communicable > p. 32
References note smallpox was declared eradicated (1977) and that eradication followed global efforts—this is the direct precedent when evaluating claims of eradication for other diseases like chickenpox.
Frequently tested theme: understanding criteria and historical examples of eradication (smallpox) informs questions on feasibility, timelines, and public health strategy. It links to international health policy and vaccination campaigns. Study major eradication campaigns, timelines, and success/failure factors; use smallpox as a model case.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Application > p. 38
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Smallpox > p. 80
One reference attributes smallpox eradication to mass vaccination—this concept is central when judging whether a disease like chickenpox could be eradicated by a given date.
Important for questions on immunisation policy, herd immunity, and programme design (e.g., national immunisation drives). Helps evaluate plausibility of eradication claims and required interventions. Prepare by studying vaccination impact, herd immunity thresholds, and case studies of mass immunisation outcomes.
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Application > p. 38
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Non-communicable > p. 32
References declare smallpox eradicated in 1977 and report no cases after that, which answers whether it was still present in India by 2014.
High-yield public-health milestone often referenced in policy and history contexts; knowing the eradication date and its implication (absence of cases thereafter) helps answer timeline questions and link to vaccination policy discussions. Prepare by memorising key eradication milestones and related country impacts as seen in historical references.
- Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Smallpox > p. 80
- Science ,Class VIII . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 3: Health: The Ultimate Treasure > Application > p. 38
Yaws and Guinea Worm. Since Smallpox and Polio are covered, the next logical targets for 'Eradicated/Eliminated' questions are Guinea Worm (Dracunculiasis) and Yaws, or the distinction between 'Elimination' (zero transmission in area) and 'Eradication' (global zero).
Use 'Observational Common Sense'. Eradication means ZERO cases. You or your friends have likely had Chickenpox or taken the DPT (Diphtheria) vaccine recently. If the vaccine is still routine and cases exist, it's not eradicated. Smallpox is the only disease famously 'gone' from the world.
Connects to GS-2 (Issues relating to Health) and GS-3 (Science & Tech - Vaccines). The success of Smallpox/Polio eradication underpins India's 'Soft Power' in vaccine diplomacy (Vaccine Maitri) and the design of Mission Indradhanush.