UPSC Prelims 2020— Question 5

This question tests pneumococcal conjugate vaccines. The key concept is: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis caused by vaccine-covered serotypes. Vaccination can reduce reliance on antibiotics and therefore helps address antimicrobial resistance. The absolute claim that such vaccines have no side effects or allergic reactions is incorrect. The verified answer for the uploaded Set-B paper is option B. Option A — 1 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis caused by vaccine-covered serotypes. Vaccination can reduce reliance on antibiotics and therefore helps address antimicrobial resistance. The absolute claim that such vaccines have no side effects or allergic reactions is incorrect. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option B — 1 and 2 only: This is the correct option. It matches the verified conclusion because Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis caused by vaccine-covered serotypes. Vaccination can reduce reliance on antibiotics and therefore helps address antimicrobial resistance. The absolute claim that such vaccines have no side effects or allergic reactions is incorrect. The wording of the option is consistent with the governing concept tested by the question. Option C — 3 only: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis caused by vaccine-covered serotypes. Vaccination can reduce reliance on antibiotics and therefore helps address antimicrobial resistance. The absolute claim that such vaccines have no side effects or allergic reactions is incorrect. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. Option D — 1, 2 and 3: This is not the correct option. The option does not match the verified combination or conclusion. The decisive point is the distinction explained above: Pneumococcal conjugate vaccines protect against invasive pneumococcal disease, including pneumonia, meningitis and sepsis caused by vaccine-covered serotypes. Vaccination can reduce reliance on antibiotics and therefore helps address antimicrobial resistance. The absolute claim that such vaccines have no side effects or allergic reactions is incorrect. Therefore this alternative should be eliminated even if part of its wording appears plausible in isolation. For UPSC-style elimination, first identify the exact proposition being tested, then evaluate each statement independently before comparing the answer codes. Avoid treating a broad or absolute statement as correct merely because its general theme is familiar. The precise qualifiers in the question—such as 'all', 'only', 'cannot', 'largest', 'always' or a specific institutional role—often determine the answer. On that basis, option B is the verified answer.