National Family Welfare Programme – goals and services MCQs With Answer
The National Family Welfare Programme is a public health initiative focusing on family planning, maternal and child health, reproductive health, immunization, and primary health care services. For B.Pharm students, understanding program goals, contraceptive methods, pharmacology of hormonal and emergency contraceptives, vaccine cold-chain, sterilization services, and counselling roles is essential. This topic links clinical pharmacology, drug interactions, safety profiles, and community service delivery. Key concepts include contraceptive prevalence, unmet need, IUCD types, depot injections, emergency contraception, and maternal tetanus immunization. Practical knowledge helps pharmacists support service delivery, logistics, IEC activities, and pharmacovigilance in family welfare programs. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.
Q1. What is the primary goal of the National Family Welfare Programme?
- Reduce poverty through income generation
- Reduce fertility rate and improve maternal and child health
- Provide tertiary care hospitals in rural areas
- Promote traditional medicine practices
Correct Answer: Reduce fertility rate and improve maternal and child health
Q2. Which of the following is a core service offered under the National Family Welfare Programme?
- Cardiac surgery camps
- Family planning, maternal and child health and immunization services
- Oncology screening for adults
- Dental restoration clinics
Correct Answer: Family planning, maternal and child health and immunization services
Q3. Which contraceptives are commonly distributed free through family welfare services?
- Implants only
- Intrauterine devices, oral pills and condoms
- Hormone patches only
- Herbal contraceptives
Correct Answer: Intrauterine devices, oral pills and condoms
Q4. Which IUCD is most commonly recommended for long-term contraception?
- Levonorgestrel IUD 52 mg
- Copper-T 380A
- Balloon IUD
- Silicone loop
Correct Answer: Copper-T 380A
Q5. What is the primary contraceptive mechanism of copper IUCDs?
- Systemic hormonal suppression of ovulation
- Local endometrial inflammatory response preventing fertilization
- Blocking sperm transport through fallopian tubes
- Thickening cervical mucus systemically
Correct Answer: Local endometrial inflammatory response preventing fertilization
Q6. Which regimen is the standard emergency contraceptive pill provided in public programs?
- Ulipristal acetate 30 mg weekly
- Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg single dose
- Combined oral contraceptive daily for 21 days
- Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate single dose
Correct Answer: Levonorgestrel 1.5 mg single dose
Q7. Which injectable is used as a quarterly contraceptive option?
- Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
- Testosterone undecanoate
- Estradiol valerate injection
- Oxytocin
Correct Answer: Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA)
Q8. Combined oral contraceptives contain which combination?
- Estrogen and progestin combination
- Only progestin
- Only estrogen
- Progestin and androgen
Correct Answer: Estrogen and progestin combination
Q9. Which medical history is a clear contraindication to estrogen-containing contraceptives?
- Controlled hypothyroidism
- History of venous thromboembolism
- Childhood asthma
- Allergic rhinitis
Correct Answer: History of venous thromboembolism
Q10. Which drug is known to reduce the effectiveness of combined oral contraceptives via hepatic enzyme induction?
- Rifampicin
- Paracetamol
- Amoxicillin
- Insulin
Correct Answer: Rifampicin
Q11. What is the recommended permanent male sterilization method?
- Tubal ligation
- Vasectomy
- Vaginal occlusion
- Hysterectomy
Correct Answer: Vasectomy
Q12. What is the common female sterilization procedure under family welfare services?
- Vasectomy
- Tubal ligation (female sterilization)
- Cervical cerclage
- Oophorectomy
Correct Answer: Tubal ligation (female sterilization)
Q13. Which immunization given to pregnant women helps prevent neonatal tetanus?
- Measles vaccine
- Maternal tetanus toxoid immunization during pregnancy
- Oral polio vaccine
- BCG vaccine
Correct Answer: Maternal tetanus toxoid immunization during pregnancy
Q14. What is the recommended cold chain temperature range for most vaccines?
- −20°C to −10°C
- 2–8°C
- 15–25°C
- Below 0°C
Correct Answer: 2–8°C
Q15. Which indicator is commonly used to monitor contraceptive uptake in family welfare programs?
- Infant mortality rate only
- Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR)
- Average hospital stay
- Number of pharmacies
Correct Answer: Contraceptive prevalence rate (CPR)
Q16. What does IEC stand for in family welfare programme activities?
- Individual Education Course
- Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
- International Emergency Care
- Institutional Economic Counseling
Correct Answer: Information, Education and Communication (IEC)
Q17. When is postpartum IUCD insertion (PPIUCD) ideally performed?
- Anytime after 6 months postpartum only
- Within 10 minutes to 48 hours after delivery
- Only during pregnancy
- After the first menstrual period postpartum
Correct Answer: Within 10 minutes to 48 hours after delivery
Q18. A common side effect of copper IUD use is:
- Marked weight gain in all users
- Increased menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea
- Complete loss of libido universally
- Permanent amenorrhea within weeks
Correct Answer: Increased menstrual bleeding and dysmenorrhea
Q19. Which is the most effective reversible contraceptive method?
- Male condom
- Intrauterine device (IUD)
- Withdrawal method
- Natural family planning
Correct Answer: Intrauterine device (IUD)
Q20. The main pharmacological action of levonorgestrel emergency contraception is to:
- Terminate an established pregnancy by direct embryotoxicity
- Delay ovulation and may prevent fertilization
- Cause immediate uterine contraction and expulsion
- Destroy sperm in the uterus directly
Correct Answer: Delay ovulation and may prevent fertilization
Q21. Which conditions must be met for Lactational Amenorrhea Method (LAM) to be effective?
- Partial breastfeeding, infant older than 12 months
- Exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhea, and infant under 6 months
- Mother is formula feeding and menstruating
- Child receives complementary feeds and mother has menses
Correct Answer: Exclusive breastfeeding, amenorrhea, and infant under 6 months
Q22. How often is depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) administered for contraception?
- Daily oral dose
- Every 3 months by intramuscular injection
- Once every 5 years as an implant
- Single lifetime injection
Correct Answer: Every 3 months by intramuscular injection
Q23. Which programme component specifically addresses adolescent reproductive needs?
- Geriatric health clinics
- Adolescent-friendly reproductive health services
- Only maternal wards for older mothers
- Exclusive oncology camps
Correct Answer: Adolescent-friendly reproductive health services
Q24. What device is used to assess whether vaccines have been exposed to heat?
- Thermometer strip for bodies
- Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM)
- pH paper
- Blood glucose monitor
Correct Answer: Vaccine Vial Monitor (VVM)
Q25. Which drug regimen is used for safe medical termination of early pregnancy in many national programmes?
- Oxytocin infusion only
- Mifepristone followed by misoprostol
- Aspirin and paracetamol combination
- Estrogen therapy alone
Correct Answer: Mifepristone followed by misoprostol
Q26. Which condition is a contraindication to IUCD insertion?
- Current pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
- History of remote appendectomy
- Controlled hypertension on therapy
- Age above 30 years
Correct Answer: Current pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
Q27. Which implant is a commonly used long-acting reversible contraceptive?
- Etonogestrel implant
- Testosterone implant
- Insulin implant
- Oxytocin implant
Correct Answer: Etonogestrel implant
Q28. Which quality component is essential for sterilization services under the programme?
- Informed consent and quality assurance in sterilization services
- Performing procedures without counselling to save time
- Only verbal permission with no documentation
- Mandatory sterilization for all women above 25
Correct Answer: Informed consent and quality assurance in sterilization services
Q29. What is an important role of pharmacists within the National Family Welfare Programme?
- Conducting surgical sterilizations
- Counselling on contraceptive choices, drug interactions and referral
- Providing only over-the-counter antibiotics for all cases
- Prescribing high-risk hormones without evaluation
Correct Answer: Counselling on contraceptive choices, drug interactions and referral
Q30. Which metric reflects unmet demand for contraception in a population?
- Gross domestic product
- Unmet need for family planning
- Number of pharmacies per district
- Average hospital bed occupancy
Correct Answer: Unmet need for family planning

