Question

Last case of smallpox occurred in India during which one of the following years?

• A. 1965
• B. 1975
• C. 1986
• D. 1995

Hint:

Recall the year India reported its last smallpox case under the eradication drive.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall India's smallpox eradication drive.
In the early 1970s India ran an intense search and containment programme against smallpox, sending teams house to house to find every last case.

Step 2: Pin down the last reported case.
The final natural case was found in May 1975 in Bihar. Once this case was isolated and everyone around it was vaccinated, no fresh case ever turned up again in the country.

Step 3: Confirm eradication.
Two full years of active search after that last case, with zero new cases, let WHO certify India as free of smallpox in 1977.

Step 4: Rule out the other years.
1965 was still early in the campaign, well before the disease was controlled. 1986 and 1995 come long after eradication was already certified, so they cannot be right.

Step 5: Conclude.
\[ \boxed{1975} \]