Which one of the following statements is not correct?

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.
(b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine. ✓ UPSC's answer
(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.
(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.

Why the answer is (b)

• The question asks for the statement that is NOT correct.

• Option (b) is wrong: a safe, effective Hepatitis B vaccine has existed since 1982 and is in India's Universal Immunisation Programme; it is Hepatitis C that has no vaccine (though it is now curable with antivirals).

• Option (a) is correct: Hepatitis B spreads through blood, sexual contact and mother-to-child, like HIV.

• Option (c) is correct: about 300 million people live with Hepatitis B and 50–60 million with Hepatitis C, versus about 39 million with HIV.

• Option (d) is correct: both infections can stay silent for decades before causing cirrhosis or liver cancer.

• Hence option (b).

Why the other options are wrong

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.: This is correct: Hepatitis B transmission mirrors HIV.
(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times…: This is correct: hepatitis infections far outnumber HIV.
(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many…: This is correct: hepatitis can be silent for years.

Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2019, held on 2 June 2019. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.