Which of the following drug is an antibiotic?

The correct answer is Option (3) → Chloramphenicol

An antibiotic is a drug that kills or inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic; it is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and is given orally for typhoid, dysentery, acute fever, meningitis and pneumonia.

Why the other options are incorrect

• Option (1) Morphine — Incorrect. A narcotic analgesic; it relieves severe pain but has no action on bacteria.

• Option (2) Equanil — Incorrect. (meprobamate) a tranquilliser used for depression and hypertension.

• Option (4) Valium — Incorrect. A tranquilliser (a benzodiazepine) that relieves anxiety and stress.

Note: This question is from the pre-rationalised NCERT book (2022-23). The topic is not there in the latest NCERT book (2026-27), and it is also out of the CUET 2026 syllabus.

NCERT (Pre-rationalised edition, 2022-23):
Antibiotics – “… Chloramphenicol, isolated in 1947, is a broad spectrum antibiotic. It is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and hence can be given orally in case of typhoid, dysentery, acute fever, certain form of urinary infections, meningitis and pneumonia.”