UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Centre inks pact for setting up Bharat Container Shipping Line

Q1. In the context of the Bharat Container Shipping Line, what does the term 'TEU' refer to?

  • A. Tonnage Equivalent Unit, used to measure ship deadweight
  • B. Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit, the standard measure of container cargo capacity
  • C. Trade Export Unit, a customs classification for containerised exports
  • D. Transhipment Equivalent Unit, used by ports for cargo throughput accounting

Q2. The Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL) and the associated Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) are being operationalised under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
  • C. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q3. How many central public sector entities are signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding for setting up the Bharat Container Shipping Line signed in February 2026?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Seven

Q4. With reference to the Container Manufacturing Assistance Scheme (CMAS) and the Bharat Container Shipping Line (BCSL), consider the following statements: 1. CMAS is a financial assistance scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years, whereas BCSL is an institutional arrangement created through an inter-PSE Memorandum of Understanding. 2. CMAS targets domestic manufacturing of shipping containers, while BCSL is aimed at building sovereign Indian capacity to operate container shipping services. 3. CMAS falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, whereas BCSL is steered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. CMAS is a financial assistance scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over five years, whereas BCSL is an institutional arrangement created through an inter-PSE Memorandum of Understanding.
  2. CMAS targets domestic manufacturing of shipping containers, while BCSL is aimed at building sovereign Indian capacity to operate container shipping services.
  3. CMAS falls under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, whereas BCSL is steered by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3