UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S. official hints at removing Russian oil penalty levy on India

Q1. Despite a sharp month-on-month fall in volumes in December 2025 following the U.S. 'Russian oil penalty' tariff and secondary sanctions on Russian energy firms, which one of the following remained the single largest supplier of crude oil to India in that month?

  • A. Iraq
  • B. Saudi Arabia
  • C. Russia
  • D. United Arab Emirates

Q2. With reference to the U.S. tariff regime on Indian exports as it stood in January 2026 compared with the position before August 2025, consider the following statements: 1. The 25% 'Russian oil penalty' tariff was imposed in addition to a pre-existing 25% 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian exports, taking the cumulative duty to 50%. 2. The penalty tariff was operationalised through an Executive Order issued by the U.S. President. 3. Following the U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks at the World Economic Forum in January 2026, the 25% Russian-oil penalty tariff stood withdrawn. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 25% 'Russian oil penalty' tariff was imposed in addition to a pre-existing 25% 'reciprocal' tariff on Indian exports, taking the cumulative duty to 50%.
  2. The penalty tariff was operationalised through an Executive Order issued by the U.S. President.
  3. Following the U.S. Treasury Secretary's remarks at the World Economic Forum in January 2026, the 25% Russian-oil penalty tariff stood withdrawn.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. By approximately what percentage did India's imports of Russian crude oil fall month-on-month in December 2025, the drop cited by the U.S. Treasury Secretary at Davos as the basis for possibly removing the 25% Russian-oil penalty tariff on India?

  • A. About 8 per cent
  • B. About 22 per cent
  • C. About 35 per cent
  • D. About 50 per cent

Q4. The January 2026 remark at the World Economic Forum, Davos, that there is 'a path to take them off' with reference to the additional 25% 'Russian oil penalty' tariff on India, was made by the U.S. official holding exclusively which one of the following offices?

  • A. U.S. Secretary of State
  • B. U.S. Trade Representative
  • C. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
  • D. U.S. Secretary of Commerce