UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India, Brazil ink pacts on minerals, steel mining; agree to step up trade

Q1. The India–Mercosur trade arrangement, re-energised during President Lula's February 2026 visit to India, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A Free Trade Agreement (FTA) eliminating tariffs on substantially all goods
  • B. A Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) granting concessional tariffs on a limited basket of goods
  • C. A Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) covering goods, services and investment
  • D. A Customs Union with a common external tariff

Q2. Brazil, a partner in the February 2026 mining pacts, is the world's largest producer of which one of the following minerals?

  • A. Lithium
  • B. Cobalt
  • C. Niobium
  • D. Nickel

Q3. With reference to the membership of Mercosur, the bloc engaged through the trade arrangement India seeks to deepen, consider the following: 1. Brazil 2. Argentina 3. Chile 4. Paraguay Which of the above is/are correctly identified as full member states of Mercosur?

  1. Brazil
  2. Argentina
  3. Chile
  4. Paraguay
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. How many agreements/MoUs in total were signed between India and Brazil during President Lula da Silva's state visit in February 2026?

  • A. 6
  • B. 10
  • C. 14
  • D. 18

Q5. The February 2026 MoU to strengthen and secure the steel supply chain was signed on the Indian side by which ministry (with Brazil's Ministry of Mines and Energy)?

  • A. Ministry of Mines
  • B. Ministry of Steel
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs