UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S. slaps 126% levy on Indian solar imports

Question 1

With reference to the U.S. Department of Commerce's February 2026 preliminary countervailing duty (CVD) action on Indian solar imports, consider the following Indian government programmes alleged by the petitioners to confer countervailable subsidies on solar exporters:
1. Advance Authorisation Programme
2. Duty Drawback Programme
3. Export Promotion of Capital Goods (EPCG) Scheme
4. PM-KUSUM Scheme
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

2 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 2

In the preliminary countervailing duty determinations announced in February 2026 over alleged solar-sector subsidies, how many countries were simultaneously targeted by the U.S. Department of Commerce?

Accepted Answer

Three

Answer

Two

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Question 3

Which U.S. authority made the preliminary affirmative determination of a ~126% countervailing duty on Indian solar cell imports in February 2026?

Accepted Answer

U.S. Department of Commerce

Answer

Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Answer

U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC)

Answer

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

Question 4

The February 2026 U.S. countervailing duty petition against Indian solar imports was filed by which lead industry coalition representing American solar manufacturers?

Accepted Answer

Alliance for American Solar Manufacturing and Trade (AASMT)

Answer

Solar Energy Industries Association (SEIA)

Answer

American Clean Power Association

Answer

Coalition for a Prosperous America

Question 5

Consider the following countries with respect to the U.S. Department of Commerce's February 2026 'Solar IV' preliminary countervailing duty action on crystalline silicon photovoltaic cells:
1. India
2. Indonesia
3. Laos
4. Vietnam
Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as a country subjected to the said preliminary CVD action?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

3 and 4 only

Answer

2 only

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — U.S. slaps 126% levy on Indian solar imports

Q2. In the preliminary countervailing duty determinations announced in February 2026 over alleged solar-sector subsidies, how many countries were simultaneously targeted by the U.S. Department of Commerce?

Q3. Which U.S. authority made the preliminary affirmative determination of a ~126% countervailing duty on Indian solar cell imports in February 2026?

Q4. The February 2026 U.S. countervailing duty petition against Indian solar imports was filed by which lead industry coalition representing American solar manufacturers?