UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Great deal of enthusiasm for EU deal; to be implemented this year, says Piyush Goyal

Q1. In the context of India-EU trade engagement, the term 'BTIA' — the predecessor framework to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026 — refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Bilateral Tariff and Investment Arrangement
  • B. Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement
  • C. Balanced Trade and Industrial Accord
  • D. Bilateral Trade in Intermediates Agreement

Q2. The negotiations for the framework that ultimately culminated in the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026 were first formally launched in which one of the following years?

  • A. 2004
  • B. 2006
  • C. 2007
  • D. 2013

Q3. With reference to how the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded on 27 January 2026 differs from its predecessor framework, the Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike BTIA whose talks were suspended in 2013, the FTA concluded in 2026 covers goods, services, investment protection and geographical indications within an integrated package. 2. The 2026 FTA, unlike BTIA, is being negotiated with the 27-member European Union, whereas BTIA negotiations had been launched with a then 25-member Union. 3. The 2026 FTA delivers preferential access for more than 99% of India's exports by trade value to the EU market, a level of liberalisation not achieved under the BTIA track. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike BTIA whose talks were suspended in 2013, the FTA concluded in 2026 covers goods, services, investment protection and geographical indications within an integrated package.
  2. The 2026 FTA, unlike BTIA, is being negotiated with the 27-member European Union, whereas BTIA negotiations had been launched with a then 25-member Union.
  3. The 2026 FTA delivers preferential access for more than 99% of India's exports by trade value to the EU market, a level of liberalisation not achieved under the BTIA track.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 2 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. How many member states of the European Union are parties to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement whose conclusion was announced on 27 January 2026?

  • A. 25
  • B. 26
  • C. 27
  • D. 28

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal Indian ministry responsible for negotiating and operationalising the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Finance
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. NITI Aayog