UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Indian wagon assembly unit in Iran favoured
Q1. In the context of India's Chabahar engagement with Iran, the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is best described as which one of the following?
- A. A multimodal ship, rail and road corridor linking India to Russia and Europe via Iran and the Caspian Sea
- B. A purely maritime shipping lane connecting Indian ports directly to European ports through the Suez Canal
- C. An overland rail-only corridor connecting India to Central Asia through Pakistan and Afghanistan
- D. A pipeline corridor for transporting Iranian crude oil and natural gas to Indian refineries
Q2. With reference to the development of Chabahar Port and the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, consider the following statements:
1. The Shahid Beheshti Terminal is operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).
2. The 10-year long-term main contract for the terminal was signed in May 2024 with Iran's Port and Maritime Organization.
3. India committed an investment of about USD 120 million along with a USD 250 million credit window.
4. The US sanctions waiver on Chabahar was revoked under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2018.
Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?
- The Shahid Beheshti Terminal is operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).
- The 10-year long-term main contract for the terminal was signed in May 2024 with Iran's Port and Maritime Organization.
- India committed an investment of about USD 120 million along with a USD 250 million credit window.
- The US sanctions waiver on Chabahar was revoked under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2018.
- A. 1 and 2 only
- B. 1, 2 and 3
- C. 2, 3 and 4
- D. 1, 2, 3 and 4
Q3. With reference to Chabahar Port and India's connectivity initiatives, consider the following statements:
1. Chabahar is sought to be integrated with the International North–South Transport Corridor.
2. The Chabahar–Zahedan railway is intended to connect Chabahar to Iran's national rail network.
3. Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province on the Gulf of Oman.
4. Chabahar is India's first overseas port being developed under the domestic Sagarmala scheme.
Which of the above is/are NOT correct?
- Chabahar is sought to be integrated with the International North–South Transport Corridor.
- The Chabahar–Zahedan railway is intended to connect Chabahar to Iran's national rail network.
- Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province on the Gulf of Oman.
- Chabahar is India's first overseas port being developed under the domestic Sagarmala scheme.
- A. 1 and 2
- B. 2 and 3
- C. 3 only
- D. 4 only
Q4. For how many months was the US sanctions waiver, announced in October 2025 to allow uninterrupted Indian operations at Chabahar Port, granted before it lapsed?
- A. Three months
- B. Six months
- C. Nine months
- D. Twelve months
Q5. Which Indian entity operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port under the long-term contract with Iran?
- A. India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)
- B. IRCON International Limited
- C. Sagarmala Development Company Limited
- D. Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited