UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and Norway Deepen Strategic Science & Innovation Partnership Through New Bilateral Agreements

Question 1

The five CSIR-DSIR agreements signed with Norwegian research and industrial institutions in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were concluded under the administrative authority of which one of the following Union Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Question 2

With which one of the following Norwegian organizations — described as Norway's largest independent research organization — did CSIR sign the flagship Collaboration Agreement (2026–2029) on circularity and sustainability transition in Oslo on 18 May 2026?

Accepted Answer

Stiftelsen SINTEF

Answer

Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)

Answer

Research Council of Norway (RCN)

Answer

Emerald Geomodelling

Question 3

Which one of the following is the nodal agency in the Government of India for the negotiation and implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)?

Accepted Answer

Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer

Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance

Answer

Economic Relations Division, Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Question 4

Among the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that are parties to the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which one is India's largest trading partner and the principal source of foreign direct investment into India?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland

Answer

Norway

Answer

Iceland

Answer

Liechtenstein

Question 5

As of the latest official position, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a pan-India network of how many national laboratories/institutes?

Accepted Answer

37

Answer

28

Answer

32

Answer

42

Question 6

The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) functions as an autonomous body under the aegis of which one of the following Departments/Ministries of the Government of India?

Accepted Answer

Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education

Question 7

Which one of the following is the high-level intergovernmental forum, of which Norway is a founding member State, that addresses issues of sustainable development and environmental protection faced by the governments of the Arctic region?

Accepted Answer

Arctic Council

Answer

Nordic Council

Answer

Council of the Baltic Sea States

Answer

Barents Euro-Arctic Council

Question 8

The India–Norway bilateral talks on 'Green Maritime Technologies' held on the sidelines of Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, which advanced cooperation on ferry electrification, e-methanol bunkering and hydrogen-powered vessels, were led on the Indian side by which one of the following Union Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Answer

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer

Ministry of Science and Technology

Question 9

India was admitted as an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2013 solely at the Ministerial Meeting held under the chairship of which one of the following countries?

Accepted Answer

Sweden

Answer

Norway

Answer

Canada

Answer

Finland

Question 10

How many pillars are laid down in India's Arctic Policy, 2022 titled 'India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development'?

Accepted Answer

Six

Answer

Four

Answer

Five

Answer

Seven

Question 11

During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Norway on 18 May 2026, how many bilateral agreements were signed in Oslo between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)/Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Norwegian research, academic and industrial organisations?

Accepted Answer

Five

Answer

Three

Answer

Four

Answer

Seven

Question 12

The five India–Norway science and innovation agreements signed in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were operationalised on the Indian side primarily by an institution functioning under which one of the following Union Ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Science and Technology

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Earth Sciences

Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Question 13

Among the four current member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which one is the largest by economy as well as by population?

Accepted Answer

Switzerland

Answer

Iceland

Answer

Liechtenstein

Answer

Norway

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and Norway Deepen Strategic Science & Innovation Partnership Through New Bilateral Agreements

Q1. The five CSIR-DSIR agreements signed with Norwegian research and industrial institutions in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were concluded under the administrative authority of which one of the following Union Ministries?

Q2. With which one of the following Norwegian organizations — described as Norway's largest independent research organization — did CSIR sign the flagship Collaboration Agreement (2026–2029) on circularity and sustainability transition in Oslo on 18 May 2026?

Q3. Which one of the following is the nodal agency in the Government of India for the negotiation and implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)?

Q4. Among the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that are parties to the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which one is India's largest trading partner and the principal source of foreign direct investment into India?

Q5. As of the latest official position, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a pan-India network of how many national laboratories/institutes?

Q6. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) functions as an autonomous body under the aegis of which one of the following Departments/Ministries of the Government of India?

Q7. Which one of the following is the high-level intergovernmental forum, of which Norway is a founding member State, that addresses issues of sustainable development and environmental protection faced by the governments of the Arctic region?

Q9. India was admitted as an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2013 solely at the Ministerial Meeting held under the chairship of which one of the following countries?

Q10. How many pillars are laid down in India's Arctic Policy, 2022 titled 'India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development'?

Q12. The five India–Norway science and innovation agreements signed in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were operationalised on the Indian side primarily by an institution functioning under which one of the following Union Ministries?

Q13. Among the four current member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which one is the largest by economy as well as by population?