UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — China weighs curbs on solar gear exports to U.S.

Question 1

The massive global overcapacity in solar-panel manufacturing, which today gives China chokepoint leverage over the sector, is generally traced to an aggressive Chinese factory build-out that began in which year?

Accepted Answer

2021

Answer

2015

Answer

2018

Answer

2023

Question 2

In the solar photovoltaic supply chain — a chain China dominates at every stage — the term 'polysilicon' is best described as which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

High-purity silicon feedstock that is melted and crystallised into ingots and sliced into wafers

Answer

The thin doped semiconductor layer that directly converts sunlight into electric current

Answer

The tempered-glass and aluminium-framed assembly protecting interconnected solar cells

Answer

A rare-earth doping compound added to raise the conversion efficiency of a solar cell

Question 3

In its first (April 2025) round of rare-earth export licensing — the precedent later invoked for possible solar-equipment curbs — how many rare-earth elements did China place under export controls?

Accepted Answer

Seven

Answer

Five

Answer

Twelve

Answer

Seventeen

Question 4

The Chinese regulations laying down rules on the mining, smelting and trading of rare-earth materials were issued under the authority of which apex body?

Accepted Answer

The State Council (the cabinet)

Answer

The People's Bank of China

Answer

The Central Military Commission

Answer

The National Development and Reform Commission

Question 5

In India, the extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandatory-sourcing requirement further up the value chain to cover ingots and wafers is being operationalised by which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer

Ministry of Power

Answer

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Answer

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Question 6

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme under the 'National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules' has been rolled out in how many tranches?

Accepted Answer

Two

Answer

One

Answer

Three

Answer

Four

Question 7

The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, aimed at building GW-scale domestic manufacturing, is implemented by which Union Ministry?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Answer

Ministry of Power

Answer

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Answer

NITI Aayog

Question 8

A novel feature of China's October 2025 rare-earth export controls, marking their use as strategic leverage, is that they require even overseas exporters of products containing trace Chinese-origin rare earths to obtain a licence. This assertion of control over foreign-made goods is best described as which principle?

Accepted Answer

Extraterritorial application of export controls

Answer

Most-favoured-nation treatment

Answer

National treatment of imports

Answer

Sovereign immunity

Question 9

Under China's export-control regime, overseas exporters of items using even traces of Chinese-sourced rare earths must obtain an export licence issued by which Chinese authority?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Commerce

Answer

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Answer

General Administration of Customs

Answer

Ministry of Industry and Information Technology

Question 10

China's solar overcapacity — the backdrop to its leverage in the US–China trade rivalry — means it has annual solar-panel manufacturing capacity of approximately how many gigawatts, nearly double expected global installations in 2024?

Accepted Answer

About 1,100 GW

Answer

About 300 GW

Answer

About 550 GW

Answer

About 2,200 GW

Question 11

With reference to the International Solar Alliance (ISA), consider the following statements:
1. It was jointly launched by India and France at the COP21 climate summit in Paris in 2015.
2. Its Secretariat is headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana.
3. The United Nations serves as a strategic partner of the alliance.
4. It functions as a specialised agency of the United Nations.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 4

Answer

3 and 4

Answer

2 only

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — China weighs curbs on solar gear exports to U.S.

Q1. The massive global overcapacity in solar-panel manufacturing, which today gives China chokepoint leverage over the sector, is generally traced to an aggressive Chinese factory build-out that began in which year?

Q2. In the solar photovoltaic supply chain — a chain China dominates at every stage — the term 'polysilicon' is best described as which one of the following?

Q3. In its first (April 2025) round of rare-earth export licensing — the precedent later invoked for possible solar-equipment curbs — how many rare-earth elements did China place under export controls?

Q4. The Chinese regulations laying down rules on the mining, smelting and trading of rare-earth materials were issued under the authority of which apex body?

Q5. In India, the extension of the Approved List of Models and Manufacturers (ALMM) mandatory-sourcing requirement further up the value chain to cover ingots and wafers is being operationalised by which Union Ministry?

Q6. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme under the 'National Programme on High Efficiency Solar PV Modules' has been rolled out in how many tranches?

Q7. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme for High Efficiency Solar PV Modules, aimed at building GW-scale domestic manufacturing, is implemented by which Union Ministry?

Q9. Under China's export-control regime, overseas exporters of items using even traces of Chinese-sourced rare earths must obtain an export licence issued by which Chinese authority?

Q10. China's solar overcapacity — the backdrop to its leverage in the US–China trade rivalry — means it has annual solar-panel manufacturing capacity of approximately how many gigawatts, nearly double expected global installations in 2024?