UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The Oman CEPA, a new gateway for India’s exports

Q1. With reference to the India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), consider the following statements: 1. It entered into force on 1 June 2026. 2. Oman has granted zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India's exports by value. 3. All of Oman's zero-duty concessions to India become applicable only after a ten-year phased tariff elimination. 4. It includes the first-ever commitment by any country on traditional medicine across all modes of supply. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It entered into force on 1 June 2026.
  2. Oman has granted zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines, covering 99.38% of India's exports by value.
  3. All of Oman's zero-duty concessions to India become applicable only after a ten-year phased tariff elimination.
  4. It includes the first-ever commitment by any country on traditional medicine across all modes of supply.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q2. The India–Oman Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), signed on 18 December 2025 in Muscat, was signed on behalf of India by which one of the following Union Ministers?

  • A. Dr. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs
  • B. Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance
  • D. Shri Hardeep Singh Puri, Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Q3. Under the India–Oman CEPA that entered into force in June 2026, on how many textile and apparel tariff lines has Oman accorded immediate duty-free access to India by eliminating its existing 5% MFN duty?

  • A. 545
  • B. 745
  • C. 845
  • D. 945

Q4. With reference to the India–Oman CEPA, consider the following statements: 1. Oman has offered zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines to India. 2. Prior to the CEPA, only 15.33% of India's exports to Oman entered duty-free under the MFN regime. 3. Under the agreement, India has reciprocally eliminated tariffs on more than 99% of its own tariff lines for Omani imports. 4. The India–Oman CEPA is India's first-ever Free Trade Agreement with any member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Oman has offered zero-duty access on 98.08% of its tariff lines to India.
  2. Prior to the CEPA, only 15.33% of India's exports to Oman entered duty-free under the MFN regime.
  3. Under the agreement, India has reciprocally eliminated tariffs on more than 99% of its own tariff lines for Omani imports.
  4. The India–Oman CEPA is India's first-ever Free Trade Agreement with any member of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 3 and 4
  • C. 1 and 2
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q5. In terms of bilateral trade (USD 11.18 billion in FY 2025-26), Oman currently ranks as India's which one of the following within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region?

  • A. Largest trading partner
  • B. Second-largest trading partner
  • C. Third-largest trading partner
  • D. Fourth-largest trading partner