UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Kharge warns Centre of farm protests against deal with U.S.

Q1. With reference to the India–U.S. Interim Trade Agreement framework announced in February 2026, consider the following U.S. agricultural products: 1. Wheat 2. Red sorghum (for animal feed) 3. Dairy products 4. Dried Distillers' Grains (DDGs) Which of the above is/are correctly identified as products kept OUTSIDE India's tariff concessions under the framework?

  1. Wheat
  2. Red sorghum (for animal feed)
  3. Dairy products
  4. Dried Distillers' Grains (DDGs)
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. With reference to the India–U.S. Interim Trade Agreement framework (February 2026) as compared with the preceding U.S. reciprocal-tariff regime on Indian goods, consider the following statements: 1. The framework reduces the U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian exports from 25% to 18%. 2. The framework removes the punitive additional 25% tariff that had been imposed on Indian goods. 3. Unlike the earlier position, India has now extended tariff concessions to U.S. wheat and rice. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The framework reduces the U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian exports from 25% to 18%.
  2. The framework removes the punitive additional 25% tariff that had been imposed on Indian goods.
  3. Unlike the earlier position, India has now extended tariff concessions to U.S. wheat and rice.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Under the India–U.S. Interim Trade Agreement framework (February 2026), how many of the following Indian agricultural exports gained zero-tariff access to the U.S. market — Mango; Cashew; Wheat; Coffee?

  • A. Only one
  • B. Only two
  • C. Only three
  • D. All four

Q4. In the context of the India–U.S. Interim Trade Agreement (2026), the term 'Dried Distillers' Grains (DDGs)' refers to:

  • A. A processed maize co-product of ethanol manufacturing, used mainly as livestock and poultry feed
  • B. A milled wheat by-product used in bakery and confectionery industries
  • C. A variety of pulses cultivated in the U.S. Midwest and imported as a protein source
  • D. A dried sorghum cultivar bred specifically for direct human consumption

Q5. The framework for the India–U.S. Interim Trade Agreement, which provides for reducing the U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian exports to 18%, was announced through a joint statement on:

  • A. 28 January 2026
  • B. 4 February 2026
  • C. 6 February 2026
  • D. 13 February 2026
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