UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Trade impact, memorials among issues raised in RS

Q1. With reference to the procedural mechanism of 'Zero Hour' in the Indian Parliament, consider the following statements: 1. Zero Hour is expressly provided for in the Rules of Procedure of both Houses of Parliament. 2. In the Rajya Sabha, Zero Hour is taken up before the Question Hour, unlike in the Lok Sabha where it follows the Question Hour. 3. Zero Hour has been an accepted convention of the Indian Parliament since 1962. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Zero Hour is expressly provided for in the Rules of Procedure of both Houses of Parliament.
  2. In the Rajya Sabha, Zero Hour is taken up before the Question Hour, unlike in the Lok Sabha where it follows the Question Hour.
  3. Zero Hour has been an accepted convention of the Indian Parliament since 1962.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. In the context of the Indian Parliament, the term 'Zero Hour' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The opening hour of every session during which the Presiding Officer delivers the customary address to the House
  • B. An informal device by which Members of Parliament may raise urgent matters of public importance without the usual ten-day prior notice
  • C. The constitutionally mandated hour reserved for ministerial replies to starred questions admitted by the Chairman
  • D. The interval between adjournment and re-assembly of the House on the same sitting day

Q3. Under the framework of the India-US Interim Trade Agreement announced in February 2026, how many of the following agricultural commodities — maize, wheat, rice, sugar, soybean and poultry — were explicitly kept outside the ambit of tariff concessions?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Seven

Q4. Which Union Ministry is the nodal ministry that negotiated the India-US Interim Trade Agreement framework announced in February 2026?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Finance
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Q5. With reference to the India-US Interim Trade Agreement framework (February 2026), consider the following agricultural commodities listed as having been kept outside the ambit of tariff concessions: 1. Soybean 2. Maize 3. Cotton 4. Sugar Which of the above is/are NOT correctly listed?

  1. Soybean
  2. Maize
  3. Cotton
  4. Sugar
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only
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