UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A trade deal that tests India’s competitive confidence

Q1. In the context of the India–UK trade pact that entered into force in July 2026, the abbreviation 'CETA' stands for which one of the following?

  • A. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
  • B. Comprehensive Economic and Tariff Arrangement
  • C. Cooperative Economic and Trade Accord
  • D. Comprehensive Economic Trade Alliance

Q2. The Double Contribution Convention that took effect alongside CETA is officially expected to benefit approximately how many Indian professionals working in the UK?

  • A. Over 50,000
  • B. Over 60,000
  • C. Over 75,000
  • D. Over 90,000

Q3. Which Union Ministry was the nodal ministry that negotiated the India–UK CETA and its companion Double Contribution Convention on India's behalf?

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

Q4. As per official trade data around the entry into force of the India–UK CETA, how many Free Trade Agreements has India signed in total?

  • A. 11
  • B. 12
  • C. 13
  • D. 14

Q5. India's trade agreement with which one of the following countries is officially designated a 'Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)'?

  • A. United Arab Emirates
  • B. Australia
  • C. United Kingdom
  • D. Mauritius

Q6. Under CETA's import-liberalisation commitments, India has agreed to permit duty-concessional import of how many UK conventional-engine passenger vehicles over the first 15 years, subject to quotas?

  • A. 1,78,000
  • B. 2,78,000
  • C. 3,78,000
  • D. 4,78,000

Q7. The operational procedures for importers and exporters to claim duty concessions under the India–UK CETA were rolled out by which one of the following bodies?

  • A. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • B. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
  • C. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
  • D. Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

Q8. V. Anantha Nageswaran, who framed the CETA as a test of India's 'competitive confidence', is which numbered Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India?

  • A. 16th
  • B. 17th
  • C. 18th
  • D. 19th

Q9. To neutralise the tariff edge that competitors such as Bangladesh enjoyed in the UK garment market, Indian exporters must claim preferential CETA duties using Certificates of Origin issued through which of the following?

  • A. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) and its designated issuing agencies
  • B. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)
  • C. Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS)
  • D. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)