UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — A.P. to export handloom shirts to U.S.

Q1. In the context of the venture formed by the Andhra Pradesh State Textile Development Corporation to export handlooms to the U.S., the term 'joint-sector undertaking' is most precisely defined as:

  • A. An enterprise jointly owned and financed by a public-sector body and private investors, pooling state and private capital
  • B. An enterprise owned wholly by the state government but managed entirely by a private foreign firm
  • C. An enterprise in which equity is held exclusively by non-resident Indians with no public-sector participation
  • D. An enterprise formed solely between two or more state governments to pool their marketing resources

Q2. With reference to the joint-sector handloom export arrangement involving the Andhra Pradesh State Textile Development Corporation, consider the following: 1. The Andhra Pradesh State Textile Development Corporation was a partner in the venture. 2. The U.S.-based partner firm, India Fashions Incorporated Limited, was floated by Indian citizens. 3. Fifty per cent of the equity was held by Telugu-speaking Indian citizens resident in the U.S. 4. The declared aim of the venture was to increase the number of intermediaries in the export chain. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. The Andhra Pradesh State Textile Development Corporation was a partner in the venture.
  2. The U.S.-based partner firm, India Fashions Incorporated Limited, was floated by Indian citizens.
  3. Fifty per cent of the equity was held by Telugu-speaking Indian citizens resident in the U.S.
  4. The declared aim of the venture was to increase the number of intermediaries in the export chain.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. With reference to the Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC), consider the following: 1. It functions as a nodal agency under the Ministry of Textiles. 2. It has its head office at Chennai. 3. It was constituted in the year 1965. 4. It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. It functions as a nodal agency under the Ministry of Textiles.
  2. It has its head office at Chennai.
  3. It was constituted in the year 1965.
  4. It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. The Handloom Export Promotion Council (HEPC) was constituted in 1965. With how many members was it originally constituted at the time of its establishment?

  • A. 96
  • B. 340
  • C. 700
  • D. 1,700

Q5. In the context of the duties imposed by the United States on Indian textile and apparel exports in 2025, the term 'reciprocal tariff' is best described as:

  • A. A duty set by the U.S. purportedly to mirror the trade barriers that its trading partners impose on American goods
  • B. A uniform duty applied equally to imports from every country irrespective of their own tariff levels
  • C. A duty levied only on goods that are re-exported through a third country to disguise their origin
  • D. A tariff that is automatically waived for any partner that signs a free-trade agreement

Q6. With reference to India's textile and apparel trade with the United States, consider the following statements: 1. In FY 2024-25, the United States was India's largest market for textile and apparel exports. 2. The U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, which began at 10% in April 2025, was later raised to 50% before being reduced to 18%. 3. Following the tariff hike, the United States entirely ceased to be a market for Indian textile exports. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In FY 2024-25, the United States was India's largest market for textile and apparel exports.
  2. The U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian goods, which began at 10% in April 2025, was later raised to 50% before being reduced to 18%.
  3. Following the tariff hike, the United States entirely ceased to be a market for Indian textile exports.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. The weaving technique that gives the Pochampally saree its characteristic patterns — in which the yarn is tie-dyed before weaving so that the design appears identically on both faces of the fabric — is known as:

  • A. Ikat
  • B. Jamdani
  • C. Kalamkari
  • D. Zari brocade

Q8. Geographical Indication protection for Andhra Pradesh handloom products such as Pochampally Ikat and Uppada Jamdani is granted under which one of the following statutes?

  • A. The Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999
  • B. The Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985
  • C. The Trade Marks Act, 1999
  • D. The Patents Act, 1970

Q9. National Handloom Day, observed on 7th August, was designated to commemorate which one of the following events?

  • A. The launch of the Swadeshi Movement at Calcutta Town Hall in 1905 against the partition of Bengal
  • B. The formation of the All India Handloom Board in 1945
  • C. The enactment of the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act in 1985
  • D. The conclusion of the Multi-Fibre Arrangement in 1974

Q10. With reference to the components of the National Handloom Development Programme (NHDP), consider the following statements: 1. Under the Weavers' Mudra Scheme, credit is provided to handloom weavers at a concessional interest rate of 6%. 2. The Block Level Cluster component was introduced in 2015-16 with financial assistance up to Rs. 2 crore per cluster. 3. Under the Weavers' Mudra Scheme, margin money assistance up to Rs. 1 lakh per weaver is provided. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Under the Weavers' Mudra Scheme, credit is provided to handloom weavers at a concessional interest rate of 6%.
  2. The Block Level Cluster component was introduced in 2015-16 with financial assistance up to Rs. 2 crore per cluster.
  3. Under the Weavers' Mudra Scheme, margin money assistance up to Rs. 1 lakh per weaver is provided.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The figure of about 35.22 lakh handloom workers in India, of whom over 72% are women, is drawn from which one of the following?

  • A. The Fourth All India Handloom Census (2019-20)
  • B. The Third All India Handloom Census (2009-10)
  • C. The Census of India, 2011
  • D. The Periodic Labour Force Survey, 2022-23

Q12. Under the Handlooms (Reservation of Articles for Production) Act, 1985, the Central Government may reserve an article for exclusive production by handlooms only after considering the recommendations of which one of the following statutory bodies?

  • A. The Advisory Committee constituted under the Act
  • B. The Handloom Export Promotion Council
  • C. The All India Handloom Board
  • D. The Textiles Committee