UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — PRESIDENT OF INDIA HOSTS PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COUNCIL AND PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION

Q1. The negotiations for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, concluded in January 2026, are led on the Indian side by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of Finance
  • D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q2. In the context of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded at the 16th Summit (January 2026), the term 'mobility framework' primarily refers to which one of the following?

  • A. An arrangement facilitating the temporary movement and entry of skilled professionals in support of services trade
  • B. A visa-free travel arrangement extended to all Indian citizens across the Schengen Area
  • C. A mechanism for tariff-free cross-border movement of goods within customs zones
  • D. A scheme for relocating EU manufacturing units to industrial corridors in India

Q3. The President of India, who hosted the visiting EU leaders as Chief Guests of the 2026 Republic Day, holds the office of President under which Article of the Constitution?

  • A. Article 52
  • B. Article 53
  • C. Article 54
  • D. Article 56

Q4. The 77th Republic Day (2026) was distinctive because, for the first time ever, the Chief Guest role was jointly held by the heads of which two EU institutions?

  • A. The European Council and the European Commission
  • B. The European Parliament and the European Central Bank
  • C. The Council of the European Union and the European Commission
  • D. The European Council and the European Parliament

Q5. Which one of the following is the executive arm of the European Union, responsible for proposing legislation and implementing EU policies?

  • A. The European Council
  • B. The European Commission
  • C. The Council of the European Union
  • D. The European Parliament

Q6. The India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which held its first meeting in 2023, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A strategic coordination mechanism to address challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security — the EU's second such council and India's first
  • B. A comprehensive free trade agreement covering goods, services and investment between India and the EU
  • C. A dispute-settlement body constituted under the WTO to adjudicate India–EU trade disputes
  • D. A joint military command established for cyber defence and maritime security cooperation

Q7. With reference to India–EU trade and economic ties, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The EU is India's largest trading partner for goods.
  2. In 2024–25, India's bilateral goods trade with the EU stood at about USD 136 billion.
  3. In 2024–25, India's goods exports to the EU exceeded its goods imports from the EU.
  4. The EU is the smallest source of foreign investment into India.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4