UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prime Minister shares glimpses of the conclusion of the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement

Q1. Which one of the following best describes the significance officially attributed to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026?

  • A. It is India's first Free Trade Agreement with a European grouping.
  • B. It is India's first Free Trade Agreement to include trade in services.
  • C. It is India's largest Free Trade Agreement in history.
  • D. It is India's first Free Trade Agreement covering investment protection.

Q2. The conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement was announced at which numbered India-EU Summit?

  • A. 14th India-EU Summit
  • B. 16th India-EU Summit
  • C. 15th India-EU Summit
  • D. 17th India-EU Summit

Q3. India and the EU re-launched their Free Trade Agreement negotiations in 2022 after what was officially described as a 'nine-year lull'. This lull refers to the period following which event?

  • A. the launch of the BTIA negotiations in 2013
  • B. the suspension of the trade negotiations in 2013
  • C. the signing of the BTIA in 2013
  • D. the holding of the first India-EU Summit in 2013

Q4. With reference to the evolution of India-EU trade negotiations, consider the following statements: 1. The original India-EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement negotiations were launched in 2007. 2. Negotiations were re-launched in 2022 after a nine-year lull. 3. The Free Trade Agreement was concluded at the 16th India-EU Summit in January 2026. 4. The India-EU FTA was India's first Free Trade Agreement with any European partner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The original India-EU Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement negotiations were launched in 2007.
  2. Negotiations were re-launched in 2022 after a nine-year lull.
  3. The Free Trade Agreement was concluded at the 16th India-EU Summit in January 2026.
  4. The India-EU FTA was India's first Free Trade Agreement with any European partner.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q5. The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is co-chaired on the Indian side by Union Ministers holding which of the following combinations of portfolios?

  • A. Only the Minister of Commerce and Industry
  • B. The Ministers of Commerce and Industry, and Electronics & Information Technology only
  • C. The Ministers of External Affairs; Commerce and Industry; and Electronics & Information Technology
  • D. The Ministers of Finance; Commerce and Industry; and External Affairs

Q6. How many Working Groups have been constituted under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)?

  • A. Two
  • B. Four
  • C. Three
  • D. Five

Q7. The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), India's trade pact with a European bloc that preceded the EU deal, entered into force on which date?

  • A. 10 March 2024
  • B. 1 October 2025
  • C. 1 October 2024
  • D. 1 April 2025

Q8. Under the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, India's tariff liberalisation on automobiles imported from the EU is structured as:

  • A. immediate and complete elimination of all automobile tariffs on entry into force
  • B. a calibrated quota-based liberalisation package
  • C. a permanent and total exclusion of automobiles from any tariff cuts
  • D. tariff cuts applicable only to electric vehicles

Q9. Consider the following sectors said to gain immediate zero-duty access to the EU market under the India-EU FTA: 1. Textiles and apparel 2. Leather and footwear 3. Marine products 4. Automobiles Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as gaining immediate zero-duty access to the EU market?

  1. Textiles and apparel
  2. Leather and footwear
  3. Marine products
  4. Automobiles
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q10. India's bilateral merchandise (goods) trade with the EU in 2023-24 was valued at approximately how much?

  • A. USD 51 billion
  • B. USD 137 billion
  • C. USD 100 billion
  • D. USD 200 billion

Q11. With reference to European Union institutions relevant to the India-EU FTA, consider the following pairings: 1. Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission 2. António Costa — President of the European Council 3. European Commission — the EU body that negotiates trade agreements on behalf of member states 4. College of Commissioners — the directly elected chamber of the EU that ratifies free trade agreements Which of the pairings given above is/are correctly matched?

  1. Ursula von der Leyen — President of the European Commission
  2. António Costa — President of the European Council
  3. European Commission — the EU body that negotiates trade agreements on behalf of member states
  4. College of Commissioners — the directly elected chamber of the EU that ratifies free trade agreements
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4