UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The cumulative exports (merchandise & services) during April-January 2025-26 is estimated at US$ 720.76 Billion, as compared to US$ 679.02 Billion in April-January 2024-25, an estimated growth of 6.15%

Q1. During April-January 2025-26, which one of the following contributed the single largest absolute share to India's total exports (merchandise + services)?

  • A. Merchandise exports
  • B. Services exports
  • C. Non-petroleum merchandise exports
  • D. Petroleum product exports

Q2. The merchandise trade statistics underlying India's April-January 2025-26 export data are compiled by which subordinate/attached office of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry?

  • A. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S), Kolkata
  • B. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • C. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)
  • D. National Statistical Office (NSO)

Q3. With reference to India's export composition during April-January 2025-26, consider the following: 1. Merchandise exports were estimated at about US$366.63 Billion. 2. Services exports grew faster than merchandise exports in percentage terms. 3. Non-petroleum merchandise exports were valued at about US$320.94 Billion. 4. Services exports exceeded merchandise exports in absolute value. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Merchandise exports were estimated at about US$366.63 Billion.
  2. Services exports grew faster than merchandise exports in percentage terms.
  3. Non-petroleum merchandise exports were valued at about US$320.94 Billion.
  4. Services exports exceeded merchandise exports in absolute value.
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. In India's monthly foreign-trade release, the services export component is estimated and released under the authority of which institution?

  • A. Reserve Bank of India
  • B. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics
  • C. Directorate General of Foreign Trade
  • D. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Q5. In the context of the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the pillar 'Incentive to Remission' is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A shift from export-incentive-based support towards WTO-compatible remission of embedded duties and taxes on exported products
  • B. A remission of income tax payable by export-oriented units for the first five years
  • C. The conversion of all export subsidies into direct cash transfers to exporters' bank accounts
  • D. A waiver of GST on all goods purchased by exporters within Special Economic Zones

Q6. Which body is the nodal agency that notifies and administers India's Foreign Trade Policy 2023, including the 'Districts as Export Hubs' initiative?

  • A. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • B. Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S)
  • C. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • D. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)

Q7. Consider the following statements comparing India's export performance across periods: 1. India's total exports (merchandise + services) in FY 2024-25 were higher than in FY 2023-24. 2. India's total exports in FY 2024-25 grew by about 5.50% year-on-year. 3. The FY 2024-25 full-year growth of 5.50% exceeded the April-January 2024-25 cumulative growth of 7.21%. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's total exports (merchandise + services) in FY 2024-25 were higher than in FY 2023-24.
  2. India's total exports in FY 2024-25 grew by about 5.50% year-on-year.
  3. The FY 2024-25 full-year growth of 5.50% exceeded the April-January 2024-25 cumulative growth of 7.21%.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to India's cumulative export figures, consider the following pairings: 1. FY 2023-24 total exports: about US$778.13 Billion. 2. FY 2024-25 total exports: about US$820.93 Billion. 3. April-January 2025-26 total exports: about US$720.76 Billion. 4. April-January 2024-25 total exports, as compared in the latest (February 2026) release: about US$682.59 Billion. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. FY 2023-24 total exports: about US$778.13 Billion.
  2. FY 2024-25 total exports: about US$820.93 Billion.
  3. April-January 2025-26 total exports: about US$720.76 Billion.
  4. April-January 2024-25 total exports, as compared in the latest (February 2026) release: about US$682.59 Billion.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q9. The negotiations for the February 2026 trade understanding that reduced US tariffs on Indian goods to 18% were led on the Indian side principally by which ministry?

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

Q10. With reference to India's export performance and the US tariff situation in early 2026, consider the following: 1. India's total exports (merchandise + services) in January 2026 grew by about 13.17% year-on-year. 2. In February 2026 the US reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, down from a peak of 50%. 3. Engineering Goods exports contracted in January 2026. 4. India's total exports in January 2026 were estimated at about US$80.45 Billion. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India's total exports (merchandise + services) in January 2026 grew by about 13.17% year-on-year.
  2. In February 2026 the US reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, down from a peak of 50%.
  3. Engineering Goods exports contracted in January 2026.
  4. India's total exports in January 2026 were estimated at about US$80.45 Billion.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q11. With reference to the institutional arrangements for India's foreign trade statistics and policy, consider the following: 1. DGCI&S, headquartered at Kolkata, compiles India's merchandise trade statistics. 2. Services export estimates in the monthly trade release are sourced from the RBI. 3. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade administers the Foreign Trade Policy. 4. The Reserve Bank of India is the nodal body that notifies India's Foreign Trade Policy. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. DGCI&S, headquartered at Kolkata, compiles India's merchandise trade statistics.
  2. Services export estimates in the monthly trade release are sourced from the RBI.
  3. The Directorate General of Foreign Trade administers the Foreign Trade Policy.
  4. The Reserve Bank of India is the nodal body that notifies India's Foreign Trade Policy.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q12. Consider the following statements about India's export target roadmap and supporting schemes: 1. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 targets US$2 trillion in exports by 2030, comprising US$1 trillion in merchandise and US$1 trillion in services exports. 2. The RoDTEP scheme, which remits embedded duties and taxes on exported products, has an allocation of about Rs 18,233 crore for FY 2025-26. 3. Under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, District Export Action Plans had been prepared for 734 districts. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 targets US$2 trillion in exports by 2030, comprising US$1 trillion in merchandise and US$1 trillion in services exports.
  2. The RoDTEP scheme, which remits embedded duties and taxes on exported products, has an allocation of about Rs 18,233 crore for FY 2025-26.
  3. Under the Districts as Export Hubs initiative, District Export Action Plans had been prepared for 734 districts.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3