UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The cumulative exports (merchandise & services) during April-February 2025-26 is estimated at US$ 790.86 Billion, as compared to US$ 747.58 Billion in April-February 2024-25, an estimated growth of 5.79%.

Q1. The combined headline figure of India's total exports (merchandise and services) is released through the monthly trade data release of which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce)
  • B. Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs)
  • C. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs (Economic Diplomacy Division)

Q2. The 'total exports' headline (merchandise + services) in India's monthly trade release is built by aggregating data from how many distinct primary source institutions?

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

Q3. Under the Foreign Trade Policy 2023, the scheme 'RoDTEP' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products
  • B. Rebate of Direct Taxes and Excise on Priority Exports
  • C. Reimbursement of Domestic Transport and Export Premiums
  • D. Refund of Duties on Re-exported and Transhipped Products

Q4. The Foreign Trade Policy 2023 is built on four key pillars. Which one of the following is identified as the foundational shift in approach on which the policy is primarily premised?

  • A. Transition from 'Incentive' to 'Remission'
  • B. Export promotion through collaboration with States and Districts
  • C. Ease of doing business and e-initiatives
  • D. Developing emerging areas such as e-commerce exports

Q5. In the context of India's trade data, the term 'merchandise trade deficit' is most precisely defined as which one of the following?

  • A. The excess of merchandise imports over merchandise exports in a given period
  • B. The excess of total imports (goods and services) over total exports in a given period
  • C. The negative balance on the entire current account of the balance of payments
  • D. The shortfall of merchandise exports against the export target fixed under the FTP

Q6. 'Non-petroleum' merchandise exports are computed by excluding petroleum product exports, which are largely contributed by domestic refiners regulated primarily under which one of the following ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
  • B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
  • D. Ministry of Mines

Q7. Among the following fiscal years, which one recorded the highest cumulative exports (merchandise plus services) on a full-year basis?

  • A. FY 2022-23
  • B. FY 2023-24
  • C. FY 2024-25
  • D. FY 2025-26

Q8. The 'Red Sea disruption' cited as a headwind for Indian export logistics during 2025-26 refers to security threats to shipping at the southern entrance of the Red Sea, which lies at which one of the following maritime chokepoints?

  • A. Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
  • B. Strait of Hormuz
  • C. Strait of Malacca
  • D. Palk Strait

Q9. Merchandise and services exports are recorded within the current account of India's balance of payments. The current account, as conventionally classified, comprises how many broad components?

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