UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Government approves RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) – an intervention under Export Promotion Mission to support exporters amid West Asia logistics disruptions

Q1. With reference to the RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation) scheme, consider the following statements regarding its institutional identity. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. Its nodal/implementing agency for verification, claim processing and disbursement is ECGC Ltd.
2. It has an approved financial outlay of ₹497 crore.
3. It was rolled out as a rapid-response sub-intervention under the Export Promotion Mission.
4. It is operationalised by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT).

• A. 1 and 3
• B. 2 only
• C. 4 only
• D. 2 and 4

Q2. Consider the following statements comparing the RELIEF scheme with its parent Export Promotion Mission (EPM). Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. RELIEF is a time-bound intervention, whereas the parent EPM runs over FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
2. RELIEF is implemented through ECGC Ltd., whereas the broader EPM is implemented through DGFT.
3. RELIEF's ₹497 crore outlay is larger than the parent EPM's ₹25,060 crore corpus.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Consider the following statements about the Export Promotion Mission (EPM) in relation to the schemes that preceded it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. EPM consolidates the erstwhile Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES) and the Market Access Initiative (MAI) into a single framework.
2. EPM was approved by the Union Cabinet with a total outlay of ₹25,060 crore for FY 2025-26 to FY 2030-31.
3. The Interest Equalisation Scheme and the Market Access Initiative continue to run as independent schemes alongside EPM.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which one of the following is the designated implementing agency for the broader Export Promotion Mission (EPM)?

• A. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
• B. ECGC Ltd.
• C. Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
• D. Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank)

Q5. The RELIEF scheme was prompted by logistics disruptions linked to the Strait of Hormuz. Which of the following are correctly identified as consequences of that disruption cited by the Government? 1. Vessel diversions and longer sailing routes 2. Congestion at transshipment hubs 3. Emergency conflict-linked surcharges 4. Imposition of higher import tariffs by Gulf countries on Indian goods. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Vessel diversions and longer sailing routes
2. Congestion at transshipment hubs
3. Emergency conflict-linked surcharges
4. Imposition of higher import tariffs by Gulf countries on Indian goods

• A. 1, 2 and 3
• B. 2, 3 and 4
• C. 1 and 4
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following statements concerning India's exposure to the Strait of Hormuz that formed the backdrop to RELIEF. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. About 70% of India's crude oil imports are now routed outside the Strait of Hormuz.
2. India imports about 60% of its energy needs.
3. RELIEF was triggered specifically by disruptions in the Strait of Malacca rather than the Strait of Hormuz.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q7. Under the RELIEF scheme, the highest level of risk cover — up to 100% over and above the existing ECGC cover — is available to which one of the following categories of exporters?

• A. Exporters already holding ECGC cover for eligible consignments during 14 February 2026 to 15 March 2026
• B. Exporters obtaining fresh ECGC cover for new consignments during 16 March 2026 to 15 June 2026
• C. Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters facing freight and insurance surcharges
• D. All exporters shipping to the West Asia corridor, uniformly

Q8. Consider the following statements comparing the three components of the RELIEF scheme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The cover for already-insured consignments (up to 100%) is higher than the cover for new ECGC-insured consignments (up to 95%).
2. Non-ECGC-insured MSME exporters receive up to 50% reimbursement, subject to a ceiling of ₹50 lakh per exporter.
3. The enhanced cover for already-insured consignments applies to the period 16 March 2026 to 15 June 2026.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The Export Promotion Mission is operationalised through how many integrated sub-schemes?

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

Q10. Consider the following statements about ECGC Ltd. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It provides credit risk insurance to exporters against non-payment by overseas buyers.
2. It also provides insurance cover to banks against risks in their export-credit lending.
3. It functions under the administrative control of the Ministry of Finance.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Among the following, which one was the scheme that primarily provided credit-cost (interest subvention) support to exporters and was subsumed into the Export Promotion Mission?

• A. Interest Equalisation Scheme (IES)
• B. Market Access Initiative (MAI)
• C. RELIEF
• D. Niryat Disha

Q12. RELIEF is best characterised as which one of the following types of trade-policy response to geopolitical disruption?

• A. A time-bound, logistics-side (non-tariff) support intervention addressing geopolitical risk
• B. A permanent tariff concession on imports from West Asia
• C. An anti-dumping duty imposed on West Asian goods
• D. A currency devaluation aimed at boosting exports