UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India–Australia ECTA Completes Four Years, Strengthening Bilateral Economic Partnership

Q1. With reference to the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It was signed on 2 April 2022.
  2. It entered into force on 29 December 2022.
  3. Its signing was witnessed by Indian PM Narendra Modi and Australian PM Scott Morrison.
  4. It was signed at a physical ceremony held in Canberra.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. The India–Australia ECTA was signed on behalf of Australia by which one of the following?

  • A. Dan Tehan, Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment
  • B. Don Farrell, Minister for Trade and Tourism
  • C. Scott Morrison, Prime Minister
  • D. Anthony Albanese, Prime Minister

Q3. India and Australia had set a target to conclude an interim trade agreement — which materialised as the ECTA — by the end of which year?

  • A. 2019
  • B. 2020
  • C. 2021
  • D. 2023

Q4. The India–Australia ECTA is designed as an interim pact that lays the foundation for which single, deeper agreement currently under negotiation?

  • A. Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA)
  • B. Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
  • C. Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
  • D. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

Q5. Which Union ministry negotiated and is responsible for implementing the tariff concessions under the India–Australia ECTA?

  • A. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • B. Ministry of Finance
  • C. Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Ministry of Textiles

Q6. With reference to the sensitive items that India placed on its exclusion list under the ECTA (denying preferential access), consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Dairy products were placed on India's exclusion list.
  2. Wheat was placed on India's exclusion list.
  3. Textiles were placed on India's exclusion list.
  4. Sugar was placed on India's exclusion list.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q7. As highlighted on the ECTA's fourth anniversary, total India–Australia bilateral merchandise trade in FY 2024-25 stood at approximately which value?

  • A. USD 8.5 billion
  • B. USD 24.1 billion
  • C. USD 45 billion
  • D. USD 4 billion

Q8. On the ECTA's fourth anniversary, broad-based growth was reported across several Indian export sectors. Considering the sectors listed below, which of the above is/are NOT correct as a sector cited for such export growth?

  1. Textiles
  2. Pharmaceuticals
  3. Chemicals
  4. Coking coal
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The India–Australia ECTA is frequently described as a landmark because it was India's first trade agreement of which kind, concluded after more than a decade?

  • A. First trade agreement with a developed economy
  • B. First trade agreement with a least-developed country
  • C. First trade agreement within the ASEAN bloc
  • D. First trade agreement with a MENA-region economy

Q10. Comparing the India–Australia ECTA with India's other recent trade pacts, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The India–UAE CEPA was signed earlier in 2022 than the India–Australia ECTA.
  2. The India–EFTA TEPA, unlike the ECTA, incorporates a binding investment commitment of USD 100 billion.
  3. The India–EFTA TEPA entered into force earlier than the India–Australia ECTA.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. Under the services chapter of the India–Australia ECTA, Australia provides an annual visa quota for Indian chefs and yoga instructors of how many?

  • A. 1,000
  • B. 1,800
  • C. 2,400
  • D. 5,000

Q12. Within the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, which body is the nodal department that operationalises the India–Australia ECTA?

  • A. Department of Commerce
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)
  • C. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • D. Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR)