UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prime Minister shares an article on India-New Zealand FTA and its benefits

Q1. With reference to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signed in April 2026, match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

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

Q2. Hon. Todd McClay, who signed the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement in April 2026 on behalf of New Zealand, holds which one of the following portfolios in the Government of New Zealand for the purposes of the said agreement?

  • A. Minister for Foreign Affairs
  • B. Minister for Trade and Investment
  • C. Minister for Finance
  • D. Minister for Customs and Revenue

Q3. With reference to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2026) and the earlier India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA, 2022), consider the following statements: 1. Shri Piyush Goyal was the Indian signatory in both agreements as Union Minister for Commerce and Industry. 2. The India-New Zealand FTA was signed at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, whereas the India-Australia ECTA was signed through a virtual ceremony. 3. The India-New Zealand FTA was signed on behalf of New Zealand by its Minister for Foreign Affairs, while the India-Australia ECTA was signed on behalf of Australia by its Trade Minister. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Shri Piyush Goyal was the Indian signatory in both agreements as Union Minister for Commerce and Industry.
  2. The India-New Zealand FTA was signed at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, whereas the India-Australia ECTA was signed through a virtual ceremony.
  3. The India-New Zealand FTA was signed on behalf of New Zealand by its Minister for Foreign Affairs, while the India-Australia ECTA was signed on behalf of Australia by its Trade Minister.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. With reference to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in April 2026, which one of the following best describes the nature of an 'FTA' as concluded by India in this case?

  • A. An arrangement limited to tariff concessions on a defined list of goods between the two partners, without coverage of services or investment
  • B. A comprehensive pact covering trade in goods, services and investment, with tariff liberalisation across the bulk of tariff lines between the partners
  • C. A customs union under which India and New Zealand adopt a common external tariff against all third countries
  • D. A preferential arrangement confined to trade in services and the temporary movement of natural persons

Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the negotiation of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement compared with the trajectory of India's earlier FTAs with developed economies: 1. Negotiations for the India–New Zealand FTA were formally launched in March 2025 during the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India. 2. The India–New Zealand FTA negotiations were concluded within about nine months of their launch, making it one of the fastest FTAs concluded by India with a developed country. 3. The India–New Zealand FTA negotiations were concluded after exactly three formal rounds of talks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Negotiations for the India–New Zealand FTA were formally launched in March 2025 during the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India.
  2. The India–New Zealand FTA negotiations were concluded within about nine months of their launch, making it one of the fastest FTAs concluded by India with a developed country.
  3. The India–New Zealand FTA negotiations were concluded after exactly three formal rounds of talks.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. Consider the following events relating to the timeline of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement: 1. Formal launch of FTA negotiations in March 2025 alongside the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India. 2. Conclusion of the first round of negotiations in New Delhi in May 2025. 3. Announcement of conclusion of FTA negotiations on 22 December 2025. 4. Signing of the FTA in Wellington in April 2026. Which of the events given above are correctly stated?

  1. Formal launch of FTA negotiations in March 2025 alongside the visit of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to India.
  2. Conclusion of the first round of negotiations in New Delhi in May 2025.
  3. Announcement of conclusion of FTA negotiations on 22 December 2025.
  4. Signing of the FTA in Wellington in April 2026.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to India's tariff schedule under the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2026), which of the following items is/are NOT placed in India's exclusion list? 1. Cheese 2. Sheep meat 3. Chana (chickpeas) 4. Wool

  1. Cheese
  2. Sheep meat
  3. Chana (chickpeas)
  4. Wool
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q8. With reference to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signed in April 2026, which of the following are correctly identified as items kept by India in its exclusion list (i.e., not subjected to tariff liberalisation)? 1. Whey 2. Sheep meat 3. Almonds 4. Petroleum oil

  1. Whey
  2. Sheep meat
  3. Almonds
  4. Petroleum oil
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q9. Consider the following statements comparing the tariff offers made by India and New Zealand under the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026: 1. While New Zealand has provided duty-free access on 100% of its tariff lines, India has liberalised tariffs on about 70% of its tariff lines. 2. India's tariff liberalisation under the agreement, though limited to about 70% of tariff lines, covers nearly 95% of bilateral trade value. 3. Unlike India, New Zealand has retained a sensitive-sector exclusion list covering dairy products under the agreement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. While New Zealand has provided duty-free access on 100% of its tariff lines, India has liberalised tariffs on about 70% of its tariff lines.
  2. India's tariff liberalisation under the agreement, though limited to about 70% of tariff lines, covers nearly 95% of bilateral trade value.
  3. Unlike India, New Zealand has retained a sensitive-sector exclusion list covering dairy products under the agreement.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. What was the value of India's merchandise exports to New Zealand in FY 2024-25, as cited in the official communication accompanying the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement?

  • A. USD 532 million
  • B. USD 634 million
  • C. USD 711 million
  • D. USD 873 million

Q11. Over the decade from FY 2015-16 to FY 2024-25, which one of the following components of India–New Zealand trade recorded the highest percentage growth, as per official Indian government data released with the FTA?

  • A. India's merchandise imports from New Zealand
  • B. India's merchandise exports to New Zealand
  • C. Total India–New Zealand merchandise trade
  • D. India's services exports to New Zealand

Q12. Match List I (India–New Zealand trade indicator) with List II (Value cited in official Indian Government data) and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q13. Who, under New Zealand's constitutional arrangement, is the head of state?

  • A. The Prime Minister, who is also the leader of the majority party in the House of Representatives
  • B. The British monarch, represented in New Zealand by the Governor-General
  • C. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, elected by members of Parliament
  • D. A President elected by an electoral college of parliamentarians for a five-year term

Q14. In the geography of New Zealand, the term 'Cook Strait' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The narrow maritime passage that separates New Zealand's North Island from its South Island
  • B. The sea passage lying between the eastern coast of Australia and the western coast of New Zealand
  • C. The channel separating New Zealand's South Island from Stewart Island in the far south
  • D. The stretch of the Southern Ocean separating New Zealand's outlying islands from Antarctica

Q15. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:

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

Q16. Which one of the following is the first Free Trade Agreement signed by India that incorporates a legally binding commitment on foreign direct investment quantum and direct job creation?

  • A. India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA)
  • B. India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA)
  • C. India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)
  • D. India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

Q17. With reference to the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), consider the following countries: 1. Switzerland 2. Norway 3. Sweden 4. Liechtenstein Which of the above is/are NOT a signatory to the TEPA?

  1. Switzerland
  2. Norway
  3. Sweden
  4. Liechtenstein
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 1, 2 and 4

Q18. How many chapters does the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) comprise?

  • A. 10
  • B. 12
  • C. 14
  • D. 16

Q19. Consider the following items reportedly placed by India in its exclusion list (sensitive list) under the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026: 1. Cheese, whey and yoghurt 2. Sheep meat 3. Onions, chana and peas 4. Edible oils and sugar Which of the above is/are correctly identified as kept in the exclusion list?

  1. Cheese, whey and yoghurt
  2. Sheep meat
  3. Onions, chana and peas
  4. Edible oils and sugar
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q20. Which one of the following is the nodal department on the Indian side that has negotiated and operationalises the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026?

  • A. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • B. Directorate General of Foreign Trade under the Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q21. With reference to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signed on 27 April 2026, match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q22. With reference to the multilateral groupings of which both India and New Zealand are participants, consider the following statements:

  1. Both countries are founding participants of the East Asia Summit established in 2005.
  2. Both countries are Member States of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
  3. Both countries are partner countries of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q23. Consider the following international groupings: 1. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) 2. East Asia Summit (EAS) 3. Commonwealth of Nations 4. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) In which of the above is New Zealand NOT a Member State, even though India is?

  1. Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA)
  2. East Asia Summit (EAS)
  3. Commonwealth of Nations
  4. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 only

Q24. Among the multilateral forums in which both India and New Zealand currently participate as members/partners, which one is the OLDEST by year of establishment?

  • A. Commonwealth of Nations
  • B. East Asia Summit
  • C. World Trade Organization
  • D. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity
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