UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prime Minister hails India-New Zealand FTA as landmark moment, says it will add unprecedented momentum to developmental partnership

Q1. Within how many months from the launch of negotiations was the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, signed in April 2026, concluded?

• A. Nine months
• B. Twelve months
• C. Fifteen months
• D. Eighteen months

Q2. Match List I with List II with reference to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026 and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q3. With reference to the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement signed in 2026, consider the following statements:

1. The agreement was signed at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi on 27 April 2026.
2. It was signed by Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal for India and Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay for New Zealand.
3. The agreement was concluded within nine months of the launch of negotiations.
4. New Zealand committed to facilitate USD 20 billion of investment into India over a period of ten years.

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

Q4. With reference to the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2026), consider the following products imported from New Zealand: 1. Apples 2. Kiwifruit 3. Manuka Honey 4. Cheese Which of the above are granted market access into India through a Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) with Minimum Import Price and seasonality conditions?

1. Apples
2. Kiwifruit
3. Manuka Honey
4. Cheese

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

Q5. In which one of the following Free Trade Agreements has New Zealand delivered what it itself describes as its 'best and most ambitious' services offer to date, opening market access in 118 services sectors and MFN commitments in 139 sectors?

• A. New Zealand–Australia Closer Economic Relations
• B. Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)
• C. India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
• D. Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

Q6. With reference to the market-access architecture of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (2026) as compared with India's defensive interests, consider the following statements: 1. New Zealand has committed to eliminate duties on 100% of its tariff lines for Indian goods from the date of entry into force, while India has retained core dairy products such as milk, cheese and whey in its exclusion list. 2. The number of services sectors in which New Zealand has granted MFN treatment to India exceeds the number of services sectors in which it has granted specific market-access commitments. 3. India has permitted import of cheese and butter from New Zealand under a Tariff Rate Quota with a Minimum Import Price. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. New Zealand has committed to eliminate duties on 100% of its tariff lines for Indian goods from the date of entry into force, while India has retained core dairy products such as milk, cheese and whey in its exclusion list.
2. The number of services sectors in which New Zealand has granted MFN treatment to India exceeds the number of services sectors in which it has granted specific market-access commitments.
3. India has permitted import of cheese and butter from New Zealand under a Tariff Rate Quota with a Minimum Import Price.

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

Q7. With reference to India's merchandise exports to New Zealand in financial year 2024-25, 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-1, C-4, D-2
• D. A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3

Q8. With reference to India's bilateral merchandise trade with New Zealand between 2015-16 and 2024-25, consider the following statements: 1. Total bilateral merchandise trade rose from about USD 855 million in 2015-16 to about USD 1,298 million in 2024-25. 2. Over this ten-year period, India's exports to New Zealand grew by over 130 per cent, whereas its imports from New Zealand grew by less than 10 per cent. 3. In 2024-25, India recorded a merchandise trade deficit with New Zealand for the first time in a decade. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Total bilateral merchandise trade rose from about USD 855 million in 2015-16 to about USD 1,298 million in 2024-25.
2. Over this ten-year period, India's exports to New Zealand grew by over 130 per cent, whereas its imports from New Zealand grew by less than 10 per cent.
3. In 2024-25, India recorded a merchandise trade deficit with New Zealand for the first time in a decade.

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

Q9. In India's merchandise exports to New Zealand in 2024-25, which one of the following commodity groups recorded the highest export value?

• A. Pharmaceuticals
• B. Gems and Jewellery
• C. Plastic articles
• D. Wooden logs and forest products

Q10. Which one of the following is the capital city of New Zealand?

• A. Auckland
• B. Christchurch
• C. Wellington
• D. Hamilton

Q11. With reference to the geography of New Zealand, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. New Zealand consists primarily of two main landmasses — the North Island and the South Island.
2. The Tasman Sea lies between Australia and New Zealand, to the west of the New Zealand mainland.
3. The Cook Strait separates the North Island from the South Island of New Zealand.
4. Mount Cook, the highest peak of New Zealand, is situated on the North Island.

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

Q12. The negotiations for the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, launched on 16 March 2025 in New Delhi, were initiated during the official visit to India of the then Prime Minister of New Zealand, who is:

• A. Jacinda Ardern
• B. Chris Hipkins
• C. Bill English
• D. Christopher Luxon

Q13. Which one of the following is the first Free Trade Agreement signed by India that incorporates a legally binding commitment on foreign direct investment inflows and job creation?

• A. India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
• B. India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement
• C. India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement
• D. India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement

Q14. With reference to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), with which India signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) in 2024, which of the following countries is/are member states of EFTA?

1. Switzerland
2. Sweden
3. Norway
4. Liechtenstein

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

Q15. Match List I (Trade Agreement signed by India) with List II (Date of signing) and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q16. With reference to the multilateral groupings linking India and New Zealand, consider the following statements:

1. Both India and New Zealand are founding members of the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
2. Both India and New Zealand are members of the East Asia Summit.
3. Both India and New Zealand are participating countries in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

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

Q17. Match List I (Multilateral grouping) with List II (Year of establishment/launch) and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q18. With reference to international groupings, which of the following do NOT have New Zealand as a member?

1. East Asia Summit
2. BIMSTEC
3. Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity
4. Indian Ocean Rim Association

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

Q19. With reference to the talent mobility provisions of the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026, consider the following occupations. Which of the following are NOT listed as 'iconic Indian occupations' under the Temporary Employment Entry (TEE) Visa pathway?

1. AYUSH practitioners
2. Music Teachers
3. Cricket Coaches
4. Fashion Designers

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

Q20. With reference to the mobility and post-study work commitments under the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026, match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below:

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

Q21. Under the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, 2026, market access commitments by New Zealand for Indian service providers — covering IT/ITeS, professional, education, financial, tourism and construction services — extend to approximately how many services sub-sectors (sectoral commitments)?

• A. 89 sectors
• B. 118 sectors
• C. 139 sectors
• D. 156 sectors