UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and EU Launched €15.2 Million/~₹169 Crore Joint Initiative to Strengthen EV Battery Recycling under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC)-Working Group-2

Q1. With reference to the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), consider the following statements: 1. It was the European Union's second such bilateral Trade and Technology Council mechanism, the first being the one with the United States. 2. Unlike the US-EU TTC, the India-EU TTC functions without dedicated Working Groups and operates only through periodic ministerial plenary meetings. 3. The India-EU TTC is India's first such bilateral mechanism established with any partner. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. It was the European Union's second such bilateral Trade and Technology Council mechanism, the first being the one with the United States.
2. Unlike the US-EU TTC, the India-EU TTC functions without dedicated Working Groups and operates only through periodic ministerial plenary meetings.
3. The India-EU TTC is India's first such bilateral mechanism established with any partner.

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

Q2. Under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, the Working Group on Green and Clean Energy Technologies (WG-2) is co-chaired from the Indian side by which one of the following?

• A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• B. Department of Science and Technology
• C. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
• D. NITI Aayog

Q3. With reference to the India–EU joint call for proposals on Recycling of EV Batteries launched in 2026, consider the following statements: Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

1. It is the third coordinated India–EU call for proposals on EV battery recycling.
2. The European Union's share of the funding is routed through the Horizon Europe programme.
3. On the Indian side, the call is supported by the Ministry of Heavy Industries.
4. The call has been launched under Working Group 3 of the India–EU Trade and Technology Council.

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

Q4. In the context of the 2026 India–EU joint call for proposals on EV battery recycling, the term 'Horizon Europe', referred to as the instrument channelling the European Union's share of the funding, is best described as:

• A. The European Union's framework programme for research and innovation
• B. The European Union's external development assistance instrument for the Indo-Pacific
• C. The European Union's emissions trading mechanism covering industrial sectors
• D. The European Union's strategic stockpiling fund for critical raw materials

Q5. With reference to Horizon Europe (2021–2027), the European Union's research and innovation framework programme, consider the following bodies/instruments: 1. European Research Council (ERC) 2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) 3. European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) 4. European Stability Mechanism (ESM) Which of the above is/are correctly identified as components/funding streams operating under Horizon Europe?

1. European Research Council (ERC)
2. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
3. European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT)
4. European Stability Mechanism (ESM)

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

Q6. With reference to Horizon Europe vis-à-vis its predecessor Horizon 2020, consider the following statements: 1. Horizon Europe, covering the period 2021–2027, is the successor of Horizon 2020 as the European Union's research and innovation framework programme. 2. Unlike Horizon 2020, participation in Horizon Europe is restricted to Member States of the European Union and is closed to non-EU countries. 3. The European Research Council (ERC) was newly introduced as a component under Horizon Europe and did not exist under any earlier EU framework programme. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Horizon Europe, covering the period 2021–2027, is the successor of Horizon 2020 as the European Union's research and innovation framework programme.
2. Unlike Horizon 2020, participation in Horizon Europe is restricted to Member States of the European Union and is closed to non-EU countries.
3. The European Research Council (ERC) was newly introduced as a component under Horizon Europe and did not exist under any earlier EU framework programme.

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

Q7. How many minerals were notified by the Ministry of Mines in the official 'Critical Minerals for India' list released in 2023?

• A. 17
• B. 24
• C. 30
• D. 49

Q8. In the context of India's critical minerals strategy, which one of the following best describes 'Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL)'?

• A. A joint venture of three Central Public Sector Enterprises set up to ensure a consistent supply of critical and strategic minerals to the Indian domestic market from overseas sources
• B. A statutory regulator under the Ministry of Mines empowered to auction critical mineral blocks within Indian territory
• C. A sovereign strategic mineral reserve fund managed by the Reserve Bank of India for stockpiling lithium and cobalt
• D. An autonomous body under the Ministry of Heavy Industries that licenses EV battery recycling plants in India

Q9. In the context of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022, which one of the following best describes 'Extended Producer Responsibility' (EPR)?

• A. The obligation cast on producers (including importers) of batteries for collection, recycling or refurbishment of waste batteries and use of recovered materials in new batteries.
• B. The obligation cast on consumers to deposit used batteries at authorised collection centres against a refundable deposit.
• C. The obligation cast on recyclers to certify the country of origin of all critical raw materials used in new batteries.
• D. The obligation cast on State Pollution Control Boards to establish and operate public-funded recycling infrastructure for waste batteries.

Q10. How many distinct categories of batteries are brought within the scope of the Battery Waste Management Rules, 2022?

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

Q11. With reference to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations that intensified in 2025, which one of the following is the nodal Indian ministry leading these negotiations?

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

Q12. Which one of the following is the principal Central Government scheme launched in 2024 as the successor to FAME-India Phase-II for promoting electric vehicle adoption in India?

• A. PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement (PM E-DRIVE) Scheme
• B. National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage
• C. National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020
• D. Production Linked Incentive Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components

Q13. The Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for 'National Programme on Advanced Chemistry Cell (ACC) Battery Storage' is administered by which one of the following Union Ministries?

• A. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
• B. Ministry of Power
• C. Ministry of Heavy Industries
• D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

Q14. With reference to the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), which one of the following is the Indian co-chair of Working Group-2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, under which the joint call on EV battery recycling has been launched?

• A. Department of Science and Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology
• B. NITI Aayog
• C. Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India
• D. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology