UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India and Norway Deepen Strategic Science & Innovation Partnership Through New Bilateral Agreements

Q1. The five CSIR-DSIR agreements signed with Norwegian research and industrial institutions in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were concluded under the administrative authority of which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of External Affairs

Q2. With which one of the following Norwegian organizations — described as Norway's largest independent research organization — did CSIR sign the flagship Collaboration Agreement (2026–2029) on circularity and sustainability transition in Oslo on 18 May 2026?

  • A. Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU)
  • B. Research Council of Norway (RCN)
  • C. Stiftelsen SINTEF
  • D. Emerald Geomodelling

Q3. Which one of the following is the nodal agency in the Government of India for the negotiation and implementation of the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA)?

  • A. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
  • B. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • C. Economic Relations Division, Ministry of External Affairs
  • D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Q4. Among the four member states of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) that are parties to the India–EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which one is India's largest trading partner and the principal source of foreign direct investment into India?

  • A. Norway
  • B. Iceland
  • C. Switzerland
  • D. Liechtenstein

Q5. As of the latest official position, the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) has a pan-India network of how many national laboratories/institutes?

  • A. 28
  • B. 32
  • C. 37
  • D. 42

Q6. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) functions as an autonomous body under the aegis of which one of the following Departments/Ministries of the Government of India?

  • A. Department of Science and Technology (DST), Ministry of Science and Technology
  • B. Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR), Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science and Technology
  • D. Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education

Q7. Which one of the following is the high-level intergovernmental forum, of which Norway is a founding member State, that addresses issues of sustainable development and environmental protection faced by the governments of the Arctic region?

  • A. Arctic Council
  • B. Nordic Council
  • C. Council of the Baltic Sea States
  • D. Barents Euro-Arctic Council

Q8. The India–Norway bilateral talks on 'Green Maritime Technologies' held on the sidelines of Nor-Shipping 2025 in Oslo, which advanced cooperation on ferry electrification, e-methanol bunkering and hydrogen-powered vessels, were led on the Indian side by which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • B. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Science and Technology

Q9. India was admitted as an Observer to the Arctic Council in 2013 solely at the Ministerial Meeting held under the chairship of which one of the following countries?

  • A. Norway
  • B. Canada
  • C. Sweden
  • D. Finland

Q10. How many pillars are laid down in India's Arctic Policy, 2022 titled 'India and the Arctic: Building a Partnership for Sustainable Development'?

  • A. Four
  • B. Five
  • C. Six
  • D. Seven

Q11. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's official visit to Norway on 18 May 2026, how many bilateral agreements were signed in Oslo between the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR)/Department of Scientific and Industrial Research (DSIR) and Norwegian research, academic and industrial organisations?

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

Q12. The five India–Norway science and innovation agreements signed in Oslo on 18 May 2026 were operationalised on the Indian side primarily by an institution functioning under which one of the following Union Ministries?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Science and Technology
  • C. Ministry of Earth Sciences
  • D. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy

Q13. Among the four current member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), which one is the largest by economy as well as by population?

  • A. Iceland
  • B. Liechtenstein
  • C. Norway
  • D. Switzerland
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