UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Prime Minister shares an article on India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Agreement on Social Security

Q1. In the India–UK CETA package that entered into force in July 2026, the 'Double Contribution Convention' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. An agreement that exempts specified categories of temporarily posted workers from paying social security contributions in both countries at once for a defined period
  • B. A treaty that always requires Indian firms to pay contributions to both the Indian EPFO and the UK National Insurance system simultaneously
  • C. A mechanism that automatically doubles the tariff concessions available to Indian exporters under CETA
  • D. A clause that eliminates all corporate double taxation on profits earned by Indian companies in the UK

Q2. With reference to the milestones of the India–UK CETA and Double Contribution Convention, consider the following: 1. India–UK trade negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025. 2. CETA was signed on 24 July 2025 in London. 3. Both CETA and the Double Contribution Convention entered into force on 15 July 2026. 4. The Double Contribution Convention was signed on 15 July 2026. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India–UK trade negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025.
  2. CETA was signed on 24 July 2025 in London.
  3. Both CETA and the Double Contribution Convention entered into force on 15 July 2026.
  4. The Double Contribution Convention was signed on 15 July 2026.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q3. India–UK CETA is distinguished as the first Indian bilateral free trade agreement to include a dedicated chapter on which one of the following?

  • A. Government procurement
  • B. Rules of origin
  • C. Sanitary and phytosanitary measures
  • D. Trade in goods

Q4. On the Indian side, the India–UK CETA is negotiated and operationalised by which one of the following ministries?

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

Q5. Which one of the following best describes the principal objective of the India–UK Double Contribution Convention?

  • A. To avoid dual social security contributions by exempting posted workers from contributing in the host country for a defined period
  • B. To guarantee full pension pay-outs by the UK government to all Indian workers regardless of length of stay
  • C. To grant permanent residency in the UK to Indian professionals after five years of contributions
  • D. To eliminate customs duties on services exported by Indian IT firms to the UK

Q6. With reference to the India–UK Double Contribution Convention, consider the following: 1. The exemption period has been increased from three years to five years. 2. Over 75,000 Indian professionals are expected to benefit. 3. It extends the exemption to permanent migrants settling in the UK. 4. More than 900 companies are expected to benefit. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The exemption period has been increased from three years to five years.
  2. Over 75,000 Indian professionals are expected to benefit.
  3. It extends the exemption to permanent migrants settling in the UK.
  4. More than 900 companies are expected to benefit.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 3 only

Q7. As highlighted in India's 2025-26 review of trade agreements, India's network of free trade agreements now spans how many countries?

  • A. 27
  • B. 33
  • C. 38
  • D. 44

Q8. India's free trade agreements, including CETA and the EFTA TEPA, are negotiated by which department of the Government of India?

  • A. Department of Commerce
  • B. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
  • C. Department of Economic Affairs
  • D. Department of Revenue

Q9. With reference to the India–UK bilateral partnership framework, consider the following: 1. The India–UK Vision 2035 was endorsed by the two Prime Ministers in July 2025. 2. Roadmap 2030 elevated India–UK ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. 3. Trade and economy is one of the key cooperation areas under the roadmap. 4. Vision 2035 was adopted in 2021 at the launch of FTA negotiations. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. The India–UK Vision 2035 was endorsed by the two Prime Ministers in July 2025.
  2. Roadmap 2030 elevated India–UK ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
  3. Trade and economy is one of the key cooperation areas under the roadmap.
  4. Vision 2035 was adopted in 2021 at the launch of FTA negotiations.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q10. The India–UK Roadmap 2030 organises the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across how many key areas of cooperation?

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

Q11. CETA was signed on behalf of India, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, by which Union Minister?

  • A. Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry
  • B. S. Jaishankar, Minister of External Affairs
  • C. Nirmala Sitharaman, Minister of Finance
  • D. Jonathan Reynolds, UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade

Q12. The India–UK CETA that entered into force in July 2026 is significant as India's first comprehensive free trade agreement with which category of economy?

  • A. A G7 economy
  • B. A member of the European Union
  • C. A Commonwealth nation
  • D. Any developed economy