UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India–UK CETA and Agreement on Social Security Enter into Force

Q1. The India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) that entered into force on 15 July 2026 is administered on the Indian side by which Union Ministry?

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

Q2. Which one of the following pairs relating to the India-UK CETA is correctly matched?

  • A. Year of signing — 2025 : Companion agreement — Double Contribution Convention
  • B. Year of entry into force — 2025 : Companion agreement — Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement
  • C. Year of signing — 2026 : Companion agreement — Double Contribution Convention
  • D. Year of entry into force — 2026 : Companion agreement — Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement

Q3. Under the India-UK CETA, the UK has extended zero-duty access covering the single largest share of India's exports offered in any of India's trade pacts. This share is closest to:

  • A. 99% of India's exports
  • B. 92% of India's exports
  • C. 75% of India's exports
  • D. 60% of India's exports

Q4. In the context of the India-UK CETA, the statement that the agreement covers '99% of India's exports' most precisely means that:

  • A. Zero-duty access is granted on 99% of tariff lines, covering nearly 100% of India's export trade value to the UK
  • B. Every one of India's exporters is exempted from all UK taxes and levies
  • C. The UK will refund 99% of all customs revenue it collects from India
  • D. India is guaranteed a 99% increase in the volume of goods it exports to the UK

Q5. The eCoO 2.0 platform used to issue electronic Certificates of Origin for India's preferential exports is operated by which authority?

  • A. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • B. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • C. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
  • D. Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)

Q6. With reference to the negotiation and signing timeline of the India-UK CETA, consider the following: 1. Negotiations were formally concluded on 6 May 2025. 2. The agreement was signed on 24 July 2025 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK. 3. CETA and the Agreement on Social Security both entered into force on 15 July 2026. 4. CETA was signed in New Delhi during the UK Prime Minister's visit to India. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Negotiations were formally concluded on 6 May 2025.
  2. The agreement was signed on 24 July 2025 during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the UK.
  3. CETA and the Agreement on Social Security both entered into force on 15 July 2026.
  4. CETA was signed in New Delhi during the UK Prime Minister's visit to India.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 4 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 2 only

Q7. Approximately how much time elapsed between the signing of the India-UK CETA and its entry into force?

  • A. About 12 months
  • B. About 3 months
  • C. About 24 months
  • D. Less than 1 month

Q8. With reference to the Agreement on Social Security (Double Contribution Convention) between India and the UK, consider the following statements: 1. It increases the exemption period for Indian professionals from social security contributions in the UK from 3 years to 5 years. 2. It is expected to benefit over 75,000 Indian professionals and more than 900 companies. 3. The exemption applies to all Indian nationals working in the UK, including those employed by third-country foreign companies based there. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It increases the exemption period for Indian professionals from social security contributions in the UK from 3 years to 5 years.
  2. It is expected to benefit over 75,000 Indian professionals and more than 900 companies.
  3. The exemption applies to all Indian nationals working in the UK, including those employed by third-country foreign companies based there.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. The operational procedure enabling importers to claim preferential Customs duty concessions on goods traded under the India-UK CETA has been rolled out by which body?

  • A. Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC)
  • B. Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT)
  • C. Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT)
  • D. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)

Q10. Which Union Minister, heading the nodal ministry for the India-UK CETA, led the launch of its entry into force and described it as a defining milestone in India-UK relations?

  • A. Piyush Goyal
  • B. Nirmala Sitharaman
  • C. S. Jaishankar
  • D. Ashwini Vaishnaw

Q11. Which one of the following is a distinctive 'first' associated with the India-UK CETA when compared with the UK's earlier trade agreements?

  • A. Its services package, opening 137 sub-sectors to India, is the most ambitious market access the UK has offered in any of its trade agreements
  • B. It is the first free trade agreement the UK signed after leaving the European Union
  • C. It is India's first free trade agreement with any European country
  • D. It is the first Indian FTA to eliminate all UK visa requirements for Indian nationals