International Relations MCQs for UPSC Prelims — August 2026

Q1. With reference to India–UK economic ties, consider the following: 1. Bilateral trade is of the order of USD 56–60 billion and both sides aim to double it by 2030. 2. The UK is India's fourth largest export market, with India's exports to it growing about 25 per cent in 2024-25 over the previous year. 3. The UK is India's sixth largest market for engineering exports, which grew about 11.7 per cent in 2024-25. 4. Under CETA the UK removes tariffs on all Indian exports without exception, covering the entire UK tariff schedule. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Bilateral trade is of the order of USD 56–60 billion and both sides aim to double it by 2030.
  2. The UK is India's fourth largest export market, with India's exports to it growing about 25 per cent in 2024-25 over the previous year.
  3. The UK is India's sixth largest market for engineering exports, which grew about 11.7 per cent in 2024-25.
  4. Under CETA the UK removes tariffs on all Indian exports without exception, covering the entire UK tariff schedule.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 4 only

Q2. Which one of India's trade agreements carries the largest headline investment commitment from its partner side, pegged at USD 100 billion?

  • A. The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Free Trade Association
  • B. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with the United Arab Emirates
  • C. The Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement with the United Kingdom
  • D. The Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement with Australia

Q3. Consider the following statements about India's trade agreements other than the CETA: 1. India's Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the EFTA bloc, signed in 2024, covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and is backed by an investment commitment of USD 100 billion. 2. The agreement concluded with Oman in December 2025 is styled a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, while the agreement announced with New Zealand in the same month is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. 3. India's agreement with Australia concluded in 2022 is an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, whereas its agreement with the UAE of the same year is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India's Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement with the EFTA bloc, signed in 2024, covers Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein and is backed by an investment commitment of USD 100 billion.
  2. The agreement concluded with Oman in December 2025 is styled a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, while the agreement announced with New Zealand in the same month is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
  3. India's agreement with Australia concluded in 2022 is an Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement, whereas its agreement with the UAE of the same year is a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the two sides' commitments under the India–UK CETA: 1. The UK grants duty-free access on nearly 99 per cent of India's export tariff lines covering almost the entire trade value, whereas India's reciprocal offer covers 89.5 per cent of its tariff lines. 2. The services package under the agreement spans 12 major service sectors and 137 sub-sectors. 3. India kept dairy products, cereals, millets and edible oils out of its tariff concessions to the UK, but granted duty-free access on apples. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The UK grants duty-free access on nearly 99 per cent of India's export tariff lines covering almost the entire trade value, whereas India's reciprocal offer covers 89.5 per cent of its tariff lines.
  2. The services package under the agreement spans 12 major service sectors and 137 sub-sectors.
  3. India kept dairy products, cereals, millets and edible oils out of its tariff concessions to the UK, but granted duty-free access on apples.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to the India–United Kingdom Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), consider the following: 1. Negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds of talks. 2. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 24 July 2025 by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade. 3. The agreement entered into force on 15 July 2026. 4. India extended tariff concessions on about 99 per cent of its own tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of UK exports to India. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. Negotiations were concluded on 6 May 2025 after fourteen rounds of talks.
  2. The agreement was signed in New Delhi on 24 July 2025 by the Union Minister of Commerce and Industry and the UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade.
  3. The agreement entered into force on 15 July 2026.
  4. India extended tariff concessions on about 99 per cent of its own tariff lines, covering nearly 100 per cent of UK exports to India.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 3 and 4
  • D. 2, 3 and 4