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India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

The FTA will significantly impact India's trade balance, economic growth, market access for Indian goods and services, and attract foreign investment. It also reflects India's evolving geopolitical and economic strategy.

The India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) is a comprehensive trade pact aimed at reducing tariffs, non-tariff barriers, and facilitating trade and investment between India and the 27-member European Union bloc. It is a cornerstone of India's economic diplomacy to enhance market access and integrate with global supply chains.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Expected Signing

Expected in December

Trade Target (India-Belgium)

Doubling bilateral trade in five years post-FTA

Impact on Sectors

Boost collaboration in renewable energy, food processing, beyond traditional diamond trade

Strategic Importance

Part of India's larger engagement with European countries, enhancing economic and strategic ties

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaInternational Relations
Conceptual areaIndian Economy

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
European UnionNegotiates and signs
Government of IndiaNegotiates and signs
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Prelims angle: Terminology-based question

Quick revision

  • Aims to reduce tariffs and non-tariff barriers.
  • Expected to be signed in December.
  • Will boost trade and investment between India and the 27-member EU.
  • Key for India's economic diplomacy and market access.
  • Impacts sectors like renewable energy, food processing, and traditional diamond trade.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

EconomyOpen question
2023Definition-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of 'sterilization'?

EconomyOpen question
2022Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

EconomyOpen question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Definition-based questions

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

EconomyOpen question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question
2019Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

EconomyOpen question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

EconomyOpen question
2017Factual recall, Terminology-based question

Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

International RelationsOpen question
2016Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis

What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with India hous...

EconomyOpen question

Topic timeline

International RelationsIndian Economy
Prelims 2016· Policy measures, Multi-statement analysis

What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with India hous...

Open question
Prelims 2017· Factual recall, Terminology-based question

Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

Open question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Open question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Definition-based questions

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

Open question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Open question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Open question
Prelims 2019· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

Open question

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

Open question

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

Open question
Prelims 2022· Multi-statement analysis, Conceptual understanding

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Definition-based questions, Conceptual understanding

Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of 'sterilization'?

Open question
Prelims 2026· Cause and effect relationships, Multi-statement analysis

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

Open question

Natural partners: On India-Belgium ties

08 Sep 2026 · A comprehensive trade agreement between India and the EU, aiming to boost bilateral trade and investment by reducing barriers, with significant implications for India's economic and strategic relations.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and

2017·International Relations
Solve

With reference to the Indian economy, consider the following statements: 1. If the inflation is too high, Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is likely to buy gover...

2022·Economy
Solve

Which of the following is/are the most significant implication(s) of obtaining Oeko-Tex certification for Eri Silk in the global textile industry? 1. It all...

2026·Economy
Solve

Which of the following is issued by registered foreign portfolio investors to overseas investors who want to be part of the Indian stock market without regis...

2019·Economy
Solve

Which one of the following activities of the Reserve Bank of India is considered to be part of 'sterilization'?

2023·Economy
Solve

What is/are the purpose/purposes of Government’s ‘Sovereign Gold Bond Scheme’ and 'Gold Monetization Scheme'? 1. To bring the idle gold lying with India hous...

2016·Economy
Solve

Among the agricultural commodities imported by India, which one of the following accounts for the highest imports in terms of value in the last five years?

2019·Economy
Solve

Among the following, which one is the largest exporter of rice in the world in the last five years?

2019·Economy
Solve

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