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Topic Free trade
Asked 3 times across 3 UPSC exams over 7 years (2017–2024), peaking in 2018.
Key insights
- Most tested in CSE — 1 of 3 PYQs
- First appeared in CAPF 2017 — 1 years before CSE 2018 (allied exams preview CSE)
- Most asked in 2018
- Recurs across 3 years (2017–2024)
How it travelled across exams
First appearance in each exam — the same idea, reframed.
CAPF 2017 → CSE 2018 → CDS 2024
How the concept evolved
Rising — more than half its appearances (3 of 3) are since 2016.
Related concepts
Ideas UPSC tests alongside this one — keep exploring.
Sample questions
You've seen the pattern — here are a few of the actual PYQs.
CDS2024
If India enters into Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with India, then the growth of exports of India would depend upon which of the following?
- Extent of tariff reduction vis-à-vis MFN tariffs
- Extent of relaxation in terms of rules of origin
- Extent of relaxation in sanitary and phytosanitary measures
- Level of infrastructure in India
- Income in nations with which India enters into FTAs
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A 1, 3 and 4 only
- B 1, 2 and 4 only
- C 2, 3 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 ✓
✓ Correct answer: (D)
Economy › External Sector & Trade
CSE2018
Consider the following countries
- Australia
- Canada
- China
- India
- Japan
- USA
Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ASEAN ?
- A 1, 2, 4 and 5
- B 3, 4, 5 and 6
- C 1, 3, 4 and 5 ✓
- D 2, 3, 4 and 6
✓ Correct answer: (C)
International Relations › International Organizations & Groupings
CAPF2017
The US President in 2017 has signed an executive order for US withdrawal from a trade organization of the Pacific region. Identify the organization from among the following:
- A Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC)
- B Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) ✓
- C Free-Trade Agreement of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP)
- D Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)
✓ Correct answer: (B)
International Relations › International Organizations & Groupings
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