When did the India-MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement enter into force?
- A.25 January 2004
- B.1 June 2009
- C.27 November 2025
- D.9 April 2026
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is 1 June 2009. Candidates must keep two dates apart here, because both appear in the same sentence of the release. Option A, 25 January 2004, is the date on which the Preferential Trade Agreement was signed, and a gap of more than five years separated signature from entry into force. Option C is wrong because 27 November 2025 was the date of the fourth meeting of the Joint Administrative Committee of the agreement, where both sides first supported the idea of allowing digital Certificates of Origin. Option D is wrong because 9 April 2026 was the date of the fifth meeting of the same Committee, at which the proposal for the Additional Protocol was adopted by mutual consent. Reading the four dates as a single sequence helps: signed in 2004, in force in 2009, idea supported in 2025, proposal adopted in 2026 and the Protocol signed in September 2026.
Read the full article: India-MERCOSUR PTA: Protocol Signed, Expansion Talks Begin
Practice Questions
The First Additional Protocol signed between India and MERCOSUR relates mainly to which of the following?
- A.Acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin
- B.Removal of all tariffs on farm produce
- C.A common currency for bilateral trade
- D.Mutual recognition of academic degrees
Show answer
The Protocol provides that a Certificate of Origin issued in electronic form will carry the same legal validity and value as one issued on paper, provided it is issued and signed electronically by duly authorised entities and officials under each side's own domestic law.
Read the full explanation →Who signed the First Additional Protocol on behalf of the Government of India?
- A.Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal
- B.Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal
- C.Foreign Minister Mario Lubetkin
- D.Ambassador Alberto Guani
Show answer
The correct answer is Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal, who signed for the Government of India.
Read the full explanation →Which of the following is NOT one of the Pillar II thematic clusters of Horizon Europe named as matching India's research priorities?
- A.Health
- B.Climate, energy and mobility
- C.Defence procurement and arms exports
- D.Food and the bioeconomy
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The clusters listed under Pillar II of Horizon Europe in the announcement are health; digital technologies, industry and space; climate, energy and mobility; and food and the bioeconomy.
Read the full explanation →The exploration of India's association with Horizon Europe was launched after a summit held on which date?
- A.27 January 2026
- B.15 July 2026
- C.7 November 2026
- D.15 August 2025
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According to the announcement, an exploration of the possible association was launched after the India-EU Summit held on that date, which the Ministry of Science and Technology calls historic.
Read the full explanation →India concluded association negotiations with the European Union for which programme?
- A.Erasmus Plus
- B.Horizon Europe
- C.Copernicus
- D.Galileo
Show answer
The Ministry of Science and Technology announced that India and the European Union had successfully completed negotiations for India's association with Horizon Europe, which the release describes as the EU's flagship research and innovation programme.
Read the full explanation →