Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on “India’s Role in the World Trade Organization” for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. What is the primary aim of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

A) To promote military alliances
B) To facilitate international trade and resolve trade disputes
C) To regulate domestic economic policies
D) To establish global monetary systems

Answer: B) To facilitate international trade and resolve trade disputes

2. When did India become a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO)?

A) 1995
B) 2000
C) 2001
D) 1990

Answer: A) 1995

3. What is India’s primary role in the WTO?

A) To lead global monetary policy
B) To represent developing countries and advocate for their interests
C) To set global environmental standards
D) To control international shipping routes

Answer: B) To represent developing countries and advocate for their interests

4. Which agreement under the WTO focuses on the reduction of tariffs and trade barriers?

A) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
B) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
C) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)
D) Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)

Answer: A) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

5. India is a major player in which WTO negotiating group that focuses on agricultural trade?

A) Cairns Group
B) G-20
C) G-7
D) ACP Group

Answer: B) G-20

6. What does the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) cover?

A) Environmental protection
B) Intellectual property rights
C) Trade in services
D) Agricultural subsidies

Answer: B) Intellectual property rights

7. India has been an advocate for which of the following in WTO negotiations?

A) Reducing tariffs on high-tech products
B) Increasing subsidies for developed countries
C) Promoting food security and subsidies for developing countries
D) Expanding trade in military goods

Answer: C) Promoting food security and subsidies for developing countries

8. Which WTO body is responsible for overseeing trade disputes between member countries?

A) General Council
B) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)
C) Trade Policy Review Body (TPRB)
D) Council for Trade in Goods (CTG)

Answer: B) Dispute Settlement Body (DSB)

9. What is the Doha Development Round known for?

A) Addressing climate change issues
B) Focusing on reducing barriers to trade for developing countries
C) Expanding trade in financial services
D) Promoting global military cooperation

Answer: B) Focusing on reducing barriers to trade for developing countries

10. Which WTO agreement addresses the protection of human, animal, and plant life from risks arising from additives, contaminants, and diseases?

A) General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
B) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)
C) Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
D) Agreement on Textile and Clothing (ATC)

Answer: B) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)

11. What role does the WTO’s Trade Policy Review Mechanism (TPRM) play?

A) Resolving trade disputes
B) Reviewing the trade policies of member countries
C) Setting global trade tariffs
D) Conducting environmental assessments

Answer: B) Reviewing the trade policies of member countries

12. India has been involved in which WTO negotiation group that aims to improve access to medicines?

A) The Doha Declaration
B) The Health Services Group
C) The Doha Round
D) The Access to Medicines Group

Answer: A) The Doha Declaration

13. How does the WTO support developing countries?

A) By providing direct financial aid
B) By offering technical assistance and capacity-building programs
C) By imposing trade barriers
D) By controlling global commodity prices

Answer: B) By offering technical assistance and capacity-building programs

14. India has contested which WTO agreement concerning the protection of domestic industries from foreign competition?

A) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
B) Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
C) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)
D) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)

Answer: C) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)

15. What does the Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS) address?

A) Trade in services
B) Intellectual property rights
C) Investment policies and measures
D) Environmental standards

Answer: C) Investment policies and measures

16. In which area has India been actively advocating for more flexibility within the WTO framework?

A) Trade in textiles
B) Trade in agricultural products
C) Trade in services
D) Trade in high-tech products

Answer: B) Trade in agricultural products

17. What is the main purpose of the WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)?

A) To regulate tariffs on industrial goods
B) To harmonize intellectual property laws across member countries
C) To set standards for environmental protection
D) To establish global trade quotas

Answer: B) To harmonize intellectual property laws across member countries

18. India has expressed concerns about which aspect of WTO agreements affecting its domestic policies?

A) The environmental standards
B) The intellectual property rights
C) The trade in services
D) The agricultural subsidies

Answer: D) The agricultural subsidies

19. Which of the following is a core function of the WTO’s General Council?

A) Setting global trade quotas
B) Overseeing the implementation of WTO agreements
C) Conducting trade policy reviews
D) Resolving disputes between member countries

Answer: B) Overseeing the implementation of WTO agreements

20. How does the WTO’s Dispute Settlement Mechanism work?

A) By creating new trade laws
B) By facilitating negotiations between disputing parties
C) By providing a formal process for resolving trade disputes
D) By imposing trade sanctions

Answer: C) By providing a formal process for resolving trade disputes

21. What is the main focus of the Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)?

A) Trade in agricultural products
B) Trade in intellectual property
C) Trade in services
D) Trade in textiles

Answer: C) Trade in services

22. Which WTO agreement requires member countries to ensure that trade policies are transparent and non-discriminatory?

A) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)
B) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)
C) Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)
D) Agreement on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS)

Answer: B) General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT)

23. India has been a vocal advocate for which of the following in the WTO negotiations?

A) Expanding trade in financial services
B) Reducing trade barriers for high-tech goods
C) Addressing trade imbalances with developed countries
D) Ensuring special and differential treatment for developing countries

Answer: D) Ensuring special and differential treatment for developing countries

24. In which area has India sought more flexibility within the WTO framework to support its domestic industries?

A) Pharmaceutical patents
B) Environmental regulations
C) Agricultural subsidies
D) Financial services regulations

Answer: C) Agricultural subsidies

25. The WTO’s Trade Facilitation Agreement aims to:

A) Improve the transparency of trade policies
B) Enhance the efficiency of customs procedures and reduce trade barriers
C) Regulate international investment flows
D) Harmonize intellectual property laws

Answer: B) Enhance the efficiency of customs procedures and reduce trade barriers

26. Which WTO agreement focuses on ensuring that trade does not distort competition through subsidies?

A) Agreement on Agriculture (AoA)
B) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)
C) Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
D) Agreement on Trade-Related Investment Measures (TRIMS)

Answer: B) Agreement on Subsidies and Countervailing Measures (SCM)

27. How does India’s involvement in the WTO benefit its economic growth?

A) By limiting its export opportunities
B) By facilitating better access to global markets
C) By reducing its trade volume
D) By increasing tariffs on imported goods

Answer: B) By facilitating better access to global markets

28. The WTO’s Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) deals with:

A) Investment policies
B) Trade in services
C) Food safety and animal and plant health standards
D) Intellectual property rights

Answer: C) Food safety and animal and plant health standards

29. India’s stance in WTO negotiations often emphasizes the need for:

A) Increasing trade restrictions
B) Strengthening intellectual property laws
C) Supporting the interests of least developed countries
D) Expanding trade in military goods

Answer: C) Supporting the interests of least developed countries

30. The WTO’s Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) requires member countries to:

A) Provide patent protection for new inventions
B) Eliminate all trade barriers
C) Standardize environmental regulations
D) Increase subsidies for domestic industries

Answer: A) Provide patent protection for new inventions