Ministry Of Commerce & Industry
Official policy releases, schemes, circulars, and Prelims practice questions from Ministry Of Commerce & Industry distilled for UPSC Civil Services Examination.
🎯 Ministry Of Commerce & Industry UPSC Practice Questions
🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
Which of the following sectors was explicitly highlighted as a focus area during the roadshows conducted by the Indian trade delegation in Nagoya and Osaka during Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal's visit to Japan (24‑27 Aug 2026)?
- [A] Semiconductor
- [B] Agriculture
- [C] Tourism
- [D] Textile
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [A] Semiconductor
The delegation’s roadshows in Nagoya and Osaka were aimed at high‑tech manufacturing and next‑generation industries, explicitly mentioning the semiconductor sector. Agriculture, tourism and textile were not cited as focus areas in the briefing.
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🎯 UPSC Prelims Practice Drill
With reference to the 'Districts as Export Hubs' (DEH) initiative, consider the following statements: 1. It is implemented as a standalone central sector scheme with a dedicated budgetary allocation for infrastructure development in each district. 2. The initiative is implemented by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Department of Commerce. 3. It utilizes an institutional setup consisting of State and District Export Promotion Committees to formulate District Export Action Plans (DEAPs). Which of the statements given above are correct?
- [A] 1 and 2 only
- [B] 2 and 3 only
- [C] 1 and 3 only
- [D] 1, 2 and 3
▶ Reveal Official Answer & Analytical Explanation
✓ Correct Option: [B] 2 and 3 only
Statement 1 is incorrect because the Districts as Export Hubs (DEH) initiative operates as a convergence framework leveraging existing Central and State schemes rather than as a standalone funding scheme. Statements 2 and 3 are correct as the initiative is implemented by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) under the Department of Commerce, and utilizes State Export Promotion Committees (SEPCs) and District Export Promotion Committees (DEPCs) to formulate District Export Action Plans (DEAPs).
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Official Policy Notifications & Dossiers
30 Briefs-
PIB
Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal Meets German Industry and Research Leaders in Berlin to Strengthen Strategic Economic and R&D Ties
- India and Germany emphasized strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, trade, investment, and industrial partnership during ministerial discussions in Berlin.
- Targeted roundtables were held with German research organizations, including Fraunhofer Institutes, prioritizing microelectronics, power electronics, smart manufacturing, battery technologies, and logistics.
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PIB
Ministry of Commerce and EEPC India Organize Chintan Shivir to Formulate Strategy for Reaching $250 Billion in Engineering Exports by 2030
- During April-September 2026-27, India's total merchandise and services export rose year-on-year by 14 percent to reach 476.20 billion US dollars, while engineering exports surpassed 70 billion US dollars.
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PRS
Impact of COVID-19 on Railway’s finances
- In 2018-19, freight and passenger traffic contributed about 67% and 27% of internal revenue respectively, and in 2020-21 Railways expects 65% from freight and 27% from passenger traffic.
- Railways cross-subsidizes passenger traffic losses using freight profits, with passenger business losses reaching about 82% of its revenue in 2017-18.
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THE HINDU
The unfinished business of the India-U.K. trade deal | Explained
- The India-U.K. Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) came into force on July 15, 2026, cutting tariffs on 99% of Indian exports and loosening some mobility rules for professionals.
- Key issues, including investment protection, patent rules, and carbon border taxes, have been left for future negotiations, leaving important questions unaddressed.
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THE HINDU
Jantar Mantar protest LIVE: 17 Delhi metro stations to remain shut on July 24 as CJP calls for nationwide protests
- The Indian government has invited the Cockroach Janta Party for talks amid their ongoing protest over paper leaks and the resignation of the Union Education Minister.
- The Centre plans to establish fast-track courts to swiftly address paper leak cases, a move announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a recent social media post.
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THE HINDU
Govt. to sell quality rice at subsidised prices through rythu bazaars from August 1
- The Andhra Pradesh government will sell quality rice at subsidized prices through rythu bazaars and special counters starting August 1.
- Around 130 rythu bazaars and 500 special counters will offer subsidized rice, with BPT/KNM Super Fine rice priced at ₹52 per kg and Grade-I Raw Rice available for ₹50 per kg.
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THE HINDU
Bengaluru Tech Summit ropes in European partners to create global growth opportunities for startups
- The government of Karnataka has partnered with European entities to create global growth opportunities for startups in the state.
- These collaborations aim to provide access to international markets, investors, innovation networks, and cross-border partnerships for 100s of Karnataka startups.
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THE HINDU
Those who endanger safety of daughters or traders belong only in jail or hell: Yogi Adityanath
- Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated 57 development projects worth ₹574 crore in Bulandshahr.
- These projects aim to bring positive change to the region, which was previously plagued by fear, terror, and insecurity, causing many families to stop sending their daughters to school.
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THE HINDU
U.S. lawmaker urges Congress to review arms sales to India
- A US lawmaker has called for Congress to review India's eligibility for US arms sales due to alleged transnational repression.
- The review is expected to impact the scale of US arms sales to India, which could range from billions of dollars to potentially no sales at all.
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THE HINDU
India's development did not come to standstill despite oil supply crisis: PM Modi
- India's development continued uninterrupted despite the oil supply crisis, with nearly 99% of the Indian Railways network being electrified under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government.
- The electrification of the Indian Railways network, which was primarily reliant on diesel in 2014, has reduced the country's vulnerability to oil supply disruptions.
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THE HINDU
Breaching the target: On India’s retail inflation - The Hindu
- Retail inflation in India surpassed the RBI's 4% target for the first time, reaching 4.38% in June.
- The gap between wholesale and retail inflation remains significant, with wholesale inflation standing at 9.87% in June, driven by high fuel and power costs.
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THE HINDU
Government summons Iran envoy after Indian national killed in attack on ship
- The Indian government has summoned the Iranian envoy to express its deepest concerns over the attack on two UAE-flagged energy tankers in the Strait of Hormuz that resulted in the death of an Indian sailor.
- The External Affairs Ministry has registered a strong protest with Iran over the incident, with the Deputy Chief of Mission being summoned to the Ministry's office in New Delhi.
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THE HINDU
Karnataka Governor suspends KPSC chairperson Shivashankarappa Sahukar over 'illegal selection' of daughter in government service
- The Karnataka Governor suspended KPSC Chairperson Shivashankarappa Sahukar pending an inquiry into alleged misconduct linked to the recruitment process of his daughter.
- This decision impacts the administration of the Karnataka Public Service Commission, with Sahukar's suspension reportedly spanning until further orders from the President's office.
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THE HINDU
Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil writer Poomani passes at 79
- Poomani, a renowned Tamil writer and Sahitya Akademi Award winner, passed away at the age of 79 after a prolonged illness in Chennai on June 13, 2026.
- Poomani's literary career spanned over several decades, with his fiction focusing on the lives of people in the karisal region of southern Tamil Nadu, and he received the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2014 for his novel Agnaadi.
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THE HINDU
Oil conundrum: On India’s energy imports from Russia - The Hindu
- India's crude oil imports from Russia have reached pre-sanction levels of over 40%, making Russia the largest supplier of oil to India in two years.
- The price premium for Russian crude imports stood at $46 per ton, while the import value surged 83% despite a 2% decline in volume, likely reducing Indian refiners' margins on refined products.
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THE HINDU
Kochi sewerage treatment project gathers pace
- The Kerala Water Authority has initiated a survey for a 27-km sewage pipeline and retendered components of the Kochi sewerage project, including a 5-MLD sewage treatment plant and a 17-km sewage pipeline.
- The project aims to improve Kochi's sewerage system, which currently covers only 5% of the city's requirements, and address sanitation concerns exacerbated by dumping solid waste into canals and drains.
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THE HINDU
One Indian seafarer missing in attack on container ship; govt. issues strong condemnation
- The Indian government has issued a strong condemnation of the attack on a Cyprus-flagged commercial vessel off the coast of Oman.
- Ten Indian nationals were rescued but one is reported missing after the attack, with the government confirming the incident and expressing concern for the missing crew member's family.
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THE HINDU
Pallapatla mourns its illustrious daughter S. Janaki
- The Andhra Pradesh government has announced tributes for legendary playback singer S. Janaki, who passed away leaving behind a six-decade musical legacy.
- S. Janaki's timeless voice has been recalled to have captivated generations of music lovers across India, with more than 18,000 songs to her credit.
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THE HINDU
INS Mahendragiri set to be commissioned at Visakhapatnam’s Eastern Naval Command
- The Indian Navy is set to commission INS Mahendragiri, the sixth Project 17A indigenous stealth frigate, at the Naval Dockyard in Visakhapatnam's Eastern Naval Command on July 11, 2026.
- The commissioning of INS Mahendragiri marks a significant milestone in the Indian Navy's modernization efforts, with the warship expected to enhance the country's maritime capabilities and defense posture.
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THE HINDU
Prambanan Temple: Why is India restoring Indonesia’s largest Shiva temple? | Explained
- India has announced a joint conservation project with Indonesia to restore the 1,200-year-old Prambanan Temple complex, Indonesia's largest Hindu temple.
- The project aims to preserve the cultural heritage of the temple, which is of significant importance to both Indian and Indonesian cultures.
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THE HINDU
Man sent to 20 years RI for raping minor
- The Additional District and Sessions Court in Kalaburagi sentenced a 24-year-old man to 20 years of rigorous imprisonment for raping a minor girl.
- The perpetrator and the victim's parents and husband were each sentenced to one year of imprisonment for facilitating the child marriage, resulting in a total of four individuals receiving prison time.
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THE HINDU
Legal questions behind the row over Satluj movie | Explained
- The Indian government has raised concerns over the OTT platform ZEE5's release of the film _Satluj_, prompting a Centre-appointed committee to examine the content under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act.
- The exact number of films removed from OTT platforms due to government intervention is unclear, but the removal of _Satluj_ highlights ongoing debates over censorship and regulatory oversight in India.
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THE HINDU
‘Flagging of labour rule violations could have led to CorroHealth lay-offs in Kozhikode’
- The Kerala government is investigating allegations of labour rule violations at CorroHealth Infotech Private Ltd after about 800 employees were laid off without prior notice.
- The company's decision to terminate the services of approximately 800 employees in Kerala has resulted in significant job losses, with about 300 employees affected in Kozhikode and over 500 in Kochi.
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THE HINDU
Wayanad debris slip updates: At least three dead, five others missing; region braces for more rains
- The government of Kerala has shifted local residents to safer locations in response to a massive mudslide in Wayanad district on July 7, 2026.
- At least three people have been reported dead, and five others are missing in the incident, with nine people rescued so far.
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THE HINDU
NHIDCL sets December target for completion of less trouble-prone highway to Manipur capital
- The National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) has set a December deadline to complete the renovation of National Highway-37, a crucial road connecting Manipur's capital Imphal to the rest of the country.
- The project to upgrade NH-37 is expected to reduce the highway's current average annual maintenance cost of ₹55 crore to ₹30 crore.
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THE HINDU
CorroHealth layoffs in Kerala: Employees granted Kochi office access till July 10 Minister-level talks
- Kerala Minister for Labour Bindhu Krishna will hold ministerial talks with CorroHealth Infotech Private Limited executives on July 10 to address the mass layoffs of employees without prior notice.
- The number of employees affected by the layoffs is not specified in the report, but it mentions trade unions and Labour Commissioner involvement in the crisis.
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THE HINDU
Kozhikode City police expand drone surveillance over newly identified drug hotspots
- The Kozhikode City police have expanded their use of drone surveillance to monitor newly identified drug hotspots in the city and its surrounding areas.
- A total of 10 locations, including railway stations and migrant workers' camps, are being tracked by the drones as part of the renewed enforcement strategy.
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THE HINDU
India’s semiconductor push will create countless jobs: PM
- India is launching semiconductor clusters across the country, marking the beginning of large-scale employment and economic transformation.
- The semiconductor industry is expected to create countless jobs, with the country aiming to build the entire electronics value chain, from products and components to semiconductors.
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THE HINDU
Free and rules-based Indo-Pacific a shared priority for India and Japan: PM Modi
- India and Japan have identified a "free and rules-based Indo-Pacific" as a shared priority for regional development and security.
- India and Japan plan to invest in joint development of technologies for maritime security and regional peace, with the countries having some of the world's largest economies.
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THE HINDU
Can Bar Associations refuse to represent an accused? What does the law say?
- The Supreme Court of India has consistently ruled that it is unlawful and unconstitutional for Bar Associations to collectively decide not to represent a particular accused individual, as this denies their right to fair trial and legal representation.
- This stance is supported by a 2010 Supreme Court judgment in A.S. Mohammed Rafi v. State of Tamil Nadu, where the court deemed such resolutions by Bar bodies as "wholly illegal, against all traditions and professional ethics".