GS3 · Trade / industry

Full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemicals amid West Asia conflict

2 April 20261 min readExternal Sector

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Battle IAS current affairs title card: Full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemicals amid West Asia conflict (GS3 · Trade / industry, 2 April 2026)

Asked by UPSCPrelims 2025, 2015, 20113 PYQs

UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.

Prelims 2011With reference to India, consider the following Central Acts: Import and Export (Control) Act, 1947 …Solve with answer
Prelims 2025With reference to the Government of India, consider the following informationSolve with answer

See all 3 PYQs

Prelims 2015Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to the Mediterranean Sea?Solve with answer

What happened

The government granted full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical products to help sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock during the West Asia conflict [PIB].

Background

Customs exemptions are notified under Section 25 of the Customs Act, 1962.

Why it matters

Cutting duties on key inputs eases a supply shock for the industries that use them.

How to use this in Mains

GS-III Effects of liberalisation; trade policy

As per PIB (2026-04-02): the government granted full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical products to help sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock during the West Asia conflict.
Cutting duties on key inputs eases a supply shock for the industries that use them.

Quotable data point
The government granted full customs duty exemption on critical petrochemical products to help sectors dependent on petrochemical feedstock during the West Asia conflict.
PIB: Finance: petrochemicals duty exemption, 2 Apr 2026

Exam angle

UPSC

Prelims: Customs Act.

Practice MCQs

Original practice questions (not PYQs).

Practice · UPSC

Products exempted

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Reason

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Practice · UPSC

Exemption power under Customs Act section

Answer (a) & explanation

PIB.

Go deeper

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Official source: PIB: Finance: petrochemicals duty exemption, 2 Apr 2026

facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending