Are you preparing for the UPSC Civil Services Prelims examination and looking to test your knowledge of International Relations (IR)? Attempt these previous year questions from UPSC Prelims exam and check the solutions to strengthen your preparation.
Previous year questions (PYQs) is an invaluable strategy for UPSC Prelims preparation. It provides you with insights into the types of questions asked, their difficulty level, and the important topics covered. By practicing these questions, you can identify your strengths and weaknesses, allowing you to focus your efforts more effectively.
2022
Consider the following statements
- Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years.
- Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
- Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
- For a long time Vietnam's low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
- Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
- A 2 and 4 only
- B 3 and 5 only
- C 1, 3 and 4 only
- D 1 and 2 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent years.
- This statement is correct. Vietnam has indeed been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in recent years. The country’s GDP growth rates have been more than double the global growth.
- The bilateral trade between India and Vietnam has also seen a significant growth, reaching $14.14 billion.
- This statement is incorrect. Vietnam is a single-party socialist republic state.
- The country is led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, and no other political party is allowed to exist or contest in elections.
- This statement is correct. Vietnam’s economic growth is indeed linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
- The country has established strong trade relations with various countries, including India. The rapidly growing economy in Vietnam is receiving business tie-ups in emerging areas of technology that is creating new supply chains possibilities in the field of electronics, high-tech products, and others.
- This statement is correct. Vietnam’s low labour costs and stable exchange rates have indeed attracted global manufacturers.
- The country has become an attractive destination for foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in the manufacturing sector.
- This statement is incorrect. There is no specific mention of Vietnam having the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region. While Vietnam has made significant strides in digital transformation and IT sector, it’s not accurate to claim it has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region without concrete data or rankings.
With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following statements:
- It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
- It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
- It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
- A 3 only
- B 1 and 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1 and 2 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
Which one of the following statements best describes the 'Polar Code' ?
- A It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
- B It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.
- C It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.
- D It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
- The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
- Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
- Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
Consider the following statements :
- Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
- Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
- Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 3 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
Consider the following countries :
- Armenia
- Azerbaijan
- Croatia
- Romania
- Uzbekistan
- A 1, 2 and 4 only
- B 1 and 3 only
- C 2 and 5 only
- D 3, 4 and 5 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
- A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
- Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
- The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
- A It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea.
- B China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
- C A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities.
- D Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-East Asian countries claim them.
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
Consider the following pairs:
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
| Country | Important reason for being in the news recently | ||
| 1. | Chad | - | Setting up of permanent military base by China |
| 2. | Guinea | - | Suspension of Constitution and Government by military |
| 3. | Lebanon | - | Severe and prolonged economic depression |
| 4. | Tunisia | - | Suspension of Parliament by President |
- A Only one pair
- B Only two pairs
- C Only three pairs
- D All four pairs
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
Consider the following pairs:
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
| Region often mentioned in the news | Country | ||
| 1. | Anatolia | - | Turkey |
| 2. | Amhara | - | Ethiopia |
| 3. | Cabo Delgado | - | Spain |
| 4. | Catalonia | - | Italy |
- A Only one pair
- B Only two pairs
- C Only three pairs
- D All four pairs
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions?
- A Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
- B Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
- C Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
- D The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
Consider the following countries:
- Azerbaijan
- Kyrgyzstan
- Tajikistan
- Turkmenistan
- Uzbekistan
- A 1, 2 and 5 only
- B 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
- C 3, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
Consider the following:
- Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
- Missile Technology Control Regime
- Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 3 only
- C 2 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
'European Stability Mechanism', sometimes seen in the news, is an
- A agency created by EU to deal with the impact of millions of refugees arriving from Middle East
- B agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
- C agency of EU to deal with all the bilateral and multilateral agreements on trade
- D agency of EU to deal with the conflicts arising among the member countries
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
With reference to 'Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)', consider the following statements :
- It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.
- It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.
- It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
- A 1 only
- B 2 and 3 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 3
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
With reference to the Trans-Pacific Partnership', consider the following statements :
- It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
- It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
Consider the following statements:
The India-Africa Summit
- held in 2015 was the third such Summit
- was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
'Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)', often in the news, is
- A a division of World Health Organization
- B a non-governmental international organization
- C an inter-governmental agency sponsored by European Union
- D a specialized agency of the United Nations
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
Which of the following is not a member of 'Gulf Cooperation Council'?
- A Iran
- B Saudi Arabia
- C Oman
- D Kuwait
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
'Belt and Road Initiative' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of
- A African Union
- B Brazil
- C European Union
- D China
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
'Global Financial Stability Report' is prepared by the
- A European Central Bank
- B International Monetary Fund
- C International Bank for Reconstruction and Development
- D Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
The term 'Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership' often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
- A G20
- B ASEAN
- C SCO
- D SAARC
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
2015
Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
- A Syria and Jordan
- B Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
- C Philippines and Papua New Guinea
- D Jamaica, Haiti and Surinam
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is
- A a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
- B a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum
- C an agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
- D a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the East Asia Summit.
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
Consider the following countries:
- China
- France.
- India
- Israel
- Pakistan
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 1, 3, 4 and 5 only
- C 2, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
The Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news related to the affairs of
- A ASEAN
- B BRICS
- C OECD
- D WTO
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
The terms ‘Agreement on Agriculture’, ‘Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures’ and ‘Peace Clause’ appear in the news frequently in the context of the affairs of the
- A Food and Agriculture Organization
- B United Nations Framework Conference on Climate Change
- C World Trade Organization
- D United Nations Environment Programme
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
What is Rio+20 Conference, often mentioned in the news?
- A It is the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development
- B It is a Ministerial Meeting of the World Trade Organization
- C It is a Conference of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
- D It is a Conference of the Member Countries of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.
India is a member of which among the following?
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
- Association of South-East Asian Nations
- East Asia Summit
- A 1 and 2 only
- B 3 only
- C 1, 2 and 3
- D India is a member of none of them
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
With reference to 'Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC)’, consider the following statements:
- It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
- It is an affiance meant for maritime security only.
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/ participants?
- Bangladesh
- Cambodia
- China
- Myanmar
- Thailand
- A 1 only
- B 3 and 4 only
- C 1 and 3 only
- D 1, 2 and 5 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is C.
2014
With reference to a grouping of countries known as BRICS consider the following statements
- The First Summit of BRICS was held in Rio de Janeiro in 2009.
- South Africa was the last to join the BRICS grouping.
- A 1 only
- B 2 only
- C Both 1 and 2
- D Neither 1 nor 2
Show Answer
The correct answer is B.
Consider the following countries
- Denmark
- Japan
- Russian Federation
- United Kingdom
- United States of America
- A 1, 2 and 3 only
- B 2, 3 and 4 only
- C 1, 4 and 5 only
- D 1, 3 and 5 only
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as ‘Arab Spring’ originally started from
- A Egypt
- B Lebanon
- C Syria
- D Tunisia
Show Answer
The correct answer is D.
Which of the following organizations brings out the publication known as ‘World Economic Outlook’?
- A The International Monetary Fund
- B The United Nations Development Programme
- C The World Economic Forum
- D The World Bank
Show Answer
The correct answer is A.