UPSC Prelims 2017
International Relations Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Explore 6 solved UPSC Prelims 2017 International Relations questions with detailed step-by-step bilingual solutions, option analysis, and answer keys.
Consider the following statements:
- The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
- The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2
Both statements are incorrect regarding the institutional affiliations of nuclear security mechanisms. The Nuclear Security Summits were an independent initiative outside the UN framework, and the International Panel on Fissile Materials is not affiliated with the IAEA.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The Nuclear Security Summits (2010-2016) were initiated by the United States as an independent initiative, not under the aegis of the United Nations or any formal international organization.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The International Panel on Fissile Materials (IPFM) is an independent expert group of arms control and non-proliferation specialists, not an organ of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
With reference to ‘Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD)’, consider the following statements:
- The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme ‘Emerging Urban Forms — Policy Responses and Governance Structure’.
- India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — Neither 1 nor 2
The Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD) is an intergovernmental platform for Asia-Pacific countries to collaborate on housing and urban development issues. Both statements contain factual inaccuracies regarding the conference's theme and hosting arrangements.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The first APMCHUD was held in New Delhi, India in December 2006, but the theme was 'A Vision for Sustainable Urbanization in the Asia-Pacific by 2020', not 'Emerging Urban Forms — Policy Responses and Governance Structure'.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: APMCHUD is a biennial event hosted by different member countries on a rotational basis (as agreed in previous conferences), not annually hosted by India in partnership with ADB, APEC, and ASEAN.
With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct?
- UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
- Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
- UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 1 and 3 only
UN-Habitat is the United Nations programme for human settlements with a mandate to promote sustainable urbanization and adequate shelter for all. Statement 2 is incorrect because UN-Habitat works with diverse partners including NGOs, academic institutions, private sector, and civil society organizations, not just governments and local authorities.
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: UN-Habitat has been mandated by the UN General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities and provide adequate shelter for all.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: UN-Habitat partners with a wide range of stakeholders including governments, local authorities, NGOs, academic institutions, private sector entities, and civil society organizations, not just governments or local urban authorities.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: UN-Habitat contributes to the UN system's overall objectives of poverty reduction and promoting access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation as part of sustainable urban development.
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Consider the following in respect of the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS):
- Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
- IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among the navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
The Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) is a voluntary initiative aimed at fostering maritime cooperation among navies of the Indian Ocean littoral states. Statement 1 is incorrect as the inaugural IONS was held in 2008 (not 2015), while Statement 2 correctly describes the voluntary and cooperative nature of IONS.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The inaugural IONS was held in February 2008 in New Delhi, India, not in 2015. The Indian Navy served as the Chair from 2008-2010.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: IONS is indeed a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime cooperation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region, providing a platform for dialogue on regional maritime security issues.
Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA)’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of negotiations held between India and
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — European Union
The Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) is a comprehensive free trade agreement being negotiated between India and the European Union since June 2007. The agreement aims to liberalize bilateral trade by eliminating tariffs on approximately 90% of goods, facilitating trade in services, and promoting investment flows between the two regions. Negotiations have faced challenges over sensitive issues including market access for automobiles and agricultural products, intellectual property rights, and the movement of professionals under Mode 4 of services trade.
What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
The development of Chabahar Port in Iran is strategically significant for India as it provides an alternative sea-land transit route to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan entirely. Pakistan has historically restricted India's overland access to these regions, making Chabahar a critical gateway. Through the 2016 trilateral transit agreement between India, Iran, and Afghanistan, goods can be shipped to Chabahar and transported via road (Zaranj-Delaram highway) and rail networks into Afghanistan and beyond, ensuring India's connectivity independent of Pakistani territory.
❌ Option 1 – Incorrect: While Chabahar may facilitate some African trade, its primary strategic importance is connectivity to Afghanistan and Central Asia, not Africa.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The port's development is not primarily aimed at strengthening relations with oil-producing Arab countries, but rather at gaining access to landlocked regions.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: Pakistan is unlikely to facilitate or protect any gas pipeline from Iraq to India; Chabahar's purpose is to bypass Pakistan, not depend on it.
UPSC Prelims 2017 - International Relations Chapter-wise Distribution
International & Regional Organizations
3 Qs (50%)International Security
1 Qs (16.7%)India and West Asia
1 Qs (16.7%)India and Major Powers
1 Qs (16.7%)UPSC Prelims 2017 - International Relations Questions FAQs
Q1 How many International Relations questions were asked in UPSC Prelims 2017?
Q2 What is the chapter-wise question distribution for International Relations in UPSC Prelims 2017?
- International & Regional Organizations: 3 questions (50%)
- International Security: 1 questions (16.7%)
- India and West Asia: 1 questions (16.7%)
- India and Major Powers: 1 questions (16.7%)