UPSC CSE Prelims
India and Its Neighbourhood Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: India and Its Neighbourhood
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location) |
|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu |
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Matching:
| Centre | Location | Host Institution | Key Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 4. Thimphu, Bhutan | — | MoU signed at 3rd BIMSTEC Summit (2014) |
| B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru, India | Central Power Research Institute | Coordinates regional energy cooperation & Grid Interconnection |
| C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 1. NOIDA, India | NCMRWF | Regional weather prediction & disaster preparedness |
| D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 3. Colombo, Sri Lanka | — | MoA signed at 5th BIMSTEC Summit (2022) |
Memory Aid:
- Culture → Bhutan (Thimphu — cultural heritage hub)
- Energy → Bengaluru (India's tech/power capital)
- Weather → NOIDA (NCMRWF headquarters)
- Technology Transfer → Colombo (Sri Lanka)
Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?
- Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
- IMT Trilateral Highway
- Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Correct. The Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project connects:
- Kolkata (India) → Sittwe seaport (Myanmar) by sea
- Sittwe → Mizoram (India) via river and road
Since Myanmar is an ASEAN member, this is a key India-ASEAN connectivity project under the Act East Policy.
Statement 2 — Correct. The India-Myanmar-Thailand (IMT) Trilateral Highway connects Moreh (India) with Mae Sot (Thailand) via Myanmar. Both Myanmar and Thailand are ASEAN members, making this a flagship India-ASEAN physical connectivity project.
Statement 3 — Incorrect. The Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line connects Agartala (Tripura, India) with Akhaura (Bangladesh). Since Bangladesh is NOT an ASEAN member (it is a member of SAARC and BIMSTEC), this falls under India-Bangladesh bilateral cooperation — not India-ASEAN cooperation.
Key Trick: Bangladesh is often confused with Southeast Asian connectivity — it is a SAARC/BIMSTEC member, not ASEAN.
Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries:
- 'Maitri Setu', built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.
- Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.
- Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Incorrect. 'Maitri Setu' is built over the Feni River — but the direction is reversed. It connects Sabroom (Tripura, India) with Ramgarh (Bangladesh) — NOT Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.
Statement 2 — Incorrect. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India and Nepal — NOT Myanmar. It spans the Mahakali River (Sharda River in India) linking Pithoragarh district, Uttarakhand with Baitadi district, Nepal.
Statement 3 — Correct. The Mechi Bridge connects Panitanki Bypass (West Bengal, India) with Kakarvitta (Nepal) over the Mechi River. It is a crucial cross-border trade link and the endpoint of Asian Highway 02 (AH02) in India.
Quick Reference Table:
| Bridge | River | Connects |
|---|---|---|
| Maitri Setu | Feni | Sabroom (India) ↔ Ramgarh (Bangladesh) |
| Jhulaghat | Mahakali/Sharda | Pithoragarh (India) ↔ Baitadi (Nepal) |
| Mechi Bridge | Mechi | Panitanki (India) ↔ Kakarvitta (Nepal) |
🧐 Not Sure What to Study Next?
Get a personalised study plan based on your goals, time and revision needs.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (Project Supported by India) | List II (Country) |
|---|---|
| A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 1. Maldives |
| B. Restoration of Stor Palace | 2. Afghanistan |
| C. District Hospital at Dickoya | 3. Bhutan |
| D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 4. Sri Lanka |
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Matching:
| List I (Project) | List II (Country) | Key Details |
|---|---|---|
| A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 3. Bhutan | 720 MW run-of-river plant on Mangdechhu River; jointly inaugurated by India-Bhutan PMs in 2019 |
| B. Restoration of Stor Palace | 2. Afghanistan | Historic 19th-century palace in Kabul; restored by India with Aga Khan Trust for Culture; inaugurated 2016 |
| C. District Hospital at Dickoya | 4. Sri Lanka | 150-bed hospital in Hatton; Indian grant assistance for Indian-origin Tamil estate workers |
| D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 1. Maldives | Located in Addu City; now NCPLE; built entirely with Indian grant assistance |
Memory Aid:
- Bhutan → Power (Hydroelectric)
- Afghanistan → Palace (Stor/Storay)
- Sri Lanka → Hospital (Tamil workers)
- Maldives → Police/Law (Security Institute)
Consider the following statements:
- 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF.
- The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 Only
This question tests knowledge about International Mother Language Day and the historical language movement in Pakistan. Statement 1 is incorrect because International Mother Language Day was declared by UNESCO, not UNICEF. Statement 2 is correct as the demand for Bangla to be recognized as a national language was indeed raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan, leading to the historic Language Movement.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: International Mother Language Day (21st February) was declared by UNESCO in 1999, not by UNICEF. It commemorates the Bengali Language Movement martyrs of 1952.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The demand that Bangla should be one of the national languages of Pakistan was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan in the late 1940s and early 1950s, leading to the Language Movement of 1952.
📝 Short Notes: International Mother Language Day & Bengali Language Movement
- International Mother Language Day: Observed on 21st February annually, proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.
- Historical Context: Commemorates the martyrs of the Bengali Language Movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh) on 21st February 1952.
- Language Movement Background: After Pakistan's creation in 1947, Urdu was declared the sole national language despite Bangla being spoken by the majority in East Pakistan.
- Constituent Assembly Demand: Bengali legislators demanded recognition of Bangla as a national language alongside Urdu in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan.
- 1952 Movement: Students and activists protested on 21st February 1952 in Dhaka; police firing killed several protesters, sparking widespread outrage.
- Outcome: Bangla was eventually recognized as a state language of Pakistan in 1956, and later became the sole official language of Bangladesh after independence in 1971.
- Global Significance: The sacrifice of language martyrs led to worldwide recognition of linguistic rights and cultural identity.
Consider the following statements:
- The value of Indo-Sri Lanka trade has consistently increased in the last decade.
- “Textile and textile articles” constitute an important item of trade between India and Bangladesh.
- In the last five years, Nepal has been the largest trading partner of India in South Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
This question tests knowledge of India's bilateral trade relationships with South Asian countries, specifically Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, and Nepal. Only Statement 2 about textile trade between India and Bangladesh is correct, while statements about consistent trade growth with Sri Lanka and Nepal being the largest trading partner are incorrect.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Indo-Sri Lanka trade has not consistently increased over the last decade; it witnessed significant slumps in 2012-13 and 2016-17, disrupting the steady growth pattern despite overall long-term growth.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: Textiles and textile articles constitute an important item of bilateral trade between India and Bangladesh, with India exporting approximately $2.25 billion worth of textile products to Bangladesh.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Bangladesh, not Nepal, has been India's largest trading partner in South Asia in the last five years, with bilateral trade of over $10 billion in FY 2018-19.
📝 Short Notes: India's Trade Relations with South Asian Neighbors
| Country | Status | Key Trade Features (Recent Data) |
|---|---|---|
| Bangladesh | Largest trading partner in South Asia | • Bilateral trade: ~$10.25 billion (FY 2018-19) • Indian exports: $9.21 billion • Indian imports: $1.04 billion • Key exports: Textiles, machinery, petroleum products • India has significant trade surplus |
| Sri Lanka | Second major trading partner | • Bilateral trade: $6.2 billion (2018-19) • Indian exports: $4.7 billion • Indian imports: $1.5 billion • Trade experienced slumps in 2012-13 and 2016-17 • India maintains consistent trade surplus |
| Nepal | Important landlocked neighbor | • Bilateral trade: ~$7 billion • Transit-dependent economy • Key Indian exports: Petroleum, vehicles, machinery • Third largest South Asian trading partner |
| Pakistan | Limited formal trade | • Official trade minimal due to political tensions • Significant informal/third-country trade exists • Potential estimated at $10+ billion |
- India-Bangladesh Textile Trade: A cornerstone of bilateral commerce with India being a major supplier of cotton, yarn, and finished textile products to Bangladesh's garment industry
- SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area): Provides preferential trade framework among SAARC nations, though utilization remains suboptimal
- Trade Imbalance Pattern: India generally maintains trade surplus with most South Asian neighbors except Bhutan (hydropower imports)
- Connectivity Initiatives: BBIN (Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal) Motor Vehicles Agreement aims to boost regional trade through better connectivity