UPSC CSE Prelims
International Relations Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Solved Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for International Relations in UPSC CSE Prelims in English & Hindi Medium.
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At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".
Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) follows a strategic framework centered on transforming agrifood systems through the "Four Betters" approach.
The Four Betters are:
-
Better Production
-
Better Nutrition
-
Better Environment
-
Better Life
The Blue Transformation initiative aims to make fisheries and aquaculture more sustainable and resilient while contributing to these four goals.
Options A, C, and D are incorrect because terms like better ocean, better coral reefs, better estuaries, and better mangrove vegetation are not part of FAO's official framework.
Therefore, Option B is the correct answer.
FAO's Blue Transformation
-
Blue Transformation is FAO's strategy to sustainably expand aquatic food systems, including fisheries and aquaculture.
-
It supports food security, nutrition, livelihoods, and environmental sustainability through the framework of the Four Betters.
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)
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation) |
|---|---|
| A. UNMIL | 1. 2007 - 2010 |
| B. MINURCAT | 2. 2002 - 2005 |
| C. MINUSTAH | 3. 2003 - 2018 |
| D. UNMISET | 4. 2004 - 2017 |
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Matching:
| Mission | Full Name | Location | Period | Match |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A. UNMIL | UN Mission in Liberia | Liberia | 2003–2018 | 3 |
| B. MINURCAT | UN Mission in Central African Republic & Chad | CAR & Chad | 2007–2010 | 1 |
| C. MINUSTAH | UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti | Haiti | 2004–2017 | 4 |
| D. UNMISET | UN Mission of Support in East Timor | Timor-Leste | 2002–2005 | 2 |
Key Context:
- UNMIL — Post Second Liberian Civil War ceasefire support
- MINURCAT — Spillover violence from Darfur conflict
- MINUSTAH — Post 2004 Haitian coup d'état; succeeded by MINUJUSTH
- UNMISET — Supported newly independent East Timor (Timor-Leste)
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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 platforms for multilateral co-operation :
- The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
- The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
- The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — Incorrect. The Colombo Process is a Regional Consultative Process comprising 12 Asian member states (primarily labour-origin countries). It operates as a voluntary forum where decisions are made by consensus — but they are strictly non-binding, not binding as claimed.
Statement 2 — Correct. The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (ADD) is a voluntary, non-binding inter-governmental consultative process (est. 2008) bringing together Asian labour origin and destination countries to facilitate regional cooperation on temporary contractual labour mobility for safe and orderly migration.
Statement 3 — Correct. The Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) was established following a proposal by former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan at the 2006 UN General Assembly High-Level Dialogue on Migration and Development. It is:
- State-led, voluntary, informal
- Non-binding in nature
- Operates outside the formal UN system
Key Trick: Statement 1 replaces "non-binding" with "binding" — a single-word trap that completely reverses the nature of the Colombo Process.
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) |
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)
Which of the following international conventions have not been ratified by India?
- Employment Policy Convention
- Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
- International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
- Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
- Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
Select the answer using the code given below:
Detailed Explanation:
Model Answer: Option 4 (3, 4 and 5)
(Note: Option D is correct by elimination as it is the only option containing both conventions 3 & 5 which are factually unratified)
Convention-wise Analysis:
| # | Convention | India's Status |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Employment Policy Convention, 1964 (ILO No. 122) | ✅ Ratified — 17 Nov 1998 |
| 2 | Abolition of Forced Labour Convention, 1957 (ILO No. 105) | ✅ Ratified — 18 May 2000 |
| 3 | Convention on Rights of All Migrant Workers (1990) | ❌ Neither signed nor ratified |
| 4 | Geneva Convention IV — Protection of Civilians (1949) | ✅ Ratified — 9 Nov 1950; enacted via Geneva Conventions Act, 1960 |
| 5 | Convention on Reduction of Statelessness (1961) | ❌ Neither signed nor ratified |
Important Note on Statement 4: The question likely confused Geneva Convention IV (ratified by India) with the 1951 Refugee Convention (adopted in Geneva) — which India has NOT ratified. This is a classic question-setter error.
India's Key Non-Ratifications to Remember:
- 1951 Refugee Convention & its 1967 Protocol
- 1954 Convention on Statelessness
- 1961 Convention on Reduction of Statelessness
- 1990 Migrant Workers Convention
Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :
- World Food Programme
- United Nations Children's Fund
- United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
- International Labour Organisation
How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?
Detailed Explanation:
The answer is UNHCR — the only organisation among the four to have won the Nobel Peace Prize twice.
| Organisation | Nobel Prize | Year(s) | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| WFP | Nobel Peace Prize | 2020 | Once |
| UNICEF | Nobel Peace Prize | 1965 | Once |
| UNHCR | Nobel Peace Prize | 1954 & 1981 | Twice ✓ |
| ILO | Nobel Peace Prize | 1969 | Once |
Why UNHCR won twice:
- 1954 — Post-WWII refugee relief efforts
- 1981 — Ongoing work promoting fundamental rights of refugees globally
Key Point: All four organisations have won the Nobel Peace Prize, but only UNHCR has won it twice — making the answer 1.
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :
| List I (INTERPOL Notice) | List II (Description) |
|---|---|
| A. Silver Notice | 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies |
| B. Blue Notice | 2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation |
| C. Black Notice | 3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety |
| D. Green Notice | 4. To identify and trace criminal assets |
Detailed Explanation:
Correct Matching:
| INTERPOL Notice | Description | Match |
|---|---|---|
| A. Silver Notice | To identify, monitor & trace illicit criminal assets across international borders | 4 |
| B. Blue Notice | To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in an ongoing criminal investigation | 2 |
| C. Black Notice | To seek information on unidentified bodies (forensic/humanitarian tool) | 1 |
| D. Green Notice | To warn about a person's criminal activities where the person is a possible threat to public safety | 3 |
Complete INTERPOL Notice Reference:
| Colour | Purpose |
|---|---|
| 🔴 Red | Request provisional arrest/extradition |
| 🔵 Blue | Collect info on a person |
| ⚫ Black | Identify unidentified bodies |
| 🟡 Yellow | Locate missing persons |
| 🟢 Green | Warn about dangerous criminals |
| 🟠 Orange | Warn of imminent threat (weapons/events) |
| 🟣 Purple | Warn about criminal methods/devices |
| ⚪ Silver | Trace criminal assets (recently introduced) |
Key Trick: Silver Notice is the newest addition — specifically designed for asset tracing, not person tracking.
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
- Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
- Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
- Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow
Select the answer using the code given below :
Detailed Explanation:
Statement 1 — NOT Correct ✗ No MoU was signed between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg. During the visit, cooperation in traditional medicine was agreed upon between Gujarat Ayurveda University and German institutions. A prior MoU (late 2025) had been signed between AIIA and Charité Universitätsmedizin, Berlin — not Hamburg.
Statement 2 — Correct ✓ An MoU on Youth Hockey Development was officially signed between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation — this outcome did take place.
Statement 3 — Correct ✓ The two nations announced the establishment of a new bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific, alongside a Track 1.5 Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue.
Statement 4 — NOT Correct ✗ Following the Chancellor's focus on Gujarat, Germany announced the appointment of an Honorary Consul in Ahmedabad — NOT Lucknow.
Quick Summary:
| Statement | Correct? | Key Error |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ❌ | Hamburg → should be Charité Berlin / Gujarat Ayurveda Univ. |
| 2 | ✅ | Hockey MoU — correctly stated |
| 3 | ✅ | Indo-Pacific dialogue — correctly stated |
| 4 | ❌ | Lucknow → should be Ahmedabad |
India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect
Detailed Explanation:
INSTC connects India → Iran → Central Asia/Russia → Europe, using a mix of sea, rail, and road.
The route looks like this: Mumbai (India) → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Azerbaijan/Russia → Europe, with branches reaching Central Asia too.
Why other options are wrong:
| Option | Issue |
|---|---|
| Option 2 | Wrong path — INSTC goes via Iran, not China |
| Option 3 | Different corridor entirely — that's about Act East Policy connectivity |
| Option 4 | Incomplete — Azerbaijan is just one stop, the full route goes via Iran first |
📝 Short Notes: INSTC (for Revision)
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | International North-South Transport Corridor |
| Established | 2000, by India, Iran, and Russia (founding members) |
| Type | Multimodal (sea + rail + road) |
| Route | Mumbai → Bandar Abbas (Iran) → Caspian Sea/Azerbaijan/Russia → Europe |
| Length | ~7,200 km |
| Purpose | Reduce transport time/cost between India and Europe/Central Asia/Russia |
| Significance for India | Bypasses Pakistan; reduces dependency on Suez Canal route |
| Chabahar Port connection | Iran's Chabahar Port is a key node, developed with Indian assistance |
Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:
I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Statement I is Correct: The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from October 22 to 24, 2024. Russia held the rotating chairship for the year 2024.
Statement II is Correct: Indonesia officially announced its intention to join BRICS and has been integrated into the bloc as a full member following the 16th Summit in Kazan, as part of the group's ongoing expansion to include key emerging economies from the Global South.
Statement III is Incorrect: The official theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was "Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security." The statement incorrectly uses the word "Multiculturalism," which changes the diplomatic meaning of the theme.
Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of tourism is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional organization connecting South Asia and Southeast Asia. It promotes cooperation in areas such as trade, connectivity, security, energy, and tourism.
✅ Statement I is Correct: BIMSTEC had 7 member countries till January 2025 — Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand.
❌ Statement II is Incorrect: BIMSTEC was established through the Bangkok Declaration (1997), not the Dhaka Declaration.
❌ Statement III is Incorrect: Nepal was not a founding member. The founding members were Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Myanmar.
❌ Statement IV is Incorrect: In BIMSTEC, the Tourism sector is led by Nepal, not India.
Therefore, only Statement I is correct.
Consider the following pairs:
I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026
II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027
III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025
IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
All four pairs are correctly matched as per the United Nations declarations for upcoming international years.
✅ Pair I: International Year of the Woman Farmer — 2026
✅ Pair II: International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism — 2027
✅ Pair III: International Year of Peace and Trust — 2025
✅ Pair IV: International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence — 2029