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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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.
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.
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.
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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).
‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — A non-governmental international organization
Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), commonly known as Doctors Without Borders, is an independent international medical humanitarian NGO founded in 1971 in France. It operates independently of any government, providing medical assistance to populations affected by armed conflict, epidemics, disasters, or exclusion from healthcare, irrespective of race, religion, or political affiliation. MSF was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999 for its pioneering humanitarian work across continents, recognized for its impartiality and commitment to medical ethics.
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 the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging
- It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 and 3 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: OPCW is an independent, autonomous international organization based in The Hague, Netherlands, not an organization of the European Union. It implements the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and has 193 member states globally. While it cooperates with NATO, WHO and other organizations, it is not under their purview or limited to Europe.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: OPCW monitors chemical industries worldwide through routine inspections of declared chemical production facilities to ensure that toxic chemicals are not diverted for weapons purposes. This verification regime prevents the emergence of new chemical weapons.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Under Article X of the Chemical Weapons Convention, OPCW provides assistance and protection to member states facing chemical weapons threats. This includes offering training, protective equipment, detection technology, and emergency response support to enhance national chemical security capabilities.
The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — ASEAN
The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) is a mega free trade agreement signed in November 2020 involving ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its five major trading partners — China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and New Zealand. ASEAN is at the core of this partnership, making it the largest regional trading bloc covering approximately 30% of global GDP and population. India was initially part of the negotiations but withdrew in 2019 citing concerns over trade deficits and impact on domestic industries. The agreement came into force in January 2022 and aims to reduce tariffs, streamline trade rules, and enhance economic integration across the Asia-Pacific region.
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of -
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 4 — China
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), also known as One Belt One Road (OBOR), is a massive global infrastructure development strategy launched by China in 2013. It aims to enhance connectivity and cooperation between Asia, Europe, Africa, and beyond through two main components: the Silk Road Economic Belt (overland routes) and the 21st Century Maritime Silk Road (sea routes). China invests in ports, railways, highways, and energy projects across participating countries to strengthen trade linkages and expand its economic influence globally.
Consider the following statements regarding the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS):
- The summit held in 2015 marked the third edition of the IAFS.
- The IAFS mechanism was instituted under the leadership of Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — 1 only
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The India-Africa Forum Summit held in 2015 was indeed the third edition (IAFS-III). The first summit took place in New Delhi in 2008, the second in Addis Ababa in 2011, and the third in New Delhi in October 2015.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: The IAFS mechanism was not instituted in 1951 under Nehru's leadership. The India-Africa Forum Summit was formally established only in 2008 as a structured platform for India-Africa dialogue. While Jawaharlal Nehru championed Afro-Asian solidarity through initiatives like the 1947 Asian Relations Conference and the 1955 Bandung Conference, the IAFS is a separate 21st-century framework created six decades later.
Community sometimes mentioned in the news : In the affairs of
- Kurd: Bangladesh
- Madhesi: Nepal
- Rohingya: Myanmar
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 3 — 2 and 3
❌ Pair 1 – Kurd: Bangladesh – Incorrect: Kurds are a distinct ethnic group primarily inhabiting regions across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. They have no significant presence in Bangladesh and are not associated with its affairs.
✅ Pair 2 – Madhesi: Nepal – Correct: Madhesis are Indo-Aryan communities residing in the Terai plains of southern Nepal. They have been politically active, often demanding greater representation and rights in Nepal's governance.
✅ Pair 3 – Rohingya: Myanmar – Correct: Rohingyas are a persecuted Muslim minority in Myanmar's Rakhine State. They have been in international news due to severe human rights violations and forced displacement to Bangladesh.
‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is an intergovernmental organization established in September 2012 as a permanent financial assistance mechanism for eurozone member states facing financial difficulties. With a maximum lending capacity of €500 billion, it serves as a financial firewall to safeguard the stability of the eurozone by providing emergency loans and financial support to countries experiencing severe economic distress, subject to strict conditions and policy reforms.
Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — Iran
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) is a regional political and economic union established on 25 May 1981. It consists of six Arab states of the Persian Gulf: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Iran, despite being a Gulf nation, is not a member of the GCC due to political, sectarian, and ideological differences with the Arab member states.
Consider the following statements:
- New Development Bank has been set up by APEC.
- The headquarters of the New Development Bank is in Shanghai.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — 2 only
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: The New Development Bank (NDB) was established by BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa), not by APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation). It was conceptualized at the fourth BRICS Summit in New Delhi (2012) and formally established at the sixth BRICS Summit in Fortaleza, Brazil (2014).
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The headquarters of the New Development Bank is located in Shanghai, China. The bank became operational in 2015 with the mandate to mobilize resources for infrastructure and sustainable development projects in BRICS and other emerging economies.
‘Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’ often seen in the news, is
Detailed Explanation:
Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action is a comprehensive agenda for women's empowerment adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women held in Beijing, China in 1995.
It was convened by the United Nations and identified 12 critical areas of concern including women and poverty, violence against women, women in power and decision-making, and education and training of women.
India is a member of which of the following?
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation.
- Association of South-East Asian Nations.
- East Asia Summit
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Detailed Explanation:
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: India is not a member of APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation); it has sought membership but faces opposition from some existing members.
❌ Statement 2 – Incorrect: India is not a member of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), though it is a Sectoral Dialogue Partner (1992) and Full Dialogue Partner (1995).
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: India is a founding member of the East Asia Summit (EAS) since its inception in 2005, a key platform for regional strategic dialogue.