UPSC CSE Prelims
International Security Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: International Security
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
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.
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements :
- Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government.
- The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security.
- To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States.
How Many of the above statements are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 2 — Only two
Out of the three statements about Home Guards, two are correct (Statements 2 and 3), while Statement 1 is incorrect because Home Guards are raised under State/UT Acts and Rules, not by the Central Government.
❌ Statement 1 – Incorrect: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the States/Union Territories, not the Central Government. They are recruited from volunteers who give their spare time for community service.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Home Guards serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintaining internal security, helping during emergencies (air raids, fires, cyclones, earthquakes, epidemics), maintaining essential services, promoting communal harmony, and performing Civil Defence duties.
✅ Statement 3 – Correct: Fifteen Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) Battalions have been raised in border States—Punjab (6), Rajasthan (4), Gujarat (2), and one each in Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal—to assist the Border Security Force in preventing infiltration on international borders/coastal areas.
📝 Short Notes: Home Guards
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Legal Basis | Raised under State/UT Home Guards Acts and Rules (not Central Government) |
| Nature | Voluntary force of civilians giving spare time for community service |
| Primary Role | Auxiliary to Police in internal security maintenance |
| Functions | Emergency response (natural disasters, fires, etc.), Civil Defence duties, communal harmony, essential services maintenance |
| Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) | 15 Battalions in border States: Punjab (6), Rajasthan (4), Gujarat (2), Meghalaya (1), Tripura (1), West Bengal (1) |
| BWHG Role | Auxiliary to BSF for preventing infiltration on borders/coastal areas, guarding vulnerable areas/points |
Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’?
Detailed Explanation:
Answer: Option 1 — It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.
The Polar Code is an international maritime regulation adopted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that establishes mandatory safety and environmental standards specifically for ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic regions. It addresses the unique challenges of polar navigation including ship design, crew training, operational procedures, and pollution prevention measures.
✅ Option 1 – Correct: Accurately describes the Polar Code as an international safety code for ships in polar waters.
❌ Option 2 – Incorrect: The Polar Code is not about territorial demarcation; it is a maritime safety regulation applicable to ships.
❌ Option 3 – Incorrect: The code relates to commercial shipping safety, not research norms for scientists.
❌ Option 4 – Incorrect: It is not a trade and security agreement of the Arctic Council, but an IMO maritime safety regulation.
📝 Short Notes: Polar Code
- Full Name: International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters
- Adopted by: International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2014; entered into force on January 1, 2017
- Scope: Covers both Arctic and Antarctic waters, addressing risks present in polar environments
- Key Requirements: Ship design and construction standards, equipment requirements, crew training and certification, operational safety procedures, environmental protection measures
- Purpose: To ensure safe ship operation and protect the pristine polar environment from shipping-related pollution and accidents
- Coverage: Applies to new ships constructed after 2017 and existing ships engaged in polar voyages
- Environmental Focus: Restrictions on discharge of oil, chemicals, sewage, and garbage; prohibition on use and carriage of heavy fuel oil in Antarctic waters
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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.