International Relations: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
4 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on International Relations (International Relations and Current Affairs). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–4 of 4 questions
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q1. Consider the following statements: 1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’. 2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corrup-tion instrument. 3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly. 4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air is not part of the United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC). It is a supplementary protocol to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) adopted in 2000. The UNCAC was adopted in 2003 and focuses specifically on combating corruption and does not include provisions related to migrant smuggling.
Statement 2 is correct: The UNCAC adopted in 2003 is the first legally binding global instrument to combat corruption. It provides a comprehensive framework for preventing and criminalizing corruption, promoting international cooperation, and recovering illicitly acquired assets. It has been ratified by nearly all UN member states.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The UNTOC primarily focuses on combating transnational organized crime, including human trafficking, migrant smuggling, and illicit arms trafficking. It includes provisions for international cooperation and asset recovery but it does not have a specific chapter dedicated to returning assets to their rightful owners. This is a key feature of the UNCAC, which has a detailed chapter (Chapter V) on asset recovery.
Statement 4 is correct: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is responsible for helping countries implement both UNCAC and UNTOC. UNODC provides technical assistance, legal advice, and training to strengthen anti-corruption and anti-crime efforts.
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q2. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the:
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: The IMF focuses on global financial stability and publishes reports like the World Economic Outlook (WEO) and Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR).
Option (b) is incorrect: UNCTAD publishes reports on trade and development such as the World Investment Report (WIR) and Trade and Development Report (TDR).
Option (c) is correct: The World Economic Forum’s annual Global Competitiveness Report (GCR) ranks economies using the Global Competitiveness Index (GCI). It evaluates factors like infrastructure, innovation, and market efficiency.
Option (d) is incorrect: The World Bank publishes reports like the World Development Report (WDR). However, this report has been discontinued recently.
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q3. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field’ with which of the following countries?
Explanation
Option (b) is correct: The Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field was signed between India and Russia in 2018. This agreement is part of the long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia in the field of civil nuclear energy. The deal aims to enhance cooperation in areas such as nuclear power plant construction, nuclear fuel supply, and joint research and devel-opment in nuclear technology. The agreement was signed during the 19th India-Russia Annual Summit in New Delhi between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Key areas of cooperation included:
Construction of more nuclear power plants in India (like Kudankulam in Tamil Nadu). Localization of nuclear component manufacturing in India. Joint collaboration in third-country nuclear projects.
UPSC 2019International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q4. Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as ‘General Data Protection Regulation’ in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018?
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: Australia has its own privacy regulations under the Privacy Act of 1988. While it does have laws to protect personal data, they are not as comprehensive or as strict as the GDPR.
Option (b) is incorrect: Canada follows the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA), which also protects data privacy but is not as extensive as the GDPR. PIPEDA regulates the handling of personal information in the private sector, but it is not as stringent or comprehensive as the GDPR.
Option (c) is correct: The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a law on data protection and privacy adopted by the European Union (EU) It is one of the most comprehensive and stringent data protection laws globally, aimed at enhancing individuals’ control over their personal data and regulating how businesses process and store personal information. It includes rights such as data portability, the right to be forgotten, and the right to access personal data.
Option (d) is incorrect: The United States of America has a more fragmented approach to data privacy, with sector-specif-ic regulations such as the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). There is no single overarching federal law like the GDPR in the US.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2019
(c) 2 and 4 only
2
2019
(c) World Economic Forum
3
2019
(b) Russia
4
2019
(c) The European Union
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on International Relations?
This page covers 4 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on International Relations (International Relations and Current Affairs), asked from 2011 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for International Relations?
Questions on International Relations (International Relations and Current Affairs) are available for 14 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
