International Relations: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
12 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 11–12 of 12 questions
UPSC 2022International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q11. Consider the following pairs:
Country
Important Reason for Being in the News Recently
1. Chad
Setting up of a permanent military base by China
2. Guinea
Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon
Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia
Suspension of Parliament by President
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
Explanation
Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: There is no confirmed report of China establishing a permanent military base in Chad. China has increased its influence in Africa through economic investments and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects but not through a military base in Chad. The only confirmed Chinese overseas military base is in Djibouti.
Pair 2 is correctly matched: In September 2021 Guinea’s military staged a coup by overthrowing President Alpha Condé and suspending the constitution and government. The coup was led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya citing political instability, corruption, and economic issues.
Pair 3 is correctly matched: Lebanon has been facing a deep economic crisis since 2019, marked by: Hyperinflation and currency collapse, mass unemployment, energy and food shortages, Political instability. The World Bank described Lebanon’s crisis as one of the worst economic collapses since the 19th century.
Pair 4 is correctly matched: In July 2021 Tunisia’s President Kais Saied suspended the Parliament and dismissed the Prime Minister citing emergency powers due to political and economic instability.In 2022, a new constitution was introduced which further consolidating Saied’s power and reducing parliamentary authority.
UPSC 2022International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q12. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
Explanation
The Senkaku Islands (called "Diaoyu Islands" by China) are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea which is controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. The islands are located northeast of Taiwan, east of China, and southwest of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. They cover around 7 square kilometers and are strategically important due to their rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. Japan claims it incorporated the islands in 1895 considering them terra nullius (land belonging to no one). China claims historical sovereignty over the islands, citing maps and records dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Taiwan also claims the islands and refers to them as Tiaoyutai.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2022
(c) Only three pairs
12
2022
(b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in the East China Sea.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on International Relations?
This page covers 12 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.
