International Relations: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
91 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on international relations appear here, from 2011 to 2025. UPSC asks which organisation issues which report, which countries belong to a grouping, what a treaty or initiative does and where a place in the news is. The explanations give the member list and purpose so that country-count questions can be settled.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 61–70 of 91 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 2017International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q61. The term ‘Digital Single Market Strategy’ seen in the news refers to:
Explanation
Option (c) is correct: The Digital Single Market (DSM) Strategy is an initiative of the European Union (EU), created by EU in 2015. It is aimed at removing digital trade barriers among EU member states to create a unified and efficient digital economy. The strategy aims to remove barriers to cross-border online activities, enhance digital connectivity, and promote fair competition. The DSM Strategy is a key part of the EU’s Digital Decade Policy for global digital leadership. It focuses on three key pillars:
Improving access to digital goods and services, Creating an environment for digital networks and services to thrive, and Maximizing the growth potential of the digital economy.
UPSC 2017International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q62. Which of the following gives ‘Global Gender Gap Index’ ranking to the countries of the world?
Explanation
It (GGGI) is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). Global Gender Gap Index was introduced in 2006 by the World Economic Forum (WEF). The Index ranks countries based on gender parity (0 = complete inequality, 1 = complete equality). It measures gender equality across four key areas:
Economic Participation and Opportunity Educational Attainment Health and Survival Political Empowerment
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q63. Consider the following statements: 1. The International Solar Alliance was launched at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2015. 2. The Alliance includes all the member countries of the United Nations. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The International Solar Alliance (ISA) was launched on November 30, 2015, at the COP21 (United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Paris, France.
Statement 2 is incorrect: ISA does not include all UN member states. Initially, it was focused on solar-rich countries between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. However, in 2018, its membership was expanded to include all member states of the United Nations. While all UN member states are eligible to join, not all have done so.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q64. Which of the following is not a member of ‘Gulf Cooperation Council’?
Explanation
GCC Member Countries are listed as under:
1. Saudi Arabia 2. United Arab Emirates (UAE)
3. Kuwait 4. Qatar
5. Bahrain 6. Oman Clearly, Iran is NOT a member of the GCC because it is a non-Arab country and has historical tensions with several GCC members.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q65. With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements: 1. It is an organisation of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO. 2. It monitors the chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging. 3. It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The OPCW is not an EU organization. The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is an independent, autonomous international organization established in 1997 to implement the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). While OPCW collaborates with the UN, WHO, and other international agencies, it is not directly linked to NATO or the EU.
Statement 2 is correct: OPCW verifies and inspects chemical industries worldwide to ensure compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention. It prevents the development and stockpiling of chemical weapons by monitoring the production and trade of dual-use chemicals.
Statement 3 is correct: OPCW helps member states (States Parties) with protective measures against chemical weapon threats. It provides technical and logistical assistance in case of chemical attacks or threats.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q66. Consider the following statements: The India-Africa Summit 1. Held in 2015 was the third such Summit 2. Was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951 Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Third India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was held in 2015 in New Delhi, India. The first Summit was held in 2008 (New Delhi, India), and the second was in 2011 (Addis Ababa, Ethiopia).
Statement 2 is incorrect: The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was first initiated in 2008, not in 1951. Jawaharlal Nehru did not start this summit; however, he played an important role in strengthening India-Africa relations through the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) began in 2008 under the leadership of Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh as a formal platform to strengthen relations between India and African nations.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q67. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements: 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia. 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a trade agreement, not a security alliance. Not all Pacific Rim countries were part of TPP. The TPP originally included 12 countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Peru, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, Vietnam, Brunei, Australia, and New Zealand. China and Russia were excluded, but many Pacific Rim countries like Indonesia, South Korea, and the Philippines were also not part of TPP. In 2017, the U.S. withdrew from TPP, and the remaining 11 countries renegotiated it as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). In 2024, the United Kingdom became the first European country to join the CPTPP.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The TPP was purely a trade and economic agreement, focusing on reducing tariffs, setting trade rules, and boosting investment. It was not related with maritime security or military alliances. Maritime security issues in the Pacific are mainly handled by ASEAN, APEC, and military alliances like AUKUS and the Quad, not by TPP.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q68. Which of the following is/are the indicator/ indicators used by IFPRI to compute the Global Hunger Index Report? 1. Undernourishment 2. Child stunting 3. Child mortality Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is an annual report published by IFPRI (International Food Policy Research Institute) until 2018, and now by Concern Worldwide and Wel-thungerhilfe. It measures and tracks hunger at global, regional, and national levels using the following four key indicators:
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q69. ‘European Stability Mechanism’, sometimes seen in the news, is an
Explanation
The European Stability Mechanism (ESM) is a permanent crisis resolution mechanism for the eurozone. It was established in 2012 to provide financial assistance to eurozone countries experiencing severe economic difficulties. The ESM offers loans, purchases bonds, and provides credit lines to stabilize member economies and prevent financial conta-gion within the euro area. The European Stability Mechanism (ESM), headquartered in Luxembourg, was established to re-place the European Financial Stability Facility (EFSF) and is funded by eurozone member states. It acts as a ‘lender of last resort’ for eurozone countries, offering loans and other types of support under strict conditions, such as implementing economic reforms.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q70. The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as:
Explanation
RCEP is a free trade agreement between ASEAN’s 10 member states and their five trade partners--Australia, China, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea--aiming to boost trade, investment, and economic cooperation across Asia-Pacific. RCEP covers trade in goods and services, investment, e-commerce, intellectual property, dispute settlement, and SMEs, fostering regional economic integration. The agreement gradually eliminates tariffs, enhances market access for goods and services, and simplifies rules of origin, benefiting global supply chains. RCEP promotes cross-border data flows, online consumer protection, and cybersecurity while improving investment protection and economic cooperation through capacity building and technology transfer. Ensuring equitable benefits, bridging economic disparities, and maintaining transparency remain key challenges. Despite this, RCEP represents a major milestone in global trade and economic collaboration.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
61
2017
(c) EU
62
2017
(a) World Economic Forum
63
2016
(a) 1 only
64
2016
(a) Iran
65
2016
(b) 2 and 3 only
66
2016
(a) 1 only
67
2016
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
68
2016
(c) 1, 2 and 3
69
2016
(b) Agency of EU that provides financial assistance to eurozone countries
70
2016
(b) ASEAN
What UPSC has tested in International Relations
The Global Competitiveness Report and Global Gender Gap Index are published by the World Economic Forum; the Global Financial Stability Report is prepared by the IMF.
The Global Economic Prospects report is issued by the World Bank; the Rule of Law Index is released by the World Justice Project.
The ILO Conventions 138 and 182 relate to child labour.
Iran is not a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council.
The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is a data protection law of the European Union.
Chabahar Port gives India access to Afghanistan and Central Asia without depending on Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on International Relations?
This page covers 91 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.
Who publishes the Global Competitiveness Report?
The World Economic Forum. It also publishes the Global Gender Gap Index. Rankings from other bodies, such as the World Bank’s Global Economic Prospects and the IMF’s Global Financial Stability Report, are often asked together to test whether you can match the report to its publisher.
Which Gulf country is not a member of the Gulf Cooperation Council?
Iran. The GCC has six members: Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain and Oman. Iran lies on the other side of the Gulf and has never been a member.
What are ILO Conventions 138 and 182?
Conventions on child labour. Convention 138 sets a minimum age for admission to employment, and Convention 182 calls for the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour. Both have been ratified by India.
Why is Chabahar Port important to India?
It lets India reach Afghanistan and Central Asia by sea and road through Iran, bypassing Pakistan. India is developing the port’s Shahid Beheshti terminal, and it links to the International North-South Transport Corridor.
