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 71–80 of 91 questions
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UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q71. ‘Global Financial Stability Report’ is prepared by the:
Explanation
The Global Financial Stability Report (GFSR) is a bi-annual publication by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) that assesses global financial stability, systemic risks, and vulnerabilities in the international financial system. The report examines macroeconomic conditions, financial markets, regulatory developments, and emerging risks. It provides policy insights to help policymakers and financial institutions mitigate potential crises. The IMF conducts quantitative and qualitative analysis, including stress tests and scenario evaluations, consulting with financial regulators and market experts for a comprehensive risk assessment.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q72. ‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of:
Explanation
The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a China-led global infrastructure and investment project aimed at enhancing trade and connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa. It consists of the Silk Road Economic Belt (land routes) and the Maritime Silk Road (sea routes), involving railways, roads, ports, power plants, and telecom infrastructure. BRI projects are financed by Chinese state-owned banks, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Silk Road Fund. However, concerns about debt sustainability and financial transparency persist. Supporters highlight economic growth, trade facilitation, and regional integration, while critics warn of debt traps, environmental risks, and China’s geopolitical influence.
UPSC 2016International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q73. ‘Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is:
Explanation
Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières - MSF) MSF is a non-governmental, independent organization providing emergency medical aid in conflict zones, epidemics, natural disasters, and areas with limited healthcare access. Its teams include doctors, nurses, surgeons, logisticians, and administrators, working in high-risk environments to deliver critical healthcare services, including surgery, infectious disease treatment, maternal care, and mental health support. MSF relies primarily on private donations, ensuring neutrality and operational autonomy. It maintains strict financial transparency, publishing detailed reports on its funding and expenditures. Beyond medical aid, MSF raises awareness about humanitarian crises, neglected diseases, and human rights abuses. It advocates for improved healthcare access and humanitarian policies, using on-the-ground experience to influence public and policymaker decisions.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q74. Consider the following countries: 1. China 2. France 3. India 4. Israel 5. Pakistan Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?
Explanation
The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) classifies Nuclear-Weapon States (NWS) as those that tested nuclear weapons before January 1, 1967. These include China (Tested in 1964), France (Tested in 1960), Russia (formerly Soviet Union, 1949), United Kingdom (Tested in 1952) and United States (Tested in 1945).
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q75. Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action’, often seen in the news, is:
Explanation
Option (c) is correct: The Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BPfA) is a landmark international agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment. It was adopted at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, organized by the United Nations. It is recognized as one of the most comprehensive global commitments to advancing women’s rights. The BPfA serves as a guiding framework for national and international efforts to achieve gender equality. Options (a), (b) and (d) are incorrect:
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) focuses on security and economic cooperation. APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) deals with trade and economic policies, not gender equality. Wildlife trafficking is addressed under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) and the East Asia Summit, but this is unrelated to the Beijing Declaration.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q76. With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements: 1. It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills. 2. It is an alliance meant for maritime security only. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), formerly IOR-ARC, was established in 1997. It was not formed in response to piracy or oil spills but to promote regional economic cooperation, trade, and devel-opment among Indian Ocean nations. Piracy and maritime security became important issues later, but they were not the primary reason for formation of IOR-ARC.
Statement 2 is incorrect: IORA is not just about maritime security; it covers a broad range of areas, including: Trade and investment facilitation, Fisheries management, Disaster risk reduction, Academic and scientific cooperation, Tourism and cultural exchanges.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q77. In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/participants? 1. Bangladesh 2. Cambodia 3. China 4. Myanmar 5. Thailand Select the correct answer by using the code given below:
Explanation
The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is a regional cooperation initiative launched in 2000 to strengthen ties between India and five Southeast Asian countries along the Mekong River and the Ganges River. MGC Member Countries include India, Thailand, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam. Clearly, Bangladesh and China are not participants in MGC.
Additional insight:
Objectives of MGC include:
Strengthening economic collaboration and trade between member nations, Advancing cultural interactions and people-to-people connections, and Encouraging dialogue and partnership on shared concerns. The MGC’s four core cooperation areas encompass tourism, culture, education, and transport & communication. Additionally, it has broadened its scope to cover emerging fields such as health and traditional medicine, agriculture and allied industries, small and medium enterprises, water resource management, science and technology, skill enhancement, and capacity development.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q78. India is a member of which among the following? 1. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation 2. Association of South-East Asian Nations 3. East Asia Summit Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: APEC is a 21-member economic forum focused on promoting free trade and economic co-operation in the Asia-Pacific region. India has been seeking APEC membership, but it has not yet been admitted.
Statement 2 is incorrect: ASEAN is a regional group of 10 Southeast Asian countries. However, India has strong ties with ASEAN and is a part of the ASEAN+6 framework but is not a full member.
Statement 3 is correct: India is a member of the East Asia Summit (EAS). EAS includes 18 countries, including ASEAN members + India, China, Japan, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and the US. It focuses on political, security, and economic issues in the Indo-Pacific region. It promotes peace, stability, connectivity, and cooperation on global challenges such as climate change and health security.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q79. Amnesty International is:
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: Amnesty International is NOT a UN agency. UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees) is the actual UN body responsible for refugee assistance.
Option (b) is correct: Amnesty International fights for human rights globally hence, is the correct answer.
Option (c) is incorrect: Amnesty focuses on human rights, not poverty alleviation. Organizations like Oxfam and ActionAid focus on helping the poor.
Option (d) is incorrect: Amnesty International is not intergovernmental. Medecins Sans Frontieres (Doctors Without Borders) deals with medical emergencies.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q80. The area known as ‘Golan Heights’ sometimes appears in the news in the context of the events related to:
Explanation
Option (a) is incorrect: Central Asia includes Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan, and Golan Heights is not in this region.
Option (b) is correct: Golan Heights is in the Middle East, contested between Israel and Syria.
Option (c) is incorrect: Southeast Asia includes countries like Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Myanmar, but Golan Heights is unrelated to this region.
Option (d) is incorrect: Central Africa includes DR Congo, Chad, and the Central African Republic, not related to the Golan Heights.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
71
2016
(b) International Monetary Fund
72
2016
(d) China
73
2016
(b) A non-governmental international organisation
74
2015
(a) 1 and 2 only
75
2015
(c) An agenda for women’s empowerment, an outcome of a World Conference convened by the United Nations
76
2015
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
77
2015
(c) 1 and 3
78
2015
(b) 3 only
79
2015
(b) A global Human Rights Movement
80
2015
(b) Middle East
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.
