International Relations and Current Affairs: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) was established in 2006 to regulate natural gas and petroleum products. It is not the first regulatory body in India. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) (1997) and Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) (1992) were established earlier.

Statement 2 is correct: PNGRB ensures competitive gas markets, tariff regulation, and fair trade practices in natural gas distribution.

Statement 3 is correct: Appeals against PNGRB’s decisions are heard by the Appellate Tribunal for Electricity (APTEL), which also deals with power sector disputes.

Explanation

India’s forest cover varies significantly across states, with eastern and central states having higher coverage. According to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2019, the correct ascending order based on percentage of forest cover to the total area is:

Maharashtra (16.47%) Madhya Pradesh (25.11%) Odisha (32.98%) Chhattisgarh (41.09%) Thus, the correct order is Maharashtra Madhya Pradesh Odisha Chhattisgarh (3-2-4-1).

Explanation

Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) are international treaties between two or more countries designed to reduce or eliminate barriers to trade and investment, ASEAN has established Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with multiple countries. Its FTA partners include Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea. Canada and the USA have not signed FTA with ASEAN.

Explanation

The Additional Protocol (AP) is a legal agreement between a country and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that strengthens the IAEA’s ability to verify that nuclear materials are not being diverted for non-peaceful purposes. It expands the IAEA’s access to nuclear facilities and provides additional transparency measures. India signed the Additional Protocol with the IAEA in 2009, and it came into force in 2014.

Option (a) is correct: The Additional Protocol strengthens IAEA oversight over India’s civilian nuclear reactors, ensuring non-diversion of nuclear material for military purposes. India voluntarily placed 14 civilian reactors under IAEA safeguards as part of the Indo-US Nuclear Deal (2008).

Option (b) is incorrect: India’s military nuclear installations are not subject to IAEA safeguards as India is not a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Option (c) is incorrect: While ratifying the protocol demonstrates India’s commitment to non-proliferation but it does not directly grant the privilege to buy uranium from NSG countries. However, it played a role in securing an NSG waiver in 2008 which allowed India to access nuclear technology and materials despite not being an NPT signatory

Option (d) is incorrect: Ratifying the Additional Protocol does not automatically make India a member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG). NSG membership requires a consensus among all member states, and India’s membership has faced opposition due to its non-signatory status to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

Explanation

The International Labour Organization (ILO) has two key conventions focused on child labour:

ILO Convention 138 (Minimum Age Convention, 1973) focuses on the abolition of child labour by setting a minimum age for employment or work, which should not be less than the age of completion of compulsory schooling and, in any case, for most of the countries, not less than 15 years. It aims to ensure that children are not employed in work that jeopardizes their health, safety, or morals. ILO Convention 182 (Worst Forms of Child Labour Convention, 1999) aims to eliminate the worst forms of child labour, including slavery, trafficking, debt bondage, forced labour, and hazardous work. It is recognized as one of the core ILO conventions, widely ratified by countries worldwide.

Explanation

Option (b) is correct: The Israel-Palestine conflict is the primary context where the "two-state solution" is discussed. The "two-state solution" refers to the proposal for resolving the Israel-Palestine conflict by creating two independent states:

Israel as a Jewish state.

Palestine as a separate sovereign state, comprising the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The two-state solution is widely supported by the United Nations, USA, and European Union as a way to bring peace to the region. However, territorial disputes, Israeli settlements in the West Bank, and political disagreements have hindered its implementation. Options (a) (c), and (d) are incorrect:

China has territorial disputes (e.g., Taiwan, Tibet, South China Sea), but the "two-state solution" is not related to China. Iraq has internal conflicts (e.g., Sunni-Shia tensions, Kurdish independence), but not a two-state issue. Yemen is dealing with a civil war, not a two-state conflict.

Explanation

The "Rule of Law Index" is an annual report published by the World Justice Project (WJP). It evaluates countries based on their adherence to the rule of law using factors such as:

Constraints on government powers Absence of corruption Open government Fundamental rights Order and security Regulatory enforcement Civil and criminal justice The index ranks countries based on data collected from experts and surveys to assess how well nations uphold legal principles. The index is widely used by governments, policymakers, and civil society organizations to identify strengths and weaknesses in the rule of law and to guide reforms.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: NSG members can engage in nuclear trade and obtain access to advanced nuclear technology and materials. This includes technologies for peaceful uses such as medicine, energy production, and research. India seeks NSG membership to improve its access to civilian nuclear technology and fuel for energy generation.

Statement 2 is incorrect: NSG membership does not automatically grant NPT membership. Adherence to NPT principles is often considered during NSG membership discussions but signing the NPT is not a mandatory requirement for joining the NSG. For instance, India seeks NSG membership without being an NPT signatory. China has blocked India’s entry into NSG by citing India’s non-signatory status in NPT.

Explanation

Yemen and South Sudan have experienced severe humanitarian crises in recent years, with millions of people suffering from famine, acute malnutrition, and starvation, primarily caused by ongoing wars and ethnic conflicts. Yemen has been experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises due to a prolonged conflict since 2015. The war, combined with a blockade, has led to widespread famine-like conditions, with millions of people suffering from acute malnutrition and starvation. Over 80% of the population requires humanitarian aid, and millions are at risk of famine. Since its civil war began in 2013, South Sudan has faced severe food insecurity and famine conditions. Conflict has displaced millions, disrupted agricultural activities, and caused widespread hunger. In 2017, a famine was officially declared in parts of South Sudan, and even now, half the population faces extreme hunger.

Explanation

The "Sixth mass extinction" refers to the ongoing, human-driven loss of biodiversity, characterized by a rapid decline in species across the planet. This extinction event is primarily driven by human activities such as over-exploitation of resources, habitat destruction, pollution, and climate change.