Previous Year UPSC Questions

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.

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.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Rowlatt Act was passed on the recommendations of the Sedition Committee chaired by Sir Sidney Rowlatt.

Statement 2 is correct: In organising his satyagraha, Gandhiji tried to utilise three types of political networks: The Home Rule Leagues; Certain Pan-Islamist groups and Satyagraha Sabha.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The two time periods are not the same. The incident of Rowlatt Satyagraha took place in 1919 and the Demonstrations against the arrival of Simon Commission took place in 1928, thus the two events cannot coincide.

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.

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.

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.

Explanation

Kosala was one of the 16 Mahajanapadas (Great Kingdoms) during Buddha’s time. Buddha was born in Lumbini which was under the rule of the Kosala kingdom at that time. His father, King Suddhodana was the leader of the Shakya clan which a vassal state under Kosala. King Prasenajit (Pasenadi) of Kosala was a major contemporary of Buddha and a patron of Buddhism. Magadha was the most powerful Mahajanapada during Buddha’s lifetime. Buddha attained enlightenment in Bodh Gaya, which was in Magadha. King Bimbisara of Magadha was one of Buddha’s earliest royal patrons and donated the Venuvana monastery in Rajgir.

Explanation

The Fortaleza Declaration was adopted during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July 2014. The BRICS Summit brought together the five member countries:

1. Brazil 2. Russia

3. India 4. China

5. South Africa

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Directive Principles deals with a very comprehensive economic, social and political programme for a modern democratic State. Article 38 deals with the promotion of the welfare of the people by securing and protecting a social order by ensuring social, economic and political justice and by minimising inequalities in income, status, facilities and opportunities. B.R. Ambedkar opined that the Directives have great value because they lay down that the goal of Indian polity is ‘economic democracy’ as distinguished from ‘political democracy’.

Statement 2 is correct: According to Article 37 Directive Principles are not enforceable in any court, but the principles therein laid down are nevertheless fundamental in the governance of the country.

Explanation

The World Bank is the publisher of the Global Economic Prospects report, a flagship publication that provides comprehensive analyses of the global economic landscape. This report is released twice a year, typically in January and June, and offers in-depth assessments of current economic conditions, emerging trends, and potential risks to the global economy. It serves as a key resource for policymakers. It focuses on the challenges faced by emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The report highlights key issues such as trade restrictions, inflation, debt, and geopolitical tensions, while offering policy recommendations to foster sustainable growth. For 2025-26, global growth is projected to remain at 2.7%, with EMDEs contributing significantly to global GDP. The GEP emphasizes the need for investment, fiscal reforms, and international cooperation to address climate change, trade governance, and economic disparities.