International Relations (Prelims PYQs)
Explore Previous Year Questions (PYQs) on International Relations for UPSC Prelims from 1997 to 2025.
2025 Prelims PYQs
1. Which one of the following launched the Nature Solutions Finance Hub for Asia and the Pacific? [2025]
a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB)
b) The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)
c) The New Development Bank (NDB)
d) The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)
Ans: a) The Asian Development Bank (ADB).
2. Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC: [2025]
I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) I and II
b) II and III
c) I and IV
d) I only
Ans: c) I and IV
3. Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 2025: [2025]
I. Co-chaired with India, the event builds on the advances made at the Bletchley Park Summit held in 2023 and the Seoul Summit held in 2024.
II. Along with other countries, US and UK also signed the declaration on inclusive and sustainable AI.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) I only
b) II only
c) Both I and II
d) Neither I nor II
Ans: a) I only
4. Consider the following pairs: [2025]
I. International Year of the Woman Farmer: 2026
II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism: 2027
III. International Year of Peace and Trust: 2025
IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence: 2029
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) Only three
d) All the four
Ans: d) All the four
5. India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect: [2025]
a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
b) India to Central Asia via China
c) India to South-East Asia through Bangladesh and Myanmar
d) India to Europe through Azerbaijan
Ans: a) India to Central Asia to Europe via Iran
6. The World Bank warned that India could become one of the first places where wet-bulb temperatures routinely exceed 35°C. Which of the following statements best reflect(s) the implication of the above-said report? [2025]
I. Peninsular India will most likely suffer from flooding, tropical cyclones and droughts.
II. The survival of animals including humans will be affected as shedding of their body heat through perspiration becomes difficult.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
a) I only
b) II only
c) Both I and II
d) Neither I nor II
Ans: b) II only
7. Consider the following countries: [2025]
I. United Arab Emirates
II. France
III. Germany
IV. Singapore
V. Bangladesh
How many countries amongst the above are there other than India where international merchant payments are accepted under UPI?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) Only four
d) All the five
Ans: b) Only three
8. Consider the following pairs: [2025]
| Region | Country |
|---|---|
| Mallorca | Italy |
| Normandy | Spain |
| Sardinia | France |
In how many of the above rows is the given information correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All of these
d) None
Ans: d) None
2024 Prelims PYQs
2024 Prelims PYQs
1. Consider the following countries: [2024]
Italy
Japan
Nigeria
South Korea
South Africa
Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population, or declining population?
a) 1, 2 and 4
b) 1, 3 and 5
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 3 and 5 only
Ans: a) 1, 2 and 4
2. Consider the following pairs: [2024]
Country: Reason for being in the news
1. Argentina: Worst economic crisis
2. Sudan: War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces
3. Turkey: Rescinded its membership of NATO
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) Only one pair
b) Only two pairs
c) All three pairs
d) None of the pairs
Ans: b) Only two pairs
3. Consider the following statements: [2024]
Statement-I: Sumed pipeline is a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.
Statement-II: Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
Ans: a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
4. Consider the following statements: [2024]
1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.
2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: a) 1 only
5. Consider the following statements: [2024]
Statement-I: The European Parliament approved The Net-Zero Industry Act recently.
Statement-II: The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
Ans: c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
6. Consider the following statements: [2024]
Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
Statement-II: Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I.
b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I.
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect.
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
Ans: d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct.
7. Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization: [2024]
1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.
2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 2
d) 2 and 3
Ans: a) 2 only
2023 Prelims PYQs
2023 Prelims PYQs
1. About three-fourths of the world's cobalt, a metal required for the manufacture of batteries for electric motor vehicles, is produced by: [2023]
a) Argentina
b) Botswana
c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo
d) Kazakhstan
Ans: c) the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Comment your answers, we will update soon.
2. With reference to India's projects on connectivity, consider the following statements: [2023]
1. East-West Corridor under the Golden Quadrilateral Project connects Dibrugarh and Surat.
2. The Trilateral Highway connects Moreh in Manipur and Chiang Mai in Thailand via Myanmar.
3. The Bangladesh-China-India-Myanmar Economic Corridor connects Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh with Kunming in China.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ans: b) Only two
3. Which one of the following is a part of the Congo Basin? [2023]
a) Cameroon
b) Nigeria
c) South Sudan
d) Uganda
Ans: a) Cameroon
4. Consider the following pairs: [2023]
Region often mentioned in news: Reason for being in news
North Kivu and Ituri: War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
Nagorno-Karabakh: Insurgency in Mozambique
Kherson and Zaporizhzhia: Dispute between Israel and Lebanon
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ans: d) None
5. Consider the following statements: [2023]
Statement I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab states.
Statement II: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and the Arab League.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Ans: c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
6. Consider the following pairs: [2023]
Area of conflict mentioned in news: Country where it is located
Donbas: Syria
Kachin: Ethiopia
Tigray: North Yemen
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ans: d) None
7. In recent years, Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan caught international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them? [2023]
a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements
b) Establishment of Chinese military bases
c) Southward expansion of the Sahara Desert
d) Successful coups
Ans: d) Successful coups
8. Consider the following statements about G-20: [2023]
1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India's G-20 priorities.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: c) Both 1 and 2
9. Consider the following statements: [2023]
Statement I: Switzerland is one of the leading exporters of gold in terms of value.
Statement II: Switzerland has the second-largest gold reserves in the world.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Ans: c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
10. Consider the following statements: [2023]
Statement I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the ‘Trade and Technology Council’.
Statement II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
a) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
b) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct, and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
d) Statement I is incorrect, but Statement II is correct
Ans: c) Statement I is correct, but Statement II is incorrect
11. Consider the following statements: [2023]
The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that:
1. Limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union.
2. Makes the countries of the European Union share their infrastructure facilities.
3. Enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ans: a) Only one
12. Consider the following statements: [2023]
1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM)’.
2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments.
How many of the above statements are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Ans: a) Only one
13. Consider the following countries: [2023]
Bulgaria
Czech Republic
Hungary
Latvia
Lithuania
Romania
How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?
a) Only two
b) Only three
c) Only four
d) Only five
Ans: c) Only four
14. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in the news in the recent past for its very severe famine? [2023]
a) Angola
b) Costa Rica
c) Ecuador
d) Somalia
Ans: d) Somalia
2022 Prelims PYQs
2022 Prelims PYQs
1. Consider the following: [2022]
1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
2. Missile Technology Control Regime
3. Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d) 1, 2 and 3
2021 Prelims PYQs
2021 Prelims PYQs
1. Consider the following statements: [2021]
1. ‘Right to the City’ is an agreed human right and the UN-Habitat monitors the commitments made by each country in this regard.
2. ‘Right to the City’ gives every occupant of the city the right to reclaim public spaces and public participation in the city.
3. ‘Right to the City’ means that the State cannot deny any public service or facility to the unauthorised colonies in the city.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 3 only
c) 1 and 2
d) 2 and 3
Ans: d) 2 and 3
2020 Prelims PYQs
2020 Prelims PYQs
1. Consider the following pairs: [2020]
International Agreement/set-up: Subject
1. Alma-Ata Declaration: Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention: Biological & chemical weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue: Global climate change
4. Under2 Coalition: Child rights
Which of the pairs above is/are correctly matched?
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 4 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Ans: c) 1 and 3 only
2019 Prelims PYQs
2019 Prelims PYQs
1. Consider the following statements: [2019]
1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air’.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: c) 2 and 4 only
2. Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as General Data Protection Regulation in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May, 2018? [2019]
a) Australia
b) Canada
c) The European Union
d) The United States of America
Ans: c) The European Union
2018 Prelims PYQs
2018 Prelims PYQs
1. In the Indian Context, what is the implication of ratifying the ‘Additional Protocol’ with the ‘International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)’? [2018]
a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
b) The military nuclear installations come under the inspection of IAEA.
c) The country will have the privilege to buy uranium from the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG).
d) The country automatically becomes the member of NSG.
Ans: a) The civilian nuclear reactors come under IAEA safeguards.
2. Consider the following countries: [2018]
1. Australia
2. Canada
3. China
4. India
5. Japan
6. USA
Which of the above are among the ‘free-trade partners’ of ASEAN?
a) 1, 2, 4 and 5
b) 3, 4, 5 and 6
c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
d) 2, 3, 4 and 6
Ans: c) 1, 3, 4 and 5
2017 Prelims PYQs
2017 Prelims PYQs
1. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India? [2017]
a) India’s trade with African countries will enormously increase.
b) India’s relations with oil-producing Arab countries will be strengthened.
c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
d) Pakistan will facilitate and protect the installation of a gas pipeline between Iraq and India.
Ans: c) India will not depend on Pakistan for access to Afghanistan and Central Asia.
2016 Prelims PYQs
2016 Prelims PYQs
1. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements: [2016]
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?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: d) Neither 1 nor 2
2. Consider the following statements: [2016]
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?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: a) 1 only
3. Which of the following is not a member of `Gulf Cooperation Council’? [2016]
a) Iran
b) Saudi Arabia
c) Oman
d) Kuwait
Ans: a) Iran
4. Belt and Road Initiative’ is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of: [2016]
a) African Union
b) Brazil
c) European Union
d) China
Ans: d) China
5. The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership’ often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as: [2016]
a) G20
b) ASEAN
c) SCO
d) SAARC
Ans: b) ASEAN
6. Consider the following statements: [2016]
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?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Ans: a) 1 only
2011 Prelims PYQs
2011 Prelims PYQs
1. With reference to the Look East policy of India, consider the following statements: [2011]
1. India wants to establish itself as an important regional player in the East Asian affairs.
2. India wants to plug the vacuum created by the termination of the cold war.
3. India wants to restore the historical and cultural ties with its neighbours in Southeast and East Asia.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: b) 1 and 3 only
2010-1997 Prelims PYQs
2010-1997 Prelims PYQs
1. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, consider the following: [2010]
1. The Right to Development.
2. The Right to Expression.
3. The Right to Recreation.
Which of the above is/are the Rights of the child?
a) 1 only
b) 1 and 3 only
c) 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Ans: d) 1, 2 and 3
2. Among the following Presidents of India, who was also the Secretary General of Non-aligned Movement for some period? [2009]
a) Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan
b) Varahagiri Venkatagiri
c) Giani Zail Singh
d) Dr. Shanker Dayal Sharma
Ans: c) Giani Zail Singh
3. India is a member of which of the following? [2008]
1. Asian Development Bank
2. Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation
3. Colombo Plan
4. Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 2 and 4 only
c) 1, 2 and 3 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Ans: a) 1 and 3 only
4. What was the purpose of the Operation Sukoon launched by the Government of India? [2007]
a) Helping Indonesia in its efforts to rehabilitate the victims of earthquake in that country
b) Evacuating the Indian Nationals from Lebanon during the conflict in the Middle East.
c) Assisting United Nations in its efforts to help the civil war victims in the Darfur region of North Africa
d) Providing a relief package to farmers after a spate of suicides by other farmers in Andhra Pradesh
Ans: b) Evacuating the Indian Nationals from Lebanon during the conflict in the Middle East.
5. In the November 1998 Composite Dialogue Process between India and Pakistan, three contentious issues listed below as 1, 2 and 3 were discussed. Contentious Issues: [1999]
1. Disengagement of troops
2. Settlement of boundary dispute
3. Sharing river water
Match the issues with the areas marked in the map as A, B and C and select the correct answer using the codes given below:
a) A 2, B 1, C 3
b) A 2, B 3, C 1
c) A 1, B 3, C 2
d) A 3, B 2, C 1
Ans: b) A 2, B 3, C 1
6. Which one of the following is NOT a principle of “Panchsheel”? [1997]
a) Non alignment
b) Peaceful Co-existence
c) Mutual respect for each other’s territorial integrity and sovereignty
d) Mutual non-interference in each other’s internal affairs
Ans: a) Non alignment
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PYQ Analysis of International Relations from 1995-2025
The International Relations section in UPSC Prelims is a dynamic and critical component of the syllabus, with questions spanning global organizations, regional groupings, connectivity projects, and current affairs. Analyzing the Previous Year Questions (PYQs) from 1997 to 2025 reveals key trends and focus areas for aspirants:
Key Trends in International Relations PYQs:
1. Regional and Global Groupings: Questions frequently cover organizations like BIMSTEC, ASEAN, G-20, and SCO, with a focus on India’s membership and roles. For instance, the 2025 question on BIMSTEC (Q2) tests knowledge of its member states and India’s leadership in specific sectors like tourism. Similarly, 2022 and 2016 questions emphasize India’s participation in AIIB and RCEP.
2. Connectivity Projects: India’s strategic projects like the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) (2025, Q5) and Chabahar Port (2017) are recurring themes, highlighting their geopolitical significance. The 2023 question on the Trilateral Highway and Golden Quadrilateral underscores connectivity’s role in India’s foreign policy.
3. Current Affairs and Global Issues: Questions often integrate recent developments, such as the AI Action Summit (2025, Q3), G-20 priorities (2023), and environmental concerns like wet-bulb temperatures (2025, Q6). This reflects UPSC’s emphasis on linking static knowledge with dynamic global events.
4. Geopolitical Conflicts and Regions: PYQs test knowledge of conflict zones (e.g., 2023 questions on Congo Basin, Donbas, and Kachin) and their geopolitical implications. Aspirants must stay updated on regions like Ukraine, Somalia, and Sudan, which frequently appear in news-related questions.
5. International Agreements and Initiatives: Questions on agreements like the General Data Protection Regulation (2019), UNCAC (2019), and the Global Compact for Migration (2023) highlight the importance of understanding global treaties and their objectives.
Preparation Tips:
- Focus on Current Affairs: Regularly read newspapers and follow reliable sources like UPSC Pathfinder for updates on summits, agreements, and conflicts.
- Understand India’s Role: Study India’s foreign policy, especially Act East and Neighbourhood First policies, and its engagement in BIMSTEC, QUAD, and INSTC.
- Memorize Key Facts: Learn the founding years, member states, and objectives of organizations like BIMSTEC (1997, Bangkok Declaration) and SAARC.
- Practice PYQs: Solving questions from 1997–2025 helps identify patterns and strengthens conceptual clarity. Use mock tests to simulate exam conditions.
- Sources for PYQs: Refer to official UPSC websites (upsc.gov.in), or check our website for All set of PYQ from 1995-2025 all subject arranged topic wise for comprehensive PYQ collections.
By focusing on these trends and strategies, aspirants can master International Relations for UPSC Prelims 2025 and beyond. For more resources, visit UPSC Pathfinder.
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