International Relation – UPSC Prelim – GS – Question Paper

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2026

65. Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi:

1. The Summit’s intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras: People, Planning, and Progress.
2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 2 and 3

b) 1 and 2 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 3 only

66. Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?

1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
2. IMT Trilateral Highway
3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 and 3

d) 2 only

67. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (Project Supported by India) | List II (Country)

A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project | 1. Maldives

B. Restoration of St. Palace | 2. Afghanistan

C. District Hospital at Dickey | 3. Bhutan

D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies | 4. Sri Lanka

Code:

a) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3

b) A-3, B-2, C-4, D-1

c) A-3, B-4, C-2, D-1

d) A-1, B-2, C-4, D-3

69. Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral cooperation:

1. The “Colombo Process” is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions.
2. The “Abu Dhabi Dialogue” is a voluntary and non-binding consultative process among Asian countries.
3. The Global Forum for Migration and Development (GFMD) created by the proposal of a former UN Secretary-General is a voluntary forum where decisions are non-binding.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1, 2 and 3

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 2 only

70. Consider the following UN organisations/agencies:

1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children’s Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organization

How many of the above have been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize twice?

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) 4

71. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) | List II (Period of Operation)

A. ONUMIL | 1. 2007–2010

B. MINURCAT | 2. 2002–2008

C. MINUSTAH | 3. 2003–2018

D. UNMISSET | 4. 2004–2017

Code:

a) A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2

b) A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3

c) A-1, B-4, C-3, D-2

d) A-2, B-1, C-3, D-4

72. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) | List II (Location)

A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory | 1. NOIDA

B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre | 2. Bengaluru

C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate | 3. Colombo

D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility | 4. Thimphu

Code:

a) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

b) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3

d) A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

75. Which of the following countries are members of the European Union?

1. Belarus
2. Poland
3. Germany
4. Switzerland

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 4

b) 1 and 4 only

c) 2 and 3

d) 2 and 4 only

78. The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January 2026. Which of the following statements is/are not correct?

1. Signing of Memorandum of Understanding between All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg.
2. Signing of MoU between Mount Hockey Development and German Hockey Federation.
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific.
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 2 and 3

b) 1 and 4

c) 3 and 4

d) 1 only

61. Consider the following statements about river bridges connecting India with neighbouring countries:

1. ‘Maitri Setu’, built over Feni river, connects Ramgarh in India with Sabroom in Bangladesh.
2. Jhulaghat suspension bridge connects India with Myanmar.
3. Mechi bridge and its approaches connect Panitanki Bypass in India with Kakarvitta in Nepal.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

a) 1 and 2

b) 2 and 3

c) 1 only

d) 3 only

63. With reference to the organisations under the Government of India, consider the following details:

Sl. No. | Organisation | Function | Controlling Union Ministry

1. Central Economic Intelligence Bureau (CEIB) | To coordinate between various law enforcement agencies | Ministry of Home Affairs
2. Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) | To investigate complex corporate frauds | Ministry of Finance
3. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) | To preserve values in public life and ensure the health of the national economy | Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions

In how many of the above rows are the given details correctly matched?

a) 1

b) 2

c) 3

d) None

68. Which of the following items of defence hardware is/are manufactured in India?

1. Su-30 MKI Fighter Jets
2. T-90 MK-III Tanks
3. Akula Class Submarine

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1 and 2

b) 1 and 3

c) 1 only

d) 2 only

73. Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Indian Army Corps | Headquarters

a) 3 Corps – Dimapur

b) 4 Corps – Tezpur

c) 14 Corps – Leh

d) 33 Corps – Srinagar

76. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the code given below the Lists:

List I (INTERPOL Notice) | List II (Description)

A. Silver Notice | 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies

B. Blue Notice | 2. To collect additional information about a person

C. Black Notice | 3. To provide warning about criminal activities

D. Green Notice | 4. To identify and trace criminal assets

Code:

a) A-3, B-1, C-2, D-4

b) A-3, B-2, C-1, D-4

c) A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3

d) A-2, B-3, C-1, D-4

77. Which of the following statements in relation to NIRANTAR platform is/are correct?

1. Ecosystem Survey and Analysis is a vertical under this platform.
2. Research and Management Ecosystem Service is a vertical under this platform.
3. Capacity Development Support is a vertical under this platform.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 only

d) 3 only

80. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) recently introduced a national standard to test and assess bomb disposal systems. Which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The new standard is known as IS 19445:2025.
2. It will improve interoperability of equipment across agencies.
3. It was developed by TBRL, DRDO in collaboration with the 30th Central Scientific Research Institute, Russia.

Select the answer using the code given below:

a) 1, 2 and 3

b) 2 and 3 only

c) 1 and 2 only

d) 1 only

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2025

21. Consider the following countries :

1. Austria

2. Bulgaria
3. Croatia
4. Serbia
5. Sweden
6. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

(A) Only three

(B) Only four

(C) Only five

(D) All the six

62. India is one of the founding members of the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC), a multimodal transportation corridor, which will connect

(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

92. Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC :

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

95. Consider the following statements regarding AI Action Summit held in Grand Palais, Paris in February 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

96. Consider the following pairs:

1. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026
2. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027
3. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025
4. 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) AIl the four

97. Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:

I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.

II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.

III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) I and II

(B) II and III

(C) I and III

(D) I only

99. Consider the following statements in respect of the Kho Kho World Cup :

I.  The event was held in Delhi, India.

II.  Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78–40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category.

III.  Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54–36 in the final to become the World Champion in women category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(A) I only

(B) II and III only

(C) I and III only

(D) I, II and III

100. Consider the following statements :

I.  In the finals of the 45th Chess Olympiad held in 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju became the world’s youngest winner after defeating the Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi.

II.  Abhimanyu Mishra, an American chess player, holds the record of becoming world’s youngest ever Grandmaster.

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

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2024

19. Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces?

Army	Airforce	Navy
1. Brigadier	Air Commodore	Commander
2. Major General	Air Vice Marshal	Vice Admiral
3. Major	Squadron Leader	Lieutenant Commander
4. Lieutenant Colonel	Group Captain	Captain

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1 and 4

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 3 only

22. Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023’ are correct?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 3

(b) 1, 2 and 4

(c) 1, 3 and 4

(d) 2, 3 and 4

26. Who of the following is the author of the books “The India Way” and “Why Bharat Matters”?

(a) Bhupender Yadav

(b) Nalin Mehta

(c) Shashi Tharoor

(d) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
 

27. Consider the following pairs:

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
 

41. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.

Statement-II:

There have been military takeovers/coups d’etat in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.

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
 

42. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I:

India does not import apples from the United States of America.

Statement-II:

In India, the law prohibits the import of Genetically Modified food without the approval of the competent authority.

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
 

46. Consider the following statements:

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
 

47. Consider the following statements:

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

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2023

53. Consider the following pairs:

Regions often mentioned in news :: Reason for being in news

1. North Kivu and Ituri : War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
2. Nagorno-Karabakh : Insurgency in Mozambique
3. 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

54. Consider the following statements:

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 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

57. Consider the following pairs:

Area of conflict mentioned in news :: Country where it is located

1. Donbas : Syria
2. Kachin : Ethiopia
3. Tigray : North Yemen

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

58. In recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?

(a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements

(b) Establishment of Chinese military bases

(c) Southward expansion of Sahara Desert

(d) Successful coups

60. Consider the following statements about G-20:

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

66. Consider the following statements:
    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 Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect Statement-II is correct

67. Consider the following statements:
    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-l

(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

68. Consider the following statements :
    Statement-I: India accounts for 3.2% of global export of goods.

Statement-II : Many local companies and some foreign companies operating in India took advantage of India’s ‘Production-linked Incentive’ scheme.

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

69. Consider the following statements:
    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 to 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

70. Consider the following statements:
    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)’.

1. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
2. 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

71. Consider the following countries:

1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. 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

98. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

(a) Angola

(b) Costa Rica

(c) Ecuador

(d) Somalia

UPSC Prelim GS Question Paper – 2022

76. With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements:

1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 3 only

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

77. Which one of the following statements best describes the ‘Polar Code’?

(a) It is the international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters.

(b) It is the agreement of the countries around the North Pole regarding the demarcation of their territories in the polar region.

(c) It is a set of norms to be followed by the countries whose scientists undertake research studies in the North Pole and South Pole.

(d) It is a trade and security agreement of the member countries of the Arctic Council.

78. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:

1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

83. Consider the following countries

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 5

(d) 3, 4 and 5

85. With reference to the United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea, consider the following statements:

1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea in measure.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

87. Consider the following pairs

Country	Important reason for being in the news recently
1. Chad	Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea	Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon	Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia	Suspension of Parliament by President

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) Only three pairs

(d) All four Pairs