Consider the following statements regarding UN reforms:
I. India demands an expanded Security Council.
II. India does not support an increase in non-permanent members.
III. The majority of the UN General Assembly members are from developing countries.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
NDA General Studies · Polity · 24 questions · 2017 to 2026
NDA International relations and organisations previous year questions with solutions
International relations and organisations is about one General Studies question in a hundred, and two since 2023, when UPSC began setting several a sitting on the Security Council, the UN's agencies and goals, India's groupings, and Panchsheel, which now returns almost every year. Every question UPSC has set on it since 2017, solved. Grouped by the method each needs, newest first; open a question for its answer and worked solution.
27.1 The United Nations: Charter, principal organs, the Security Council and peacekeeping (5)27.2 UN specialised agencies and programmes, the Bretton Woods institutions, and the UN declarations, covenants and goals (5)27.3 Groupings and alliances: G7 and G20, BRICS, NATO, the SCO and Quad, China's Belt and Road, the EU and ASEAN (6)27.4 India's foreign policy: Panchsheel, Bandung and the Non-Aligned Movement (5)27.5 India and its neighbourhood: Look East and Act East, Neighbourhood First, SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, and the India-Bangladesh boundary (3)
27.1 The United Nations: Charter, principal organs, the Security Council and peacekeeping
1. NDA 2026 (II)
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) I and III
Method. India's position on UN reform
I is correct: India seeks expansion of the Security Council. II is wrong: India supports expansion in both permanent and non-permanent categories. III is correct: most UNGA members are developing countries. So I and III. Source: India's stand on UNSC reform.
2. NDA 2026 (I)
With reference to the United Nations (UN), consider the following pairs:
United Nations Peacekeeping Operations | Countries
I. UNMOGIP | India and Pakistan
II. UNFICYP | Cyprus
III. UNMIK | Kosovo
IV. UNTSO | Haiti
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
United Nations Peacekeeping Operations | Countries
I. UNMOGIP | India and Pakistan
II. UNFICYP | Cyprus
III. UNMIK | Kosovo
IV. UNTSO | Haiti
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
| (blank) | United Nations Peacekeeping Operations | Countries |
|---|---|---|
| I. | UNMOGIP | India and Pakistan |
| II. | UNFICYP | Cyprus |
| III. | UNMIK | Kosovo |
| IV. | UNTSO | Haiti (column headings printed in italics) |
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Three
Method. UN peacekeeping and observer missions
UNMOGIP (India and Pakistan), UNFICYP (Cyprus) and UNMIK (Kosovo) are correct. UNTSO is the Truce Supervision Organization, in the Middle East, not Haiti. Three pairs are correct. Source: UN Peacekeeping operations list.
3. NDA 2023 (II)
Which among the following statements regarding the election of non-permanent members to the United Nations Security Council is/are correct?
1. Five members coming from Africa and Asia, one from Eastern Europe, two from Latin America and two from Western Europe and other states
2. Six members are elected each year by the General Assembly for two year term
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Five members coming from Africa and Asia, one from Eastern Europe, two from Latin America and two from Western Europe and other states
2. Six members are elected each year by the General Assembly for two year term
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) 1 only
Method. Election of UNSC non-permanent members
Statement 1: the ten seats are split 3 Africa, 2 Asia-Pacific (together five from Africa and Asia), 1 Eastern Europe, 2 Latin America and Caribbean, 2 Western Europe and Others, so it is correct. Statement 2: five members, not six, are elected each year for a two-year term (half the ten seats), so it is wrong. Source: UN General Assembly resolution 1991 (XVIII), 1963, and Charter Article 23.
4. NDA 2021 (I)
Which of the following statements about the non-permanent members of the Security Council of the United Nations is/are correct?
1. Their total number is now 10, but was originally only 6.
2. They are elected for a term of two years only.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
1. Their total number is now 10, but was originally only 6.
2. They are elected for a term of two years only.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2
Method. Composition and term of UNSC non-permanent members
Statement 1: the Council originally had 6 non-permanent members (11 in all); the 1963 amendment, in force 1965, raised them to 10 (15 in all), so it is correct. Statement 2: they are elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, so it is correct. Source: UN Charter Article 23.
5. NDA 2020 (I)
The United Nations Charter was signed by 51 original members of the United Nations in 1945 at the
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) San Francisco Conference
Method. Founding of the UN
The UN Charter was signed on 26 June 1945 by 50 states at the San Francisco Conference (United Nations Conference on International Organization); Poland signed later, making 51 original members. Hague, London and Berlin are not the place of signing. Source: UN Charter history.
27.2 UN specialised agencies and programmes, the Bretton Woods institutions, and the UN declarations, covenants and goals
6. NDA 2026 (I)
Consider the following pairs related to the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals:
I. Goal 1 : End poverty in all forms everywhere
II. Goal 2 : Ensure healthy lives
III. Goal 3 : Ensure quality education
IV. Goal 4 : Achieve gender equality
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
I. Goal 1 : End poverty in all forms everywhere
II. Goal 2 : Ensure healthy lives
III. Goal 3 : Ensure quality education
IV. Goal 4 : Achieve gender equality
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) One
Method. UN Sustainable Development Goals
Goal 1 is No Poverty, so it is correct. Goal 2 is Zero Hunger, not healthy lives (that is Goal 3). Goal 3 is Good Health and Well-being, not quality education (Goal 4). Goal 4 is Quality Education, not gender equality (Goal 5). Only one pair is correct. Source: UN 2030 Agenda, SDGs.
7. NDA 2025 (II)
With which of the following was the Bretton Woods System NOT associated
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Establishment of a monetary system based on floating exchange rate
Method. Bretton Woods System
The Bretton Woods conference (1944) created the IMF and the IBRD for post-war economic recovery, and set up a system of fixed but adjustable exchange rates pegged to the dollar, which was tied to gold. A floating-rate system came after it collapsed in 1971-73, so (d) is not associated. Source: Bretton Woods Agreement, 1944.
8. NDA 2025 (II)
The headquarters of World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is located at
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) Switzerland
Method. Seat of the WMO
The WMO has its headquarters in Geneva, which is in Switzerland. Scotland, South Africa and Italy are not its seat (Italy hosts the FAO in Rome). Source: UN specialised agencies.
9. NDA 2024 (I)
Consider the following UN Declarations/Covenants:
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
3. International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
4. Convention on Refugees
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order (starting with the earliest) of the above?
1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights
2. Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women
3. International Covenant of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights
4. Convention on Refugees
Which one of the following is the correct chronological order (starting with the earliest) of the above?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) 1, 4, 3, 2
Method. Chronology of UN human rights instruments
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948; Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, 1951; ICESCR, adopted 1966; CEDAW, adopted 1979. The order is 1, 4, 3, 2. Source: UN human rights instruments.
10. NDA 2017 (I)
Headquarters of the World Meteorological Organization is located in
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) Geneva
Method. Seat of a UN specialised agency
The World Meteorological Organization, a UN specialised agency successor to the International Meteorological Organization, has its headquarters in Geneva, Switzerland. Washington, Moscow and London host none of the UN specialised agencies' headquarters in question. Source: standard reference on UN specialised agencies.
27.3 Groupings and alliances: G7 and G20, BRICS, NATO, the SCO and Quad, China's Belt and Road, the EU and ASEAN
11. NDA 2025 (II)
Consider the following statements about BRICS Summits:
1. The first BRICS Summit was held in Brazil
2. BRICS Summits were held in New Delhi on three occasions
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
1. The first BRICS Summit was held in Brazil
2. BRICS Summits were held in New Delhi on three occasions
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Neither 1 nor 2
Method. BRICS summit history
Statement 1: the first summit (then BRIC) was held in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009, not Brazil, so it is wrong. Statement 2: India hosted in New Delhi once in person (2012), plus Goa (2016) and the virtual summit in 2021, so 'three occasions' in New Delhi is wrong. Neither is correct. Source: BRICS summit record.
12. NDA 2025 (II)
Consider the following statements with regard to flags of International Organizations:
1. The flag of EU has a circle of gold stars on a white background
2. The Flag of the UN carries two pairs of olive tree branches
3. The ASEAN flag carries blue, red, white and yellow colours
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
1. The flag of EU has a circle of gold stars on a white background
2. The Flag of the UN carries two pairs of olive tree branches
3. The ASEAN flag carries blue, red, white and yellow colours
How many of the above statements is/are correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) 1
Method. Flags of international organisations
1: the EU flag has a circle of twelve gold stars on a blue field, not white, so it is wrong. 2: the UN emblem has a world map held between two olive branches (one pair), so 'two pairs' is wrong as worded. 3: the ASEAN flag uses blue, red, white and yellow, so it is correct. Only 3 holds, so one statement is correct. Source: EU, UN and ASEAN flag descriptions.
13. NDA 2024 (II)
Which one of the following statements is NOT correct about NATO?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Finland is its latest member
Method. NATO membership and basis (current events at the sitting)
(a) NATO was formed by the Washington (North Atlantic) Treaty of 1949, correct. (b) Russia is not a member, correct. (c) The Treaty invokes the UN Charter, notably Article 51 on collective self-defence, so it is read as correct. (d) Sweden joined in March 2024, after Finland (April 2023), so Finland was not the latest member at the sitting; (d) is the incorrect statement. Source: North Atlantic Treaty, 1949.
14. NDA 2021 (II)
Which one of the following nations is not a permanent member of G7?
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) India
Method. Membership of the G7
G7 members: USA, UK, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Canada. India is not a member, though it has been invited as a guest. The word 'permanent' is loose, since the G7 has no permanent/non-permanent distinction, but only India is outside the group. Source: standard reference on G7.
15. NDA 2021 (II)
‘Belt and Road Initiative’ is a foreign policy initiative of
Answer and solution
Answer: (a) China
Method. Belt and Road Initiative
The Belt and Road Initiative (initially One Belt One Road) was announced by China's President Xi Jinping in 2013. Source: standard reference on international relations.
16. NDA 2018 (II)
Who among the following is not a member of G7?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Russia
Method. Membership of the G7
The G7 is France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, the USA and Canada (the EU takes part). Russia joined in 1997 to make the G8 and was suspended in 2014 after the annexation of Crimea, so it is not a member. Source: standard reference on G7.
27.4 India's foreign policy: Panchsheel, Bandung and the Non-Aligned Movement
17. NDA 2026 (II)
With reference to the Panchsheel, which of the following is/are correct?
I. Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
II. Mutual non-interference
III. Collective security against non-aggression
IV. Peaceful co-existence
Select the answer using the code given below:
I. Mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty
II. Mutual non-interference
III. Collective security against non-aggression
IV. Peaceful co-existence
Select the answer using the code given below:
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) I, II and IV
Method. Panchsheel principles
I, II and IV are Panchsheel principles. III is wrong: the principle is mutual non-aggression, not 'collective security against non-aggression'. So I, II and IV. Source: Panchsheel agreement, 1954.
18. NDA 2025 (I)
Which one among the following does NOT figure among the Five Principles of Panchsheel?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Nuclear non-proliferation
Method. Panchsheel principles
Panchsheel includes respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence (with non-aggression and non-interference). Nuclear non-proliferation is not among the five. Source: Panchsheel agreement, 1954.
19. NDA 2024 (II)
Which of the following is NOT a part of the five principles enshrined in the ‘Panchsheel’ agreement signed by India and China in 1954?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Cultural cooperation
Method. Panchsheel principles
The five principles are mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference, equality and mutual benefit, and peaceful coexistence. Cultural cooperation is not one of them. Source: India-China Panchsheel agreement, 1954.
20. NDA 2022 (I)
Nkrumah was one of the five leaders, who comprised the core of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM). He was the leader of which country in Africa?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Ghana
Method. NAM founding leaders
The five core NAM leaders were Nehru (India), Tito (Yugoslavia), Nasser (Egypt), Sukarno (Indonesia) and Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana). Source: history of the Non-Aligned Movement.
21. NDA 2020 (I)
Which one among the following was NOT a Panch Sheel principle?
Answer and solution
Answer: (c) Nuclear deterrence
Method. Panchsheel principles
Panchsheel (1954 India-China agreement): mutual respect for territorial integrity and sovereignty, mutual non-aggression, mutual non-interference in internal affairs, equality and mutual benefit, peaceful co-existence. Nuclear deterrence is not among them. Source: Panchsheel agreement, 1954.
27.5 India and its neighbourhood: Look East and Act East, Neighbourhood First, SAGAR and MAHASAGAR, and the India-Bangladesh boundary
22. NDA 2026 (II)
Consider the following statements regarding the Neighbourhood First Policy:
I. India provides high-impact community development projects to Afghanistan.
II. Bhutan is India’s key maritime neighbour and vital partner in Vision MAHASAGAR.
III. India launched Operation Brahma to provide relief following an earthquake in Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
I. India provides high-impact community development projects to Afghanistan.
II. Bhutan is India’s key maritime neighbour and vital partner in Vision MAHASAGAR.
III. India launched Operation Brahma to provide relief following an earthquake in Myanmar.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) I and III only
Method. Neighbourhood First Policy
I: India runs development projects in Afghanistan, including high-impact community development projects, so it is correct. II: Bhutan is landlocked, not a maritime neighbour, so it is wrong. III: Operation Brahma, India's relief after the March 2025 Myanmar earthquake, is correct. So I and III. Source: MEA, Neighbourhood First Policy.
23. NDA 2023 (II)
Which one among the following states was NOT impacted by the Land Boundary Agreement Treaty between India and Bangladesh (2015)?
Answer and solution
Answer: (d) Arunachal Pradesh
Method. Land Boundary Agreement, India-Bangladesh 2015
The 2015 LBA (exchange of enclaves, ratified through the 100th Constitution Amendment) affected the states sharing the Bangladesh border with enclaves: West Bengal, Assam, Tripura and Meghalaya. Arunachal Pradesh does not border Bangladesh, so it was not affected. Source: Constitution (100th Amendment) Act, 2015.
24. NDA 2017 (I)
Which one of the following is NOT one of the objectives of Act East Policy?
Answer and solution
Answer: (b) To promote peace and amity with the neighbouring countries of Asia.
Method. Objectives of Act East Policy as stated by the MEA (December 2015)
The MEA statement gives the Act East objectives as promoting economic cooperation, cultural ties and strategic relationships with Asia-Pacific countries through bilateral, regional and multilateral engagement, thereby providing enhanced connectivity to the North Eastern states; and it adds that the policy has placed emphasis on India-ASEAN cooperation in India's domestic agenda on infrastructure, manufacturing, trade, skills, urban renewal, smart cities and Make in India. Options (a), (c) and (d) each follow that statement; (b), a general aim of promoting peace and amity with the neighbours in Asia, is not one of the listed objectives, so it is the odd one out. Source: MEA statement on Act East Policy, December 2015.