UPSC Prelims International Relations previous year questions from 2026, with answers and explanations.
2026Current AffairsMulti-statement (Traditional Style)Tech Governance & Summits
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
Explanation: * Statement 1 is incorrect: The intellectual framework of the 2026 summit was built on three guiding principles: People, Planet, and Prosperity (not People, Planning, and Progress). * Statement 2 is incorrect: The Preamble supports democratizing AI, but the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI was designed as a voluntary, non-binding framework, not a legally binding configuration. * Statement 3 is correct: The signature New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven core pillars or Chakras, which explicitly included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.
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2026Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Bilateral Relations & Policy
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (Project Supported by India):
A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project
B. Restoration of Stor Palace
C. District Hospital at Dickoya
D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies
List II (Country):
1. Maldives
2. Afghanistan
3. Bhutan
4. Sri Lanka
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
Explanation: * A - 3: The 720 MW Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project was built in Bhutan under bilateral Indo-Bhutan energy cooperation. * B - 2: The restoration of the historic Stor Palace in Kabul was funded by India as part of its cultural aid to Afghanistan. * C - 4: The District Hospital at Dickoya was constructed under Indian financial assistance in Sri Lanka. * D - 1: The Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies was established in the Maldives with Indian development aid. * This maps to option (b): 3, 2, 4, 1.
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2026Multi-statement (Traditional Style)Regional Groupings & Alliances
Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation:
1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.
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
Explanation: * Statement 1 is incorrect: The Colombo Process is a Regional Consultative Process managing overseas employment for Asian labor-sending countries. Its forums and outputs are advisory and consultative, not legally binding. * Statement 2 is correct: The Abu Dhabi Dialogue (established in 2008) acts as a voluntary, non-binding platform that coordinates labor-sending and labor-destination states to smooth contractual labor mobility. * Statement 3 is correct: The Global Forum on Migration and Development (GFMD) was set up in 2006 on the proposal of former UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan as an informal, state-led, non-binding platform. * Therefore, statements 2 and 3 are correct.
Select an option to reveal the answer
2026Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Global Institutions & UN
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation):
A. UNMIL
B. MINURCAT
C. MINUSTAH
D. UNMISET
List II (Period of Operation):
1. 2007-2010
2. 2002-2005
3. 2003-2018
4. 2004-2017
A.A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
B.A-3, B-1, C-4, D-2
C.A-2, B-1, C-4, D-3
D.A-2, B-4, C-1, D-3
Explanation: * A - 3: UNMIL (United Nations Mission in Liberia) operated from 2003 to 2018 following the resolution of the Liberian Civil War. * B - 1: MINURCAT (United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic and Chad) operated from 2007 to 2010 to protect refugees and manage regional instability. * C - 4: MINUSTAH (United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti) operated from 2004 to 2017 following political unrest. * D - 2: UNMISET (United Nations Mission of Support in East Timor) operated from 2002 to 2005 during East Timor's transition to independence. * This maps to combination (b): 3, 1, 4, 2.
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2026Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Regional Groupings & Alliances
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment):
A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory
B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre
C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate
D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility
List II (Location):
1. NOIDA
2. Bengaluru
3. Colombo
4. Thimphu
A.A-3, B-2, C-1, 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
Explanation: * A - 4: The BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory is situated in Thimphu, Bhutan, to promote regional cultural heritage. * B - 2: The BIMSTEC Energy Centre is located in Bengaluru, India, to coordinate power grids and energy information sharing. * C - 1: The BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate is situated in NOIDA, India, focusing on advanced weather modeling and climate data. * D - 3: The BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility is established in Colombo, Sri Lanka, to handle technical capacity building. * This yields combination (c): 4, 2, 1, 3.
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2026Pairs/Matching (Traditional Style)Global Institutions & UN
Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists:
List I (INTERPOL Notice):
A. Silver Notice
B. Blue Notice
C. Black Notice
D. Green Notice
List II (Description):
1. To seek information on unidentified bodies
2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation
3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety
4. To identify and trace criminal assets
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-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
Explanation: * Silver Notice (4): The newest alert notice, specifically designed to identify, monitor, and trace criminal assets globally. * Blue Notice (2): Used to collect additional background information regarding a person's identity, location, or illicit activities linked to an active criminal probe. * Black Notice (1): Issued to seek information and identification regarding unidentified dead bodies. * Green Notice (3): Used to provide public safety warnings about an individual's repeat criminal acts if they pose a threat. * This yields combination (c): 4, 2, 1, 3.
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2026Current AffairsMulti-statement (Traditional Style)Bilateral Relations & Policy
The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit?
1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the 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
Explanation: * Option 1 is not correct: The bilateral leaders welcomed an MoU signed between the All-India Institute of Ayurveda and Charité University of Germany to promote scientific cooperation, not the University of Hamburg. * Option 2 is correct: A specialized MoU covering Youth Hockey Development was signed. * Option 3 is correct: A formal bilateral dialogue mechanism covering the Indo-Pacific was established. * Option 4 is not correct: The opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany was agreed for Ahmedabad, not Lucknow. * Since the question asks for outcomes that are NOT correct, the answer is (b) 1 and 4.
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