UPSC Prelims Daily MCQs — Tuesday, 6 October 2026 — International Relations

Question 1

Which one of the following most accurately distinguishes the ICC from the ICJ?

Accepted Answer

(d) The ICC exercises criminal jurisdiction over individuals for specified international crimes, whereas the ICJ principally hears contentious disputes between States.

Answer

(a) The ICC primarily adjudicates disputes between States, whereas the ICJ prosecutes individuals.

Answer

(b) The ICC is a UN principal organ, whereas the ICJ is outside the UN system.

Answer

(c) The ICC exclusively hears maritime-boundary disputes.

Question 2

Which one of the following is a principal function of the WTO?

Accepted Answer

(d) Providing a rules-based framework for international trade

Answer

(a) Authorising military alliances

Answer

(b) Conducting UN peacekeeping operations

Answer

(c) Setting national income-tax rates

Question 3

Consider the following statements about the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961:
1. It establishes rules concerning diplomatic privileges and immunities.
2. The premises of a diplomatic mission enjoy special protection under international law.
3. Diplomatic immunity means that a diplomat is exempt from all laws of the receiving State.

Accepted Answer

(d) 1 and 2 only

Answer

(a) 1 and 3 only

Answer

(b) 1, 2 and 3

Answer

(c) 2 and 3 only

Question 4

Which of the following was a major thematic emphasis of South Africa's G20 Presidency in 2025?

Accepted Answer

(c) Solidarity, equality and sustainable development, including African development concerns

Answer

(a) Creating a collective military command

Answer

(b) Replacing the United Nations system with a new global parliament

Answer

(d) Establishing a common G20 currency

Question 5

Which of the following pairs is correctly matched?
1. India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway — mainland Southeast Asian connectivity
2. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project — connectivity involving India's northeast and Myanmar's Rakhine/Sittwe area
3. Chabahar Port — India's principal maritime gateway to ASEAN
Select the correct answer:

Accepted Answer

(a) 1 and 2 only

Answer

(b) 1 only

Answer

(c) 1, 2 and 3

Answer

(d) 2 and 3 only

Question 6

Which one of the following is the most accurate statement under UNCLOS regarding a coastal State bordering a strait used for international navigation?

Accepted Answer

(b) It may adopt laws relating to transit passage in areas specified by UNCLOS, but such laws cannot have the practical effect of denying, hampering or impairing the right of transit passage.

Answer

(a) It may prohibit all foreign warships from using the strait whenever it chooses.

Answer

(c) It has no regulatory powers whatsoever within the strait.

Answer

(d) It may require every vessel in transit to obtain prior permission before entering the strait.

Question 7

Consider the following statements:
1. Timor-Leste became ASEAN's 11th Member State in October 2025.
2. It applied for ASEAN membership in 2011.
3. ASEAN adopted a roadmap for its full membership in 2023.

Accepted Answer

(a) 1, 2 and 3

Answer

(b) 2 and 3 only

Answer

(c) 1 and 3 only

Answer

(d) 1 and 2 only

Question 8

Bab el-Mandeb connects which two bodies of water?

Accepted Answer

(b) Gulf of Aden and Red Sea

Answer

(a) Black Sea and Sea of Marmara

Answer

(c) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Answer

(d) Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

Question 9

Which statement most accurately captures why maritime chokepoints matter to contemporary geoeconomics?

Accepted Answer

(b) Disruption at a chokepoint can alter voyage distance, freight costs, insurance, energy flows and supply-chain reliability.

Answer

(a) They matter only to naval warfare.

Answer

(c) Chokepoints have no relevance once rail connectivity exists.

Answer

(d) International law eliminates all commercial consequences of disruption.

Question 10

A vessel travelling from the Persian Gulf to Europe through the Suez route would logically encounter which sequence?

Accepted Answer

(d) Hormuz → Bab el-Mandeb → Suez → Gibraltar

Answer

(a) Bab el-Mandeb → Hormuz → Suez → Gibraltar

Answer

(b) Gibraltar → Suez → Bab el-Mandeb → Hormuz

Answer

(c) Hormuz → Suez → Bab el-Mandeb → Gibraltar