UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — What lies behind Trump’s Greenland moves?

Q1. In the Greenland parliamentary (Inatsisartut) election held in March 2025, how many seats did the centre-right Demokraatit party win, making it the largest party in the legislature?

  • A. 7
  • B. 8
  • C. 10
  • D. 4

Q2. With reference to the constitutional arrangements between Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark, consider the following statements: 1. Home Rule was granted to Greenland in 1979, whereas the expanded Self-Rule arrangement took effect in 2009. 2. Under the Self-Rule arrangement, Greenland controls its own foreign affairs and defence, while Denmark continues to administer most of its domestic matters. 3. The 2008 referendum that paved the way for Self-Rule expanded Greenland's responsibilities in areas such as immigration, justice and economic development. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Home Rule was granted to Greenland in 1979, whereas the expanded Self-Rule arrangement took effect in 2009.
  2. Under the Self-Rule arrangement, Greenland controls its own foreign affairs and defence, while Denmark continues to administer most of its domestic matters.
  3. The 2008 referendum that paved the way for Self-Rule expanded Greenland's responsibilities in areas such as immigration, justice and economic development.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q3. Following the escalation of U.S. rhetoric on Greenland in 2025, Denmark organised a multinational military exercise in Greenland known as 'Operation Arctic Endurance'. Which of the following countries sent troops to participate in this exercise? 1. France 2. Germany 3. Italy 4. Finland Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. France
  2. Germany
  3. Italy
  4. Finland
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q4. Who was sworn in as the Prime Minister of Greenland in March 2025 after his party emerged the largest in the Inatsisartut elections held against the backdrop of renewed U.S. demands on the territory?

  • A. Múte Bourup Egede
  • B. Mette Frederiksen
  • C. Jens-Frederik Nielsen
  • D. Jørgen Boassen

Q5. With reference to the natural resources of Greenland cited as drivers of U.S. strategic interest in 2025, consider the following: 1. Rare earth elements 2. Lithium 3. Bauxite 4. Offshore oil and natural gas Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as part of Greenland's commonly cited critical-resource endowment in this context?

  1. Rare earth elements
  2. Lithium
  3. Bauxite
  4. Offshore oil and natural gas
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4 only