UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC seeks Centre’s reply on Iran’s detention of 16 Indian seafarers

Question 1

With reference to the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963 — invoked in the context of Iran's December 2025 detention of 16 Indian seafarers aboard MT Valiant Roar — consider the following statements:
1. It was concluded under the auspices of the United Nations.
2. Article 36 obliges the receiving State to inform a detained foreign national, without delay, of his right to consular notification.
3. India invoked the Convention against Pakistan before the International Court of Justice in the Kulbhushan Jadhav case.
4. Iran is not a State Party to this Convention.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3 only

Answer

2, 3 and 4 only

Answer

1 and 4 only

Answer

1, 2, 3 and 4

Question 2

The obligation on a receiving State to inform a detained foreign national of his right to consular communication — central to India's plea before the Delhi High Court regarding the 16 seafarers held in Iran — flows from:

Accepted Answer

Article 36 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963

Answer

Article 41 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961

Answer

Article 22 of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, 1961

Answer

Article 5 of the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, 1963

Question 3

How many Indian crew members aboard the tanker MT Valiant Roar were detained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the December 2025 seizure that is the subject of the Delhi High Court's January 2026 notice to the Centre?

Accepted Answer

16

Answer

12

Answer

14

Answer

18

Question 4

In the Government of India, the nodal authority responsible for extending consular assistance — including securing consular access and repatriation — to Indian nationals detained abroad, as invoked by the petitioners in the MT Valiant Roar case, is the:

Accepted Answer

Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division of the Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Protector General of Emigrants, Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways

Answer

Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs

Question 5

The detained Indian seafarers from MT Valiant Roar were lodged in prison at which Iranian port — the country's largest commercial port and the principal IRGC Navy base on the Persian Gulf?

Accepted Answer

Bandar Abbas

Answer

Bandar-e Bushehr

Answer

Bandar-e Anzali

Answer

Chabahar

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — HC seeks Centre’s reply on Iran’s detention of 16 Indian seafarers

Q2. The obligation on a receiving State to inform a detained foreign national of his right to consular communication — central to India's plea before the Delhi High Court regarding the 16 seafarers held in Iran — flows from:

Q3. How many Indian crew members aboard the tanker MT Valiant Roar were detained by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps in the December 2025 seizure that is the subject of the Delhi High Court's January 2026 notice to the Centre?

Q4. In the Government of India, the nodal authority responsible for extending consular assistance — including securing consular access and repatriation — to Indian nationals detained abroad, as invoked by the petitioners in the MT Valiant Roar case, is the:

Q5. The detained Indian seafarers from MT Valiant Roar were lodged in prison at which Iranian port — the country's largest commercial port and the principal IRGC Navy base on the Persian Gulf?