UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Rupture across the Durand Line

Question 1

The Durand Line, the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, runs for approximately how long?

Accepted Answer

2,600 km

Answer

2,000 km

Answer

2,900 km

Answer

2,300 km

Question 2

After which British Indian official, who negotiated the 1893 boundary agreement with Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, is the Afghanistan–Pakistan boundary named?

Accepted Answer

Sir Henry Mortimer Durand

Answer

Sir Cyril Radcliffe

Answer

Sir Henry McMahon

Answer

Lord Curzon

Question 3

The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was founded in which year and under whose leadership?

Accepted Answer

2007, under Baitullah Mehsud

Answer

2007, under Noor Wali Mehsud

Answer

2014, under Hakimullah Mehsud

Answer

2018, under Mullah Fazlullah

Question 4

According to the UN Mission in Afghanistan, how many total civilian casualties were verified inside Afghanistan from late February to 5 March 2026 during the escalation?

Accepted Answer

185

Answer

56

Answer

129

Answer

478

Question 5

Which one of the following marked the first major Pakistani military strike inside Afghan territory in the 2025–26 conflict?

Accepted Answer

The October 2025 air strike in Kabul targeting TTP leader Noor Wali Mehsud

Answer

The late-February 2026 airstrikes on militant targets in eastern Afghanistan

Answer

The 2017 commencement of border-fence construction along the Durand Line

Answer

The February 2026 ground offensive following the Islamabad suicide bombing

Question 6

As reported by the UN refugee agency during the active border conflict, approximately how many people were internally displaced within Afghanistan?

Accepted Answer

115,000

Answer

3,000

Answer

70,000

Answer

478,000

Question 7

The February 2026 appeal that the Afghanistan–Pakistan situation 'calls for urgent political dialogue, rather than escalating the use of force' was issued by the holder of which UN office?

Accepted Answer

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights

Answer

UN Secretary-General

Answer

UN High Commissioner for Refugees

Answer

Head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA)

Question 8

The demand for an independent 'Pashtunistan' to be carved from Pashtun areas lying on the Pakistani side of the Durand Line has historically been championed by which state?

Accepted Answer

Afghanistan

Answer

Iran

Answer

Tajikistan

Answer

Pakistan

Question 9

In the context of India's strategic interests in the Af-Pak region, the significance of the Chabahar port lies primarily in that it:

Accepted Answer

Provides India sea-and-land transit access to Afghanistan and Central Asia while bypassing Pakistan

Answer

Serves as an Indian naval base securing the Strait of Hormuz

Answer

Is a Pakistani port India funds under the China–Pakistan Economic Corridor

Answer

Is located on Afghanistan's coastline giving it direct maritime access

Question 10

How many erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (tribal agencies) were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the 2018 reorganisation?

Accepted Answer

Seven

Answer

Five

Answer

Six

Answer

Eight

Question 11

Pakistan's construction of a fence along the Durand Line — a persistent irritant in its relations with successive Afghan governments — began in which year?

Accepted Answer

2017

Answer

2014

Answer

2018

Answer

2021

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Rupture across the Durand Line

Q1. The Durand Line, the international boundary between Afghanistan and Pakistan, runs for approximately how long?

Q2. After which British Indian official, who negotiated the 1893 boundary agreement with Emir Abdur Rahman Khan, is the Afghanistan–Pakistan boundary named?

Q3. The Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) was founded in which year and under whose leadership?

Q4. According to the UN Mission in Afghanistan, how many total civilian casualties were verified inside Afghanistan from late February to 5 March 2026 during the escalation?

Q5. Which one of the following marked the first major Pakistani military strike inside Afghan territory in the 2025–26 conflict?

Q6. As reported by the UN refugee agency during the active border conflict, approximately how many people were internally displaced within Afghanistan?

Q7. The February 2026 appeal that the Afghanistan–Pakistan situation 'calls for urgent political dialogue, rather than escalating the use of force' was issued by the holder of which UN office?

Q8. The demand for an independent 'Pashtunistan' to be carved from Pashtun areas lying on the Pakistani side of the Durand Line has historically been championed by which state?

Q9. In the context of India's strategic interests in the Af-Pak region, the significance of the Chabahar port lies primarily in that it:

Q10. How many erstwhile Federally Administered Tribal Areas (tribal agencies) were merged into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in the 2018 reorganisation?

Q11. Pakistan's construction of a fence along the Durand Line — a persistent irritant in its relations with successive Afghan governments — began in which year?