UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — The new world disorder, from rules to might

Q1. In the context of India's recent diplomatic articulation on UN reform, the term 'NORMS' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral System
  • B. Networked Operations for a Rules-based Multilateral Society
  • C. New Order on Reforming Multilateral Sanctions
  • D. Normative Outline for Reforming Multilateralism in States

Q2. Consider the following statements about the post-1945 rules-based international order: 1. The Bretton Woods institutions — the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank — were established in 1944. 2. The G4 grouping which jointly advocates new permanent seats on the UN Security Council comprises Brazil, Germany, India and Japan. 3. For a substantive UN Security Council resolution to be adopted, all five permanent members must always vote in favour of it. 4. The Charter of the United Nations was signed at the San Francisco Conference in 1945. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Bretton Woods institutions — the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank — were established in 1944.
  2. The G4 grouping which jointly advocates new permanent seats on the UN Security Council comprises Brazil, Germany, India and Japan.
  3. For a substantive UN Security Council resolution to be adopted, all five permanent members must always vote in favour of it.
  4. The Charter of the United Nations was signed at the San Francisco Conference in 1945.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1, 3 and 4
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q3. As of August 2025, the Russian Federation (including the erstwhile USSR) has cast the highest number of vetoes in the history of the UN Security Council; this cumulative total stands closest to which of the following figures?

  • A. 93
  • B. 128
  • C. 159
  • D. 187

Q4. Consider the following statements comparing the United Nations with its predecessor, the League of Nations: 1. Unlike the League of Nations, the United Nations has a Security Council with five veto-wielding permanent members. 2. Both the League of Nations Covenant and the United Nations Charter were drafted and signed at conferences held at San Francisco. 3. The League Council generally required unanimity for substantive decisions, whereas the UN Security Council requires nine affirmative votes including the concurring votes of the permanent members. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Unlike the League of Nations, the United Nations has a Security Council with five veto-wielding permanent members.
  2. Both the League of Nations Covenant and the United Nations Charter were drafted and signed at conferences held at San Francisco.
  3. The League Council generally required unanimity for substantive decisions, whereas the UN Security Council requires nine affirmative votes including the concurring votes of the permanent members.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. Among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, which one has exercised the veto the largest number of times in the Council's history (as of 2025)?

  • A. United States
  • B. Russian Federation (including the erstwhile USSR)
  • C. People's Republic of China
  • D. United Kingdom