UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — As multilateralism erodes, India must reframe its foreign policy

Q1. With reference to the United States' January 7, 2026 presidential memorandum on withdrawal from international organisations, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The withdrawal covers 66 international organisations, of which 31 are UN-system entities.
  2. The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) are among the entities listed.
  3. The World Health Organization (WHO) was added to the list of withdrawals through this January 2026 memorandum.
  4. The India-led International Solar Alliance is among the non-UN organisations covered by the memorandum.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 3 and 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q2. In the context of India's foreign-policy response to the erosion of multilateralism, the term 'International Solar Alliance' most accurately refers to:

  • A. A treaty-based intergovernmental organisation co-founded by India and France in 2015, headquartered in Gurugram, aimed at mobilising solar investments in sun-rich countries
  • B. A specialised agency of the United Nations dealing with renewable energy, headquartered in Vienna
  • C. A G-20 plurilateral working group on solar energy launched during India's 2023 G-20 Presidency
  • D. A bilateral clean-energy partnership between India and the United States under the Quad framework

Q3. Which one of the following was the FIRST 'Voice of the Global South Summit' hosted by India to articulate developing-country concerns amid the changing multilateral order?

  • A. The Summit held in January 2023 under the theme 'Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose'
  • B. The Summit held in November 2023 alongside the G-20 New Delhi Leaders' Summit
  • C. The Summit held in August 2024 under the theme 'An Empowered Global South for a Sustainable Future'
  • D. The Summit held in January 2026 following the US withdrawal from 66 international organisations

Q4. With reference to the 31 UN-system entities included in the United States' January 7, 2026 withdrawal announcement, consider the following: Which of the above are correctly identified as covered by the withdrawal?

  1. United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
  2. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
  3. United Nations Security Council (UNSC)
  4. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q5. Which one of the following is the nodal Union ministry of the Government of India for coordinating India's engagement with the International Solar Alliance (ISA)?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
  • C. Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • D. Ministry of Power