UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Hope Pakistan will attend SCO meet in Delhi: Minister

Q1. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. India has extended a ministerial-level invitation to Pakistan for an event it is hosting in 2026, while continuing to restrict bilateral engagement with Pakistan after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
  2. The event is an activity of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, of which Pakistan is a member, and not a bilateral India–Pakistan engagement.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A State Legislature has no power to make laws on matters that bring the Union into relation with a foreign country.
  2. Parliament has exclusive power to make laws on any matter not enumerated in the State List or the Concurrent List.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. A cultural body in a neighbouring country invites a State's Chief Minister to an international conference. The Union declines to clear the visit, citing its national policy towards that country. Which one of the following best explains the constitutional basis of the Union's authority in this matter?

  • A. Directive Principles direct the State to promote international peace, and the Union can enforce them against State governments
  • B. The Governor, acting in discretion on the Union's advice, can bar a Chief Minister from travelling abroad on official work
  • C. Relations with neighbouring countries are a Concurrent List matter, so Union executive action prevails over State action in any conflict
  • D. Relations with foreign countries are a Union List matter, and the Union's executive power extends to matters on which Parliament can legislate

Q4. Consider the following assertion: India's invitation to Pakistan's culture minister for the SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum does not amount to a resumption of bilateral engagement with Pakistan. Which of the following statements support the above assertion?

  1. The Forum is an event of a multilateral grouping, and several other member states have confirmed attendance.
  2. The government stated that it would continue to follow its 'national policy' on Pakistan adopted after the 2025 Pahalgam terror attack.
  3. The External Affairs Ministry indicated that it may not clear a State Chief Minister's visit to a cultural conference in Lahore.
  4. The Union Culture Minister referred to a civilisational and cultural past shared by India and Pakistan.
  • A. 1, 2, 3 and 4
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. Suppose that, at a meeting of an international association of which India is a member, India agrees to a decision on conserving manuscripts held in libraries controlled by States, which is a State List matter. Parliament now wishes to legislate to implement the decision. In this context, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. Parliament can enact such a law for the whole or any part of India even though the subject falls in the State List.
  2. Such a law would need ratification by the legislatures of not less than one-half of the States.
  3. Such a law would apply only in those States whose legislatures pass resolutions adopting it.
  4. Implementing decisions taken at international conferences, associations and other bodies is itself a matter in the Union List.
  • A. 1 and 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4 only
  • D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q6. With reference to the extent of the executive power of the Union, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Because the Union's executive power extends to matters on which Parliament can legislate, it ordinarily extends in every State to all Concurrent List matters.
  2. The Union's executive power extends to the rights, authority and jurisdiction that the Government of India can exercise by virtue of a treaty or agreement.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 only
  • C. Both 1 and 2
  • D. Neither 1 nor 2