UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — International law is not dead, its rules stay resilient

Question 1

Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter is best described as a provision that:

Accepted Answer

Prohibits the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state

Answer

Outlaws every form of armed conflict, including actions taken in self-defence against an armed attack

Answer

Prohibits only formally declared wars of aggression between sovereign states

Answer

Bans the use of economic and diplomatic coercion by one state against another

Question 2

Which one of the following is the only exception to the Article 2(4) prohibition that a state may invoke unilaterally, that is, without prior authorization of the UN Security Council?

Accepted Answer

The individual or collective right of self-defence under Article 51, in response to an armed attack

Answer

Enforcement action ordered under Chapter VII of the UN Charter

Answer

Collective measures recommended under the 'Uniting for Peace' resolution

Answer

Enforcement action undertaken by a regional arrangement

Question 3

With reference to the International Court of Justice proceedings in South Africa v. Israel, consider the following statements:
1. The case was instituted under the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (1948).
2. South Africa founded the Court's jurisdiction on Article IX of the Genocide Convention.
3. By its Order of 26 January 2024, the Court indicated provisional measures.
4. In January 2024 the Court delivered a final judgment finding that Israel had committed genocide.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1 and 4

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 4

In its 2024 case against Israel before the International Court of Justice, on which one of the following did South Africa primarily found the Court's jurisdiction?

Accepted Answer

Article IX of the Genocide Convention

Answer

Article 2(4) of the UN Charter

Answer

The Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court

Answer

Article 288 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

Question 5

Which one of the following is widely regarded as the most authoritative statement of the sources of international law?

Accepted Answer

Article 38 of the Statute of the International Court of Justice

Answer

Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter

Answer

The Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969

Answer

The Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, 1933

Question 6

Under Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, the Court is directed to apply how many distinct categories of law and means in deciding disputes submitted to it?

Accepted Answer

Four

Answer

Two

Answer

Three

Answer

Five

Question 7

The mechanism enabling the UN General Assembly to consider a matter and recommend collective measures when the Security Council is paralysed by a permanent member's veto was established under which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

General Assembly Resolution 377(V) of 1950

Answer

Article 51 of the UN Charter

Answer

Article 99 of the UN Charter

Answer

General Assembly Resolution 2758 of 1971

Question 8

Consider the following statements about permanent membership of the UN Security Council:
1. France is a permanent member holding the power of veto.
2. Germany is a permanent member holding the power of veto.
3. China is a permanent member holding the power of veto.
4. India is a permanent member holding the power of veto.
Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 9

With reference to the UN General Assembly resolution demanding a ceasefire in Gaza adopted in June 2025, consider the following statements:
1. The resolution was adopted, with 149 members voting in favour.
2. India was among the members that abstained rather than voting in favour.
3. The resolution was defeated because a permanent member cast a veto against it.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — International law is not dead, its rules stay resilient

Q1. Article 2(4) of the United Nations Charter is best described as a provision that:

Q2. Which one of the following is the only exception to the Article 2(4) prohibition that a state may invoke unilaterally, that is, without prior authorization of the UN Security Council?

Q4. In its 2024 case against Israel before the International Court of Justice, on which one of the following did South Africa primarily found the Court's jurisdiction?

Q5. Which one of the following is widely regarded as the most authoritative statement of the sources of international law?

Q6. Under Article 38(1) of the Statute of the International Court of Justice, the Court is directed to apply how many distinct categories of law and means in deciding disputes submitted to it?

Q7. The mechanism enabling the UN General Assembly to consider a matter and recommend collective measures when the Security Council is paralysed by a permanent member's veto was established under which one of the following?