UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Turning point

Q1. During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's May 2016 visit to Iran, India signed a series of memoranda of understanding centred on the Chabahar project. How many such memoranda of understanding were signed?

  • A. Twelve
  • B. Nine
  • C. Six
  • D. Three

Q2. In the context of India's Chabahar engagement, the 'Chabahar Agreement' of 2016 is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A trilateral agreement among India, Iran and Afghanistan to establish an International Transport and Transit Corridor
  • B. A bilateral India-Iran memorandum permitting India to import discounted Iranian crude oil
  • C. The ten-year contract between India Ports Global Limited and Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization to operate the Shahid Beheshti terminal
  • D. The US Treasury order granting Chabahar an exemption from Iran-related sanctions

Q3. With respect to the steps associated with India's response to the lapse of the US Chabahar sanctions waiver, consider the following: 1. India Ports Global Limited explored transferring its Chabahar Free Zone stake to an Iranian partner. 2. India prepaid its roughly USD 120 million equipment procurement commitment. 3. India withdrew its personnel from Chabahar. 4. The Reserve Bank of India fixed 26 April 2026 as the deadline for the sanctions waiver to lapse. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. India Ports Global Limited explored transferring its Chabahar Free Zone stake to an Iranian partner.
  2. India prepaid its roughly USD 120 million equipment procurement commitment.
  3. India withdrew its personnel from Chabahar.
  4. The Reserve Bank of India fixed 26 April 2026 as the deadline for the sanctions waiver to lapse.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 2 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q4. Under the Long-Term Main Contract signed in May 2024, India Ports Global Limited committed to spend approximately how much on equipment procurement for the Shahid Beheshti terminal?

  • A. USD 120 million
  • B. USD 250 million
  • C. USD 370 million
  • D. USD 620 million

Q5. Consider the following statements about the location of Chabahar Port: 1. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the open ocean, lying outside the Persian Gulf. 2. It lies on the Makran coast near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, whereas Pakistan's Gwadar port lies on the Persian Gulf coast. 3. The port comprises two terminals, Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, of which India operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. It is the only Iranian port with direct access to the open ocean, lying outside the Persian Gulf.
  2. It lies on the Makran coast near the mouth of the Strait of Hormuz, whereas Pakistan's Gwadar port lies on the Persian Gulf coast.
  3. The port comprises two terminals, Shahid Kalantari and Shahid Beheshti, of which India operates the Shahid Beheshti terminal.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The following are approximate marine distances of Chabahar Port from various locations. Consider them: 1. Chabahar-Gwadar: about 76 nautical miles. 2. Chabahar-Kandla: about 550 nautical miles. 3. Chabahar-Dubai: about 353 nautical miles. 4. Chabahar-Mumbai: about 456 nautical miles. Which of the above pairings is/are NOT correctly matched?

  1. Chabahar-Gwadar: about 76 nautical miles.
  2. Chabahar-Kandla: about 550 nautical miles.
  3. Chabahar-Dubai: about 353 nautical miles.
  4. Chabahar-Mumbai: about 456 nautical miles.
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 4 only

Q7. India Ports Global Limited, the entity operating the Shahid Beheshti terminal at Chabahar, functions under the administrative aegis of which one of the following Union ministries?

  • A. Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
  • B. Ministry of External Affairs
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of Road Transport and Highways

Q8. Which one of the following ports serves as the western terminus of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)?

  • A. Gwadar
  • B. Chabahar
  • C. Karachi
  • D. Bandar Abbas

Q9. Consider the following statements regarding India's proposed handling of its Chabahar stake amid the sanctions deadline: 1. India Ports Global Limited proposed transferring its stake in the India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone to an Iranian partner. 2. The proposed transfer is permanent, with India renouncing any future claim to port operations. 3. Indian officials characterised the move as a 'tactical recalibration' rather than a permanent exit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. India Ports Global Limited proposed transferring its stake in the India Ports Global Chabahar Free Zone to an Iranian partner.
  2. The proposed transfer is permanent, with India renouncing any future claim to port operations.
  3. Indian officials characterised the move as a 'tactical recalibration' rather than a permanent exit.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q10. The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) was established in 2000 through an agreement originally signed by how many countries?

  • A. Three
  • B. Five
  • C. Seven
  • D. Thirteen

Q11. The Zaranj-Delaram highway in Afghanistan, which links the Iran border to the Afghan Ring Road, was designed and constructed principally by which one of the following?

  • A. Border Roads Organisation (BRO) of India
  • B. National Highways Authority of India
  • C. Iran's Ports and Maritime Organization
  • D. Afghanistan's Ministry of Public Works

Q12. In the context of the 2025 escalation involving Iran, 'Operation Midnight Hammer' refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The June 2025 US airstrikes on Iran's Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan nuclear sites
  • B. Israel's opening surprise strikes on Iran on 13 June 2025
  • C. The US Treasury's revocation of Iran-related sanctions waivers
  • D. Iran's retaliatory ballistic-missile campaign against US bases