UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — How U.S. midterm poll results could shape geopolitical options for India

Q1. With reference to the constitutional checks on the conduct of foreign policy in the United States, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Approval of public appointments, such as those of ambassadors, is a power of the Senate that the House of Representatives does not share.
  2. Negotiating the terms of a treaty is a function of the President rather than of the Senate.
  3. An executive agreement concluded by the President requires the same two-thirds Senate approval as a treaty.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

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

  1. The majority the Democrats won in the House of Representatives in the 2026 U.S. midterm elections does not, by itself, give that party the power to block the ratification of a treaty.
  2. Under the U.S. Constitution, consent to treaties is a power vested in the Senate, which must give it by a two-thirds vote.
  • 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. With reference to the difference between the parliamentary system of India and the presidential system of the United States, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. In India, the Union Council of Ministers is collectively responsible to the House of the People.
  2. In India, a person who is not a member of either House of Parliament can never be appointed a Union Minister.
  3. In the United States, an election can change control of the legislature midway through a presidential term without any election being held for the presidency.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q4. Which one of the following correctly describes the location of the Strait of Hormuz?

  • A. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, lying between Iran and the Musandam Peninsula.
  • B. It connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Aden, lying between Oman and the coast of Yemen.
  • C. It connects the Gulf of Oman with the Arabian Sea, lying between Oman and the coast of Pakistan.
  • D. It connects the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, lying between Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

Q5. Suppose the Strait of Hormuz is completely blockaded. Consider the following voyages bound for India: Which of the voyages given above would be blocked?

  1. A tanker loading crude oil at a terminal on the Persian Gulf coast of Saudi Arabia
  2. A tanker loading cargo at a port on Oman's coast facing the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea
  3. A gas carrier loading LNG at an Iranian terminal inside the Persian Gulf
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 2 and 3 only

Q6. Consider the following assertion: Strategic petroleum reserves by themselves cannot shield India's economy from a prolonged blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. Which of the statements given below support/supports the above assertion?

  1. India's Phase-I strategic reserves are located in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka.
  2. The combined capacity of the Phase-I reserves meets only about nine and a half days of the country's crude oil requirement.
  3. The blockade has also choked India's fertilizer imports, for which stored crude oil is no substitute.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q7. With reference to the regimes of passage through straits used for international navigation under UNCLOS, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Transit passage through such a strait cannot be suspended by the States bordering it.
  2. Even where the regime of innocent passage rather than transit passage applies in such a strait, UNCLOS prohibits its suspension.
  3. Ships exercising transit passage must proceed without delay and refrain from any threat or use of force against the States bordering the strait.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. Consider the following assertion: In the 2026 West Asian conflict, India's interests are better served by engaging both the United States and Iran than by aligning with either of them. Which of the statements given below support the above assertion?

  1. Indian nationals, including seafarers, were killed in attacks on vessels carried out by both the United States and Iran.
  2. The Strait of Hormuz contains islands such as Qeshm and Hormuz.
  3. The revival of India's energy and fertilizer imports depends on navigation through a strait whose northern shore is Iranian.
  4. India is pursuing a trade agreement with the United States, on which the U.S. Secretary of State has spoken positively.
  • A. 1, 3 and 4 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4