UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India must draw a red line on U.S. unilateral sanctions

Question 1

In the context of the debate over U.S. sanctions on Iran and Russia, the term "secondary sanctions" is best described as:

Accepted Answer

penalties imposed by one state on third-country persons or entities for their dealings with the primary target of that state's unilateral sanctions

Answer

measures imposed by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII that automatically bind all member states

Answer

supplementary restrictions adopted by a regional bloc to reinforce existing UN sanctions

Answer

reciprocal trade barriers raised by two states against each other in a bilateral dispute

Question 2

The binding, non-military enforcement measures such as economic sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council derive their authority primarily from which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

Article 25 read with Article 41 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter

Answer

Article 51 under Chapter VII of the UN Charter

Answer

Article 33 under Chapter VI of the UN Charter

Answer

Article 2(7) of the UN Charter

Question 3

With reference to a comparison between CAATSA and UN Security Council sanctions, consider the following statements:
1. CAATSA is a domestic law of the United States, whereas UN Security Council sanctions are adopted through resolutions binding under the UN Charter.
2. CAATSA targets transactions with the defence and intelligence sectors of Russia, Iran and North Korea, whereas the UN currently maintains no sanctions regime concerning North Korea.
3. Unlike UN Security Council sanctions, CAATSA can expose third-country entities to penalties even without any UN authorisation.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Accepted Answer

1 and 3 only

Answer

1 and 2 only

Answer

2 and 3 only

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Question 4

The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was signed into law in which year and by which U.S. President?

Accepted Answer

2017, signed by President Donald Trump

Answer

2016, signed by President Barack Obama

Answer

2018, signed by President Donald Trump

Answer

2017, signed by President Barack Obama

Question 5

With reference to the sanctions waiver concerning Iran's Chabahar Port, consider the following statements:
1. India's contract for the Shahid Beheshti terminal was signed by India Ports Global Limited with Iran's Ports and Maritime Organisation.
2. In October 2025 the U.S. Department of the Treasury indicated that Chabahar Port activities would not be exposed to U.S. sanctions until 26 April 2026.
3. Chabahar Port is projected as a key node on the International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC).
4. The Chabahar waiver was granted by the UN Security Council to exempt India from multilateral sanctions on Iran.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

Question 6

In the context of the Chabahar Port project, the "International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)" is best described as:

Accepted Answer

a multimodal ship, rail and road network connecting India to Russia and Europe via Iran and Central Asia

Answer

a maritime shipping lane linking India directly to Western Europe through the Suez Canal

Answer

a trans-Himalayan rail link connecting India to China and onward to Central Asia

Answer

a crude-oil pipeline corridor running from the Persian Gulf to India's western coast

Question 7

Approximately what proportion of the world's seaborne crude oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the recent conflict?

Accepted Answer

about 35%

Answer

about 10%

Answer

about 20%

Answer

about 50%

Question 8

With reference to a comparison of the Strait of Hormuz and the Strait of Malacca, consider the following statements:
1. The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman, whereas the Strait of Malacca connects the Indian Ocean with the South China Sea.
2. Unlike the Strait of Malacca, maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has no geographically proximate alternative route.
3. The Strait of Hormuz is bordered to the north by Oman and to the south by Iran.
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

Question 9

India's public sector refiners, such as Indian Oil Corporation, which import crude oil and must comply with applicable U.S. sanctions on Russian oil majors, function under the administrative control of which one of the following Union ministries?

Accepted Answer

Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas

Answer

Ministry of Commerce and Industry

Answer

Ministry of External Affairs

Answer

Ministry of Heavy Industries

Question 10

With reference to the historical foundations of India's non-alignment and strategic autonomy, consider the following statements:
1. The Non-Aligned Movement held its first summit at Belgrade in 1961.
2. The Bandung Conference of 1955 was co-organised by India, Indonesia, Myanmar, Ceylon and Pakistan.
3. The five principles of Panchsheel were formally adopted as the founding charter of the United Nations in 1945.
4. Jawaharlal Nehru was among the leaders associated with the founding of the Non-Aligned Movement.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

3 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 4

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Question 11

The IMF's GDP rankings draw upon each country's national accounts data. In India, the official estimates of Gross Domestic Product are compiled by which one of the following?

Accepted Answer

National Statistical Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation

Answer

Reserve Bank of India

Answer

NITI Aayog

Answer

Central Board of Direct Taxes

Question 12

With reference to recent Ministry of External Affairs advisories and parliamentary oversight of foreign policy, consider the following statements:
1. The Ministry of External Affairs issued an advisory concerning the suspension of the visa waiver facility for Indian nationals travelling to Iran.
2. Iran suspended the visa waiver facility for ordinary Indian passport holders with effect from November 2025.
3. A stated reason for the suspension was that some Indian nationals had been lured to Iran on false promises and kidnapped for ransom.
4. Questions on foreign policy matters such as the Chabahar waiver can be raised only in the Rajya Sabha and not in the Lok Sabha.
Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

Accepted Answer

4 only

Answer

1 and 2

Answer

2 and 3

Answer

3 and 4

UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — India must draw a red line on U.S. unilateral sanctions

Q1. In the context of the debate over U.S. sanctions on Iran and Russia, the term "secondary sanctions" is best described as:

Q2. The binding, non-military enforcement measures such as economic sanctions imposed by the UN Security Council derive their authority primarily from which one of the following?

Q4. The Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) was signed into law in which year and by which U.S. President?

Q6. In the context of the Chabahar Port project, the "International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC)" is best described as:

Q7. Approximately what proportion of the world's seaborne crude oil trade passed through the Strait of Hormuz before the recent conflict?

Q9. India's public sector refiners, such as Indian Oil Corporation, which import crude oil and must comply with applicable U.S. sanctions on Russian oil majors, function under the administrative control of which one of the following Union ministries?

Q11. The IMF's GDP rankings draw upon each country's national accounts data. In India, the official estimates of Gross Domestic Product are compiled by which one of the following?