UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — EU moves policy for deportations and detention centres in third countries

Q1. With reference to the European Union's 2026 Return Regulation, which one of the following countries hosts the offshore migrant-detention arrangement (with an EU member state) that is widely cited as the principal model for the EU's third-country 'return hubs'?

  • A. Rwanda
  • B. Turkey
  • C. Albania
  • D. Tunisia

Q2. As reported around the conclusion of the EU's Return Regulation trilogue in June 2026, how many EU member states were stated to be in active talks with third countries to host 'return hubs'?

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

Q3. Which EU institution is designated as the executive body that will monitor any return-hub agreement concluded between an EU member state and a third country under the 2026 Return Regulation?

  • A. European Council
  • B. European Parliament
  • C. European Commission
  • D. Court of Justice of the European Union

Q4. With reference to the EU's 2026 Return Regulation as compared with the Return Directive of 2008 that it replaces, consider the following statements: 1. The new instrument is a Regulation that is directly applicable in member states, whereas the 2008 framework was a Directive requiring national transposition. 2. The new instrument provides a legal basis for 'return hubs' located in third countries, a provision that was absent from the 2008 Directive. 3. Unlike the 2008 Directive, the new Regulation permits the transfer of unaccompanied minors to such third-country return hubs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The new instrument is a Regulation that is directly applicable in member states, whereas the 2008 framework was a Directive requiring national transposition.
  2. The new instrument provides a legal basis for 'return hubs' located in third countries, a provision that was absent from the 2008 Directive.
  3. Unlike the 2008 Directive, the new Regulation permits the transfer of unaccompanied minors to such third-country return hubs.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to reports surrounding the EU Return Regulation trilogue agreement of June 2026, consider the following EU member states: 1. Germany 2. Italy 3. Denmark 4. Poland Which of the above is/are correctly identified as being in active talks with third countries to host 'return hubs' for deportees?

  1. Germany
  2. Italy
  3. Denmark
  4. Poland
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3
  • D. 1, 3 and 4