UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — UN extends peacekeeping mission in South Sudan, but shrinks it

Q1. Under which single Chapter of the UN Charter is UNMISS authorised, making it the sole legal basis empowering the mission to use force to protect civilians?

  • A. Chapter VI
  • B. Chapter VII
  • C. Chapter VIII
  • D. Chapter V

Q2. UNMISS was established by which UN Security Council resolution, and in which year was that resolution adopted?

  • A. Resolution 1996, adopted in 2011
  • B. Resolution 1590, adopted in 2011
  • C. Resolution 1996, adopted in 2005
  • D. Resolution 2155, adopted in 2011

Q3. In the context of Resolution 2820 (2026), the term 'troop ceiling' most precisely refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The maximum number of uniformed military personnel the mission is authorised to deploy
  • B. The number of troops actually deployed on the ground at the time of the vote
  • C. The number of police personnel the mission is authorised to field
  • D. The total number of troops pledged by troop-contributing countries

Q4. With reference to UN Security Council Resolution 2820 (2026) on UNMISS, consider the following statements: 1. It extended the UNMISS mandate until 30 April 2027. 2. It reduced the authorised military troop ceiling to 12,500 personnel. 3. It was adopted with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions. 4. It raised the authorised police ceiling to 4,000 personnel. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. It extended the UNMISS mandate until 30 April 2027.
  2. It reduced the authorised military troop ceiling to 12,500 personnel.
  3. It was adopted with 13 votes in favour and 2 abstentions.
  4. It raised the authorised police ceiling to 4,000 personnel.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q5. With reference to South Sudan's independence and the 2013 conflict, consider the following statements: 1. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011. 2. The December 2013 civil war was fought primarily between forces loyal to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar. 3. Salva Kiir belongs to the Nuer community while Riek Machar belongs to the Dinka community. 4. The Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) established a transitional power-sharing government. Which of the statements given above is/are correctly identified?

  1. South Sudan became independent from Sudan in July 2011.
  2. The December 2013 civil war was fought primarily between forces loyal to Salva Kiir and Riek Machar.
  3. Salva Kiir belongs to the Nuer community while Riek Machar belongs to the Dinka community.
  4. The Revitalized Peace Agreement (R-ARCSS) established a transitional power-sharing government.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 3

Q6. The Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in South Sudan (R-ARCSS), whose implementation UNMISS is mandated to support, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A power-sharing peace agreement establishing a transitional unity government
  • B. A UN body created to monitor a ceasefire line between the parties
  • C. A Security Council sanctions and arms-embargo regime on South Sudan
  • D. A humanitarian corridor mechanism for aid delivery to displaced persons

Q7. What is the minimum number of affirmative votes required for the UN Security Council to adopt a substantive (non-procedural) resolution such as the renewal of the UNMISS mandate?

  • A. 9 out of 15
  • B. 8 out of 15
  • C. 10 out of 15
  • D. Two-thirds of members present and voting

Q8. Under the UN Charter, which one of the following organs is exclusively empowered to authorise and renew a Chapter VII enforcement mandate such as that of UNMISS?

  • A. The UN Security Council
  • B. The UN General Assembly
  • C. The UN Secretariat
  • D. The International Court of Justice

Q9. In UN peacekeeping terminology, the term 'Troop-Contributing Country' (TCC) refers exclusively to which one of the following?

  • A. A member state that provides military personnel to UN peacekeeping operations
  • B. A member state that funds peacekeeping through assessed financial contributions
  • C. A permanent member of the UN Security Council overseeing a mission
  • D. A state that hosts a UN peacekeeping mission on its territory

Q10. With reference to India and UN peacekeeping, consider the following statements: 1. India has contributed uniformed personnel to UNMIS/UNMISS since 2005. 2. India ranks among the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping. 3. India is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. 4. India has deployed infantry battalion groups to UNMISS. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. India has contributed uniformed personnel to UNMIS/UNMISS since 2005.
  2. India ranks among the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping.
  3. India is a permanent member of the UN Security Council.
  4. India has deployed infantry battalion groups to UNMISS.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q11. The UN peacekeeping mission designated 'MINUSCA', often compared with UNMISS as a large Chapter VII operation, is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic
  • B. The UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • C. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali
  • D. The UN Interim Security Force deployed in Abyei

Q12. With reference to changes in UNMISS troop ceilings across resolutions, consider the following statements: 1. Resolution 2155 (2014) raised the UNMISS military ceiling to 12,500 in response to the 2013 crisis. 2. Resolution 2820 (2026) set the UNMISS military ceiling at 12,500, below the mission's previous ceiling. 3. Resolution 2155 (2014) was adopted unanimously by the Security Council. 4. Resolution 2820 (2026) increased UNMISS troop strength above its earlier authorised levels. Which of the above statements is/are NOT correct?

  1. Resolution 2155 (2014) raised the UNMISS military ceiling to 12,500 in response to the 2013 crisis.
  2. Resolution 2820 (2026) set the UNMISS military ceiling at 12,500, below the mission's previous ceiling.
  3. Resolution 2155 (2014) was adopted unanimously by the Security Council.
  4. Resolution 2820 (2026) increased UNMISS troop strength above its earlier authorised levels.
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3