UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Attacks on ships ‘unjustified’, says Jaishankar; won’t allow illicit Iran oil trade, says Rubio

Q1. The Strait of Hormuz, at its narrowest point, is approximately how wide?

  • A. 21 nautical miles (about 39 km)
  • B. 45 nautical miles (about 83 km)
  • C. 60 nautical miles (about 111 km)
  • D. 90 nautical miles (about 167 km)

Q2. In the context of global energy flows, the description of the Strait of Hormuz as an 'oil-transit chokepoint' most precisely means which one of the following?

  • A. A narrow channel along a widely used global sea route for oil that cannot easily be bypassed by alternative routes
  • B. A port complex where crude oil is refined before being shipped onward to consumer nations
  • C. A maritime zone where an international authority levies transit tolls on oil tankers
  • D. An offshore region containing the world's largest proven reserves of crude petroleum

Q3. With reference to India's crude oil imports in 2025-26, consider the following pairings of supplier and characteristic: 1. Russia — single largest supplier, accounting for a majority (~52%) of India's crude in June 2026 2. Iraq — second-largest supplier in the first quarter of 2026 3. UAE — accounted for about 31.5% of India's crude imports 4. Saudi Arabia — among the top suppliers, at roughly 16% Which of the above are correctly identified?

  1. Russia — single largest supplier, accounting for a majority (~52%) of India's crude in June 2026
  2. Iraq — second-largest supplier in the first quarter of 2026
  3. UAE — accounted for about 31.5% of India's crude imports
  4. Saudi Arabia — among the top suppliers, at roughly 16%
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1, 2 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4

Q4. Which one of the following was India's single largest crude oil supplier, accounting for a majority of its crude imports for the first time in June 2026?

  • A. Russia
  • B. Iraq
  • C. Saudi Arabia
  • D. United Arab Emirates

Q5. With reference to the evolution of United States sanctions on Iran, consider the following statements: 1. The Iran and Libya Sanctions Act was signed in 1996, targeting foreign investment in Iran's energy sector. 2. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was concluded in 2015. 3. The United States withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018. 4. Following its withdrawal, the United States re-imposed the previously lifted sanctions in 2020. Which of the statements given above are correct?

  1. The Iran and Libya Sanctions Act was signed in 1996, targeting foreign investment in Iran's energy sector.
  2. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was concluded in 2015.
  3. The United States withdrew from the JCPOA in 2018.
  4. Following its withdrawal, the United States re-imposed the previously lifted sanctions in 2020.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q6. Consider the following countries: 1. Panama 2. Liberia 3. Palau 4. Switzerland Which of the above are correctly identified as 'flag of convenience' (open registry) states used by international shipping?

  1. Panama
  2. Liberia
  3. Palau
  4. Switzerland
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 and 4 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q7. With reference to the difference between open registries (flags of convenience) and national ('closed') ship registries, consider the following statements: 1. Open registries generally impose no nationality requirement on shipowners, unlike national registries. 2. Ships are typically registered under flags of convenience primarily to secure higher crew wages and stricter labour standards. 3. The modern practice of open registration began in the 1920s, when US owners registered ships in Panama. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Open registries generally impose no nationality requirement on shipowners, unlike national registries.
  2. Ships are typically registered under flags of convenience primarily to secure higher crew wages and stricter labour standards.
  3. The modern practice of open registration began in the 1920s, when US owners registered ships in Panama.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q8. With reference to the foundational agreements underpinning India-US defence cooperation, consider the following statements: 1. LEMOA, signed in 2016, facilitates reciprocal logistics support and access to each other's military facilities. 2. COMCASA, signed in 2018, enables secure, encrypted military communications. 3. BECA, signed in 2016, provides for real-time sharing of geospatial intelligence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. LEMOA, signed in 2016, facilitates reciprocal logistics support and access to each other's military facilities.
  2. COMCASA, signed in 2018, enables secure, encrypted military communications.
  3. BECA, signed in 2016, provides for real-time sharing of geospatial intelligence.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q9. How many partner (outreach) countries were invited to attend the 2026 G7 Summit held at Évian-les-Bains, France?

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

Q10. In maritime law, the 'flag State' of a commercial vessel refers to which one of the following?

  • A. The state under whose laws the ship is registered and whose flag it flies, which holds primary jurisdiction over the vessel
  • B. The state whose nationals make up the majority of the ship's crew at any given time
  • C. The state in whose territorial waters the ship happens to be sailing
  • D. The state that owns the shipping company operating the vessel

Q11. Which one of the following is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for setting the global regulatory framework for the safety and security of international shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships?

  • A. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
  • B. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
  • C. International Labour Organization (ILO)
  • D. International Seabed Authority (ISA)