UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — High Seas Treaty takes effect after 60 countries ratify

Q1. With reference to the High Seas Treaty (BBNJ Agreement) that entered into force in January 2026, consider the following statements regarding its substantive provisions: 1. It provides for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction. 2. It mandates Environmental Impact Assessments for planned activities in the high seas. 3. It contains provisions for fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from Marine Genetic Resources of the high seas. 4. It supersedes the International Seabed Authority as the regulator of mineral exploitation in the international seabed Area. Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

  1. It provides for the establishment of Marine Protected Areas in areas beyond national jurisdiction.
  2. It mandates Environmental Impact Assessments for planned activities in the high seas.
  3. It contains provisions for fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from Marine Genetic Resources of the high seas.
  4. It supersedes the International Seabed Authority as the regulator of mineral exploitation in the international seabed Area.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q2. Which one of the following entities serves as the secretariat servicing the BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty) within the United Nations system?

  • A. International Maritime Organization (IMO)
  • B. Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO
  • C. UN Division for Ocean Affairs and the Law of the Sea (DOALOS), Office of Legal Affairs
  • D. UN Environment Programme (UNEP)

Q3. With reference to the BBNJ Agreement vis-à-vis the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), consider the following statements: 1. The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement adopted under UNCLOS. 2. Whereas UNCLOS governs all maritime zones, the BBNJ Agreement applies exclusively to areas beyond national jurisdiction. 3. The BBNJ Agreement abolishes the regime of the 'common heritage of mankind' established by UNCLOS for the international seabed Area. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The BBNJ Agreement is the third implementing agreement adopted under UNCLOS.
  2. Whereas UNCLOS governs all maritime zones, the BBNJ Agreement applies exclusively to areas beyond national jurisdiction.
  3. The BBNJ Agreement abolishes the regime of the 'common heritage of mankind' established by UNCLOS for the international seabed Area.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q4. Which one of the following countries became the 60th State Party to the BBNJ Agreement in September 2025, thereby triggering the 120-day countdown for the treaty's entry into force?

  • A. France
  • B. Chile
  • C. Palau
  • D. Morocco

Q5. The BBNJ Agreement (High Seas Treaty) that entered into force in January 2026 was adopted as a legally binding instrument under which one of the following parent legal frameworks?

  • A. Convention on Biological Diversity, 1992
  • B. United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
  • C. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL), 1973/78
  • D. Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, 1980
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