UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — Raksha Mantri & his German counterpart hold bilateral talks in Berlin to bolster strategic defence partnership

Q1. Consider the following milestones in India-Germany relations and the years associated with them. Which one of the pairs is NOT correctly matched?

  1. Establishment of diplomatic relations — 1951
  2. Launch of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership — 2000
  3. Signing of the bilateral Defence Cooperation Agreement — 2006
  4. Institution of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) mechanism — 2015
  • A. 1 and 2
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q2. With reference to the India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) mechanism, consider the following statements. Which one of them is NOT correct?

  1. It is convened at the level of the Heads of Government (Prime Minister and Chancellor).
  2. It was instituted in 2011.
  3. It permits a comprehensive, whole-of-government review of bilateral cooperation.
  4. It is a mechanism that Germany maintains exclusively with India and with no other country.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 3

Q3. The India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations at which Germany unveiled its 'Focus on India' strategy were held in which year and co-chaired by which German leader?

  • A. 2022; Chancellor Angela Merkel
  • B. 2024; Chancellor Olaf Scholz
  • C. 2026; Chancellor Friedrich Merz
  • D. 2011; Chancellor Angela Merkel

Q4. In the context of India-Germany relations, Germany's 'Focus on India' strategy is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. A German government strategy document providing a blueprint to comprehensively modernise and elevate its partnership with India across strategic, economic and defence domains
  • B. A joint India-Germany naval exercise conducted in the Indo-Pacific
  • C. An Indian government scheme to channel German foreign direct investment into domestic defence manufacturing
  • D. A German visa-liberalisation programme aimed at attracting Indian skilled workers

Q5. The 'India-France Roadmap on the Indo-Pacific', which frames maritime and defence cooperation between the two countries, was adopted in which year?

  • A. 2019
  • B. 2021
  • C. 2023
  • D. 2025

Q6. On the Indian side, co-production roadmaps and defence-industrial arrangements with European partners such as Germany and France are operationalised primarily through which one of the following?

  • A. Ministry of External Affairs
  • B. Ministry of Defence (Department of Defence Production)
  • C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
  • D. Ministry of Heavy Industries

Q7. With reference to India's role in United Nations peacekeeping, consider the following statements. Which one of them is NOT correct?

  1. India is among the largest troop-contributing countries to UN peacekeeping operations.
  2. The Centre for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK) is India's dedicated peacekeeping training institution.
  3. India hosted the UN Troop Contributing Countries' (UNTCC) Chiefs Conclave in New Delhi in October 2025.
  4. India is the only country in the world that deploys women personnel in UN peacekeeping missions.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 2 and 3
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4