UPSC Prelims Practice Questions — INDIAN DEFENCE FORCES CONTINGENT DEPARTS FOR INDIA–SRI LANKA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE ‘MITRA SHAKTI 2026’

Q1. With reference to enforcement action by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Before deciding on enforcement measures, the Security Council must determine the existence of a threat to the peace, a breach of the peace or an act of aggression.
  2. Measures under Chapter VII are confined to the use of armed force, while economic sanctions are imposed under the peaceful-settlement provisions of Chapter VI.
  3. The Charter's bar on UN intervention in matters essentially within a state's domestic jurisdiction does not stand in the way of Chapter VII enforcement measures.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q2. Consider the following statements: Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

  1. A multinational force authorised by the UN Security Council under Chapter VII of the Charter may lawfully use armed force in a state's territory without that state's consent.
  2. Article 51 of the UN Charter recognises the inherent right of individual or collective self-defence if an armed attack occurs against a UN member.
  • A. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I
  • B. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I
  • C. Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect
  • D. Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Q3. With reference to international instruments between states, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A Memorandum of Understanding between two governments ordinarily records political commitments and a framework for cooperation, not obligations enforceable under international law.
  2. An MoU becomes a legally binding treaty once it is signed at the level of heads of government during a state visit.
  3. Under the UN Charter, a party to an unregistered treaty or international agreement cannot invoke it before any organ of the United Nations.
  • A. 2 and 3 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 1 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q4. A UN entity is considering providing support to a unit of a national army whose past conduct during an internal armed conflict has been questioned. In applying the UN Human Rights Due Diligence Policy (HRDDP) to this case, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Support cannot be provided if there are substantial grounds for believing there is a real risk that the unit will commit grave violations of humanitarian, human rights or refugee law.
  2. The risk assessment takes into account the unit's past record of compliance with international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law.
  3. Training the unit in international humanitarian and human rights law counts as 'support' and is therefore barred whenever such a risk exists.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q5. Joint military exercises with other countries and recent defence reforms are both discussed using the terms 'interoperability' and 'jointness'. Which one of the following best distinguishes the two?

  • A. Interoperability is separate forces, including foreign ones, working together; jointness is a country's own services acting as one integrated force.
  • B. Interoperability can arise only between treaty allies; jointness can arise only after integrated theatre commands are created.
  • C. Interoperability is a country's own services acting as one integrated force; jointness is a country's armed forces working with foreign armies.
  • D. Interoperability refers only to identical weapons and equipment; jointness refers only to placing all services under one headquarters.