International Relations MCQs for UPSC Prelims — January 2026

Q1. In the context of Pakistan's 27th Constitutional Amendment (2025), what does the term 'Federal Constitutional Court (FCC)' refer to?

• A. A specialised apex court vested with exclusive jurisdiction over constitutional interpretation, federal–provincial disputes and enforcement of fundamental rights, taking these functions away from the Supreme Court
• B. A military tribunal created to hear appeals arising from court-martial proceedings against armed-forces personnel
• C. An election tribunal empowered to adjudicate disqualification petitions against members of the National Assembly and Provincial Assemblies
• D. A dedicated constitutional bench within the Supreme Court of Pakistan exercising only suo motu jurisdiction

Q2. Pakistan's 27th Constitutional Amendment (2025) abolished the post of Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee and granted lifetime rank, uniform and privileges to five-star officers by amending which one of the following Articles of the Constitution of Pakistan?

• A. Article 175
• B. Article 184
• C. Article 243
• D. Article 270

Q3. After the enactment of Pakistan's 27th Constitutional Amendment, how many judges (in addition to the Chief Justice) were appointed in the first batch of the Federal Constitutional Court?

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

Q4. Who was sworn in as the first Chief Justice of Pakistan's newly established Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) after the passage of the 27th Constitutional Amendment in November 2025?

• A. Justice Yahya Afridi
• B. Justice Aminuddin Khan
• C. Justice Mansoor Ali Shah
• D. Justice Qazi Faez Isa

Q5. With reference to the relative offers made by India and the European Union under the India–EU FTA (2026), consider the following statements: 1. The EU's tariff concessions to India cover a larger share of bilateral trade value than India's reciprocal tariff concessions to the EU. 2. India alone has excluded dairy products from tariff liberalisation, whereas the EU has made no such exclusion of dairy under the Agreement. 3. The Agreement was concluded exclusively between India and the European Commission, with no participation of any EU member state's head of government or state. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The EU's tariff concessions to India cover a larger share of bilateral trade value than India's reciprocal tariff concessions to the EU.
2. India alone has excluded dairy products from tariff liberalisation, whereas the EU has made no such exclusion of dairy under the Agreement.
3. The Agreement was concluded exclusively between India and the European Commission, with no participation of any EU member state's head of government or state.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q6. The conclusion of the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement was jointly announced by the Prime Minister of India and the President of the European Commission at which of the following India–EU Summits?

• A. 14th India–EU Summit
• B. 15th India–EU Summit
• C. 16th India–EU Summit
• D. 17th India–EU Summit

Q7. Which one of the following is the nodal ministry of the Government of India that negotiated and operationalises the India–European Union Free Trade Agreement concluded in 2026?

• A. Ministry of External Affairs
• B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• C. Ministry of Finance
• D. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare

Q8. Which one of the following is the nodal Indian ministry responsible for negotiating and operationalising the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026?

• A. Ministry of External Affairs
• B. Ministry of Finance
• C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• D. NITI Aayog

Q9. How many member states of the European Union are parties to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement whose conclusion was announced on 27 January 2026?

• A. 25
• B. 26
• C. 27
• D. 28

Q10. With reference to how the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded on 27 January 2026 differs from its predecessor framework, the Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA), consider the following statements: 1. Unlike BTIA whose talks were suspended in 2013, the FTA concluded in 2026 covers goods, services, investment protection and geographical indications within an integrated package. 2. The 2026 FTA, unlike BTIA, is being negotiated with the 27-member European Union, whereas BTIA negotiations had been launched with a then 25-member Union. 3. The 2026 FTA delivers preferential access for more than 99% of India's exports by trade value to the EU market, a level of liberalisation not achieved under the BTIA track. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Unlike BTIA whose talks were suspended in 2013, the FTA concluded in 2026 covers goods, services, investment protection and geographical indications within an integrated package.
2. The 2026 FTA, unlike BTIA, is being negotiated with the 27-member European Union, whereas BTIA negotiations had been launched with a then 25-member Union.
3. The 2026 FTA delivers preferential access for more than 99% of India's exports by trade value to the EU market, a level of liberalisation not achieved under the BTIA track.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 2 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q11. The negotiations for the framework that ultimately culminated in the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026 were first formally launched in which one of the following years?

• A. 2004
• B. 2006
• C. 2007
• D. 2013

Q12. In the context of India-EU trade engagement, the term 'BTIA' — the predecessor framework to the India-EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026 — refers to which one of the following?

• A. Bilateral Tariff and Investment Arrangement
• B. Broad-Based Trade and Investment Agreement
• C. Balanced Trade and Industrial Accord
• D. Bilateral Trade in Intermediates Agreement

Q13. With reference to the preferential access enjoyed by India's competitors in the EU market before the conclusion of the India–EU FTA, consider the following statements: 1. Bangladesh enjoyed duty-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement available to Least Developed Countries. 2. The EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2020. 3. Turkey enjoys preferential access to the EU market only through a Free Trade Agreement signed in 2007 and has no customs union with the EU. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. Bangladesh enjoyed duty-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) arrangement available to Least Developed Countries.
2. The EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement entered into force in 2020.
3. Turkey enjoys preferential access to the EU market only through a Free Trade Agreement signed in 2007 and has no customs union with the EU.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2 and 3 only
• C. 1 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q14. In the context of the ongoing probe into the Air India AI-171 crash, the term 'ICAO Annex 13' most appropriately refers to which one of the following?

• A. A treaty obligation that mandates compensation by airlines to next of kin of crash victims
• B. International Standards and Recommended Practices for Aircraft Accident and Incident Investigation
• C. A multilateral protocol on extradition of aviation-safety offenders
• D. A framework governing carriage of dangerous goods by air

Q15. The India–European Union Free Trade Agreement, concluded in January 2026, was negotiated on the Indian side by which one of the following?

• A. Ministry of External Affairs
• B. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• C. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade
• D. NITI Aayog

Q16. The interim Syrian government that signed the March 2025 integration agreement with the SDF on the future of north-east Syria is headed, in the five-year transitional period, by which one of the following?

• A. Bashar al-Assad as restored president
• B. Ahmed al-Sharaa as transitional president
• C. Mazloum Abdi as transitional president
• D. A United Nations–appointed Special Envoy as transitional administrator

Q17. With reference to the Democratic Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (DAANES), consider the following statements: 1. It is widely known as Rojava and administers areas in north and east Syria. 2. Its principal armed wing is the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). 3. It has been a full member state of the League of Arab States since 2024. 4. Its post-2025 integration framework provides for Kurdish to be recognised as an official national language alongside Arabic. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It is widely known as Rojava and administers areas in north and east Syria.
2. Its principal armed wing is the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
3. It has been a full member state of the League of Arab States since 2024.
4. Its post-2025 integration framework provides for Kurdish to be recognised as an official national language alongside Arabic.

• A. 1 and 3 only
• B. 3 only
• C. 2 and 4 only
• D. 3 and 4 only

Q18. Who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) and the principal signatory on its behalf of the March 2025 integration accord with Syria's interim government?

• A. Abdullah Öcalan
• B. Salih Muslim
• C. Mazloum Abdi
• D. Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani

Q19. Which one of the following constitutes the dominant Kurdish armed component within the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) that signed the 2025 integration agreement with Damascus?

• A. Peshmerga
• B. People's Protection Units (YPG)
• C. Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK)
• D. Free Syrian Army

Q20. With reference to the March 2025 agreement signed between Syria's interim government and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), consider the following provisions: 1. Central Syrian government authority over airports, border crossings and oil fields in SDF-administered areas. 2. Formal recognition of Syrian Kurds as an integral part of Syria. 3. Recognition of Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic. 4. Establishment of a sovereign Kurdish federal republic with its own currency in north-east Syria. Which of the above is/are correctly identified as provisions of the agreement?

1. Central Syrian government authority over airports, border crossings and oil fields in SDF-administered areas.
2. Formal recognition of Syrian Kurds as an integral part of Syria.
3. Recognition of Kurdish as a national language alongside Arabic.
4. Establishment of a sovereign Kurdish federal republic with its own currency in north-east Syria.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 2, 3 and 4 only
• C. 1, 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 3 and 4 only

Q21. With reference to the 16th India–EU Summit (January 2026, New Delhi), consider the following statements: 1. It was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa. 2. It adopted a Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda titled 'Towards 2030'. 3. The India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded at the summit cuts tariffs on roughly 99% of Indian exports to the EU and 97% of EU exports to India. 4. The summit made India a full participating country of the EU's SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defence procurement programme. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. It was co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa.
2. It adopted a Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda titled 'Towards 2030'.
3. The India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded at the summit cuts tariffs on roughly 99% of Indian exports to the EU and 97% of EU exports to India.
4. The summit made India a full participating country of the EU's SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defence procurement programme.

• A. 4 only
• B. 1 and 4
• C. 3 and 4
• D. 2 only

Q22. The India–EU Free Trade Agreement, whose negotiations were concluded at the 16th India–EU Summit (January 2026), is described as creating a free trade zone that covers approximately what share of global GDP?

• A. About 10%
• B. About 25%
• C. About 40%
• D. About 55%

Q23. With reference to the institutional evolution of India–EU relations as contrasted with the outcomes of the 16th India–EU Summit (2026), consider the following statements: 1. India–EU relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2004, well before the recently announced Security and Defence Partnership. 2. India–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations, originally launched in 2007 and suspended in 2013, were relaunched in 2022. 3. The new India–EU Security and Defence Partnership announced at the 2026 Summit is the EU's first such partnership with any Indo-Pacific country, going beyond what the EU has concluded with Japan or South Korea. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India–EU relations were elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2004, well before the recently announced Security and Defence Partnership.
2. India–EU Free Trade Agreement negotiations, originally launched in 2007 and suspended in 2013, were relaunched in 2022.
3. The new India–EU Security and Defence Partnership announced at the 2026 Summit is the EU's first such partnership with any Indo-Pacific country, going beyond what the EU has concluded with Japan or South Korea.

• A. 1 only
• B. 1 and 2 only
• C. 2 and 3 only
• D. 1, 2 and 3

Q24. Who, as the European Union's principal foreign-policy figure, publicly stated during the 16th India–EU Summit (January 2026) that the EU had asked India to put 'pressure' on Russia to end the war in Ukraine?

• A. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
• B. António Costa, President of the European Council
• C. Kaja Kallas, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy / Vice-President of the European Commission
• D. Josep Borrell, High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

Q25. With reference to the 16th India–EU Summit held in New Delhi (January 2026), consider the following deliverables: 1. Conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement. 2. Launch of an India–EU Security and Defence Partnership. 3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Bharat 6G Alliance and the EU's 6G-IA. 4. India's accession as a full participating country of the EU's SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defence fund. Which of the above are correctly identified as outcomes of the 16th India–EU Summit?

1. Conclusion of negotiations on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement.
2. Launch of an India–EU Security and Defence Partnership.
3. Memorandum of Understanding between the Bharat 6G Alliance and the EU's 6G-IA.
4. India's accession as a full participating country of the EU's SAFE (Security Action for Europe) defence fund.

• A. 1 and 2 only
• B. 1, 2 and 3 only
• C. 2, 3 and 4 only
• D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q26. The India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded on 27 January 2026 covers the European Union bloc comprising how many member states?

• A. 25
• B. 27
• C. 28
• D. 30

Q27. Which of the following is the nodal Indian ministry/department that led the negotiations for the India–EU Free Trade Agreement concluded in January 2026?

• A. Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance
• B. Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry
• C. Ministry of External Affairs
• D. Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT)

Q28. The conclusion of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement on 27 January 2026 was jointly announced by PM Narendra Modi and Ursula von der Leyen at which edition of the India–EU Summit?

• A. 14th India–EU Summit
• B. 15th India–EU Summit
• C. 16th India–EU Summit
• D. 17th India–EU Summit

Q29. In the context of the India–EU trade negotiations originally launched in 2007, the acronym 'BTIA' refers to which of the following?

• A. Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement
• B. Broad-based Trade and Industry Accord
• C. Bilateral Tariff and Investment Arrangement
• D. Brussels Trade and Integration Agreement

Q30. Under which one of the following treaties was the European Atomic Energy Community (Euratom) - the EU body with which India signed the 2020 R&D agreement on peaceful uses of nuclear energy - established?

• A. Treaty of Paris, 1951
• B. Treaty of Rome, 1957
• C. Maastricht Treaty, 1992
• D. Treaty of Lisbon, 2007