International Relations MCQs for UPSC Prelims — February 2026

Q1. The February 7, 2026 Joint Statement on the India–U.S. Interim Trade Deal was issued from the U.S. side solely under the authority of which one of the following officials?

• A. U.S. Secretary of State
• B. U.S. Trade Representative (Ambassador Jamieson Greer)
• C. U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
• D. U.S. Secretary of Commerce

Q2. With reference to India's $500 billion procurement commitment to the United States announced under the February 7, 2026 Joint Statement, consider the following categories of U.S. goods: 1. Energy products 2. Coking coal 3. Defence equipment 4. Aircraft and aircraft parts Which of the above is/are correctly identified as categories explicitly listed in the commitment?

1. Energy products
2. Coking coal
3. Defence equipment
4. Aircraft and aircraft parts

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

Q3. With reference to the U.S. tariff regime on Indian goods before and after the India–U.S. Joint Statement of February 7, 2026, consider the following statements: 1. The U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian originating goods was lowered from 25% to 18%. 2. The additional 25% punitive tariff imposed on India for purchases of Russian crude oil was retained under the new framework. 3. India committed to purchase about $500 billion worth of U.S. goods — including energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products and coking coal — over the next five years. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The U.S. reciprocal tariff on Indian originating goods was lowered from 25% to 18%.
2. The additional 25% punitive tariff imposed on India for purchases of Russian crude oil was retained under the new framework.
3. India committed to purchase about $500 billion worth of U.S. goods — including energy products, aircraft and aircraft parts, precious metals, technology products and coking coal — over the next five years.

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

Q4. Which one of the following Union Ministries leads, on the Indian side, the negotiation and operationalisation of the India–U.S. Interim Bilateral Trade Agreement (Phase 1) announced through the Joint Statement of February 7, 2026?

• A. Ministry of External Affairs
• B. Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue)
• C. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce)
• D. Ministry of Corporate Affairs

Q5. As established under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the Joint Commission tasked with overseeing implementation of the deal comprised how many members?

• A. 6
• B. 7
• C. 8
• D. 9

Q6. With reference to Ali Larijani's two stints as Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, consider the following statements: 1. His first stint as Secretary of the SNSC, during which he led nuclear negotiations, was from 2005 to 2007. 2. His 2025 reappointment came in the aftermath of a 12-day air war between Iran and Israel earlier that year. 3. In both stints he was appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, bypassing the elected President. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. His first stint as Secretary of the SNSC, during which he led nuclear negotiations, was from 2005 to 2007.
2. His 2025 reappointment came in the aftermath of a 12-day air war between Iran and Israel earlier that year.
3. In both stints he was appointed directly by the Supreme Leader, bypassing the elected President.

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

Q7. Which body in Iran is constitutionally tasked with framing the country's defence and security policy and steering the strategic posture in its nuclear negotiations with the United States?

• A. Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS)
• B. Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Quds Force
• C. Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)
• D. Expediency Discernment Council

Q8. Under the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Iran, who presides over the Supreme National Security Council (SNSC)?

• A. The Supreme Leader (Rahbar)
• B. The President of Iran
• C. The Speaker of the Majlis
• D. The Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces

Q9. In the context of Iran's nuclear diplomacy, the term 'P5+1' refers to which one of the following groupings of states/entities?

• A. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Germany
• B. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus the European Union
• C. The five permanent members of the UN Security Council plus Iran
• D. Five Gulf Cooperation Council states plus the IAEA

Q10. The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), 2015 was endorsed by which one of the following United Nations Security Council Resolutions?

• A. Resolution 1737 (2006)
• B. Resolution 1929 (2010)
• C. Resolution 2231 (2015)
• D. Resolution 2334 (2016)

Q11. Which one of the following countries possesses the largest ballistic missile arsenal in West Asia?

• A. Saudi Arabia
• B. Israel
• C. Iran
• D. Turkey

Q12. With reference to the United States military strikes of June 2025 on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, consider the following sites: 1. Fordow 2. Bushehr 3. Natanz 4. Isfahan Which of the above are correctly identified as sites struck by the United States in that operation?

1. Fordow
2. Bushehr
3. Natanz
4. Isfahan

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

Q13. Which one of the following international agencies is mandated to verify Iran's compliance with nuclear-safeguards obligations under the NPT and the JCPOA?

• A. United Nations Office for Disarmament Affairs (UNODA)
• B. International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
• C. Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)
• D. Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)

Q14. With reference to the 2026 Indonesia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) as compared with the tariff regime that preceded it, consider the following statements: 1. The reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States on Indonesian goods under the ART is lower than the punitive rate announced for Indonesia in April 2025. 2. Under the ART, Indonesia has committed to eliminate tariffs on more than 99 per cent of United States products, whereas earlier bilateral trade was governed largely by WTO Most-Favoured-Nation tariff schedules. 3. Unlike the framework agreement reached in 2025, the ART excludes agricultural products from Indonesia's tariff-cut commitments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States on Indonesian goods under the ART is lower than the punitive rate announced for Indonesia in April 2025.
2. Under the ART, Indonesia has committed to eliminate tariffs on more than 99 per cent of United States products, whereas earlier bilateral trade was governed largely by WTO Most-Favoured-Nation tariff schedules.
3. Unlike the framework agreement reached in 2025, the ART excludes agricultural products from Indonesia's tariff-cut commitments.

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

Q15. Under the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade finalised between Indonesia and the United States in February 2026, what is the reciprocal tariff rate (in per cent) that the United States imposes on most Indonesian goods?

• A. 10
• B. 15
• C. 19
• D. 32

Q16. Among the agricultural commodities covered by Indonesia's import commitments under the 2026 Agreement on Reciprocal Trade with the United States, which one is to see the largest proportional jump (multiple of times) over its previous annual import volume?

• A. Wheat
• B. Soybeans
• C. Soymeal
• D. Corn

Q17. The Indonesia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade signed in February 2026 was signed on behalf of the United States by the holder of which one of the following offices?

• A. United States Secretary of Commerce
• B. United States Trade Representative
• C. United States Secretary of State
• D. United States Secretary of Agriculture

Q18. With reference to the Indonesia–United States Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) signed in February 2026, consider the following commodities exported by Indonesia to the United States: 1. Palm oil 2. Cocoa 3. Soybeans 4. Coffee Which of the above is/are correctly identified as exempted by the United States from the reciprocal tariff under this agreement?

1. Palm oil
2. Cocoa
3. Soybeans
4. Coffee

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

Q19. In the United Kingdom, the operationalisation of the UK-Mauritius Chagos treaty — including the February 2026 statement on its pause — was handled by which one of the following ministries/departments?

• A. Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO)
• B. Ministry of Defence
• C. Cabinet Office
• D. Department for Business and Trade

Q20. In the context of the Chagos deal pause announced in 2026, the term 'British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)' refers to which one of the following?

• A. A British overseas territory consisting of the Chagos Archipelago in the central Indian Ocean
• B. A joint UK-US naval command zone covering Diego Garcia and the northern Maldives
• C. A British protectorate over Mauritius and the Seychelles that lapsed on Mauritian independence
• D. A UK consular jurisdiction administering Indian Ocean shipping lanes east of Suez

Q21. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred the 'Speaker of the Knesset Medal' — the highest honour of the Israeli Parliament — in February 2026 by which one of the following?

• A. Isaac Herzog, President of Israel
• B. Benjamin Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel
• C. Amir Ohana, Speaker of the Knesset
• D. Yair Lapid, Leader of the Opposition

Q22. Consider the following statements comparing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 2017 visit to Israel with his February 2026 visit: 1. The 2017 visit elevated India-Israel ties to a 'Strategic Partnership', while the February 2026 visit elevated them to a 'Special Strategic Partnership'. 2. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel during the February 2026 visit. 3. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset during the February 2026 visit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The 2017 visit elevated India-Israel ties to a 'Strategic Partnership', while the February 2026 visit elevated them to a 'Special Strategic Partnership'.
2. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to visit Israel during the February 2026 visit.
3. Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to address the Knesset during the February 2026 visit.

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

Q23. With reference to the bilateral instruments concluded during PM Modi's February 2026 visit to Israel, which of the following areas are correctly identified as covered by the agreements? 1. Artificial Intelligence 2. Cybersecurity 3. Cultural Exchange (2026-2029) 4. Civil nuclear energy cooperation Which of the above is/are correctly identified?

1. Artificial Intelligence
2. Cybersecurity
3. Cultural Exchange (2026-2029)
4. Civil nuclear energy cooperation

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

Q24. The Knesset, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed in February 2026, has how many members?

• A. 100
• B. 120
• C. 150
• D. 200

Q25. The actual collection of the Section 122 import surcharge imposed by the United States in February 2026 at U.S. ports of entry is operationally carried out by which one of the following?

• A. The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)
• B. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security
• C. The U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC)
• D. The Bureau of Industry and Security under the Department of Commerce

Q26. Under Section 122 of the U.S. Trade Act of 1974, as invoked through Proclamation 11012 in February 2026, what is the maximum number of days for which the President may keep a temporary import surcharge in force without Congressional action?

• A. 90 days
• B. 120 days
• C. 150 days
• D. 180 days

Q27. Proclamation 11012, signed by the U.S. President in February 2026 to impose a temporary global import surcharge, was issued under the authority of which one of the following?

• A. Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962
• B. Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974
• C. Section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974
• D. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act of 1977

Q28. With reference to the tariff actions of the U.S. President in 2025-26, consider the following statements: 1. The 'Reciprocal Tariffs' announced in 2025 were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 1977, which the U.S. Supreme Court in 2026 held does not authorise the imposition of tariffs. 2. Unlike the IEEPA tariffs, the Section 122 surcharge of the Trade Act of 1974 is statutorily capped both in rate and in duration. 3. Section 122 had been used by every U.S. President since its enactment, whereas IEEPA had never previously been invoked for tariffs. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The 'Reciprocal Tariffs' announced in 2025 were imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), 1977, which the U.S. Supreme Court in 2026 held does not authorise the imposition of tariffs.
2. Unlike the IEEPA tariffs, the Section 122 surcharge of the Trade Act of 1974 is statutorily capped both in rate and in duration.
3. Section 122 had been used by every U.S. President since its enactment, whereas IEEPA had never previously been invoked for tariffs.

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

Q29. In the context of the Section 122 surcharge invoked by the United States in February 2026, which of the following best describes a 'temporary import surcharge'?

• A. A duty levied on selected imports as a countermeasure against unfair foreign trade practices, following an investigation by the U.S. Trade Representative.
• B. An additional ad valorem charge on imports imposed by the President for a limited period to address balance-of-payments problems, without prior injury investigation.
• C. A safeguard tariff imposed after the International Trade Commission finds that imports are causing serious injury to a domestic industry.
• D. A retaliatory tariff imposed in response to a national security threat identified by the Department of Commerce under Section 232.

Q30. Which one of the following is India's most recently concluded Free Trade Agreement, announced at a bilateral Summit in January 2026?

• A. India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement
• B. India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement
• C. India-European Union Free Trade Agreement
• D. India-ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement