International Relations MCQs for UPSC Prelims — March 2026

Q1. Including MC14 at Yaoundé (2026), how many WTO Ministerial Conferences have been hosted on the African continent?

• A. One
• B. Two
• C. Three
• D. Four

Q2. Which one of the following is the lead body that reviews the list of Least Developed Countries every three years and recommends countries for graduation?

• A. Committee for Development Policy (CDP)
• B. UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)
• C. WTO Sub-Committee on Least Developed Countries
• D. Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) Bureau

Q3. Consider the following pairs of WTO Annexes (under the Marrakesh Agreement) and their content. Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. Annex 1A — multilateral agreements on trade in goods, including GATT 1994
2. Annex 1B — General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS)
3. Annex 1C — Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS)
4. Annex 2 — plurilateral agreements binding only on members that accept them

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

Q4. Which one of the following is the nodal ministry that formulates and operationalises India's negotiating position at the WTO, including on the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies?

• A. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
• B. Ministry of Commerce and Industry (Department of Commerce)
• C. Ministry of External Affairs
• D. Ministry of Finance (Department of Economic Affairs)

Q5. In WTO parlance, the 'moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions' most accurately refers to which one of the following?

• A. A commitment by members not to impose customs duties on cross-border electronic (digital) transmissions, periodically renewed at Ministerial Conferences
• B. A permanent prohibition on levying any internal taxes on digital services traded across borders
• C. A waiver permitting developing countries to levy higher import tariffs on electronic hardware
• D. A temporary standstill on anti-dumping duties imposed on imported electronics

Q6. With reference to the WTO moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The moratorium was first adopted at the Second WTO Ministerial Conference (1998) and has generally been renewed every two years thereafter.
2. At MC13 (Abu Dhabi, 2024) the moratorium was extended until MC14 or 31 March 2026, whichever was earlier, but at MC14 members failed to reach consensus and it lapsed.
3. India has consistently pressed for making the moratorium permanent in order to maximise its customs revenue from digital imports.

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

Q7. In the context of the IFD debate at MC14 and the WTO's plurilateral framework, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

1. The IFD initiative was championed largely by China and a group of developing countries seeking WTO cover for investment facilitation.
2. Annex-4 of the Marrakesh Agreement covers plurilateral agreements that bind only those members that accept them.
3. India invoked the WTO's consensus-based decision-making to resist the plurilateral 'Joint Statement Initiative' route.
4. At MC14 the IFD Agreement was adopted as a new multilateral agreement binding on all WTO members.

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

Q8. With reference to India's stance at MC14 on the Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. India, along with South Africa, led the opposition to incorporating the IFD Agreement at MC14.
2. India objected to bringing the IFD into the WTO as an Annex-4 (plurilateral) agreement.
3. India argued that investment facilitation lies outside the WTO's trade-focused mandate.
4. India agreed to the IFD's incorporation on condition that a transition period was granted to developing countries.

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

Q9. At the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, how many decisions were formally adopted by WTO members?

• A. Two
• B. Three
• C. Five
• D. Six

Q10. Comparing the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) with its predecessors, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. MC14 was held in Yaoundé, Cameroon, making it the second WTO Ministerial Conference hosted in Africa, the first having been MC10 in Nairobi.
2. Unlike MC13 at Abu Dhabi (2024), which adopted a ministerial declaration, MC14 closed without an overall ministerial declaration.
3. At MC14, as at MC13, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions was extended up to the next Ministerial Conference.

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

Q11. Consider the following pairings of WTO Ministerial Conference (by number) with its host city. Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

1. MC4 — Doha (2001)
2. MC9 — Bali (2013)
3. MC10 — Nairobi (2015)
4. MC12 — Abu Dhabi (2022)

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

Q12. With reference to the outcomes of successive WTO Ministerial Conferences (MCs), consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The Trade Facilitation Agreement — the first multilateral agreement concluded since the WTO's establishment — was finalised at the Bali Conference (MC9, 2013), whereas the Agreement on Fisheries Subsidies was concluded at the Geneva Conference (MC12, 2022).
2. The Doha Conference (MC4, 2001) launched the Doha Development Agenda, while the Nairobi Conference (MC10, 2015) was the first WTO Ministerial Conference to be hosted on the African continent.
3. Every WTO Ministerial Conference held since 2001 has concluded with the adoption of a binding ministerial declaration.

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

Q13. Which Indian entity operates the Shahid Beheshti Terminal at Chabahar Port under the long-term contract with Iran?

• A. India Ports Global Limited (IPGL)
• B. IRCON International Limited
• C. Sagarmala Development Company Limited
• D. Indian Port Rail and Ropeway Corporation Limited

Q14. For how many months was the US sanctions waiver, announced in October 2025 to allow uninterrupted Indian operations at Chabahar Port, granted before it lapsed?

• A. Three months
• B. Six months
• C. Nine months
• D. Twelve months

Q15. With reference to Chabahar Port and India's connectivity initiatives, consider the following statements: 1. Chabahar is sought to be integrated with the International North–South Transport Corridor. 2. The Chabahar–Zahedan railway is intended to connect Chabahar to Iran's national rail network. 3. Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province on the Gulf of Oman. 4. Chabahar is India's first overseas port being developed under the domestic Sagarmala scheme. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

1. Chabahar is sought to be integrated with the International North–South Transport Corridor.
2. The Chabahar–Zahedan railway is intended to connect Chabahar to Iran's national rail network.
3. Chabahar Port is located in Iran's Sistan-Baluchistan province on the Gulf of Oman.
4. Chabahar is India's first overseas port being developed under the domestic Sagarmala scheme.

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

Q16. With reference to the development of Chabahar Port and the Shahid Beheshti Terminal, consider the following statements: 1. The Shahid Beheshti Terminal is operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL). 2. The 10-year long-term main contract for the terminal was signed in May 2024 with Iran's Port and Maritime Organization. 3. India committed an investment of about USD 120 million along with a USD 250 million credit window. 4. The US sanctions waiver on Chabahar was revoked under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2018. Which of the statements given above are correctly identified?

1. The Shahid Beheshti Terminal is operated by India Ports Global Limited (IPGL).
2. The 10-year long-term main contract for the terminal was signed in May 2024 with Iran's Port and Maritime Organization.
3. India committed an investment of about USD 120 million along with a USD 250 million credit window.
4. The US sanctions waiver on Chabahar was revoked under the Iran Freedom and Counter-Proliferation Act of 2018.

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

Q17. In the context of India's Chabahar engagement with Iran, the International North–South Transport Corridor (INSTC) is best described as which one of the following?

• A. A multimodal ship, rail and road corridor linking India to Russia and Europe via Iran and the Caspian Sea
• B. A purely maritime shipping lane connecting Indian ports directly to European ports through the Suez Canal
• C. An overland rail-only corridor connecting India to Central Asia through Pakistan and Afghanistan
• D. A pipeline corridor for transporting Iranian crude oil and natural gas to Indian refineries

Q18. Comparing Iran's proposed NPT exit with North Korea's earlier withdrawal, consider the following statements: 1. North Korea, in 2003, became the only State ever to withdraw from the NPT, and Iran would be only the second if it exits. 2. Both North Korea's 2003 withdrawal and Iran's proposed exit are/would be effected through Article X of the NPT. 3. Unlike North Korea, India formally withdrew from the NPT under Article X. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. North Korea, in 2003, became the only State ever to withdraw from the NPT, and Iran would be only the second if it exits.
2. Both North Korea's 2003 withdrawal and Iran's proposed exit are/would be effected through Article X of the NPT.
3. Unlike North Korea, India formally withdrew from the NPT under Article X.

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

Q19. With reference to the NPT, consider the following States: 1. India 2. Israel 3. Pakistan 4. North Korea Which of the above is/are correctly identified as States that have never signed/joined the NPT?

1. India
2. Israel
3. Pakistan
4. North Korea

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

Q20. As Iran debates a possible exit, how many States are currently parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)?

• A. 187
• B. 189
• C. 191
• D. 193

Q21. In the context of Iran's proposed NPT withdrawal bill, what is the 'Guardian Council', the body that must clear the legislation?

• A. A 12-member constitutional body that vets legislation for conformity with the constitution and Islamic law before it takes effect
• B. The elected lower chamber of the Iranian Parliament that originates all nuclear legislation
• C. An IAEA-appointed inspection panel that verifies Iran's safeguards compliance
• D. The supreme command council that controls Iran's Revolutionary Guard nuclear assets

Q22. Under which Article of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) would Iran have to invoke its right to withdraw, as currently being debated in its Parliament?

• A. Article IV
• B. Article VI
• C. Article VIII
• D. Article X

Q23. Which country acted as the principal facilitator/broker of the 2026 U.S.–Iran ceasefire and hosted the direct talks that led to the memorandum of understanding?

• A. Oman
• B. Qatar
• C. Pakistan
• D. Saudi Arabia

Q24. With reference to the diplomacy ending the 2026 Iran War as compared with earlier U.S.–Iran engagements, consider the following statements: 1. The April 2026 Islamabad talks were the highest-level direct U.S.–Iran engagement since the 1979 Iranian Revolution. 2. Unlike the 2015 JCPOA negotiations, the 2026 ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan. 3. The final 2026 memorandum was signed on behalf of Iran by its Supreme Leader. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. The April 2026 Islamabad talks were the highest-level direct U.S.–Iran engagement since the 1979 Iranian Revolution.
2. Unlike the 2015 JCPOA negotiations, the 2026 ceasefire was brokered by Pakistan.
3. The final 2026 memorandum was signed on behalf of Iran by its Supreme Leader.

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

Q25. The Islamabad talks of April 11–12, 2026 were described as the highest-level direct U.S.–Iran engagement since the 1979 Revolution; who led the United States delegation at these talks?

• A. President Donald Trump
• B. Vice President JD Vance
• C. the U.S. Secretary of State
• D. the U.S. National Security Adviser

Q26. In the calibrated easing of the Strait of Hormuz blockade in 2026, how many Pakistani-flagged vessels did Iran agree to allow to transit the strait?

• A. 12
• B. 20
• C. 26
• D. 31

Q27. Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, who in March 2026 publicly warned the United States against a ground invasion of Iran, held which one of the following offices?

• A. President of the Islamic Republic of Iran
• B. Speaker of Iran's Parliament (Majlis)
• C. Minister of Foreign Affairs of Iran
• D. Supreme Leader of Iran

Q28. Approximately how many persons were evacuated by India from Sudan under Operation Kaveri (2023)?

• A. About 4,100
• B. About 18,300
• C. About 2,500
• D. About 11,000

Q29. The India-UK CETA aims to double bilateral trade by 2030. Approximately what was the bilateral trade value taken as the base figure to be doubled?

• A. US$ 36 billion
• B. US$ 56 billion
• C. US$ 112 billion
• D. US$ 150 billion

Q30. With reference to the special and differential treatment (S&DT) decision adopted at WTO MC-14, consider the following statements: 1. S&DT provisions accord developing and least-developed country members special rights and flexibilities under WTO agreements. 2. The MC-14 S&DT decision specifically concerned the implementation of provisions in the SPS and TBT Agreements. 3. The draft of this S&DT decision was advanced principally by the developed-country members of the WTO. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. S&DT provisions accord developing and least-developed country members special rights and flexibilities under WTO agreements.
2. The MC-14 S&DT decision specifically concerned the implementation of provisions in the SPS and TBT Agreements.
3. The draft of this S&DT decision was advanced principally by the developed-country members of the WTO.

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