International Relations MCQs for UPSC Prelims — May 2026

Q1. The 2026 Mongolia exposition of the chief disciples' relics was announced by the Prime Minister of India during the State Visit of the President of Mongolia to India, which took place in which month and year?

  • A. June 2022
  • B. February 2024
  • C. October 2025
  • D. January 2026

Q2. The 'Celestial Journey' exposition, in which the relics of Lord Buddha and his two chief disciples were taken abroad, was held in Thailand in which year?

  • A. 2022
  • B. 2023
  • C. 2024
  • D. 2025

Q3. As of the 2026 Ulaanbaatar exposition, to how many foreign countries have the relics of the Buddha's two chief disciples (Sariputra and Mahamoggallana) been sent abroad for exposition?

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

Q4. Consider the following ASEAN member states in the context of official territorial claims in the South China Sea. Which of the above is/are NOT correctly identified as an official South China Sea claimant?

  1. Vietnam
  2. Philippines
  3. Indonesia
  4. Malaysia
  • A. 3 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 and 4
  • D. 1 only

Q5. With reference to export constraints and the strategic context of the BrahMos missile, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. BrahMos's range was originally capped at 290 km to stay within the MTCR Category-I threshold.
  2. India became a full member of the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) in 2016.
  3. Owing to joint intellectual property, BrahMos can be sold only to nations friendly to both India and Russia.
  4. The BrahMos-ER variant has an extended range of 290 km.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q6. With reference to what was stated about BrahMos deals at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The 2026 dialogue was held in Singapore.
  2. India confirmed that the Vietnam BrahMos deal had already been signed.
  3. The Indonesia deal was described as being in its final stages.
  4. The announcement was made by the Chief of Defence Staff.
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 2 and 4
  • C. 1 and 4
  • D. 3 and 4 only

Q7. With reference to the announcement on BrahMos deals at the 2026 Shangri-La Dialogue, consider the following statements. Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Shangri-La Dialogue is organised by the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS).
  2. The 2026 edition of the dialogue was held in Singapore.
  3. The BrahMos deals were disclosed by India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh.
  4. At the dialogue, the Indonesia deal was confirmed as already signed.
  • A. 4 only
  • B. 1 and 2
  • C. 3 only
  • D. 2 and 4

Q8. The training of Philippine personnel for the operation of the BrahMos coastal missile system was led primarily by which of the following?

  • A. Indian Navy and BrahMos Aerospace experts
  • B. Indian Army Corps of Engineers
  • C. Indian Air Force training command
  • D. Border Roads Organisation

Q9. With reference to BrahMos export deals, consider the following statements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Philippines was the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos missile.
  2. The Vietnam deal is valued at approximately US$629 million.
  3. The Indonesia deal is for submarine-launched BrahMos variants.
  4. The Philippines contract was for a shore-based anti-ship variant.
  • A. 1, 2 and 4
  • B. 1 and 3
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1 and 2 only

Q10. With reference to the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Nagoya Protocol, consider the following statements: 1. The Nagoya Protocol was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014. 2. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. 3. India signed the Nagoya Protocol in 2011 and ratified it in 2012. 4. The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

  1. The Nagoya Protocol was adopted in 2010 and entered into force in 2014.
  2. The Convention on Biological Diversity was opened for signature at the 1992 Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
  3. India signed the Nagoya Protocol in 2011 and ratified it in 2012.
  4. The Nagoya Protocol is a supplementary agreement to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 3 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 2 and 4 only

Q11. The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) has three core objectives. The Nagoya Protocol on ABS is designed primarily to give effect to how many of these objectives?

  • A. One
  • B. Two
  • C. Three
  • D. None; it is independent of the CBD's objectives

Q12. In the strategic context of the China-US nuclear relationship, a 'disarming first strike' — which China's new dispersed, mobile basing is designed to guard against — refers to:

  • A. A pre-emptive nuclear attack aimed at destroying an adversary's nuclear forces before they can be launched, thereby preventing retaliation
  • B. A nuclear strike directed primarily at an adversary's cities and population centres
  • C. A single, limited demonstration detonation intended only to signal political resolve
  • D. The mutual, treaty-based elimination of both sides' nuclear weapons

Q13. SIPRI's 2025-26 assessment noted that India had, for the first time, 'deployed' some of its nuclear warheads. In SIPRI's terminology, 'deployed warheads' are best defined as:

  • A. Warheads placed on missiles or located on bases with operational forces
  • B. Warheads that have been retired and are awaiting dismantlement
  • C. The cumulative total of all warheads a state has ever manufactured
  • D. Warheads declared and offered for verification under an arms-control treaty

Q14. With reference to the 2026 satellite-imagery assessment of China's new desert military infrastructure near the Hami silos, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The infrastructure is centred on two octagon-shaped installations built over roughly the past six years.
  2. Both octagon complexes lie to the southwest of the Hami silo fields, at distances of about 140 km and 230 km.
  3. The imagery indicated that the complex had rendered China's silo-based missiles obsolete and slated for decommissioning.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q15. Among the legs of the nuclear triad, which one is generally regarded as the most survivable platform and hence the most assured guarantor of a second-strike capability?

  • A. Land-based silo ICBMs
  • B. Sea-based ballistic-missile submarines (SSBNs)
  • C. Strategic bomber aircraft
  • D. Road-mobile air-defence batteries

Q16. The 'nuclear triad' distributes strategic forces across distinct delivery platforms. Which of the following are correctly identified as legs of the nuclear triad? Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. Land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles
  2. Submarine-launched ballistic missiles
  3. Strategic bomber aircraft carrying nuclear weapons
  4. Ground-based ballistic-missile-defence interceptors
  • A. 1, 2 and 3
  • B. 1, 2 and 4
  • C. 2, 3 and 4
  • D. 1, 3 and 4

Q17. Which one of the following was the first among the present nuclear-armed states to formally adopt a 'No First Use' nuclear policy?

  • A. China
  • B. India
  • C. United States
  • D. Russia (erstwhile Soviet Union)

Q18. With reference to the 'No First Use' (NFU) nuclear postures of India and China, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. China conducted its first nuclear test in 1964, and both China and India today maintain declared No First Use pledges.
  2. Pakistan, like India, formally maintains a declared No First Use nuclear doctrine.
  3. India couples its No First Use posture with a doctrine of credible minimum deterrence.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q19. Satellite imagery analysed in 2026 revealed a desert military complex near China's Hami silo fields, assessed as designed to bolster China's second-strike (retaliatory) capability. Approximately how many launch pads for mobile missile launchers and air-defence batteries were identified in this complex?

  • A. More than 30
  • B. More than 50
  • C. More than 80
  • D. More than 120

Q20. With reference to the concepts of first-strike and second-strike in nuclear deterrence theory, consider the following statements: Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A second-strike capability is a state's ability to launch a retaliatory nuclear attack after having absorbed an adversary's first strike.
  2. Mutual assured destruction (MAD) operates as a stable deterrent only when just one of the two adversaries possesses a secure second-strike capability.
  3. Dispersing and making nuclear forces mobile enhances their survivability against a disarming first strike.
  • A. 1 only
  • B. 1 and 3 only
  • C. 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q21. Within China's '30-60' dual carbon framework, which one of the following is the first chronological milestone that China has pledged to achieve?

  • A. Peaking of carbon dioxide emissions before 2030
  • B. Carbon neutrality before 2060
  • C. Complete phase-out of coal-fired power before 2050
  • D. Net-zero methane emissions before 2040

Q22. China's '30-60' dual carbon goals were first announced by President Xi Jinping in September 2020 at a session of which one of the following bodies?

  • A. The United Nations General Assembly
  • B. The G20 Leaders' Summit
  • C. The COP26 climate conference at Glasgow
  • D. The BRICS Leaders' Summit

Q23. Consider the following: 1. Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC) 2. Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission 3. Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), augmented 4. Malabar Naval Exercise Command Which of the above is/are correctly identified as maritime initiatives announced or advanced at the May 2026 Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

  1. Indo-Pacific Maritime Surveillance Collaboration (IPMSC)
  2. Quad-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission
  3. Indo-Pacific Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA), augmented
  4. Malabar Naval Exercise Command
  • A. 1 and 3 only
  • B. 2 and 4 only
  • C. 1, 2 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q24. Consider the following documents/outcomes said to have been issued at the May 2026 Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi: 1. Quad Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement 2. Quad Statement on Indo-Pacific Energy Security 3. Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework 4. Quad Digital Public Infrastructure Charter Which of the above is/are NOT correct?

  1. Quad Foreign Ministers' Joint Statement
  2. Quad Statement on Indo-Pacific Energy Security
  3. Quad Critical Minerals Initiative Framework
  4. Quad Digital Public Infrastructure Charter
  • A. 1 and 3
  • B. 2 only
  • C. 4 only
  • D. 3 and 4

Q25. The Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting hosted by India in New Delhi on 26 May 2026 was which edition of the Quad Foreign Ministers' Meeting?

  • A. 9th
  • B. 10th
  • C. 11th
  • D. 12th

Q26. With reference to how each Quad member was represented at the May 2026 New Delhi Foreign Ministers' Meeting, consider the following statements: 1. The United States was represented by its Secretary of State, Marco Rubio. 2. Japan was represented by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi. 3. India, as host, was represented by its Defence Minister, while Australia was represented by Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The United States was represented by its Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.
  2. Japan was represented by Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi.
  3. India, as host, was represented by its Defence Minister, while Australia was represented by Foreign Minister Penny Wong.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q27. With reference to the evolution of the Quad, consider the following statements: 1. The Quad was first formalised in 2007 but became inactive after Australia's withdrawal in 2008. 2. Quad foreign ministers have met since 2019, whereas leaders'-level summits began only in 2021. 3. The 2017 revival elevated the Quad directly to a leaders'-summit format, bypassing the foreign-ministerial level. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. The Quad was first formalised in 2007 but became inactive after Australia's withdrawal in 2008.
  2. Quad foreign ministers have met since 2019, whereas leaders'-level summits began only in 2021.
  3. The 2017 revival elevated the Quad directly to a leaders'-summit format, bypassing the foreign-ministerial level.
  • A. 1 and 2 only
  • B. 2 and 3 only
  • C. 1 and 3 only
  • D. 1, 2 and 3

Q28. In the context of its institutional evolution, which one of the following best describes the Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue)?

  • A. A treaty-based military alliance with a mutual-defence clause and a permanent secretariat
  • B. An informal strategic dialogue among India, the United States, Japan and Australia, without a treaty or permanent secretariat
  • C. A United Nations-mandated maritime peacekeeping force for the Indian Ocean region
  • D. A customs union setting common external tariffs for the Indo-Pacific

Q29. In which year were India–Vietnam relations elevated to the level of a 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership'?

  • A. 2007
  • B. 2016
  • C. 2020
  • D. 2022

Q30. In the context of India's foreign relations, the term 'Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' with Vietnam is best described as which one of the following?

  • A. The highest tier of bilateral partnership, spanning the full spectrum of defence, security, economic, science-and-technology and cultural cooperation
  • B. A defence-only pact restricted to arms sales and military training
  • C. A preferential trade agreement negotiated under the World Trade Organization framework
  • D. A bilateral currency-swap and central-bank liquidity arrangement