Civil Services Examination - Current events: international affairs Question Bank with Options

1. Which international organization is dedicated to promoting peaceful uses of atomic energy and preventing the spread of nuclear weapons?

A) World Nuclear Association (WNA)

B) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

C) Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI)

D) International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP)

2. The concept of 'strategic hedging' in foreign policy involves:

A) Forming exclusive alliances

B) Maintaining flexibility and balancing relationships with multiple powers

C) Adopting a strictly non-aligned stance

D) Focusing solely on domestic issues

3. Which international treaty aims to protect the rights of refugees and ensure their fair treatment?

A) Universal Declaration of Human Rights

B) Geneva Conventions

C) 1951 Refugee Convention

D) International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights

4. The term 'weaponization of interdependence' in international relations refers to:

A) Using economic or technological ties as a coercive tool

B) Strengthening international cooperation

C) Developing new defense technologies

D) Promoting free trade agreements

5. The 'Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity' (IPEF) is an initiative led by which country?

A) India

B) Japan

C) Australia

D) United States

6. Which international body is responsible for coordinating global efforts to combat illegal fishing and promote sustainable fisheries management?

A) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

B) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

C) World Trade Organization (WTO)

D) United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)

7. The concept of 'soft power' as described by Joseph Nye refers to:

A) Military coercion and economic sanctions

B) Attraction and persuasion through culture, political values, and foreign policies

C) Technological dominance

D) Diplomatic isolation

8. The 'Quad' strategic dialogue was particularly galvanized by concerns over:

A) North Korea's nuclear program

B) China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific

C) Terrorism in South Asia

D) Economic instability in Europe

9. Which international organization is dedicated to setting global standards for postal services?

A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

B) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

C) Universal Postal Union (UPU)

D) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

10. The term 'digital sovereignty' in international affairs pertains to:

A) The dominance of a single technology company

B) A nation's ability to control its own digital infrastructure and data

C) The universal access to the internet

D) The regulation of international data flows

11. Which international agreement aims to facilitate the safe and secure transport of dangerous goods by sea?

A) SOLAS Convention

B) MARPOL Convention

C) IMDG Code

D) Ballast Water Management Convention

12. The 'Global Commons' in international relations typically refers to areas such as:

A) National territories of sovereign states

B) High seas, outer space, and Antarctica

C) Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs)

D) Internationally recognized borders

13. The 'Quad Plus' format refers to the Quad members plus which additional countries?

A) South Korea, Vietnam, and New Zealand

B) Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia

C) Thailand, Philippines, and Cambodia

D) Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei

14. Which international body is responsible for maritime safety and preventing pollution from ships?

A) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

B) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

C) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

D) World Meteorological Organization (WMO)

15. The 'Thucydides Trap' is a concept that describes the danger of conflict when a:

A) Rising power threatens to displace a ruling power

B) Small nation challenges a large empire

C) Democratic nation confronts an authoritarian regime

D) Technologically advanced nation lags behind in military spending

16. Which international organization focuses on promoting sustainable development through cooperation in science, culture, and communication?

A) World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)

B) United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

C) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

D) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

17. The concept of 'multipolarity' in international relations suggests a global system characterized by:

A) A single dominant superpower

B) Two dominant superpowers

C) Multiple centers of power

D) An absence of major powers

18. Which international agreement aims to regulate the international trade in endangered species of wild fauna and flora?

A) Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

B) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

C) Ramsar Convention

D) Convention on Migratory Species (CMS)

19. The 'New Silk Road' is another name often associated with which Chinese initiative?

A) Made in China 2025

B) Belt and Road Initiative

C) Digital Silk Road

D) Global Development Initiative

20. Which international body is responsible for setting standards for aviation safety and air navigation?

A) International Maritime Organization (IMO)

B) International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)

C) Universal Postal Union (UPU)

D) International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

21. The term 'supply chain resilience' has gained prominence in international affairs due to disruptions caused by:

A) Increased global trade liberalization

B) Technological advancements in logistics

C) Pandemics and geopolitical conflicts

D) Growth of e-commerce

22. Which international treaty aims to establish a framework for the peaceful exploration and use of outer space, including the Moon and other celestial bodies?

A) Outer Space Treaty

B) Antarctic Treaty

C) Geneva Conventions

D) Treaty of Tordesillas

23. The concept of 'strategic autonomy' in international relations is often discussed in the context of which geopolitical bloc seeking greater independence from external powers?

A) ASEAN

B) African Union

C) European Union

D) Mercosur

24. Which international organization coordinates global efforts to combat infectious diseases and improve public health?

A) Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)

B) United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)

C) World Health Organization (WHO)

D) International Labour Organization (ILO)

25. The 'Great Power Competition' is a geopolitical concept often referring to the rivalry between the United States, China, and which other major power?

A) India

B) Russia

C) European Union

D) Japan

26. What is the main function of the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?

A) To try individuals for international crimes

B) To settle legal disputes between states

C) To provide humanitarian aid

D) To regulate international trade

27. The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum of the leaders of seven of the world's advanced economies. Which country is NOT a member?

A) Canada

B) Italy

C) Spain

D) Japan

28. Which international agreement aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of substances responsible for ozone depletion?

A) Kyoto Protocol

B) Paris Agreement

C) Montreal Protocol

D) Basel Convention

29. The term 'decoupling' in international economic relations refers to:

A) The process of increasing interdependence between economies

B) The reduction or elimination of economic ties between countries

C) The formation of new trade blocs

D) The standardization of financial regulations

30. Which international body works to ensure that international trade flows as smoothly, predictably, and freely as possible?

A) International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)

B) World Customs Organization (WCO)

C) World Trade Organization (WTO)

D) United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD)

31. The 'Five Eyes' intelligence alliance consists of the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and which other country?

A) France

B) Germany

C) New Zealand

D) Japan

32. The Indo-Pacific region is a focus of international strategic competition. Which of the following is a key maritime chokepoint in this region?

A) Panama Canal

B) Suez Canal

C) Strait of Malacca

D) Bosporus Strait

33. Which conflict, escalating in 2022, significantly impacted global energy markets and food security?

A) Syrian Civil War

B) Yemeni Civil War

C) Russo-Ukrainian War

D) Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

34. What is the primary purpose of the 'Global South' as a term in international relations?

A) To refer to countries in the Northern Hemisphere

B) To collectively refer to developing countries, often located in Africa, Asia, and Latin America

C) To denote countries with socialist political systems

D) To identify nations bordering the Arctic Ocean

35. The UN Security Council has how many permanent members with veto power?

A) 5

B) 10

C) 15

D) 20

36. Which international organization provides financial assistance and technical support to developing countries to reduce poverty?

A) World Bank

B) International Finance Corporation (IFC)

C) Asian Development Bank (ADB)

D) African Development Bank (AfDB)

37. The BRICS group of emerging economies consists of Brazil, Russia, India, China, and which other country?

A) South Africa

B) Mexico

C) Turkey

D) Argentina

38. Which international agreement, signed in 1968, aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology?

A) Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT)

B) Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)

C) Arms Trade Treaty (ATT)

D) Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (START)

39. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important waterway located between which two bodies of water?

A) Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean

B) Black Sea and Caspian Sea

C) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

D) Red Sea and Indian Ocean

40. Which major international event in 2022 focused on discussions about global economic recovery, inflation, and energy security?

A) COP27 Climate Summit

B) G20 Summit

C) World Economic Forum Annual Meeting

D) UN General Assembly

41. The 'One Belt, One Road' initiative is more commonly known by which name?

A) Global Gateway

B) Indo-Pacific Economic Framework

C) Belt and Road Initiative

D) Asia-Africa Growth Corridor

42. Which international body is responsible for setting global standards for trade and resolving trade disputes between member nations?

A) International Labour Organization (ILO)

B) World Health Organization (WHO)

C) World Trade Organization (WTO)

D) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)

43. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) is a Eurasian political, economic, and security alliance. Which of the following is NOT a full member state?

A) Russia

B) China

C) India

D) Iran

44. Which international court is primarily responsible for prosecuting individuals for war crimes, genocide, and crimes against humanity?

A) International Court of Justice (ICJ)

B) International Criminal Court (ICC)

C) European Court of Human Rights (ECHR)

D) Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)

45. The Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) is an informal strategic forum comprising India, the United States, Japan, and which other country?

A) South Korea

B) Australia

C) Singapore

D) Indonesia

46. What is the primary objective of the Paris Agreement on climate change?

A) To ban the use of fossil fuels globally

B) To limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels

C) To establish a global carbon tax

D) To mandate the transition to 100% renewable energy by 2030

47. The 'Belt and Road Initiative' (BRI) is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by which country?

A) India

B) Japan

C) China

D) South Korea

48. Which multilateral forum brings together the leaders of the world's 20 major economies to discuss global economic issues?

A) G7

B) G20

C) BRICS

D) ASEAN

49. The Abraham Accords, signed in 2020, normalized relations between Israel and which Arab nations?

A) Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman

B) United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan

C) Egypt, Jordan, Morocco

D) Kuwait, Lebanon, Yemen

50. Which international organization was established in 1945 with the aim of promoting international peace and security?

A) World Trade Organization (WTO)

B) International Monetary Fund (IMF)

C) United Nations (UN)

D) North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Current events: international affairs - Question Bank