UPSC International Relation PYQ 2025

4.

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS;

I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.

II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.

III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II

(b) II and III

(c) I and III

(d) I only

Correct Answer:

(a) I and II

Explanation:

Statement I — Correct ✅

The 16th BRICS Summit was held in Kazan, Russia, from 22–24 October 2024.

Russia was the Chair.

It was also the first BRICS Summit after expansion.

Hence, Statement I is correct.

Statement II — Correct ✅

Indonesia has officially joined BRICS as a full member.

It became the first Southeast Asian country to join BRICS.

Indonesia’s entry:

Was endorsed at the 2023 Johannesburg Summit.

Was formally announced by Brazil, the 2025 BRICS Chair.

Hence, Statement II is correct.

Statement III — Incorrect ❌

The correct theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was:

“Strengthening Multilateralism for Just Global Development and Security.”

The statement wrongly uses “Multiculturalism” instead of “Multilateralism.”

Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Final Logic:

Correct statements → I and II

Incorrect statement → III

👉 Answer: (a) I and II

3.

Consider the following pairs:

I. International Year of the Woman Farmer : 2026

II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism : 2027

III. International Year of Peace and Trust : 2025

IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence : 2029

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) Only three

(d) All the four

Correct Answer (after rechecking strictly based on the image):

(d) All the four

Explanation (Rechecked & Corrected):

Pair I — Correct ✅

The UN General Assembly has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.

Aim: highlight the role of women in agrifood systems and address gender inequalities.

Pair II — Correct ✅

The United Nations has declared 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism.

Focus: promoting sustainability, resilience, and inclusive development in tourism.

Pair III — Correct ✅

The UN General Assembly has adopted a resolution declaring 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust.

Objective: promote dialogue, trust, and peaceful international relations.

Pair IV — Correct ✅

In 2024, the UN General Assembly declared 2029 as the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence.

2.

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC :

I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.

II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.

III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.

IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II

(b) II and III

(c) I and IV

(d) I only

Correct Answer (after rechecking strictly based on the image):

(d) I only

Explanation (Rechecked and Corrected):

Statement I — Correct ✅

BIMSTEC currently has 7 member States:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

This remains correct till January 2025.

Statement II — Incorrect ❌

BIMSTEC was established on 06 June 1997 by the Bangkok Declaration.

It did not come into existence with the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.

Hence, Statement II is not correct.

Statement III — Incorrect ❌

Founding members (1997) were:

Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Nepal joined later in February 2004.

Therefore, Nepal is not a founding member.

Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Statement IV — Incorrect ❌

After the 2021 reorganisation of BIMSTEC sectors:

Nepal is the Lead Country for ‘Tourism’ under the People-to-People Contact sector.

India leads the ‘Security’ sector, not Tourism.

Hence, Statement IV is not correct.

Final Logic:

Correct → Statement I only

Incorrect → Statements II, III, IV

👉 Answer: (d) I only

Memory Trick :

“BIMSTEC = Bangkok born, 7 now, Nepal tours, India secures.”

Bangkok Declaration → ✔

7 members → ✔

Tourism → Nepal

Security → India

1.

Consider the following countries:

I. Austria

II. Bulgaria

III. Croatia

IV. Serbia

V. Sweden

VI. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

(a) Only three

(b) Only four

(c) Only five

(d) All the six

Correct Answer:

(b) Only four

Explanation:

I. Austria — Incorrect ❌

Austria follows a policy of permanent neutrality.

It is not a member of NATO.

II. Bulgaria — Correct ✅

Bulgaria became a NATO member in 2004.

III. Croatia — Correct ✅

Croatia joined NATO in 2009.

IV. Serbia — Incorrect ❌

Serbia is not a NATO member.

It maintains military neutrality and has historical opposition to NATO.

V. Sweden — Correct ✅

Sweden became a full NATO member in March 2024, ending its long-standing neutrality.

VI. North Macedonia — Correct ✅

North Macedonia joined NATO in 2020.

2.

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC :

I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.

II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.

III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.

IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of ‘tourism’ is being led by India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) I and II

(b) II and III

(c) I and IV

(d) I only

Answer :

(d) I only

Explanation :

Statement I — Correct ✅

BIMSTEC currently has 7 member States:

Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Thailand

This remains correct till January 2025.

Statement II — Incorrect ❌

BIMSTEC was established on 06 June 1997 by the Bangkok Declaration.

It did not come into existence with the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.

Hence, Statement II is not correct.

Statement III — Incorrect ❌

Founding members (1997) were:

Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Nepal joined later in February 2004.

Therefore, Nepal is not a founding member.

Hence, Statement III is not correct.

Statement IV — Incorrect ❌

After the 2021 reorganisation of BIMSTEC sectors:

Nepal is the Lead Country for ‘Tourism’ under the People-to-People Contact sector.

India leads the ‘Security’ sector, not Tourism.

Hence, Statement IV is not correct.

Final Logic:

Correct → Statement I only

Incorrect → Statements II, III, IV

👉 Answer: (d) I only

Memory Trick :

“BIMSTEC = Bangkok born, 7 now, Nepal tours, India secures.”

Bangkok Declaration → ✔

7 members → ✔

Tourism → Nepal

Security → India