UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz — 5 past International Relations questions that tested you on fascinating yet tough global alliances (Week 100 Special) | UPSC Current Affairs News

Check them out to see if you know the correct answers, and avoid falling into the trap of UPSC on similar themes for the upcoming Prelims 2025.

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Not so important for aspirants, but on UPSC’s radar

QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2024)

1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.

2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— The International Grains Council (IGC) is an intergovernmental institution that aims to:

(a) Increased international cooperation in grain commerce.

(b) Encourage expansion, transparency, and justice in the grains sector;

(c) Contribute to grain market stability and improve global food security.

— Market conditions for grains, rice, and oilseeds are monitored on a daily basis, with daily reports distributed and web-based information services maintained, and the Council formally exchanges information during Market Conditions Committee meetings and Council sessions.

— Every year, the IGC has two regular Council Sessions, either in London or, upon invitation, in member nations.

— The IGC also gives its member states with daily export price quotations and market reports, as well as access to its comprehensive database.

— India is a member of the International Grains Council. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— A country does not have to be a member of the International Grains Council to export or import rice and wheat. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.

According to the official key of UPSC, option (a) was the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.igc.int)

Have you heard about it, No? Be prepared for such unheard organisations

QUESTION 2

Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization: (UPSC 2024) 

1. It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.

2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.

3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 2 only

(b) 3 only

(c) 1 and 2

(d) 2 and 3

Explanation

— The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is a global non-profit established in 2001, committed to enhancing sanitation and advocating for safe and hygienic toilets worldwide. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.

— Among the notable achievements is the establishment of UN World Toilet Day, an initiative spearheaded in collaboration with the Singapore government to raise awareness about the global sanitation crisis and the importance of toilets in promoting health, well-being, and human dignity. World Toilet Summit and World Toilet College are also the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Its aim is to continue to build the global sanitation movement through collaborative action that inspires and drives demand for sanitation, and provides innovative solutions to achieve sustainable sanitation for all. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.

According to the official key of UPSC, option (a) was the correct answer.

(Source: worldtoilet.org)

Initiatives of international organisations are important, but how to focus on the useful ones

QUESTION 3

Which one of the following is the correct description of “100 Million Farmers”? (UPSC 2024)

(a) It is a platform for accelerating the transition towards food and water systems that are net-zero (carbon), nature-positive and that aims to increase farmer resilience.

(b) It is an international alliance and a network of individuals and farming organisations interested in supporting and strengthening the development of the organic animal husbandry.

(c) It is a digital platform fully integrated with service providers and built on blockchain that lets buyers, sellers and third parties trade fertilizers quickly and securely.

(d) It is a platform with the mission of encouraging the farmers to form Farmer Product Organisations or Agribusiness Consortiums, thus facilitating the access to global open markets to sell their products.

Explanation

— 100 Million Farmers drives a global movement to accelerate the adoption of regenerative agriculture and climate adaptation practices at the farm level.

— The focus is on closing the finance and soil knowledge gaps – two critical areas that reinforce each other. By addressing these gaps, it aims to enhance access to financing and improve agricultural outcomes, creating a positive feedback loop that strengthens sustainable farming worldwide.

According to the official key of UPSC, option (a) was the correct answer.

(Source: initiatives.weforum.org)

United Nations – you can’t afford to miss this for your UPSC Examination

QUESTION 4

With reference to the “United Nations Credentials Committee”, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.

2. It traditionally meets in March, June and September every year.

3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 3 only

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) 1 and 2

Explanation

— A Credentials Committee is appointed at the beginning of each regular session of the General Assembly. It consists of nine members, who are appointed by the General Assembly on the proposal of the President. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are not correct.

— The Committee reports to the Assembly on the credentials of representatives.

— The Committee is mandated to examine the credentials of representatives of Member States and to report to the General Assembly thereon. Hence, statement 3 is correct.

According to the official key of UPSC, option (a) was the correct answer.

(Source: http://www.un.org)

Countries in news, geography in use

QUESTION 5

Consider the following countries: (UPSC 2023)

1. Bulgaria

2. Czech Republic

3. Hungary

4. Latvia

5. Lithuania

6. Romania

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) Only five

Explanation

— Ukraine shares a border with Belarus, Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Russia, and Slovakia.

According to the official key of UPSC, option (a) was the correct answer.

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We hope you understand that some traps of UPSC can be avoided. Although UPSC prelims has a vast syllabus, silly mistakes can be avoided to gain an advantage where other candidates lose. Keep that in mind as we resume with our usual way of providing MCQs from Week 101. Thank you for being a part of this journey.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 100)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 100)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 100)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 100)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 100)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 99)

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