International Relations & Current Affairs MCQ Quiz 2026 - UPSC Pattern

1. With reference to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), consider the following statements:

• 1. It has 10 members, and each member has one vote.
• 2. The presidency of the Security Council shall be held in turn by the members of the Security Council in the English alphabetical order of their names.
• 3. Each President shall hold office for three months.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
• (d) None

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (a) Only one Statement 1 is incorrect (15 members total). Statement 2 is correct (English alphabetical rotation). Statement 3 is incorrect (Term is 1 month).

2. Consider the following statements regarding a specific country:

• 1. This country received independence from French colonial rule in 1960.
• 2. For a majority of its post-independence era, it has seen single-party rule and military coups.
• 3. It is part of the Sahel region.
• 4. Its capital city is Niamey.

The above mentioned country refers to:

• (a) Libya
• (b) Chad
• (c) Algeria
• (d) Niger

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (d) Niger Niger is a Sahelian country that gained independence from France in 1960 with Niamey as its capital.

3. Khorasan, Yazd, Sistan and Baluchestan are the provinces in:

• (a) Iraq
• (b) Afghanistan
• (c) Iran
• (d) Syria

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (c) Iran These are major administrative provinces of Iran.

4. The “Darfur region” was in the news recently. It lies within:

• (a) Democratic Republic of Congo
• (b) Tanzania
• (c) Kenya
• (d) Sudan

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (d) Sudan The Darfur region is located in western Sudan.

5. With reference to Henley Passport Index 2025, consider the following statements:

• 1. The ranking of passports is based on the number of destinations holders can travel to without obtaining a visa in advance.
• 2. Finland holds the number one spot.

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

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (a) 1 only Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is incorrect as Singapore typically holds the top spot.

6. The term ‘bamboo diplomacy’ is seen with reference to which of the following nations?

• (a) Brazil
• (b) Thailand
• (c) Cambodia
• (d) Vietnam

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (d) Vietnam Bamboo diplomacy is Vietnam's flexible yet firm foreign policy approach.

7. With reference to the BRICS grouping, consider the following statements:

• 1. The New Development Bank established by BRICS aims to provide funding exclusively for BRICS member countries.
• 2. BRICS has created an alternative payment system called SWIFT.
• 3. The latest member to join BRICS is Saudi Arabia taking the total count to 10.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• (a) 1 only
• (b) 2 and 3 only
• (c) All of the above
• (d) None of the above

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (d) None of the above NDB is not exclusive; SWIFT is the system they are replacing; Saudi Arabia's status has been subject to clarification while others joined.

8. Consider the following statements regarding the UAE Golden Visa scheme 2025:

• 1. Indian and Bangladeshi nationals can obtain lifetime UAE residency by paying a one-time fee.
• 2. The scheme does not require nomination by an authorised agency.
• 3. Citizens of China and Pakistan are also eligible under this pilot scheme.

Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?

• (a) 1 and 2 only
• (b) 1 and 3 only
• (c) 2 and 3 only
• (d) All of the above

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (d) All of the above All statements are incorrect. The visa is long-term (not lifetime) and requires specific investment/talent criteria and nomination.

9. With reference to the African Union (AU), consider the following statements:

• 1. The AU’s secretariat is based in Nairobi.
• 2. The official languages of the Union are only Arabic and French.
• 3. It was officially established in 2002 as the successor of the OAU.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

• (a) Only one
• (b) Only two
• (c) All three
• (d) None

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (a) Only one Statement 1 is incorrect (Addis Ababa). Statement 2 is incorrect (multiple languages). Statement 3 is correct (Established 2002).

10. With reference to the World Economic Outlook, consider the following statements:

• 1. It provides a comprehensive picture of the global economy and individual countries.
• 2. It is published by the World Bank once every two years.

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

Answer & Solution: Correct Answer: (a) 1 only The report is published by the IMF (not World Bank) twice a year.