Daily Prelims MCQs – International Relations – 13th June 2025
- TPP
- Jun 13
- 8 min read
Welcome to today’s handpicked set of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from the International Relations section — crafted specially for the UPSC Prelims! These questions aren’t just a quiz — they’re a smart way to see how current affairs connect with core concepts, just like UPSC asks in the exam.
Each question is based on recent news and backed by clear explanations to help you build strong links between dynamic events and static knowledge.
Today’s topics include: Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI), South American trading bloc ‘MERCOSUR’, Group of Seven (G7), Temporary Protected Status (TPS), Golden Dome missile defence system, International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), Bank of International Settlements (BIS) and more…
Use this as your daily revision boost to sharpen your understanding, stay exam-ready, and master how UPSC turns news into questions.
Click Here to read the Current Affairs Pointers (CAP) for January 2025- April 2025.
QUESTION 1
The Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holder:
Is essentially a foreign passport holder.
Can get a life-long visa for visiting India.
Not exempted from registration with local police authority for any length of stay in the country.
The United Kingdom has the maximum number of registered OCI card holders.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2 and 3
(b) 2, 3 and 4
(c) 1 and 2 only
(d) 3 and 4 only
Answer (c)
Explanation:
What is OCI?
The OCI scheme, which was implemented in August 2005, allows for the registration of all Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were citizens of India on January 26, 1950, or later, or who were eligible to become citizens of India on that date.
An OCI card bearer, essentially a foreign passport holder, is granted a multiple-entry, multi-purpose life-long visa for visiting India and is exempt from registration with local police authorities for any duration of stay in the country. Hence, statements 1 and 2 are correct and statement 3 is not correct.
According to government figures, there were over 45 lakh registered OCI card holders from 129 countries in 2023. The United States led the list with more than 16.8 lakh OCI card holders, followed by the United Kingdom (9.34 lakh), Australia (4.94 lakh), and Canada (4.18 lakh). Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
QUESTION 2
Which of the following countries are members of the South American trading bloc ‘MERCOSUR’?
Brazil
Chile
Paraguay
Uruguay
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
(a) 1, 2, 3 and 4
(b) 1, 2 and 4
(c) 2, 3 and 4
(d) 1, 3 and 4
Answer (d)
Explanation:
The visiting President of Paraguay, Santiago Peña Palacios, was told by Prime Minister Narendra Modi that the two countries are “united in the fight against terrorism” and can work together to combat “shared challenges” like cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.
India and Paraguay are unified in their fight against terrorism. There is enormous potential for collaboration in combating common threats such as cybercrime, organised crime, and drug trafficking.
The Prime Minister also mentioned New Delhi’s advantageous trade relationship with the South American trading bloc MERCOSUR, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Uruguay.
QUESTION 3
With reference to the Indian tourists in the Philippines, consider the following statements:
There has been a decline in Indian tourists visiting the archipelago over the past few years.
The number of Indian nationals visiting the archipelago in 2024 decreased year-on-year and was approximately 50 per cent lower than the 2022 levels.
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 (d)
Explanation:
Air India, part of the Tata Group, has announced that non-stop flights between Delhi and Manila would begin on October 1, connecting the Indian and Philippine capitals for the first time in almost a decade. Philippine Airlines discontinued non-stop flights between India and the Philippines in 2013, citing poor demand.
The declaration by Air India follows the Philippines’ decision to waive visa requirements for Indian tourists for up to 14 days, joining other Southeast Asian countries such as Thailand and Malaysia.
The Philippines, which has some of the best beaches and beautiful islands, has experienced a significant increase in Indian visitors visiting the archipelago over the last few years. Hence, statement 1 is not correct.
According to figures from the Philippines’ tourist authority, the number of Indian nationals visiting the archipelago in 2024 increased 12.4% year on year to around 79,000. The figure was around 53% greater than 2022 levels. Hence, statement 2 is not correct.
QUESTION 4
With reference to the Group of Seven (G7), consider the following statements:
The Group was established as a platform for economic and financial cooperation in response to the 1973 energy crisis.
The European Union participates in the Group and is represented at the summits by the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission.
G7 host countries can not invite countries as guest countries or outreach partners.
The G7 expanded into the G8 between 1997 and 2013, with the inclusion of China.
How many of the statements given above are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All four
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Hours after inviting Prime Minister Narendra Modi to this month’s G7 meeting in Alberta, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney used India’s status as the world’s fifth-largest economy as justification for the invitation. Canada’s action is viewed as a step towards mending relations between the two countries, which had suffered a dramatic decline under the former prime minister, Justin Trudeau.
About G7
The Group was established as a platform for economic and financial cooperation in response to the 1973 energy crisis. The first Summit of Heads of State and Government was held in 1975 in Rambouillet, France. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
The Group of Seven (G7) is an informal forum that includes Italy, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America. The European Union also participates in the Group, and the Presidents of the European Council and the European Commission attend the summits. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
The EU does not have the rotating chairmanship of the G7.
Between 1997 and 2013, the G7 evolved into the G8, which now includes Russia. However, Russia’s participation was suspended in 2014 due to the unlawful annexation of Crimea. Hence, statement 4 is not correct.
Usually, G7 host countries invite some countries as guest countries or outreach partners. Canada had so far invited Ukraine and Australia. Hence, statement 3 is not correct.
QUESTION 5
With reference to the Temporary Protected Status (TPS), consider the following statements:
It is a temporary immigration status provided to nationals of certain countries experiencing problems that make it difficult or unsafe for their nationals to be deported there.
Recently, the US has terminated the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) provided to Nepal.
It provides a work permit and protection from deportation to foreign nationals from those countries who are in the United States at the time the U.S. government makes the designation.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer (d)
Explanation:
According to a media source, the United States has terminated Nepal’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) following the 2015 earthquake. Hence, statement 2 is correct.
TPS allows immigrants from designated countries who do not have another legal status to stay in the United States for up to 18 months and obtain lawful work authorisation if their social circumstances prevent them from returning safely.
TPS is a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of certain countries who face issues that make deportation difficult or risky. Hence, statement 1 is correct.
It is a temporary immigration status granted to nationals of particular countries who are experiencing an ongoing armed conflict, an environmental disaster, or extreme and temporary circumstances. It grants foreign citizens from those nations a work permit and protection from deportation if they are in the United States at the time the government announces the designation. Hence, statement 3 is correct.
QUESTION 6
With reference to Golden Dome missile defence system, consider the following statements:
It is inspired by Israel’s much lauded Iron Dome system — a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system.
It has been in the news since Russia used it against Ukraine, which ultimately led to NATO’s sanctions.
Which of the statements given above is/are true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (a)
Explanation:
US President Donald Trump has offered the ‘Golden Dome’ missile defence system for free to Canada, which had shown interest after the Republican leader announced it but added a rider that Ottawa can have it without paying any charge “if it becomes part of the US’ 51st State”.
First floated by Trump this January, the Golden Dome is inspired by Israel’s much lauded Iron Dome system — a short-range, ground-to-air, air defence system. But it is far more ambitious in scale and scope, and seeks to integrate “next-generation” technologies across land, sea, and even space.
QUESTION 7
With reference to the International Institute of Administrative Sciences (IIAS), consider the following statements:
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has represented India as a Member State of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences since 1998.
The International Institute of Administrative Sciences is a Federation of 31 Member Countries.
While the IIAS is not a formally affiliated body of the UN, it actively engages with the UN’s work in public administration.
In the 100 years history of IIAS, election to the post of President was held by ballot process in 2025 and it is the first time that India has secured the historic mandate for the Presidency of the IIAS.
Which of the statements mentioned above is/are true?
(a) 1 and 3 only
(b) 2 and 4 only
(c) 1, 3 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer (d)
Explanation:
The Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances has represented India as a Member State of the International Institute of Administrative Sciences since 1998. The International Institute of Administrative Sciences is a Federation of 31 Member Countries, 20 National Sections and 15 Academic Research Centres jointly collaborating for scientific research on public administration. Key member countries include – India, Japan, China, Germany, Italy, Korea, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Switzerland, Mexico, Spain, Qatar, Morocco, Indonesia etc.
The IIAS maintains a close working relationship with the United Nations, and participates in the UN’s Committee of Experts on Public Administration (CEPA) and the UN Public Administration Network (UNPAN). While the IIAS is not a formally affiliated body of the UN, it actively engages with the UN’s work in public administration.
This is the first time in the 100 years history of IIAS that the election to the post of President was held by ballot process and it is the first time that India has secured the historic mandate for the Presidency of the IIAS.
QUESTION 8
With reference to Bank of International Settlements (BIS), consider the following statements:
It is owned by the European Union and it deals with countries from around the world that together account for about 95% of world GDP.
Its head office is in Basel, Switzerland.
Which of the above given statements is/are true?
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer (b)
Explanation:
Established in 1930, the BIS is owned by 63 central banks, representing countries from around the world that together account for about 95% of world GDP. Its head office is in Basel, Switzerland and it has two representative offices: in Hong Kong SAR and in Mexico City, as well as Innovation Hub Centres around the world. Hence, statement 1 is not correct and statement 2 is correct.
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