Daily Prelims MCQs – International Relations – 8th August 2025
- TPP
- Aug 8
- 8 min read
Welcome to today’s handpicked set of Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) from the International Relations — 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: African Union (AU), World Economic Outlook, 58th largest economy, Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant, Sochi, Oaxaca region, Atoms for Peace and Development, Khmer Kingdom, Chin State, Two-State Solution and more...
Click Here to read the Monthly Current Affairs Pointers (CAP).
QUESTION 1
With reference to the African Union (AU), consider the following statements:
The African Union Commission, which serves as the AU’s secretariat, is located in Nairobi.
Arabic and French are the only two official languages recognized by the African Union and its institutions.
The African Union was formally created in 2002 as the successor of the Organisation of African Unity.
How many of the above statements are correct?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
The African Union (AU) is a continental intergovernmental body composed of 55 member states across Africa.
Statement 1 is incorrect: The African Union Commission, which functions as the administrative and executive arm (or secretariat) of the AU, is headquartered in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia — not in Nairobi.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The African Union recognizes multiple official languages, not just Arabic and French. These include Arabic, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish, Kiswahili, and potentially any other African language deemed necessary.
Statement 3 is correct: The AU came into official existence in 2002, taking over from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), which had been established in 1963 and dissolved in 1999. The OAU’s mission included supporting African nations in their anti-colonial struggles, through both diplomatic backing and logistical assistance.
QUESTION 2
Regarding the World Economic Outlook (WEO), consider the following statements:
It offers an in-depth overview of both global economic trends and the economic conditions of individual nations.
It is issued biennially by the World Bank.
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 (a)
Explanation:
The World Economic Outlook (WEO) is a flagship publication of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) — not the World Bank, making Statement 2 incorrect.
The IMF, which has a membership of 191 countries, aims to support international monetary cooperation and ensure financial stability and growth through policy advice, financial support, and economic surveillance.
The WEO is released twice a year, typically in April and October, and interim updates are also provided in January and July. This means the report is updated four times annually, and not biennially.
Statement 1 is correct: The WEO serves as the IMF's key economic analysis document, offering a comprehensive assessment of the global economy, along with detailed country-specific economic data and forecasts.
The latest edition was titled “Global Economy: Tenuous Resilience amid Persistent Uncertainty”, highlighting two central themes: the global economy has shown fragile yet sustained resilience, and the outlook remains clouded by ongoing uncertainty.
QUESTION 3
Consider the following statements:
As of July 20, this country was ranked as the 58th largest economy globally. However, the next day, it climbed three spots to become 55th, surpassing Ukraine, Qatar, and Hungary, by adding over $50 billion — nearly 30% of its GDP in 2024.
This surge is not unprecedented. Over a decade ago, the country’s GDP base year was updated from 1990 to 2010, resulting in a remarkable 89% jump in GDP, elevating it to Africa’s largest economy with a GDP of $510 billion in 2014.
The country being described in the above statements is:
(a) Sudan
(b) Nigeria
(c) Tanzania
(d) South Africa
Answer (b)
Explanation:
On July 21, the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS) of Nigeria released an updated estimate of the country’s GDP after conducting a GDP rebasing exercise. The base year was revised from 2010 to 2019, leading to significant changes in how the economy is measured.
As a result of this revision, Nigeria’s nominal GDP for 2024 was reassessed to be approximately $243 billion, a sharp increase from the $187 billion estimate previously projected by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
This GDP jump caused Nigeria to leap from 58th to 55th position in global economic rankings, overtaking Ukraine, Hungary, and Qatar.
The revision also incorporated several previously underreported sectors, such as:
Digital services
Pension fund operations
E-commerce
This isn’t the first time Nigeria experienced such a boost. In 2014, a similar GDP base-year update (from 1990 to 2010) led to an 89% rise in GDP, pushing the country’s GDP to $510 billion, making it Africa’s largest economy at the time.
QUESTION 4
Match the following places recently in the news with their associated countries or regions:
Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant – Iran
Sochi – Russia
Oaxaca region – Brazil
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All three
(d) None
Answer (a)
Explanation:
Sochi, a city located in the Krasnodar region along the Black Sea coast of Russia, has been in the news due to a fire at an oil depot. Reports confirmed that the blaze was triggered by a Ukrainian drone strike, and over 120 firefighters were deployed to control the fire involving a fuel tank with a 2,000 cubic metre capacity. Hence, this match is correct.
The Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is actually located in Ukraine, not Iran. It is the largest nuclear power station in Europe and has been a focal point during the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Recently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported explosions and smoke near the facility, highlighting the volatile security environment around the plant. Therefore, this pair is incorrect.
The Oaxaca region is situated in southern Mexico, not in Brazil. It was recently struck by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake, as reported by the German Research Center for Geosciences (GFZ). The area is known for its seismic activity and indigenous cultural heritage. Thus, this match is incorrect.
QUESTION 5
Which of the following organisations is known as the world’s “Atoms for Peace and Development”?
(a) International Energy Agency (IEA)
(b) International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA)
(c) World Energy Council (WEC)
(d) International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
Answer (d)
Explanation
The International Atomic Energy Agency is the world’s central intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
It promotes the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear science and technology, therefore contributing to world peace and security and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
The IAEA, often known as the “Atoms for Peace and Development” organisation within the United Nations family, is the international centre for nuclear cooperation.
QUESTION 6
The Khmer Empire, which flourished politically during the 12th and 13th centuries, extended its influence over which of the following present-day countries or their parts?
Cambodia
Thailand
Laos
Vietnam
Myanmar
Select the correct answer using the code below:
(a) 1, 2, 3, 4 only
(b) 2, 3, 4 and 5 only
(c) 1, 2 and 5 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Answer (d)
Explanation:
The Khmer Empire, also known as the Kingdom of Angkor, reached the height of its power and territorial control during the 12th and 13th centuries. At its peak, the empire was among the most formidable political and cultural forces in mainland Southeast Asia.
The core territory of the Khmer Empire lay in what is today Cambodia, which served as the political and cultural heartland — particularly the city of Angkor.
The empire's influence and military reach extended beyond Cambodia into large parts of:
Thailand (to the west),
Laos (to the northeast),
Vietnam (to the east), and
Even parts of Myanmar (to the northwest).
Historical records and archaeological evidence suggest that the Khmer Empire had administrative or military presence in these regions, either directly or through vassalage and tributary systems.
In modern times, territorial and cultural disputes — such as the ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia — still echo this historical legacy. For example, the 508-mile border between the two countries was demarcated during French colonial rule over Cambodia in the 18th and 19th centuries.
QUESTION 7
Chin State, recently in the headlines due to clashes between two anti-junta groups, is located in which of the following countries?
(a) Cambodia
(b) Philippines
(c) Thailand
(d) Myanmar
Answer (d)
Explanation:
The Chin State, situated in the western region of Myanmar, has recently been a hotspot of renewed internal conflict. On July 2, a confrontation broke out between two armed resistance groups opposed to Myanmar's ruling military junta:
The Chin National Defence Force (CNDF)
The Chinland Defence Force (CDF) Hualnogram
These clashes have escalated tensions and triggered fresh waves of displacement. Approximately 4,000 civilians have reportedly crossed the border into India’s Mizoram state, particularly into the Champhai district, seeking refuge from the violence.
Myanmar has been grappling with widespread unrest since the military coup in February 2021, and Chin State, sharing borders with India, has become one of the focal regions of resistance against the junta.
QUESTION 8
The term "Two-State Solution," frequently mentioned in international diplomatic discussions, refers to:
(a) The division of the Korean Peninsula into the sovereign nations of North Korea and South Korea.
(b) The establishment of two independent nations—Israel and Palestine—coexisting peacefully with secure and internationally recognized borders.
(c) The separation of Sudan into two nations, Sudan and South Sudan, following a referendum overseen by the United Nations.
(d) A UN-mediated agreement proposing a territorial split of Cyprus between Greek and Turkish communities.
Answer (b)
Explanation:
The Two-State Solution is a longstanding international proposal aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by creating two separate, sovereign nations:
State of Israel
State of Palestine
The goal is for both entities to live side by side in peace and security, within mutually agreed and secure borders.
This framework has received backing from the United Nations, as well as major global actors—including India, which reaffirmed its support during the UN high-level conference in July 2025.
At the conference, India emphasized the need to move beyond theoretical frameworks and towards practical diplomacy and implementation through sustained international dialogue.
The Two-State Solution is not related to the Korean Peninsula, Sudanese secession, or the Cyprus conflict—each of which has its own distinct historical and diplomatic context.
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