UGC NET/JRF EXAM, Politics Including International Relations and Studies JANUARY-2025 – (PAPER-II)

Total Questions: 100

51. Arrange the following summit/conference in ascending order of their date of occurrence.

A. 23rd SCO Summit
B. 16th BRICS Summit
C. 50th G7 Summit
D. 19th SAARC Summit

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. D, C, A, B
Solution:Let’s arrange the summits in ascending order of their occurrence:

D. 19th SAARC Summit – Planned for 2016 in Islamabad (postponed indefinitely)

C. 50th G7 Summit – June 2024 in Italy

A. 23rd SCO Summit – July 2023 (virtual summit chaired by India)

B. 16th BRICS Summit – October 2024, hosted by Russia

Now, the correct chronological order from earliest to latest is: D (2016) → A (2023) → C (June 2024) → B (October 2024).

52. Starting from the event that happened first, arrange the following in ascending order:

A. Bulgaria joining EU
B. Introduction of Euro as the new currency
C. Treaty of Maastricht was signed
D. Austria, Finland and Sweden join the EU
E. Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined EU

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. С, D, B, E, A
Solution:The timeline of the listed EU-related events is as follows:

C. Treaty of Maastricht was signed – 1992, which formally established the European Union.

D. Austria, Finland and Sweden joined the EU – 1995, during the EU’s first expansion after Maastricht.

B. Introduction of the Euro as the new currency – 1999 (introduced virtually) and 2002 (physical currency launched).

E. Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia joined the EU – 2004, largest EU expansion.

A. Bulgaria joined the EU – 2007, along with Romania.

Arranging these events in ascending chronological order (earliest to latest): C (1992) → D (1995) → B (1999/2002) → E (2004) → A (2007).

53. Arrange the following in ascending order of their year of establishment.

A. Food and Agricultural Organisation
B. New Development Bank
C. International Solar Alliance
D. World Tourism Organisation

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, D, В, С
Solution:Arrange the following international organizations in ascending order of their establishment:

Let’s identify the years of establishment:

A. Food and Agricultural Organisation (FAO) – 1945

D. World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) – 1975 (originated as IUOTO in 1946, became UNWTO in 1975)

B. New Development Bank (NDB) – 2014

C. International Solar Alliance (ISA) – 2015

Now arrange them in ascending order: A (1945) → D (1975) → B (2014) → C (2015).

54. Which of the following matches are correct about the country with its respective region?

A. Dominica Republic is a part of the Caribbean.
B. Costa Rica is a part of the Central America.
C. Kiribati is a part of the Pacific Islands.
D. Bolivia is a South American Country.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. A, B, C, D
Solution:

Let’s verify each country and its corresponding region:

A. Dominican Republic is a part of the Caribbean – Correct: The Dominican Republic is located on the island of Hispaniola in the Caribbean Sea.

B. Costa Rica is a part of Central America – Correct: Costa Rica lies between Nicaragua and Panama, in the Central American region.

C. Kiribati is a part of the Pacific Islands – Correct: Kiribati is a sovereign island nation in the central Pacific Ocean, spread over 33 atolls and islands.

D. Bolivia is a South American Country – Correct: Bolivia is a landlocked country located in the central part of South America.

All the matches are correct.

55. The Sagarmala Programme was approved by the Government of India in 2015 with which of the following vision(s)?

A. Reducing cost of transporting cargo
B. Lowering logistics cost of bulk commodities by locating future industrial capacities near the coast
C. Improving defense capabilities of India near the coast
D. Optimizating time/cost EXIM container movement
E. Improving export competitiveness by developing port proximate discrete manufacturing chesters

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, B, D, E only
Solution:The Sagarmala Programme, approved by the Government of India in 2015, aims to modernize the country’s ports and coastline-driven economic development. Let’s evaluate each statement:

A. Reducing cost of transporting cargo – Correct: Sagarmala aims to improve efficiency in cargo movement through coastal and inland waterways.

B. Lowering logistics cost of bulk commodities by locating future industrial capacities near the coast – Correct: Coastal Economic Zones (CEZs) are planned for this purpose.

C. Improving defense capabilities of India near the coast – Incorrect: Sagarmala is not a defense-oriented programme; it focuses on infrastructure, trade, and logistics.

D. Optimizing time/cost of EXIM container movement – Correct: Sagarmala aims to enhance India’s export-import (EXIM) trade efficiency by reducing turnaround times and transport costs.

E. Improving export competitiveness by developing port-proximate discrete manufacturing clusters – Correct: One of the core goals is to create industrial clusters near ports to boost export-oriented manufacturing.

Thus, C is incorrect.

56. Why Jawaharlal Nehru adopted non-alignment as the Lodestar of India's Foreign Policy?

A. Avoid the opportunity cost of defence spending
B. Intended to maintaining India's hard won independence
C. Intended to contain Communism in the region
D. Intended to contain Capitalism in the region

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. A, B only
Solution:Let’s evaluate each statement:

A. Avoid the opportunity cost of defence spending – Partially correct, but not the primary reason. Nehru emphasized peace and development, but this was more a consequence than a core motivation for non-alignment.

B. Intended to maintain India’s hard-won independence – Correct: Nehru believed that joining either Cold War bloc (USA or USSR) could compromise India’s sovereign decision-making. Preserving strategic autonomy was key.

C. Intended to contain Communism in the region – Incorrect: Nehru did not adopt

D. Intended to contain Capitalism in the region – Incorrect: Again, Nehru’s policy was not about containing capitalism either. It was about not aligning with either bloc.

Hence, only A and B are somewhat aligned with the correct reasoning, though B is the strongest justification.

57. The last two countries who were admitted and made members of NATO in 2023?

A. Poland
B. Finland
C. Hungary
D. Latvia
E. Sweden

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 4. B and E only
Solution:The last two countries to join NATO as of 2023:

• Finland – Officially joined NATO on April 4, 2023

• Sweden – Approved in July 2023, and formally joined on March 7, 2024

(Though the process was completed in 2024, the accession approval happened in 2023)

Other options:

• Poland – Joined in 1999

• Hungary – Joined in 1999

• Latvia – Joined in 2004

So, the last two countries admitted into NATO in 2023 were: B. Finland and E. Sweden.

58. Who among the following military commanders have commanded the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan?

A. Stanley McChrystal
B. David Richards
C. David H. Petraeus
D. William C. Westmoreland

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. А, В and C only
Solution:Let’s review each commander:

A. Stanley McChrystal – Correct: He was appointed as the commander of ISAF and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan in 2009.

B. David Richards – Correct: A British General, he was the first non-American to command ISAF, serving from 2006 to 2007.

C. David H. Petraeus – Correct: He succeeded McChrystal in 2010 as the commander of ISAF and U.S. Forces in Afghanistan.

D. William C. Westmoreland – Incorrect: He was a U.S. general known for commanding U.S. forces during the Vietnam War, not in Afghanistan.

So, only A, B, and C have commanded ISAF.

59. Consider the following statements regarding the Russia-Ukraine War.

A. Russia-Ukraine war started in 2023.
B. Poland has seen the largest influx of Ukrainian refugees.
C. More than 6 million Ukrainians have sought refuge abroad.
D. By the end of 2023, 2.5 million civilians had lost their lives.

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 2. B and C only
Solution:Evaluate each:

A. Russia-Ukraine war started in 2023 – Incorrect: The full-scale invasion began on 24 February 2022. (Although the conflict started in 2014 with Crimea, 2022 marks the major escalation.)

B. Poland has seen the largest influx of Ukrainian refugees – Correct: As per UNHCR, Poland has received millions of refugees from Ukraine, making it the largest host country.

C. More than 6 million Ukrainians have sought refuge abroad – Correct: According to data from UNHCR, by the end of 2023, over 6 million Ukrainians were displaced internationally.

D. By the end of 2023, 2.5 million civilians had lost their lives – Incorrect: Civilian casualties were significant but far lower than 2.5 million. The UN estimated tens of thousands of civilian deaths—not in the millions.

Therefore, only B and C are correct.

60. Which of the following are the principles of the New International Economic Order (NIEO) as per the UNGA declaration of 1974?

A. Preferential and non-reciprocal treatment for developing countries wherever feasible, in all fields of international economic cooperation whenever possible
B. The need for all states to put as end to the waste of natural resources, including food products
C. The right of every country to adopt the economic and social system that it deems the most appropriate for its own development
D. Extensions of active assistance to developing countries by the whole international community, depending on the political/military conditions

Choose the correct answer from the options given below:

Correct Answer: 3. A, B, C only
Solution:Principles of the New International Economic Order (NIEO) as per the UNGA declaration of 1974:

A. Preferential and non-reciprocal treatment for developing countries wherever feasible – Correct: This is one of the central tenets of the NIEO to correct inequalities in the global economic system.

B. The need for all states to put an end to the waste of natural resources, including food products – Correct: The NIEO declaration emphasized efficient and fair resource use.

C. The right of every country to adopt the economic and social system that it deems the most appropriate – Correct: This principle was clearly stated to safeguard national sovereignty over economic decisions.

D. Extension of active assistance to developing countries depending on political/military conditions – Incorrect: NIEO opposed tying economic assistance to political or military conditions. It called for unconditional support.

Thus, A, B, and C are correct.