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

A. The office of the UNHCR was created in 1950 – Correct: The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) was established in 1950 to help displaced Europeans after WWII.

B. Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) come under the same category of migration – Incorrect: While both are forms of forced displacement, refugees cross international borders, whereas IDPs remain within their own country. Thus, they fall under different legal categories.

C. The 21st century witnessed major refugee crises in Africa and the Middle East – Correct: Crises like Syria, Iraq, South Sudan, and the Horn of Africa led to massive displacement.

D. Rohingya refugees are the origins of Bangladesh – Incorrect: Rohingyas are an ethnic minority from Myanmar, primarily Rakhine State, and have fled to Bangladesh due to persecution.

Only A and C are correct.

A. India has a diplomatic mission in North Korea – Correct: India maintains an Embassy in Pyongyang, North Korea.

B. India has a diplomatic mission in Estonia – Correct: India has accredited diplomatic relations with Estonia, handled through its mission in Helsinki, Finland, though not a full-fledged embassy in Estonia.

C. India has diplomatic relations with Solomon Islands – Correct: India maintains diplomatic relations, even if not through a resident mission.

D. East Timor (Timor-Leste) has a diplomatic mission in India – Correct: Timor-Leste has an embassy in New Delhi.

E. India has no diplomatic relations with Iraq – Incorrect: India has an Embassy in Baghdad, and full diplomatic relations with Iraq.

So, A, B, C, and D are correct

A. The initial number of EU members was Six – Correct: The European Economic Community (precursor to the EU) was founded in 1957 with six founding members: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany.

B. Morocco has withdrawn its membership from AU – Correct (but needs context): Morocco withdrew from the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) in 1984 over the admission of Western Sahara. It rejoined the African Union (AU) in 2017. So the statement is partially true historically, though not currently.

C. India has become a member of NSG – Incorrect: India has not yet become a full member of the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG) due to opposition from countries like China, despite strong support from others.

D. USA re-established economic relations with Iran in 2023 – Incorrect: As of the end of 2023, the U.S. had not fully re-established economic ties with Iran. Sanctions largely remained in place over Iran’s nuclear program.

E. USA has withdrawn its forces from Afghanistan in 2020 – Incorrect: The final U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan occurred in August 2021, ending a 20-year war.

Therefore, only A and B are correct.

A. Sukarno of Indonesia – Correct: Sukarno was one of the founding leaders of NAM and hosted the Bandung Conference (1955) which laid the foundation.

B. Tito of Yugoslavia – Correct: Marshal Tito was a core architect of NAM, advocating for neutrality during the Cold War.

C. Rhee of South Korea – Incorrect: Syngman Rhee was pro-West and aligned with the U.S., not associated with NAM.

D. Nasser of Egypt – Correct: Gamal Abdel Nasser was a major proponent of NAM and played a leading role in its formation.

E. Limann of Ghana – Incorrect: While Ghana was involved in NAM under Kwame Nkrumah, Hilla Limann (President in the 1980s) was not a prominent NAM leader.

So, the correct leaders are: A, B, D.

A. Yom Kippur War is also known as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War – Correct: The Yom Kippur War took place in October 1973 when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur. It is also referred to as the 1973 Arab-Israeli War.

B. Hamas took over governance of Gaza after it won the 2006 Palestinian legislative elections – Correct: Hamas won a majority in the 2006 elections, and by 2007, after a violent conflict with Fatah, it took control of Gaza.

C. A popular uprising by the Palestinians against Israeli occupation began in 1974 – Incorrect: The First Intifada, the first major Palestinian uprising, began in 1987, not 1974.

D. Operation Al-Aqsa Flood is associated with Hamas – Correct: Operation Al-Aqsa Flood refers to the massive attack launched by Hamas on Israel on 7 October 2023, which marked a major escalation in the conflict.

So, A, B, and D are correct.

A. A country’s soft power has been identified on the basis of its culture, its political values, and its foreign policy – Correct: As per Joseph Nye, soft power stems from culture, values, and foreign policies that are seen as legitimate and morally authoritative.

B. Vibrant and open culture, values such as democracy, and guarantee of a free press are seen as enhancing a country’s soft power – Correct: These are central to enhancing soft power appeal, particularly in liberal democracies.

C. Foreign policy is currently encompassing many multilateral platforms to enable greater participation in international decision-making – Correct: Countries increasingly leverage multilateralism (e.g., UN, G20, BRICS, ASEAN) as part of their diplomatic and soft power strategy.

All statements are correct.

B. Bilateral Beneficialism has been introduced by I. K. Gujral – Incorrect (the core principle is non-reciprocity, not “bilateral beneficialism”)

C. “Neighbourhood First” policy is adopted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi – Correct

D. “Neighbourhood First” policy is one of the principles of SAARC – Incorrect (it is India’s own policy, not SAARC’s)

Thus, only A and C are correct.

A. In the SAARC Summit, all the bilateral issues are discussed in a manner to resolve them – Incorrect: SAARC Charter prohibits discussion of bilateral issues; it only deals with multilateral region cooperation.

B. All the decisions in SAARC summit are taken on consensus – Correct: Consensus-based decision-making is a core principle of SAARC operations.

C. Afghanistan became a member of SAARC in 2010 – Incorrect: Afghanistan joined SAARC in 2007, not 2010.

D. Myanmar became member of SAARC in 2007 – Incorrect: Myanmar is not a member of SAARC. It is a member of ASEAN.

Only B is correct.

B. It supports freedom of navigation, maritime security, and an open, liberal trading system.

C. A key strategic aim is to counterbalance China’s assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific region.

D. There is no official proposal for the QUAD countries to establish military base in the North Pacific. The QUAD is not a military alliance.

Hence, Only A, B and C are correct.