UGC NET/JRF EXAM, Politics Including International Relations and Studies SEPTEMBER – 2024 – (PAPER-II)

E. Paris Peace Conference (1919): Held after World War I to determine the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers. It resulted in several treaties, including the Treaty of Versailles. It also led to the formation of the League of Nations.

B. Soviet Union expelled from the League of Nations (1939): The USSR was expelled on 14 December 1939 for invading Finland, violating the League’s principles of collective security.

A. Dumbarton Oaks Conference (1944): A meeting held in Washington, D.C., from August to October 1944, where the blueprint of the United Nations was drafted by China, the USSR, the USA, and the UK.

C. UN Charter signed in San Francisco (1945): The United Nations Charter was formally signed on 26 June 1945, establishing the UN as a successor to the League of Nations.

D. Soviet Union invasion of Czechoslovakia (1968): On 20 August 1968, the Soviet Union led Warsaw Pact troops into Czechoslovakia to suppress the liberalizing reforms of the “Prague Spring.”

Arrangement based on geographical proximity to Russia:

A. Ukraine: Shares a direct and long border with Russia, making it the closest among all listed countries.

C. Romania: Located in Eastern Europe, bordering Ukraine. It is the next closest to Russia.

E. Serbia: Situated in the Balkans, farther west from Romania but still part of Eastern Europe.

B. Italy: A Western European country across the Adriatic and Mediterranean Seas from Serbia.

D. Spain: Located on the Iberian Peninsula in Southwestern Europe; the farthest from Russia among the listed countries.

B. Six-Day War (1967): From 5–10 June 1967, Israel fought Egypt, Jordan, and Syria, resulting in Israel’s capture of the Sinai Peninsula, Golan Heights, West Bank, and Gaza Strip.

D. Yom Kippur War (1973): Began on 6 October 1973, when Egypt and Syria launched a surprise attack on Israel on the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur.

E. Madrid Peace Conference (1991): Held from 30 October to 1 November 1991, it marked the beginning of the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

A. Operation Protective Edge (2014): A 50-day Israeli military operation launched in July 2014 against Hamas in Gaza, following rocket fire and the kidnapping of Israeli teens.

C. Hamas attack on Israel (2023): On 7 October 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale surprise attack, killing over 1,200 Israelis and taking around 240 hostages — one of the deadliest attacks in Israeli history.

B. Treaty of Rome (1957): Signed on 25 March 1957, it established the European Economic Community (EEC), a precursor to the European Union.

A. Creation of APEC (1989): The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum was formed in November 1989 to promote free trade and economic cooperation among Pacific Rim countries.

E. Mercosur Agreement (1991): The Treaty of Asunción, signed in March 1991, created MERCOSUR, a South American regional trade bloc comprising Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

D. Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) proposed (1994): This initiative was launched at the Summit of the Americas in December 1994, though it was never implemented due to major disagreements.

C. Brexit (2020): The United Kingdom officially left the European Union on 31 January 2020, after the 2016 referendum.

A. China passed law on Territorial Sea: On 25 February 1992, China passed the Law on the Territorial Sea and the Contiguous Zone, which formally laid claim over various maritime territories including those in the South China Sea,

directly impacting the Philippines’ claims over the Spratly Islands and other maritime zones. This law formed the legal basis of China’s assertions in the region.

B. Philippines renamed South China Sea as West Philippine Sea: On 5 September 2012, the Philippines issued Administrative Order No.

29, officially renaming the maritime areas within its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the South China Sea as the “West Philippine Sea.” This move was symbolic of asserting national sovereignty against China’s claims.

E. Philippines files UN arbitration over China’s sovereignty claims to Spratly Islands: On 22 January 2013, the Philippines filed a formal arbitration case against China under the United Nations

Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), challenging the legality of China’s nine-dash line and excessive claims over the Spratly Islands.

C. US-Philippines sign a New 10-year Defence Pact: On 28 April 2014, the Philippines and the United States signed the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA),

a ten-year defense pact that allowed U.S. military forces rotational access to Philippine bases. This was a strategic response to China’s growing maritime assertiveness.

D. Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Washington D.C.: In May 2023, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. visited Washington D.C., where he met U.S.

President Joe Biden to reaffirm the Philippines-U.S. alliance and discuss mutual defense cooperation in light of China’s continued assertiveness in the South China Sea.

On 19 September 2023, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin led the 23rd Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. This multilateral meeting focused on strengthening Ukraine’s long-term defense planning and support.

coordinating allied support amid the ongoing conflict with Russia.

D. Department of Defence of US announced $2 billion aid to Ukraine on one year anniversary of the war: On 24 February 2023, exactly one year after the Russian invasion, the U.S.

announced a $2 billion security assistance package under the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, emphasizing cyber defense, drone systems, and communication equipment.

C. US Department of Defence announced $3 Billion in additional security assistance for Ukraine under USAI: On 24 August 2022, marking Ukraine’s Independence Day, the U.S.

pledged its largest single military aid package to Ukraine—$3 billion under USAI—to support training, equipment, and long-term defense capabilities.

B. US Congress passes Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022, signed by Joe Biden: On 9 May 2022, President Joe Biden signed the Lend-Lease Act, reviving a WWII-era framework to accelerate military aid to Ukraine, allowing faster delivery of weapons and equipment.

A. Russia invaded Ukraine: On 24 February 2022, Russia began its full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, initiating the largest European armed conflict since World War II and triggering global condemnation and unprecedented sanctions against Moscow.

Correct reverse chronological order is: E (2023), D (2023), C (2022), B (2022), A (2022).
NONE: As this correct order is not listed among the given options.

A. Zulfikar Ali Bhutto hanged to death (1979): Former Pakistani Prime Minister was executed on 4 April 1979 under the military regime of General Zia-ul-Haq after a controversial trial.

C. Hamid Karzai became President of Afghanistan (2001): He became interim leader in December 2001, after the fall of the Taliban, and was elected president in 2004.

B. Shinzo Abe became PM of Japan for the first time (2006): Abe assumed office on 26 September 2006, becoming the youngest Japanese PM since WWII.

D. Donald Trump became President of the United States (2017): Sworn in on 20 January 2017, defeating Hillary Clinton in the 2016 election.

E. Taliban-2 came into power in Afghanistan (2021): The Taliban returned to power on 15 August 2021, following the withdrawal of U.S. troops and collapse of the Afghan government.

Reverse chronological order of key UN conventions/initiatives related to refugees and stateless persons:

A. Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees (1967): This updated the 1951 Convention, removing geographical and temporal limitations, making refugee protection more universally applicable.

C. Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness (1961): Adopted on 30 August 1961, it aims to prevent statelessness at birth and ensure nationality for those who would otherwise be stateless.

E. Convention relating to the Status of Stateless Persons (1954): Adopted to establish rights for stateless individuals, including legal status, education, and employment.

D. Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951): Signed on 28 July 1951, it defines a refugee and outlines their rights and state responsibilities.

B. Constitution of the International Refugee Organization (1946): Predecessor to UNHCR, IRO was established by the UN to deal with the post-World War II refugee crisis.

According to Kautilya’s Arthashastra, in the context of geopolitics (mandala theory), the rear-side allies or enemies of a conqueror are arranged based on proximity:

A. Parsh Nigraha (Immediate enemy behind the enemy): Closest in position and of greatest strategic importance for containment or alliance.

B. Aakranda (Those who call for help): Allies who are dependent or within calling distance.

C. Parsh Nigrah-Asara (Enemy’s enemy nearby): Slightly farther but strategically vital for forming tactical coalitions.

D. Akranda-Asara (Allies who support those who call for help): Further behind the immediate neighbors, can provide reinforcement but with lesser immediacy.

E. Udasina (Neutral states): Farthest in both physical and strategic terms; these maintain neutrality and minimal influence.

Hence, from near to far, the correct order is: A, B, C, D, E.