UPSC Essentials brings to you its new initiative of subject-wise quizzes. UPSC Daily Subject Quiz will cover all topics under the UPSC Civil Services syllabus like Polity, History, Geography, Economics, Environment, Science and Technology, International Relations, and more. These quizzes are designed to help you revise some of the most important topics from the static part of the syllabus. Each day, we will cover one new subject. Attempt today’s subject quiz on International Relationsto check your progress. Come back tomorrow to solve the MCQs on Polity and Governance. Don’t miss checking the answers and explanations at the end of the quiz. QUESTION 1 With reference to the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI), consider the following statements: 1. It is an international and multistakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence. 2. India has assumed chairmanship in the year 2022 from France. 3. It was founded in 2018. 4. India is the founding member of GPAI. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1, 3 and 4 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 1 and 4 only (d) 1, 2 and 4 only QUESTION 2 Consider the following places in Egypt: 1. Lake Naseer 2. Port Said 3. Aswan Dam 4. Cairo What is the correct chronological order of these places from north to south? (a) 2 - 4 - 3 - 1 (b) 2 - 1 - 4 - 3 (c) 1 - 3 - 2 - 4 (d) 2 - 4 - 1 - 3 QUESTION 3 With reference to the Indian women peacekeepers in Abyei, consider the following statements: 1. India deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei on the border of Sudan and Libya as part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force. 2. It was India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN Mission. 3. It was the first-ever women peacekeeper contingent from India that took part in the UN Mission. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 QUESTION 4 Consider the following statements about Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU): 1. It is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and to promote cooperation in the field of postal services. 2. It is headquartered in Manilla. 3. It was drafted by a postal roundtable of 18 countries in Manila and came into force in 1962. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 QUESTION 5 With reference to the G-20, consider the following statements: 1. It was formed in 1991. 2. India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 2022 to the next five years. 3. It has no permanent secretariat. Select the correct answer using the codes given: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 only (c) 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 QUESTION 6 The term Lusophone was recently in the news. It is related to: (a) Community of Portuguese Language member countries. (b) Region along the Persian Gulf and the Horn of Africa. (c) Sixth-generation mobile system standard. (d) Festival held in Mizoram. QUESTION 7 Consider the following: 1. Russia 2. Belarus 3. Romania 4. Ukraine Which of the above countries share borders with the Sea of Azov? (a) 1, 2 and 4 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1, 3 and 4 only (d) 1 and 4 only QUESTION 8 With reference to the Indian Antarctica Act, 2022, consider the following statements: 1. The act applies to citizens of India as well as citizens of other countries. 2. The act applies to all sea and air space south of 60 degrees South Latitude. 3. Any vessel or aircraft registered only in India comes under the provision of this act. Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 2 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 ANSWERS TO MCQs 1. (d) FYI: — The Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence or GPAI is an international and multistakeholder initiative launched in 2020 to guide the responsible development and use of artificial intelligence consistent with human rights, fundamental freedoms, and shared democratic values, as reflected in the OECD Recommendation on AI. — The founding members of GPAI include Australia, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union. — India took over the Chair of the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence, GPAI from France in November 2022. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. (Source: newsonair.gov.in, www.gpai.ai) 2. (a) FYI: — The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi agreed to elevate the India-Egypt bilateral relationship to a “strategic partnership”. — The strategic partnership will have broadly four elements: (a) Political (b) Defence, and security (c) Economic engagement, scientific and academic collaboration (d) Cultural and people-to-people contacts. — Sisi is the Chief Guest at this year’s Republic Day, the first time that an Egyptian President has been accorded this honor. — He is the fifth leader from the region of West Asia and North Africa to be the Republic Day Chief Guest, after Algeria’s President Abdelaziz Bouteflika (2001), Iran’s President Mohammed Khatami (2003), King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz al-Saud of Saudi Arabia (2006), and the Crown Prince — now President and ruler — of the UAE, Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (2017). Place Description Port Said Port Said is situated at the northern end of the Suez Canal, where the canal leads into the Mediterranean Sea. Port Said with its port facilities serves ships and vessels traveling to and from the canal and for exports of Egyptian products. The city was founded in 1859 at the beginning of the construction of the Suez Canal. Cairo It is the capital city of Egypt situated on the Nile River. Aswan Dam The vast dam in southern Egypt is one of the largest earthen embankment dams in the world. It lies on the river Nile and is one of the largest earthen embankment dams in the world. The construction of this dam was started in 1960 and was completed in 1970. Nasser Lake It is one of the world’s largest artificial lakes which is named after the Egyptian President Gamal Abdul Nasser. The lake was constructed as the result of the Aswan Dam. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. (Other Source: www.nationsonline.org, earthobservatory.nasa.gov, ) 3. (b) FYI: — India deployed a platoon of women peacekeepers in Abyei on the border of Sudan and South Sudan as part of the Indian Battalion in the United Nations Interim Security Force. — The Indian contingent, comprising two officers and 25 Other Ranks, will form part of an engagement platoon and specialize in community outreach, besides performing extensive security-related tasks as well. — This is India’s largest single unit of women peacekeepers in a UN Mission since it deployed the first-ever all-women’s contingent from the Central Reserve Police Force in Liberia in 2007 as part of the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL). — Women peacekeepers are highly regarded in peacekeeping missions throughout the world for their ability to reach out and connect with women and children in the local population, especially victims of sexual violence in conflict zones. — Indian women particularly have a tradition in Peacekeeping such as Dr. Kiran Bedi, UN’s first Police Adviser, Major Suman Gawani, and Shakti Devi has made a mark for themselves in UN Peacekeeping. Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer. 4. (c) FYI: — India took over the leadership of the Asian Pacific Postal Union (APPU) after the successful elections held during the 13th APPU Congress held in Bangkok. — The Union is to extend, facilitate and improve postal relations between member countries and promote cooperation in postal services. — It supports the interests of smaller and lower-income members through representation at Universal Postal Union meetings. — The Union was established on April 1, 1962, when the Asian- Oceanic Postal Convention was drafted by a postal roundtable of 18 countries in Manila and came into force. — It was initially based in Manila for 40 years before moving to Bangkok in 2002. — The Union has now grown into a robust intergovernmental organization with 32 member countries. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Source: www.appu-bureau.org, pib.gov.in 5. (c) FYI: — India holds the Presidency of the G20 from December 1, 2022, to November 30, 2023. — The G20 was formed in 1999 in the backdrop of the financial crisis of the late 1990s that hit East Asia and Southeast Asia in particular. Its aim was to secure global financial stability by involving middle-income countries. — It plays an essential role in shaping and strengthening global architecture and governance on all major international economic issues. — The G20 members represent around 85 per cent of the global GDP, over 75 per cent of the global trade, and about two-thirds of the world population — The Group of Twenty (G20) comprises 19 countries (Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States) and the European Union. — The presidency of the G20 rotates every year among members, and the country holding the presidency, together with the previous and next presidency-holder, forms the ‘Troika’ to ensure the continuity of the G20 agenda. At present, Italy, Indonesia, and India are the Troika countries. — The G20 has no permanent secretariat. The agenda and work are coordinated by representatives of the G20 countries, known as ‘Sherpas’, who work together with the finance ministers and governors of the central banks. — The first G20 Summit took place in 2008 in Washington DC, US. In addition to Summits, the Sherpa meetings (that help in negotiations and building consensus), and other events are also organised throughout the year. Each year, the presidency invites guest countries. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. (Other Source: www.g20.org) 6. (a) FYI: — The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in partnership with the Indian Council of Cultural Relations (ICCR) and the Government of Goa has organised the International Lusophone Festival in Goa in December 2022. — The festival seeks to further India’s connection with the Lusophone world. — The Lusophone is the geopolitical grouping of Portuguese-speaking countries that spread over nine countries across four continents. — Portuguese is the most widely-spoken language in the Southern Hemisphere. Therefore, option (a) is the correct answer. 7. (d) FYI: — The Sea of Azov is bordered by Ukraine on the north-west and south-west side and Russia on the eastern side and the Sea is also connected to the Black Sea through Kerch Strait. — The Sea of Azov port of Mariupol was reduced to a wasteland after seven weeks of siege and bombardment by Russia since its invasion. — Mariupol, home to more than 400,000 people before the war, is the biggest Ukrainian city on the Sea of Azov and the main port serving the industries and agriculture of eastern Ukraine. It is also the site of some of Ukraine’s biggest metal plants. — Its capture will give Russia full control of the Sea of Azov coast, and a secure overland bridge linking mainland Russia and pro-Russian separatist territory in the east with the Crimea peninsula that Moscow seized and annexed in 2014. Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer. 8. (c) FYI: Indian Antarctica Act, 2022 — It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint and different dates may be appointed for different provisions of this Act. — This Act shall apply to: (a) A citizen of India (b) A citizen of any other country (c) The company, body corporate, corporation, partnership firm, joint venture, an association of persons, or any other entity incorporated, established or registered as such under any law in force in India (d) Any vessel or aircraft registered in India or outside India — If such person, vessel, or aircraft is part of an Indian expedition to Antarctica under a permit issued under this Act and shall include any such vessel or aircraft which is registered in India but chartered by any other Party for entering into Antarctica. (e) Antarctica, comprising of the following areas, namely: (i) The continent of Antarctica, including its ice-shelves (ii) All islands south of 60 degrees South Latitude, including their ice-shelves (iii) All areas of the continental shelf that are adjacent to that continent or to those islands that are south of 60 degrees South Latitude (iv) All sea and air space south of 60 degrees South Latitude (v) The area specified in Article I of the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources. Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer. Source: prsindia.org Previous Quizzes: Polity and Governance (Week 2) History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 2 Environment, Geography, Science and Technology (Week 3) UPSC Weekly Quiz (Current Affairs) UPSC Essentials: Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 2) International Relations (Week 2) International Relations (Week 3) Tomorrow’s Quiz: Polity and Governance The UPSC EssentialsIndian Express is now on Telegram. 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