Are you gearing up for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2026? Consistent revision of static syllabus portions is crucial for success. As part of its ongoing initiative, UPSC Essentials presents a targeted subject-wise quiz designed to help aspirants assess their grasp of vital International Relations topics. This daily practice tool is instrumental in tracking progress and reinforcing core concepts.
Quiz Overview and Strategic Importance
This edition, tagged as Week 143, focuses on International Relations, a domain that consistently features in the General Studies paper. The quiz comprises five multiple-choice questions that test fundamental knowledge about global institutions, geographical facts, and contemporary international issues. Engaging with such quizzes helps in building accuracy and speed, both critical for the demanding Prelims stage.
Question 1: Foundational Facts about the United Nations
The first question probes basic yet essential knowledge about the United Nations (UN). It presents four statements for evaluation.
Statement one correctly identifies 1945 as the founding year of the UN, established in the aftermath of the Second World War. Statement two accurately describes the membership process: states are admitted by a decision of the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Security Council.
However, statement three contains an error. The UN Secretary-General is not appointed for a two-year term. Instead, the appointment is made by the General Assembly based on the Security Council's recommendation for a five-year, renewable term.
Statement four is also incorrect. The International Criminal Court (ICC) is an independent international tribunal and is not among the six main organs of the United Nations. The principal UN bodies are the General Assembly, Security Council, Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship Council, International Court of Justice, and the Secretariat.
Therefore, only two statements are correct, making option (b) the right answer.
Question 2: Geographical Mapping of the Baltic Sea
This question tests conceptual clarity in world geography, specifically European maritime borders. Candidates must identify which listed countries share a coastline with the Baltic Sea.
The Baltic Sea is a significant northern European waterbody bordered by nine nations: Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Russia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Germany.
From the given options, Germany, Estonia, and Sweden are all Baltic Sea littoral states. Belarus is a landlocked country, and the United Kingdom does not border this sea; it is situated near the North Sea and the Atlantic. Thus, the correct combination is 1, 2, and 3, corresponding to option (c).
Question 3: UNESCO's LINKS Programme
This question evaluates awareness of specific programmes run by United Nations agencies. The Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems (LINKS) programme is an initiative dedicated to bridging the gap between indigenous knowledge and global climate change and biodiversity science and policy.
It works directly with indigenous communities to help them articulate and leverage their traditional knowledge systems. This programme falls under the mandate of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), making option (c) the correct choice. It is distinct from the work of FAO, UNDP, or UNEP.
Question 4: Global Dominance in Rare Earth Metals
A critical question linking resources with geopolitics and supply chain security. Rare earth metals are a group of 17 elements vital for modern technologies, including smartphones, electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defence equipment.
While countries like the United States, Russia, and others have reserves, China overwhelmingly dominates global production and supply chains. This dominance originated from massive deposits discovered in the mid-20th century, particularly near Baotou. China's control over these strategic minerals gives it considerable leverage in the global economy and clean energy technology leadership. Hence, the correct answer is option (d).
Question 5: UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List
The final question focuses on cultural heritage, a recurring theme in UPSC syllabus. Recently, UNESCO added the "Mwazindika spiritual dance of the Dawida community of Kenya" to its List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.
The announcement was made during the 20th Session of UNESCO's Intergovernmental Committee held in New Delhi in December 2025. Mwazindika is a profound ritual dance of healing and spiritual invocation practiced by the Dawida people of Taita, Kenya. Therefore, the dance belongs to Kenya, confirming option (a) as the answer.
Conclusion: Integrating Quiz Insights into Preparation
Regularly attempting such subject-specific quizzes is a powerful strategy for UPSC aspirants. It aids in consolidating static knowledge, improving recall under time pressure, and identifying areas that require further study. Aspirants are encouraged to delve deeper into the explanations provided, using them as starting points for comprehensive revision. For more resources, readers can subscribe to relevant UPSC newsletters and follow dedicated channels for updated content and news analysis crucial for the examination.
