Section 1: Perspectives on India’s Foreign Policy (1–15)
1. The basic objective of India’s foreign policy after independence was:
A. Joining Western alliances
B. Gaining colonial territories
C. Preserving independence and promoting peace
D. Expanding military bases
✅ Answer: C
Explanation: India aimed for peace, sovereignty, and non-alignment after centuries of colonial rule.*
2. India’s foreign policy after 1947 was deeply shaped by:
A. Its colonial experience
B. Its monarchy
C. Its military power
D. Its population
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: India’s postcolonial identity influenced its emphasis on sovereignty, equality, and anti-imperialism.*
3. “Strategic Autonomy” in India’s foreign policy means:
A. Isolation from global affairs
B. Dependence on superpowers
C. Independent decision-making without bloc politics
D. Permanent alignment with USA
✅ Answer: C
4. India’s focus on economic diplomacy after 1991 is due to:
A. Industrial stagnation
B. Economic liberalization and globalization
C. Military defeat
D. Colonial rule
✅ Answer: B
5. India’s foreign policy combines idealism with:
A. Realism and pragmatism
B. Isolationism
C. Militarism
D. Religious diplomacy
✅ Answer: A
6. The term “postcolonial foreign policy” refers to:
A. Relations after World War II
B. Foreign policy of newly decolonized states
C. Colonial diplomacy
D. Pre-war negotiations
✅ Answer: B
7. India’s identity as a “rising power” is reflected in:
A. NAM only
B. Active participation in BRICS, G-20, and SCO
C. Isolationist policies
D. Dependence on aid
✅ Answer: B
8. South–South Cooperation refers to:
A. North–South dialogue
B. Cooperation among developing nations
C. Cold War alliances
D. UN reforms
✅ Answer: B
9. India’s approach to global issues since 1990s can best be described as:
A. Defensive
B. Pragmatic multilateralism
C. Isolationism
D. Military expansionism
✅ Answer: B
10. India’s post-1991 foreign policy increasingly linked diplomacy with:
A. Spiritual goals
B. Economic interests and market access
C. Cultural revival
D. Population control
✅ Answer: B
11. The concept of “Vishwa Guru” in India’s diplomacy highlights:
A. Cultural dominance
B. India’s global moral and spiritual leadership
C. Military leadership
D. Technological superiority
✅ Answer: B
12. India’s foreign policy after independence was largely formulated by:
A. Mahatma Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Sardar Patel
D. Rajendra Prasad
✅ Answer: B
13. Economic reforms of 1991 led to:
A. Isolation from global economy
B. Stronger global engagement and foreign investment
C. Military alliances
D. Withdrawal from WTO
✅ Answer: B
14. India’s postcolonial diplomacy emphasized:
A. Anti-imperialism and peaceful coexistence
B. Colonial expansion
C. Arms race
D. Regional dominance
✅ Answer: A
15. India’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations reflects:
A. Expansionism
B. Commitment to collective security and peace
C. Alliance-building
D. Nationalistic isolation
✅ Answer: B
☮️ Section 2: Principles, Determinants & NAM (16–25)
16. The “Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence” are known as:
A. Panchsheel
B. NAM principles
C. Gandhian Diplomacy
D. Global Charter
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: Formulated in 1954 by Nehru and Zhou Enlai.*
17. Which of the following is not a principle of Panchsheel?
A. Mutual respect for sovereignty
B. Peaceful coexistence
C. Mutual non-aggression
D. Economic dependence
✅ Answer: D
18. India’s Non-Aligned policy was aimed at:
A. Isolation
B. Avoiding Cold War blocs while promoting peace
C. Joining NATO
D. Supporting USSR
✅ Answer: B
19. The first NAM Summit was held in:
A. New Delhi
B. Belgrade
C. Cairo
D. Jakarta
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: 1961 Belgrade Summit; leaders: Nehru, Tito, Nasser.*
20. “Non-Alignment does not mean neutrality” — this was stated by:
A. Nehru
B. Krishna Menon
C. Indira Gandhi
D. Rajiv Gandhi
✅ Answer: A
21. The historical context for NAM was:
A. End of colonialism and rise of Cold War
B. World War II alliances
C. European integration
D. Economic liberalization
✅ Answer: A
22. Relevance of NAM today lies in:
A. Supporting bipolar world
B. Promoting multipolar, cooperative order
C. Cold War ideology
D. Political isolation
✅ Answer: B
23. “Non-Alignment 2.0” (2012 report) emphasized:
A. Complete neutrality
B. India’s role as a responsible power balancing autonomy and engagement
C. Withdrawal from global institutions
D. Military alliance with Russia
✅ Answer: B
24. Determinants of India’s foreign policy include all except:
A. Geography
B. Leadership
C. Astrology
D. Economy
✅ Answer: C
25. The architect of India’s foreign policy was:
A. Indira Gandhi
B. Jawaharlal Nehru
C. Rajiv Gandhi
D. Vallabhbhai Patel
✅ Answer: B
☢️ Section 3: Nuclear Policy & Strategic Issues (26–35)
26. India’s first nuclear test was conducted in:
A. 1964
B. 1974
C. 1998
D. 2001
✅ Answer: B
Explanation: Pokhran-I (1974) under Indira Gandhi, termed “Peaceful Nuclear Explosion.”*
27. Pokhran-II nuclear tests were conducted under:
A. Indira Gandhi
B. Atal Bihari Vajpayee
C. Rajiv Gandhi
D. Manmohan Singh
✅ Answer: B
28. India’s nuclear doctrine is based on:
A. First-use policy
B. No-First-Use and Credible Minimum Deterrence
C. Total disarmament
D. Aggressive expansionism
✅ Answer: B
29. India refused to sign the NPT because:
A. It was discriminatory between nuclear and non-nuclear states
B. It restricted civil nuclear energy
C. It banned exports
D. It was against NAM
✅ Answer: A
30. India’s civil nuclear deal with the USA was signed in:
A. 2000
B. 2005
C. 2008
D. 2010
✅ Answer: C
31. Which agreement established Panchsheel between India and China?
A. 1954 Trade Agreement on Tibet
B. 1962 Peace Pact
C. 1971 Friendship Treaty
D. 1988 Summit
✅ Answer: A
32. “Nuclear India” became official in:
A. 1962
B. 1974
C. 1998
D. 2005
✅ Answer: C
33. India’s “No First Use” policy implies:
A. First strike on enemy
B. Use only in retaliation to nuclear attack
C. Disarmament
D. None
✅ Answer: B
34. Which Indian Prime Minister described nuclear weapons as “weapons of peace”?
A. Nehru
B. Indira Gandhi
C. Vajpayee
D. Manmohan Singh
✅ Answer: C
35. India’s “credible minimum deterrence” means:
A. Maximum stockpile
B. Minimum number of nuclear weapons sufficient for deterrence
C. No deterrence
D. Use of chemical weapons
✅ Answer: B
🌏 Section 4: Relations with Major Powers & Multipolar World (36–50)
36. The Indo–Soviet Treaty of Peace, Friendship and Cooperation was signed in:
A. 1965
B. 1971
C. 1975
D. 1980
✅ Answer: B
37. During the 1971 Bangladesh War, which country supported India?
A. USA
B. USSR
C. China
D. UK
✅ Answer: B
38. India’s Act East Policy aims primarily at:
A. Africa
B. Southeast Asia and Indo-Pacific
C. Europe
D. Latin America
✅ Answer: B
39. India’s “Look East Policy” was launched by:
A. Nehru
B. Indira Gandhi
C. P. V. Narasimha Rao
D. Vajpayee
✅ Answer: C
40. The “Gujral Doctrine” is based on:
A. Nuclear cooperation
B. Unilateral goodwill towards neighbours
C. Strategic autonomy
D. Military alliances
✅ Answer: B
41. SAARC was established in:
A. 1965
B. 1971
C. 1985
D. 1991
✅ Answer: C
42. Which country is not a member of SAARC?
A. Myanmar
B. Bhutan
C. Nepal
D. Maldives
✅ Answer: A
43. The main obstacle in SAARC’s functioning has been:
A. India–Pakistan conflict
B. Economic disparities
C. Geographical distance
D. Cultural differences
✅ Answer: A
44. BRICS represents:
A. Developed economies
B. Emerging economies
C. Military bloc
D. Trade union
✅ Answer: B
45. SCO was founded to promote:
A. Security and anti-terrorism cooperation in Eurasia
B. Climate control
C. Education exchange
D. Tourism
✅ Answer: A
46. India joined SCO in:
A. 2000
B. 2010
C. 2017
D. 2020
✅ Answer: C
47. India’s partnership with the USA has strengthened through:
A. Nuclear deal, QUAD, defense cooperation
B. Cold War alliance
C. Isolationism
D. Disarmament
✅ Answer: A
48. India–Russia cooperation includes:
A. BrahMos missile project
B. SAARC security pact
C. Arctic treaty
D. Climate finance
✅ Answer: A
49. The EU is India’s:
A. Smallest trade partner
B. Largest regional trading partner
C. Political rival
D. Aid donor
✅ Answer: B
50. India’s ties with GCC focus on:
A. Defense manufacturing
B. Energy security and diaspora welfare
C. Political expansion
D. Technology export
✅ Answer: B
🏛️ Section 5: India in International Regimes (51–60)
51. India advocates reform of:
A. UN Security Council
B. UNESCO
C. ILO
D. WHO
✅ Answer: A
52. India is part of the G-4 group with:
A. Japan, Germany, Brazil
B. China, USA, Russia
C. South Africa, France, UK
D. Mexico, Canada, Australia
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: G4 supports mutual candidatures for permanent UNSC membership.*
53. India’s negotiation strategy in WTO focuses on:
A. Free trade for all
B. Protecting farmers and food security
C. Supporting Western trade rules
D. Eliminating subsidies
✅ Answer: B
54. In IMF, India demands:
A. Reduction in voting rights
B. Greater representation for developing countries
C. Withdrawal from membership
D. More aid from US
✅ Answer: B
55. India’s stance in climate negotiations emphasizes:
A. Equal responsibility for all nations
B. Common but differentiated responsibilities (CBDR)
C. Exemption from obligations
D. No cooperation
✅ Answer: B
56. The Paris Agreement (2015) India committed to:
A. Zero emissions by 2030
B. Reducing carbon intensity and promoting renewables
C. Complete withdrawal
D. Coal-only policy
✅ Answer: B
57. India’s International Solar Alliance (ISA) promotes:
A. Nuclear power
B. Solar energy cooperation among tropical countries
C. Wind energy
D. Coal export
✅ Answer: B
58. India’s major role in UN peacekeeping reflects its:
A. Colonial legacy
B. Commitment to global peace
C. Expansionist policy
D. Regional dominance
✅ Answer: B
59. India’s WTO position represents:
A. Developed nations’ interest
B. Developing nations and food security
C. Isolationism
D. Western trade blocs
✅ Answer: B
60. India’s approach to global institutions is best described as:
A. Reformist and cooperative
B. Revolutionary
C. Isolationist
D. Passive
✅ Answer: A
Section 6: Contemporary Challenges (61–70)
61. India’s “SAGAR” initiative stands for:
A. South Asian Growth and Research
B. Security and Growth for All in the Region
C. Sea and Global Alliance for Reform
D. South Asia Green Action Report
✅ Answer: B
62. “Blue Economy” in India’s diplomacy refers to:
A. Space exploration
B. Sustainable ocean resource use
C. Tourism
D. Water pollution
✅ Answer: B
63. India’s major source of crude oil imports is:
A. Europe
B. Middle East (Gulf)
C. East Asia
D. North America
✅ Answer: B
64. Cyber security is vital because:
A. India’s economy depends on digital infrastructure
B. It reduces taxes
C. It controls pollution
D. It replaces diplomacy
✅ Answer: A
65. India’s main concern in Indian Ocean is:
A. Piracy and Chinese naval presence
B. Earthquakes
C. Tourism
D. Fishing zones
✅ Answer: A
66. India’s refugee policy is guided by:
A. UN conventions only
B. Humanitarian traditions and ad hoc decisions
C. NATO directives
D. Constitutional obligation
✅ Answer: B
67. Indus Water Treaty (1960) was signed between:
A. India and Bangladesh
B. India and Pakistan
C. India and China
D. India and Nepal
✅ Answer: B
68. India’s counterterrorism diplomacy focuses on:
A. Bilateralism
B. UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism (CCIT)
C. Sanctions
D. Non-interference
✅ Answer: B
69. Energy security is vital for India because:
A. India imports over 80% of crude oil
B. India exports oil
C. India is fully renewable
D. Oil prices are fixed
✅ Answer: A
70. India’s growing participation in QUAD, G20, and BRICS signifies:
A. Shift from non-alignment to multialignment
B. Isolation
C. Colonial dependence
D. Neutrality
✅ Answer: A
Explanation: India’s foreign policy today is “issue-based multialignment,” balancing multiple partners.*