International law MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for International law - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is 12 nautical miles

Key Points

• Legal Provision: The Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and Other Maritime Zones Act, 1976 governs India’s maritime zones.
• Territorial Waters: Defined as the belt of sea adjacent to the coast of India, up to 12 nautical miles from the baseline (generally the low-water line along the coast).
• Sovereignty: India exercises full sovereignty over territorial waters just like its land territory.
• This includes the air space above and the seabed and subsoil below.
  • International Standard:
    • The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) also recognizes 12 nautical miles as the standard limit for territorial waters.

Additional Information

• 8 nautical miles: Not recognized under Indian or international law.
• 25 nautical miles: Incorrect; India’s Contiguous Zone extends up to 24 nautical miles.
• 50 nautical miles: Incorrect; India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) extends up to 200 nautical miles, not 50.

The correct answer is Geneva

Key Points

• World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO):
  • A specialized agency of the United Nations.
  • Deals with the protection of intellectual property (IP) worldwide.
  • Headquarters:
  • Located in Geneva, Switzerland.
• Established: 1967, by the WIPO Convention.
• Functions: Promotes the protection of IP rights (like patents, trademarks, copyrights).
• Administers international treaties such as:
  • Patent Cooperation Treaty (PCT)
  • Madrid System (for trademarks)
  • Berne Convention (for copyrights)

Additional Information

• Paris: Known for the Paris Convention (1883) on industrial property, but not WIPO's headquarters.
• Madrid: Associated with the Madrid System for trademarks, but not the location of WIPO HQ.
• New York: Headquarters of the United Nations, but not WIPO.

The correct answer is two years

Key Points

• United Nations Security Council (UNSC) composed of 15 members.
  • 5 permanent members: China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • 10 non-permanent members.
• Term of Non-Permanent Members:
  • Elected by the United Nations General Assembly.
  • Serve for a term of two years.
  • Not eligible for immediate re-election after completing their term.
• Rotation: Every year, 5 out of the 10 non-permanent seats are up for election.

Additional Information

• One year: Too short for effective participation in UNSC proceedings.
• Three years: Not the prescribed term under the UN Charter.
• Four years: Longer than the actual mandated term; incorrect.

The correct answer is Ozone layer

Key Points

• Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer is adopted on 16 September 1987
• Main Objective:
  • To phase out the production and consumption of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) like CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), halons, and other related chemicals.
  • Protect the stratospheric ozone layer, which shields Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
• Significance:
  • Considered one of the most successful international environmental agreements.
  • Universally ratified by all UN member countries.
  • Helped heal the ozone layer and contributed to climate protection by phasing out high global-warming potential substances.

Additional Information

• Transboundary air pollution: Covered by agreements like the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (1979), not the Montreal Protocol.
• Hazardous waste: Addressed by the Basel Convention (1989).
• Climate change: Handled under the UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement, not the Montreal Protocol directly (though it has climate benefits).

The correct answer is 1979Key Points

• Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW)
• Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on 18 December 1979
• Significance:
  • Often referred to as the "International Bill of Rights for Women".
  • It defines discrimination against women and sets an agenda for national action to end such discrimination.
  • It covers civil, political, economic, social, and cultural rights.
•  India ratified CEDAW on 9 July 1993, with certain reservations.

Additional Information

• 1989: Unrelated to CEDAW adoption; however, it was the year the Convention on the Rights of the Child was adopted.
• 1992: The UN adopted the Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, not CEDAW.
• 19921979: Not a valid year (likely a typo or formatting error).

The correct answer is Aryans.

Key Points

• Vedas:
  • A vast collection of religious writings with ancient Indian origins is known as the Vedas.
  • Written in Vedic Sanskrit, the books are the oldest body of Sanskrit literature and the earliest Hindu scriptures.
  • The Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda are the four Vedas.
  • Rig Veda composers describe themselves as Aryans.
  • Each Veda is divided into four sections:
    • The Samhitas, which contain mantras and benedictions
    • The Brahmanas, which explain and comment on rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices (Yajnas)
    • The Aranyakas, which contain texts on these topics
    • The Upanishads, which contain texts on philosophy, meditation, and spiritual knowledge.

Additional Information Compostions of Kalidas And Valmiki:

United Nations Organisation (UNO):

• The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries.
• The countries were committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
• It was established with an aim of preventing future wars, succeeding the ineffective League of Nations.
• On 25 April 1945, 50 governments met in San Francisco for a conference and started drafting the UN Charter, which was adopted on 25 June 1945 and took effect on 24 October 1945, when the UN began operations. 
• The UN is headquartered on international territory in New York City and has other main offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague.

Hence, United Nations Organisation was established on 24 October 1945.

Additional Information

The main purpose of establishment:

• To keep peace throughout the world;
• To develop friendly relations among nations;
• To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease, and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
• To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals

The correct answer is 1, 2, and 3.

Key Points

United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)

• The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982 is an international agreement that establishes the legal framework for marine and maritime activities.
• It is also known as the Law of the Sea. It divides marine areas into five main zones namely- Internal Waters, Territorial Sea, Contiguous Zone, Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and the High Seas.
• Every state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baselines determined following this Convention. Hence, Statement 1 is correct.
• It is the only international convention which stipulates a framework for state jurisdiction in maritime spaces. It provides a different legal status to different maritime zones.
• The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured. Hence, Statement 3 is correct.
• It provides the backbone for offshore governance by coastal states and those navigating the oceans.
• It not only zones coastal states’ offshore areas but also provides specific guidance for states’ rights and responsibilities in the five concentric zones.
• While UNCLOS has been signed and ratified by nearly all the coastal countries in the South China Sea, its interpretation is still hotly disputed.
• There is a maritime dispute in the East China Sea as well.
• The innocent passage has been codified in the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS III) was adopted in 1982, it is also known as the Law of the Sea Treaty. Its purpose is to establish a comprehensive set of rules governing the oceans and to replace previous U.N. Conventions on the Law of the Sea, 1958 (UNCLOS I) which was adopted in 1958 and another in 1960 (UNCLOS II) since these two conventions were believed to be inadequate. 
• Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent passage through the territorial sea. Hence, Statement 2 is correct.

The correct answer is '2021'

Key Points

• Global Climate Litigation Report by UNEP:
  • The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its "Global Climate Litigation Report: 2021 Status Review" in 2021.
  • The report provides insights into the increasing use of litigation as a tool to advance climate action across the globe.
  • It highlights the growing number of climate-related lawsuits filed worldwide, emphasizing the role of courts in addressing climate change.
  • The report examines how litigation is being used to enforce climate commitments, hold governments and corporations accountable, and strengthen climate governance.
  • It serves as a resource for policymakers, legal professionals, and stakeholders to understand the evolving legal landscape surrounding climate change.

Additional Information

• Incorrect Options:
  • 2018: The UNEP did not release a climate litigation report in 2018. However, there were significant discussions around climate litigation in this year, paving the way for further studies.
  • 2019: While climate litigation was gaining momentum globally in 2019, UNEP did not release its "Global Climate Litigation Report" this year. Other environmental reports may have been published during this time.
  • 2015: This year marked the landmark Paris Agreement during COP21, a crucial event in climate action. However, UNEP’s focus in 2015 was primarily on supporting this agreement and other environmental initiatives rather than releasing this specific litigation report.
• Significance of Climate Litigation:
  • Climate litigation helps enforce accountability for environmental harm and ensures compliance with international agreements like the Paris Agreement.
  • It empowers citizens and organizations to challenge inadequate climate policies and push for stronger environmental protections.
  • Litigation can also influence corporate behavior, encouraging businesses to adopt sustainable practices and reduce carbon emissions.

The correct answer is 'Universal Declaration of Human Rights'

Key Points

• Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR):
  • The UDHR was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, as a milestone document that outlines fundamental human rights to be universally protected.
  • It is considered a non-binding international document, meaning that while it sets global standards for human rights, it does not impose legal obligations on states to enforce its provisions.
  • The UDHR does not have an implementation mechanism or enforcement body, as it is a declaration rather than a treaty or convention. Its role is primarily to serve as an aspirational framework and moral guide for nations.
  • The principles of the UDHR have influenced many legally binding documents, such as the International Covenants on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Additional Information

• International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR):
  • The ICCPR is a legally binding treaty adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976. It obligates states to respect civil and political rights, such as the right to life, freedom of speech, and equality before the law.
  • The ICCPR has an implementation mechanism called the Human Rights Committee, which monitors compliance by reviewing periodic reports submitted by member states.
• Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide:
  • This is a legally binding treaty adopted by the United Nations in 1948, specifically aimed at preventing and punishing the crime of genocide.
  • It obligates states to take measures to prevent genocide and prosecute individuals responsible for committing such crimes.
  • This convention has enforcement mechanisms through international tribunals and courts, such as the International Criminal Court (ICC).
• International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR):
  • The ICESCR is another legally binding treaty adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976. It ensures the protection of economic, social, and cultural rights, such as the right to education, health, and adequate living standards.
  • The ICESCR has an implementation mechanism through the Committee on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights, which monitors states’ compliance by reviewing their periodic reports.

The correct answer is Vatsa.

Key Points 

• In the 6th century BCE, there was a rise in the development of the Mahajanapada. 
• There were 16 Mahajanapadas during 600 B.C. to 325 B.C. in the Indian Sub-continent.
  • Capital of Vatsa- Kaushambi
  • Capital of Avanti- Ujjaini
  • Capital of Panchala- Ahichchhatra

The correct answer is Aryans.

Key Points

• Vedas:
  • A vast collection of religious writings with ancient Indian origins is known as the Vedas.
  • Written in Vedic Sanskrit, the books are the oldest body of Sanskrit literature and the earliest Hindu scriptures.
  • The Rigveda, Yajurveda, Samaveda, and Atharvaveda are the four Vedas.
  • Rig Veda composers describe themselves as Aryans.
  • Each Veda is divided into four sections:
    • The Samhitas, which contain mantras and benedictions
    • The Brahmanas, which explain and comment on rituals, ceremonies, and sacrifices (Yajnas)
    • The Aranyakas, which contain texts on these topics
    • The Upanishads, which contain texts on philosophy, meditation, and spiritual knowledge.

Additional Information Compostions of Kalidas And Valmiki:

The correct answer is Cambodia.

In News

•  Cambodia features Angkor Wat on its national flag.

Key Points

• Prior to 1863 the flag of the Kingdom of Cambodia was a yellow triangular pennant with a thick green border.
• In 1993 the original blue-red-blue horizontal triband with white three-towered Angkor Wat at the centre was adopted.
• The Coat of Arms of Cambodia was adopted in 1993.

United Nations Organisation (UNO):

• The United Nations is an international organization founded in 1945 after the Second World War by 51 countries.
• The countries were committed to maintaining international peace and security, developing friendly relations among nations, and promoting social progress, better living standards, and human rights.
• It was established with an aim of preventing future wars, succeeding the ineffective League of Nations.
• On 25 April 1945, 50 governments met in San Francisco for a conference and started drafting the UN Charter, which was adopted on 25 June 1945 and took effect on 24 October 1945, when the UN began operations. 
• The UN is headquartered on international territory in New York City and has other main offices in Geneva, Nairobi, Vienna, and The Hague.

Hence, United Nations Organisation was established on 24 October 1945.

Additional Information

The main purpose of establishment:

• To keep peace throughout the world;
• To develop friendly relations among nations;
• To help nations work together to improve the lives of poor people, to conquer hunger, disease, and illiteracy, and to encourage respect for each other’s rights and freedoms;
• To be a center for harmonizing the actions of nations to achieve these goals

The correct answer is Ravi.

Key PointsRavi:

• It is one of the five tributaries of the Indus River that give the Punjab (meaning “Five Rivers”) its name. Other tributaries are: Jhelum, Chenab, Beas and Sutlej.
• Transboundary River: It rises in the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh (India) and flows to the Pakistani border and along it for more than 80 km before entering Pakistan’s Punjab province.
• Harappa is an archaeological site in Punjab, Pakistan, about 24 km west of Sahiwal.
• The Bronze Age Harappan civilisation, now more often called the Indus Valley Civilisation, is named after the site, which takes its name from a modern village near the former course of the Ravi River, which now runs 8 km to the north.

Harappa:

• The site of the ancient city contains the ruins of a Bronze Age fortified city, which was part of the Harappan civilisation centred in Sindh and the Punjab.
• The city is believed to have had as many as 23,500 residents and occupied about 150 hectares (370 acres) with clay brick houses at its greatest extent during the Mature Harappan phase (2600 BC – 1900 BC), which is considered large for its time.
• Per the archaeological convention of naming a previously unknown civilisation by its first excavated site, the Indus Valley Civilisation is also called the Harappan Civilisation.
• The ancient city of Harappa was heavily damaged under British and French rule, when bricks from the ruins were used as track ballast in the construction of the Lahore–Multan Railway.