International Relations Questions 2026 for CSS & PMS

International Relations & Global Affairs Q/A 2026 — CSS/PMS Level | 75 Notes

These 75 advanced International Relations Q/A notes cover global organizations, treaties, diplomacy, wars, and current world affairs — essential for CSS, PMS, and Foreign Service aspirants.

Section 1 — United Nations & International Organizations (25 Q/A)

#	Question	Answer
1	The United Nations was founded in which year?	1945 (UN Charter signed 26 June 1945, entered force 24 October 1945)
2	How many permanent members does the UN Security Council have?	5 (USA, UK, France, Russia, China)
3	The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is headquartered in:	The Hague, Netherlands
4	How many member states does the United Nations have as of 2026?	193 member states
5	The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted in which year?	2015 (replacing MDGs — target year 2030)
6	The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has how many member states?	57 member states
7	NATO was established under which treaty?	North Atlantic Treaty (Washington Treaty) — 4 April 1949
8	The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was established in:	2001 (Shanghai, China)
9	Pakistan hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government Summit in:	October 2024, Islamabad
10	The International Criminal Court (ICC) differs from ICJ because ICC:	Prosecutes individuals for war crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity
11	ASEAN was founded in which year?	1967 (Bangkok Declaration)
12	The Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) was founded in Belgrade in which year?	1961
13	The principle of "R2P" (Responsibility to Protect) was adopted by the UN in:	2005 World Summit Outcome Document
14	The BRICS group in 2024 expanded to how many members?	10 members (added Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE)
15	The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) was opened for signature in:	1968
16	Which UN body deals exclusively with children's rights and welfare?	UNICEF (United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund)
17	The G20 comprises major economies representing approximately what percentage of world GDP?	Approximately 85%
18	The Kyoto Protocol was a major international agreement on:	Climate change — binding greenhouse gas emission reduction targets
19	The Paris Agreement (2015) aims to limit global temperature rise to:	Well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, preferably 1.5°C
20	The "Responsibility to Protect" was invoked to justify military intervention in which country in 2011?	Libya (NATO intervention under UNSC Resolution 1973)
21	ECO (Economic Cooperation Organization) was originally established as RCD in:	1964 (Regional Cooperation for Development — Pakistan, Iran, Turkey)
22	The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) is headquartered in:	Vienna, Austria
23	Pakistan contributes troops to UN Peacekeeping operations. Pakistan's total contribution ranks:	Among top 5 globally in troop contribution
24	The UN Security Council can impose binding sanctions under which chapter of the UN Charter?	Chapter VII (Action with Respect to Threats to the Peace)
25	The FATF (Financial Action Task Force) is headquartered in:	Paris, France

Section 2 — Pakistan Foreign Relations & Regional Dynamics (25 Q/A)

#	Question	Answer
26	Pakistan's "geostrategic importance" is primarily due to its location bordering which countries?	China, India, Afghanistan, Iran — connecting South Asia, Central Asia, and Middle East
27	The Indus Waters Treaty 1960 was brokered by which organization?	World Bank
28	Pakistan's military alliance with the US during Cold War was formalized through which pacts?	SEATO (1954) and CENTO/Baghdad Pact (1955)
29	Pakistan recognized the People's Republic of China in which year?	1950 (one of the first non-communist countries to do so)
30	The Kargil conflict between Pakistan and India took place in which year?	1999
31	Pakistan's first nuclear test was conducted at:	Chagai, Balochistan — 28 May 1998 (Youm-e-Takbeer)
32	The "strategic partnership" agreement between Pakistan and China was elevated to which level in 2015?	"All-Weather Strategic Cooperative Partnership" (highest level in Chinese diplomacy)
33	Pakistan's foreign policy has been guided by which constitutional provision?	Article 40 — promotion of international peace and friendly relations
34	The Liaquat-Nehru Pact (1950) dealt with:	Protection of minorities in Pakistan and India following partition
35	Pakistan's first Foreign Minister at the UN was:	Sir Muhammad Zafarullah Khan (also ICJ President)
36	Pakistan's relations with Saudi Arabia are primarily anchored on:	Religious solidarity, defence cooperation, oil imports, and remittances
37	The Durand Line was agreed between British India and Afghanistan in:	1893 — between Sir Henry Durand and Afghan Amir Abdur Rahman
38	Pakistan-India composite dialogue was suspended after which event?	Mumbai attacks (26/11) in 2008
39	India revoked Article 370 in Jammu & Kashmir in which year?	August 2019
40	Pakistan's relationship with Afghanistan deteriorated significantly after the Taliban takeover in:	August 2021
41	The "Kartarpur Corridor" connecting Pakistan and India was opened in which year?	2019
42	TTP (Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan) was designated a terrorist organization by Pakistan in which year?	2008
43	Pakistan's "Look East" foreign policy shift focuses on building ties with:	China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN countries
44	Pakistan's current Ambassador to the United Nations (2026) represents Pakistan's position on:	Kashmir, Palestine, climate change, and nuclear non-proliferation
45	The AUKUS pact (Australia-UK-USA) was announced in 2021. Pakistan's official response was:	Concern — raises arms race concerns in Indo-Pacific
46	Pakistan's policy of "Strategic Restraint" on nuclear weapons is characterized by:	Credible minimum deterrence — no first use policy under development, Full Spectrum Deterrence
47	The Pakistan-Iran Gas Pipeline project is also known as:	Peace Pipeline or IP Pipeline (Iran-Pakistan)
48	Pakistan joined the CPEC MoU with China in which year?	2013 (during PM Nawaz Sharif — Xi Jinping visit)
49	The "Composite Dialogue Process" between Pakistan and India was launched in:	2004 (Islamabad Declaration)
50	Pakistan's foreign debt burden's largest bilateral creditor is:	China

Section 3 — Global Current Affairs 2025-26 (25 Q/A)

#	Question	Answer
51	Donald Trump won the US Presidential election in which year for his second term?	2024 (47th US President, took office January 2025)
52	The Russia-Ukraine war began with Russia's full-scale invasion in which year?	February 2022
53	The Gaza conflict that escalated in October 2023 was triggered by which event?	Hamas attack on Israel (7 October 2023)
54	The QUAD grouping consists of which four countries?	USA, India, Japan, Australia
55	Which country held the G20 Presidency in 2023?	India (New Delhi Summit, September 2023)
56	The Abraham Accords (2020) normalized relations between Israel and which Arab states?	UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, Morocco
57	Which country launched a military coup in July 2023 overthrowing the elected government?	Niger
58	The COP29 climate conference was held in which city in 2024?	Baku, Azerbaijan
59	India conducted its general elections in which year electing Modi for a third term?	2024 (NDA won with reduced majority)
60	Syria's Assad government fell in December 2024 after a surprise offensive led by:	HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) led rebel forces
61	Which country became the latest to join NATO in 2024?	Sweden (32nd NATO member, March 2024)
62	The first AI Safety Summit was hosted by which country in 2023?	United Kingdom (Bletchley Park)
63	The New Development Bank (NDB) established by BRICS is headquartered in:	Shanghai, China
64	Which country held the 2024 Summer Olympics?	France (Paris — 2024 Summer Olympics)
65	The Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is led by:	United States of America
66	Pakistan hosted which major international conference on climate finance in 2024?	World Leaders Summit on Climate-Induced Disasters
67	Iran and Saudi Arabia normalized diplomatic relations in 2023 brokered by:	China
68	The US announced tariffs on Chinese goods in 2025 under which policy?	America First Trade Policy / Trump's reciprocal tariffs
69	Pakistan's current Foreign Minister (2026) is:	Ishaq Dar
70	The Global South primarily refers to:	Developing nations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania
71	The UN Secretary-General since 2017 is:	António Guterres (Portugal)
72	Pakistan and India had a brief military conflict in May 2025 known as:	Operation Sindoor (India's strikes) / Operation Bunyan Marsoos (Pakistan's response)
73	The ceasefire between Pakistan and India in May 2025 was brokered by:	United States (Secretary of State Marco Rubio)
74	Which country tops the Global Peace Index 2025?	Iceland (consistently ranked most peaceful country)
75	Pakistan's ranking in the Global Peace Index 2025 is approximately:	146-148 out of 163 countries

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Are 2025-26 global events included in this IR notes?
A: Yes, these notes include recent global developments like the 2024 US Elections, COP29, BRICS expansion, and major geopolitical conflicts.

Q2: Which international organizations are most important for CSS?
A: The UN and its organs, SAARC, SCO, OIC, ASEAN, and FATF are the most highly tested organizations in the FPSC IR paper.

Q3: How should I prepare for IR?
A: Read international news daily, keep track of global summits, treaties, and familiarize yourself with the headquarters of major international organizations.