UPSC Law Optional, Paper I and II

Public International Law UPSC Law Optional PYQs

UPSC Law Optional Public International Law previous year questions 1-28 of 282, arranged for doctrine revision, case-law planning, and answer writing.

282 questions1-28 on this page10 pages

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Answer-writing coverage

What this archive covers

sources, treaties, State responsibility, recognition, jurisdiction, the United Nations, use of force, law of the sea, and human rights.

Paper I source PDF Paper II source PDF Related law MCQs

2023Paper IQ5(a)Section B

Question 1

Triumph of Positivism has reduced an individual to be an object of international law rather than a subject of international law." Comment on the status of the individual under international law in the light of the above statement.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q5(a), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ5(b)Section B

Question 2

What do you mean by 'Contiguous Zone'? Explain with reference to Indian practices on the subject.

Jurisdiction, Territory and Sea

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q5(b), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ5(c)Section B

Question 3

Explain the impact of recognition on the powers and privileges of the States.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q5(c), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ5(d)Section B

Question 4

Explain the principle of 'Jus cogens' with reference to 'Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969'.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q5(d), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ5(e)Section B

Question 5

"International Criminal Court is more of a Eurocentric Organisation than an International Court." Explain the jurisdiction of International Criminal Court in light of the above statement.

Jurisdiction, Territory and Sea

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q5(e), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ6(a)Section B

Question 6

Law must be stable, yet it cannot stand still, as it needs to reconcile the conflicting needs of stability and change and in the fast-developing world, the stability appears to have become the casualty in international law." Differentiate between traditional International Law and new International Law in the light of the above statement.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q6(a), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ6(b)Section B

Question 7

States show considerable flexibility in the procedures, whereby they give effect to the rules of the International Law, within their territory." Explain the acceptability of norms of International Law in India, citing relevant cases on the subject.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q6(b), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ6(c)Section B

Question 8

How do you distinguish between 'Continental Shelf' and 'Exclusive Economic Zone'? Explain giving examples.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q6(c), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ7(a)Section B

Question 9

Preamble of the UN Charter is representative of the aspirations of humanity in ensuring peace and security across the globe." How far have these objectives been achieved by the UN? Explain and elucidate.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q7(a), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ7(b)Section B

Question 10

Reservation in multilateral treat excludes or modifies the legal effect of certain provisions of a treaty in its application to that State." Explain the circumstances under which reservations in treaties are permissible under International Law.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q7(b), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ7(c)Section B

Question 11

Under what circumstances is resource to 'force' or 'aggression' permissible and justifiable under International Law?

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q7(c), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ8(a)Section B

Question 12

WTO provides a platform for agreements amongst its members which form the legal foundation of global trade." Critically evaluate the importance of WTO in the new international economic order.

United Nations and Global Institutions

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q8(a), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ8(b)Section B

Question 13

Member States of the UN need to take appropriate action for protecting and improving human environment." In light of the above statement, highlight the major steps of the UN for protecting human environment.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q8(b), source page 149.

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2023Paper IQ8(c)Section B

Question 14

"International Humanitarian Law is a set of rules to limit the effects of armed conflict, whereas International Human Rights Law seeks to ensure a set of rights which are essential for survival of humans as Humans." Distinguish between International Humanitarian Law and International Human Rights Law in terms of their contents and purposes.

Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2023, Paper I, Q8(c), source page 149.

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2022Paper IQ5(a)Section B

Question 15

Keeping in view the growth of International Law in the contemporary era, do you think the classical definition of International Law has become redundant?

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q5(a), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ5(b)Section B

Question 16

Distinguish between 'De-facto' and 'De-jure' Recognition.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q5(b), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ5(c)Section B

Question 17

What are Territorial Asylum and Extraterritorial Asylum? Explain.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q5(c), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ5(d)Section B

Question 18

What are the various Rights of States over 'territorial-waters'?

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q5(d), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ5(e)Section B

Question 19

Distinguish between Arbitration and Judicial settlement as methods of peaceful settlement of disputes in International Law.

Use of Force and Peaceful Settlement

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q5(e), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ6(a)Section B

Question 20

Critically examine various theories relating to the relationship between International Law and Municipal Law. () LXMV.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q6(a), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ6(b)Section B

Question 21

Elaborate various theories of State succession.

Treaties and State Relations

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q6(b), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ6(c)Section B

Question 22

Discuss various modes of acquisition and loss of Nationality.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q6(c), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ7(a)Section B

Question 23

Describe the various powers and functions of the General Assembly.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q7(a), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ7(b)Section B

Question 24

Explain the maxim "Pacta Tertiis Nec Nocent Nec Prosunt" with relevant case laws.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q7(b), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ7(c)Section B

Question 25

Does the Right to Self-Defence under International Law include Right to take Pre-emptive Action? () LXMV.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q7(c), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ8(a)Section B

Question 26

When is an aircraft considered to be in flight' for the purposes of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft? Delineate the obligations the said convention imposes on the State parties.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q8(a), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ8(b)Section B

Question 27

What is the most favoured means of decision-making at World Organisation? Under what circumstances can decisions be taken by Majority votes? Which decisions require super majority votes? Is there a need to reform the decision-making process? Discuss.

Public International Law - General

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q8(b), source page 138.

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2022Paper IQ8(c)Section B

Question 28

Explain the core principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Human Rights and Humanitarian Law

Source reference: UPSC Law Optional 2022, Paper I, Q8(c), source page 138.

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What this archive covers

Triumph of Positivism has reduced an individual to be an object of international law rather than a subject of international law." Comment on the status of the individual under international law in the light of the above statement.

What do you mean by 'Contiguous Zone'? Explain with reference to Indian practices on the subject.

Explain the impact of recognition on the powers and privileges of the States.

Explain the principle of 'Jus cogens' with reference to 'Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties, 1969'.

"International Criminal Court is more of a Eurocentric Organisation than an International Court." Explain the jurisdiction of International Criminal Court in light of the above statement.

States show considerable flexibility in the procedures, whereby they give effect to the rules of the International Law, within their territory." Explain the acceptability of norms of International Law in India, citing relevant cases on the subject.

How do you distinguish between 'Continental Shelf' and 'Exclusive Economic Zone'? Explain giving examples.

Preamble of the UN Charter is representative of the aspirations of humanity in ensuring peace and security across the globe." How far have these objectives been achieved by the UN? Explain and elucidate.

Reservation in multilateral treat excludes or modifies the legal effect of certain provisions of a treaty in its application to that State." Explain the circumstances under which reservations in treaties are permissible under International Law.

Under what circumstances is resource to 'force' or 'aggression' permissible and justifiable under International Law?

WTO provides a platform for agreements amongst its members which form the legal foundation of global trade." Critically evaluate the importance of WTO in the new international economic order.

Member States of the UN need to take appropriate action for protecting and improving human environment." In light of the above statement, highlight the major steps of the UN for protecting human environment.

Keeping in view the growth of International Law in the contemporary era, do you think the classical definition of International Law has become redundant?

Distinguish between 'De-facto' and 'De-jure' Recognition.

What are Territorial Asylum and Extraterritorial Asylum? Explain.

What are the various Rights of States over 'territorial-waters'?

Distinguish between Arbitration and Judicial settlement as methods of peaceful settlement of disputes in International Law.

Critically examine various theories relating to the relationship between International Law and Municipal Law. () LXMV.

Elaborate various theories of State succession.

Discuss various modes of acquisition and loss of Nationality.

Describe the various powers and functions of the General Assembly.

Explain the maxim "Pacta Tertiis Nec Nocent Nec Prosunt" with relevant case laws.

Does the Right to Self-Defence under International Law include Right to take Pre-emptive Action? () LXMV.

When is an aircraft considered to be in flight' for the purposes of the Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Seizure of Aircraft? Delineate the obligations the said convention imposes on the State parties.

What is the most favoured means of decision-making at World Organisation? Under what circumstances can decisions be taken by Majority votes? Which decisions require super majority votes? Is there a need to reform the decision-making process? Discuss.

Explain the core principles of International Humanitarian Law (IHL).

Other Law Optional subjects