UPSC Essentials | Daily subject-wise quiz : International Relations MCQs on Diego Garcia, F-1 visa, M-1 visas and more (Week 105)

QUESTION 1

Consider the following statements:

1. It is located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka.

2. Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple is situated in this city.

3. This sacred city was established around a cutting from the tree of enlightenment.

4. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The above mentioned statements refer to:

(a) Trincomalee

(b) Anuradhapura

(c) Sri Jayawardenepura Kotte

(d) Dehiwala-Mount Lavinia

Explanation

— Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi temple in the historic city of Anuradhapura, located in the north central plain of Sri Lanka.

— This sacred city was built around a cutting from the ‘tree of enlightenment’, the Buddha’s fig tree, brought there in the third century B.C. by Sanghamitta, the founder of a Buddhist nuns’ order.

— This Bo (Ficus religiosa, Pipal in Hindi) tree is thought to have originated from a limb of the tree at Bodhgaya (modern-day Bihar) where Gautam Buddha obtained enlightenment. Sanghamitta (or Sanghamitra), the daughter of Mauryan king Ashoka and a Buddhist nun, took the branch to Sri Lanka.

— Anuradhapura, a Ceylonese political and religious capital that existed for 1,300 years, was abandoned after an invasion in 993 CE. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.”

Therefore, option (b) is the correct answer.

(Other Source: whc.unesco.org)

QUESTION 2

With reference to the visa issued by the United States, consider the following statements:

1. An F-1 visa is issued to foreign students who secure admission to a higher education programme in a college or university.

2. M-1 visas are issued to vocational students.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

— According to the Associated Press, international students pursuing higher education in the United States are now having their student visas cancelled for a variety of reasons, including minor traffic tickets and pro-Palestinian advocacy.

— In the United States, the F-1 visa is granted to foreign students who are admitted to a higher education program at a college or university accredited by the DHS’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program. They must also meet specific eligibility requirements established by the institution and the federal government. Hence, statement 1 is correct.

— Students enrolling in vocational or non-academic programmes (excluding language training) may be eligible for the M-1 visa, which is awarded to vocational students. Hence, statement 2 is correct.

— Eligible students are awarded an F-1 visa for the duration of their stay in the United States, and they can request an extension through US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if their coursework or research exceeds the anticipated duration.

— Students in the United States on an F-1 visa are not permitted to work off-campus during their first school year. After the first year, individuals can participate in either Curricular Practical Training (CPT), which allows them to get subject-related experience while enrolled in an academic degree, or Optional Practical Training (OPT), which they commonly undertake after completing their program.

Therefore, option (c) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 3

Which of the following countries unveiled the world’s first 3D-printed train station?

(a) South Korea

(b) Australia

(c) France

(d) Japan

Explanation

— The West Japan Railway Company, a major railway operator in Japan, showcased a 3D-printed train station, claiming it was a world first. The new station, located in Arida, had its components 3D-printed elsewhere and assembled on-site in less than six hours.

— The new station, Hatsushima, replaces a dilapidated wooden structure built in 1948. It has been automated since 2018, as have many of Japan’s smaller stations. The station, served by a single line with trains running once to three times an hour, serves approximately 530 passengers per day.

— The innovative 3D-printed station will help address the issue by demonstrating how to sustain service in remote regions using modern technology and fewer staff.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 4

Which of the following did India propose during the sixth BIMSTEC Summit?

1. Linking India’s UPI with the payment systems of the member nations

2. Setting up a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce

3. Annual business summits

4. Promoting trade in local currencies within the region

Select the correct answer using the codes given below:

(a) 3 and 4 only

(b) 1 and 4 only

(c) 2, 3 and 4

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

— To give the BIMSTEC organisation a new push, Prime Minister Narendra Modi proposed integrating India’s UPI with the payment systems of the member countries, a move that might increase regional trade, business, and tourism.

— Addressing the sixth BIMSTEC Summit today, the Prime Minister also proposed establishing a BIMSTEC Chamber of Commerce, holding yearly business summits, and exploring ways to promote regional trade in local currencies.

— Modi also proposed setting up a BIMSTEC Centre of Excellence for Disaster Management in India to work on disaster preparedness, relief, and rehabilitation.

— Thailand is hosting the BIMSTEC Summit, which will be attended by leaders from India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, and Bhutan.

— The BIMSTEC Summit endorsed the Bangkok Vision 2030, which reflects the region’s common commitment to prosperity, security, and inclusivity.

— BIMSTEC acts as a bridge between South Asia and Southeast Asia. It is emerging as an effective platform for expanding regional connection, cooperation, and prosperity.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

QUESTION 5

With reference to the places in the news, consider the following pairs:

1. Mykolaiv – Turkey

2. Diego Garcia – Island in the Gulf of Mexico

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

(a) 1 only

(b) 2 only

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Explanation

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Previous Daily Subject-Wise-Quiz

Daily Subject-wise quiz — History, Culture, and Social Issues (Week 105)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Polity and Governance (Week 105)

Daily subject-wise quiz —  Science and Technology (Week 105)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Economy (Week 105)

Daily subject-wise quiz — Environment and Geography (Week 105)

Daily subject-wise quiz – International Relations (Week 104)

Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week.

Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – IndianExpress UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.