UPSC Essentials daily subject quiz : International Relations MCQs (Week 162) — Check out answers with explanations
What does this development mean for UPSC preparation?
UPSC CSE Context Why in News: WHO declared Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Syllabus Connection: International Relations: global health governance, bilateral trade, maritime geography. Exam Relevance: Prelims: map based questions on ports, disease outbreaks, trade par
UPSC CSE Context Why in News: WHO declared Ebola outbreak in DRC and Uganda a public health emergency of international concern. Syllabus Connection: International Relations: global health governance, bilateral trade, maritime geography. Exam Relevance: Prelims: map-based questions on ports, disease outbreaks, trade partners. Mains: India's strategic partnerships, health security. ## Core Issue Stakeholders: - Netherlands - UAE ## Static Knowledge High-Value Background: - Ebola is a zoonotic virus causing hemorrhagic fever; Bundibugyo strain has no approved vaccines. - Gulf of Oman connects Arabian Sea to Strait of Hormuz; key ports include Fujairah, Chabahar, Sohar. Exam Linkage: - Useful for questions on global health emergencies, strategic ports, and India's trade partnerships. Concepts in Context: - PHEIC: WHO's highest alert level for extraordinary events with international spread risk. - Strait of Hormuz: strategic chokepoint for global oil shipments. Institutions and Mechanisms: - WHO: coordinates global health emergency response. - Indian Semiconductor Mission: promotes semiconductor ecosystem in India. ## Dynamic Analysis ### Health Security - Ebola PHEIC highlights gaps in vaccine development for rare strains like Bundibugyo. - DRC and Uganda at high risk due to land borders; international coordination critical. - Global health emergencies test WHO's response capacity and member state compliance. ### Geography and Maritime Security - Port of Fujairah in Gulf of Oman offers alternative to Strait of Hormuz for oil shipments. - Chabahar Port (Iran) and Sohar Port (Oman) are strategic for India's connectivity to Central Asia. - Maritime chokepoints like Hormuz are vulnerable to geopolitical tensions, affecting energy trade. ## Prelims Takeaways - Ports in Gulf of Oman: Fujairah, Chabahar, Sohar, Duqm. ## Mains Value Addition Arguments: - Global health emergencies require robust international health regulations and vaccine R&D. - Diversification of trade routes reduces dependence on chokepoints like Strait of Hormuz. Examples: - Tata Electronics-ASML MoU for semiconductor fab in Dholera, Gujarat. Counterpoints: - Bundibugyo virus lacks approved vaccines, complicating outbreak control. - Alternative routes via Gulf of Oman may increase shipping costs. ## Way Forward - Invest in R&D for vaccines against rare Ebola strains. - Strengthen WHO's early warning and response mechanisms. - Develop alternative maritime routes and port infrastructure to reduce chokepoint risks.
How should an aspirant use this analysis?
Connect the development to the relevant syllabus phrase, distinguish verified facts from interpretation, and use the cited source to confirm time-sensitive details. For Mains, frame the issue through stakeholders, constitutional or institutional context, implementation constraints and a balanced way forward. For Prelims, extract only testable terms, bodies, provisions, locations and cause-effect relationships.