Prelims PYQ
Can someone clarify why this question was asked in prelims 2025 ? Does upsc wants us to remember all NATO members ?
Q. Consider the following countries:
I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia
How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?
A) only three
B) only four
C) only five
D) only six
This question is not about remembering all NATO
members. It’s about linking current affairs with static knowledge.
After the Russia-Ukraine war, NATO expanded, and countries like Sweden (2024) and Finland (2023) joined. This made NATO news very important.
So, UPSC is testing if you can use current affairs +
basic facts to think smart, not just memorise lists.
@M_D_Sai_Kiran For Sweden and Serbia its alright, but what about others ?
@SubhashKshatri It's simple geo-location rule (wild-guess):
- Countries closer to Western Europe / surrounded by EU states - usually Pro-West (NATO)
- Countries in Eastern Balkans with historical ties to Russia - usually Pro-Russia or Neutral
- Austria
- west side, but known for neutral ideology - Not NATO
- Bulgaria
- Eastern Europe, EU-aligned, seeks security - NATO
- Croatia
- Balkan state, pro-West after Yugoslavia break-up - NATO
- Serbia
- Russia-friendly, militarily neutral - Not NATO
- Sweden
- Dropped neutrality after Russia–Ukraine war - NATO
- North
Macedonia - Small Balkan country, joined NATO for security - NATO
Current Affairs is the key here.
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