UPSC Prelims 2026 · GS Paper I
Question 75: International Relations and Current Affairs
Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ?
- 1.Belarus
- 2.Poland
- 3.Germany
- 4.Switzerland
Select the answer using the code given below :
AnswerUPSC’s answer is (c).
Poland, which joined in 2004, and Germany, a founding member of the European Community, are members of the European Union. Belarus is not a member. Switzerland is not a member either: it belongs to the European Free Trade Association and deals with the EU through bilateral treaties.
- 1. Belarus is not an EU member.
- 2. Poland joined the EU in 2004.
- 3. Germany is a founding member.
- 4. Switzerland is outside the EU, in EFTA.
How you could have got this
- If you were sure statement 3 is correct, (a), (b) and (d) go: each of them leaves 3 out.
What you needed to know: Germany is a founding member.
Only (c) is left. You didn’t need statements 1, 2 or 4.
This follows UPSC’s provisional key; the final key could change it.
Which options go is worked out from UPSC’s key and the options, not by a model.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Wrong: Belarus and Switzerland are not EU members.
- (b) Wrong: neither Belarus nor Switzerland is an EU member.
- (c) Right: Poland and Germany are EU members.
- (d) Wrong: Switzerland is not an EU member.
Only the provisional key (27 May 2026) was found; the final key replaces it when found.
Answer: UPSC’s key. Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 2026, General Studies Paper I, Series A. The paper on upsc.gov.in.