UPSC Prelims 2026 · Question 100 of 96

UPSC Prelims 2026 question on EU Member States

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:

  1. 1, 2 and 4
  2. 1 and 4 only
  3. 2 and 3
  4. 2 and 4 only
Show answer

Answer: C. 2 and 3

Analysis

The European Union currently has 27 member states following Brexit in 2020. Poland joined the EU in 2004 as part of the major eastern enlargement, while Germany is a founding member of the EU, originally the European Economic Community formed in 1957.

Only Poland and Germany are EU members, so the answer is Option (c).

Statement by statement

Item 1 is incorrect: Belarus is not a member of the EU. It maintains close political and strategic ties with Russia.

Item 2 is correct: Poland has been a member of the EU since 2004.

Item 3 is correct: Germany is one of the founding members of the EU/EEC.

Item 4 is incorrect: Switzerland is not a member of the EU. Although it cooperates with the EU through bilateral agreements and participates in certain European frameworks, it has chosen not to join the Union.

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