PYQP – Current Affairs – International

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2024

EASY

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

1. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: There is instability and worsening situation in the Sahel region.

Statement-II: There have been military takeover/coups d’état in several countries of the Sabel region in the recent past.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-l and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct., but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

(c) Statement-l is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Ans. (a)

EASY

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

2. Consider the following statements :

Statement-I: The European Parliament approved The Net-Zero Industry Act recently.

Statement-II: The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Ans. (c)

The European Union intends to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and therefore aims to develop all of its own clean technology by that time.

EASY

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

3. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.

Statement-II: Venezuela has the world’s largest oil reserves.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Ans. (d)

EASY

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

4. Consider the following countries:

1. Italy
2. Japan
3. Nigeria
4. South Korea
5. South Africa

Which of the above countries are frequently mentioned in the media for their low birth rates, or ageing population or declining population?

(a) 1, 2 and 4

(b) 1, 3 and 5

(c) 2 and 4 only

(d) 3 and 5 only

Ans. (a)

According to data from Eurostat, Italy is the oldest country in the European Union, with an average median age of above 48.

Declining birth rates and better survival odds for older people have significantly aged Italy’s population.

In fact, two thirds of the world’s countries now have childbirth rates below the replacement rate. Japan is low, China is low, South Korea is the lowest in the world.

MEDIUM

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

5. Consider the following pairs :

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

(a) Only one pair

(b) Only two pairs

(c) All three pairs

(d) None of the pairs

Ans. (b)

Pair 1 and 2 are correct

Turkey did not rescind its membership of NATO.

MEDIUM

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

6. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Sumed pipeline is Persian Gulf a strategic route for oil and natural gas shipments to Europe.

Statement-II : Sumed pipeline connects the Red Sea with the Mediterranean Sea.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II explains Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, but Statement-II does not explain Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct

Ans. (a)

The Sumed Pipeline is an oil pipeline in Egypt, running from the Ain Sokhna terminal in the Gulf of Suez, the northernmost terminus of the Red Sea, to offshore Sidi Kerir port, Alexandria in the Mediterranean Sea.

MEDIUM

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

7. Consider the following statements:

1. India is a member of the International Grains Council.
2. A country needs to be a member of the International Grains Council for exporting or importing rice and wheat.

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

Ans. (a)

A country can’t be stopped from exporting or importing if it is not a member of the International Grains Council.

International Grains Council

• It was founded in 1949 as the International Wheat Council.
• International Grains Agreement came into effect in 1995 and the council was renamed.
• The definition of “grains” was formally expanded to include rice (1 July 2009) and oilseeds (1 July 2013).
• It is headquartered in London.
• As of April 2020 its membership comprises 11 producing members and 18 importing members.
• India is an exporting member.

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2023

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

1.  Consider the following pairs:

Regions often mentioned in news:: Reason for being in news

1. North Kivu and Ituri: War between Armenia and Azerbaijan
2. Nagorno-Karabakh : Insurgency in Mozambique
3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia : Dispute between Israel and Lebanon

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Correct Answer:(d) None of the above

North Kivu and Ituri:

• Location:
  • These regions are provinces in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
• Reason for News:
  • They have been in the news due to ongoing conflict and instability, primarily caused by armed conflicts, intercommunal violence, and the activities of various armed groups.
  • Hence, The pair incorrectly associates these regions with a war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

Nagorno-Karabakh:

• Location:
  • A landlocked region in the South Caucasus, within the internationally recognized borders of Azerbaijan but predominantly inhabited by ethnic Armenians.
• Reason for News:
  • Known for the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan over territorial disputes.
  • Hence, The pair wrongly links Nagorno-Karabakh with insurgency in Mozambique.

Kherson and Zaporizhzhia:

• Location:
  • These are cities in Ukraine.
• Reason for News:
  • They have been in the spotlight due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, particularly because of Russia’s attacks on Ukraine.
  • Hence, The pair mistakenly attributes the dispute between Israel and Lebanon to these cities.
• Therefore, the correct answer is

Option 4: None.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

2. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States.

Statement-II: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the 515 correct explanation for Statement-I

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer:(c)

Israel-Arab Relations:

• Diplomatic Relations:
  • ​In recent years, Israel has established diplomatic relations with several Arab states, marking a notable shift in regional dynamics.
• Examples:
• Abraham Accords (2020):
  • Israel signed agreements with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Bahrain, which included establishing embassies, trade relations, and cooperation in various fields.
• Egypt (1979):
  • The Camp David Accords led to the peace treaty between Israel and Egypt, marking the first peace agreement between Israel and an Arab country.
• Jordan (1994):
  • Israel signed the Israel-Jordan peace treaty, ending the state of war between the two nations.
• Morocco (2020):
  • Morocco normalized relations with Israel as part of the Abraham Accords.
  • Hence, Statement-I is correct.

Arab Peace Initiative:

• Proposal:
  • The Arab Peace Initiative was proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League.
  • It aimed at full normalization of relations between Arab countries and Israel in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
• Not Signed by Israel:
  • While the initiative was supported by many Arab countries, it was not signed by Israel.
  • Israel had reservations about certain aspects, such as the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.
• Hence, Statement-II is incorrect.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option 3: Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

3. Consider the following pairs:

Area of conflict mentioned in news:: Country where it is located

1. Donbas : Syria
2. Kachin: Ethiopia
3. Tigray: North Yemen

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer:(d) None

The Donbas or Donbass is a historical, cultural, and economic region in eastern Ukraine. Parts of the Donbas are occupied by Russia as a result of the Russo-Ukrainian War. The word Donbas is a portmanteau formed from “Donets Basin”, an abbreviation of “Donets Coal Basin”

The area of Kachin State is 89,041 km 2 (34,379 sq mi). The capital of the state is Myitkyina. Other important towns include Bhamo, Mohnyin and Putao. Kachin State has Myanmar’s highest mountain, Hkakabo Razi at 5,889 meters (19,321 ft), forming the southern tip of the Himalayas, and a large inland lake.

The Tigray Region, officially the Tigray National Regional State, is the northernmost regional state in Ethiopia. The Tigray Region is the homeland of the Tigrayan, Irob, and Kunama people. Its capital and largest city is Mekelle.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

4. In recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?

(a) Discovery of rich deposits of rare earth elements

(b) Establishment of Chinese military bases

(c) Southward expansion of Sahara Desert

(d) Successful coups

Answer: (d)

In the past 18 months, military leaders have toppled the governments of Mali, Chad, Guinea, Sudan and Burkina Faso.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

5. Consider the following statements:

Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council’.

Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

(a) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-l

(b) Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I

(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect

(d) Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct

Answer : C

The Trade and Technology Council is a transatlantic political body which serves as a diplomatic forum to coordinate technology and trade policy between the United States and European Union. Hence statement 1 is correct.

Through the Council, the EU and the US are working together to: ensure that trade and technology serve our societies and economies, while upholding our common values. strengthen our technological and industrial leadership. Hence statement 2 is incorrect.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

6. Consider the following statements about G-20:

1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues.
2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities.

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

Answer:(c) Both 1 and 2

India and the G20 Presidency: Its Priorities and Challenges – India Foundation

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

7. Consider the following statements:

The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that

1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union
2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities
3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

 Answer : (a)

The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is an agreement, among all of the 27 member states of the European Union, to facilitate and maintain the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). The purpose of the pact was to ensure that fiscal discipline would be maintained and enforced in the EMU. It deals with the fiscal discipline of EU members. Hence only statement 1 is correct.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

8. Consider the following statements:

1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)’.
2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries.
3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments.

How many of the above statements are correct?

(a) Only one

(b) Only two

(c) All three

(d) None

Answer :  D

Signed by 164 members for adoption, Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration creates a non-legally binding and co-operative framework that builds on commitments agreed upon by member states in the New York Declaration for refugees and migrants of December 2016. Hence statements 1 and 2 are incorrect.

It includes all types of international migrations but not internal. Hence statement 3 is incorrect.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

9. Consider the following countries:

1. Bulgaria
2. Czech Republic
3. Hungary
4. Latvia
5. Lithuania
6. Romania

How many of the above-mentioned countries share a land border with Ukraine?

(a) Only two

(b) Only three

(c) Only four

(d) Only five

Answer :  A

Ukraine is bordered by Belarus to the north, Russia to the east, the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea to the south, Moldova and Romania to the southwest, and Hungary, Slovakia, and Poland to the west.

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

10. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

(a) Angola

(b) Costa Rica

(c) Ecuador

(d) Somalia

Answer: (d) Somalia

Somalia has been suffering from decades of civil strife, political instability, and recurring conflicts. It has also faced severe food shortages and humanitarian crises, including famines. In the recent past, Somalia has been in the news for experiencing very severe famines and humanitarian emergencies, with millions of people facing food insecurity and malnutrition. The country has been grappling with complex challenges related to governance, security, and access to basic services, leading to a persistent humanitarian crisis.

UPSC – CSE Prelims 2021

CURRENT AFFAIRS – INTERNATIONAL

1. Consider the following statements:

Statement 1: The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) and the Arbor Day Foundation have recently recognized Hyderabad as 2020 Tree City of the World.

Statement 2: Hyderabad was selected for the recognition for a year following its commitment to grow and maintain the urban forests.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?  (UPSC CSE 2021)

(A)   Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct and Statement 2 is the correct explanation for Statement 1

(B)   Both Statement 1 and Statement 2 are correct but Statement 2 is not the correct explanation for Statement 1

(C)   Statement 1 is correct but Statement 2 is not correct

(D)   Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct

Answer:    (D)

Explanation:   

Statement 2: Hyderabad is the only city in India to have been selected for this recognition in response to its commitment to growing and maintaining urban forestry through Haritha Haram programme and Urban Forest Parks