Contemporary Events: World: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)
99 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on contemporary world events appear here, from 1996 to 2010. They concern summits and conferences, treaties and military exercises, countries in the news and awards. Each explanation describes the event as it was reported at the time, so treat the facts as dated.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–10 of 99 questions
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UPSC 2010General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q1. In the context of the affairs of which of the following is the phrase "Special Safeguard Mechanisms" mentioned in the news frequently?
Explanation
The term "Special Safeguard Mechanism (SSM)" is related to the World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations, particularly in the context of agriculture. It refers to a proposed tool for developing countries to temporarily increase tariffs on agricultural imports in response to surges in imports or price depressions, as part of the ongoing Doha Development Round.
UPSC 2010General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q2. The Stiglitz Commission established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly was in the international news. The commission was supposed to deal with
Explanation
The Stiglitz Commission, formally known as the Commission of Experts on Reforms of the International Monetary and Financial System, was established by the UN General Assembly President in 2008. Its primary objective is to examine the global financial system’s operations and identify strategies to achieve a more sustainable and stable global economic order.
UPSC 2010General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q3. As per the UN-Habitat’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, which one among the following regions has shown the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades?
Explanation
The region with the fastest growth rate of urbanization in the last three decades, according to the UN-Habitat’s Global Report on Human Settlements 2009, is Asia.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q4. A very big refugee camp called Dadaab, recently in the news, is located in
Explanation
Dadaab is a large refugee camp complex located in eastern Kenya, near the Somali border. Established in 1991, it is one of the largest refugee camps in the world, hosting hundreds of thousands of refugees, mostly from Somalia. The three Dadaab camps are Dagahaley, Ifo and Hagadera
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q5. Consider the following names: 1.Ike 2. Kate 3. Gustav Which of the above are the names of hurricanes that have occurred very recently?
Explanation
Statement 1 and 3 are correct:
Hurricane Ike (2008) caused major damage in the U.S. and the Caribbean. Hurricane Gustav (2008) led to widespread destruction, especially in Louisiana and the Caribbean.
Statement 2 is incorrect:
No significant Hurricane Kate occurred near 2009. While Hurricane Kate (2003) existed, it wasn’t major or recent.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q6. In the latter half of the year 2008, which one of the following countries pulled out of the Commonwealth of Independent States?
Explanation
Georgia announced its intention to withdraw from the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) in August 2008 and finalized its withdrawal in August 2009. This was due to an escalation in hostilities between Russia and Georgia over the separatist region of South Ossetia.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q7. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the code given below the lists:
List-I (Persons in news)
List-II (Countries they belong to)
A. Luisa Dias Diogo
1. Kenya
B. Mwai Kibaki
2. Mozambique
C. Rupiah Banda
3. Zambia
4. Zimbabwe
Explanation
Luisa Dias Diogo (Mozambique): Former Prime Minister of Mozambique (2004-2010), the first woman in that role, known for her economic reforms. Mwai Kibaki (Kenya): President of Kenya (2002-2013), recognized for economic reforms and handling the 2007 post-election crisis. Rupiah Banda (Zambia): President of Zambia (2008-2011), focused on economic growth, particularly in mining and agriculture.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q8. To integrate cultural leaders into its meetings, which one of the following gives "Crystal Award"?
Explanation
The World Economic Forum (WEF) presents the Crystal Award to outstanding artists and cultural leaders who have used their talents to improve the state of the world. This award is given annually at the WEF’s meeting in Davos, Switzerland. The World Economic Forum (WEF) is a Swiss non-profit organization that brings together global leaders to address economic, social, and environmental issues. Founded in 1971, WEF hosts an annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, and publishes reports on global competitiveness and risks.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q9. In the context of Indian news in recent times, what is MCX SX?
Explanation
The Metropolitan Stock Exchange of India Limited is a recognized stock exchange by SEBI. Formerly known as MCX Stock Exchange Limited, MSE offers trading in various segments including capital market, futures and options, currency derivatives, and debt market. It also has a flagship index called SX40.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q10. From which one of the following did Kosovo declare its independence?
Explanation
Kosovo declared its independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. In its declaration of independence, Kosovo committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Ahtisaari Plan, to embrace multi-ethnicity as a fundamental principle of good governance, and to welcome a period of international supervision.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2010
(b) World Trade Organisation
2
2010
(b) The workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order
3
2010
(a) Asia
4
2009
(b) Kenya
5
2009
(c) 1 and 3 only
6
2009
(c) Georgia
7
2009
(b) A-2; B-1; C-3
8
2009
(d) World Economic Forum
9
2009
(c) Stock exchange
10
2009
(d) Serbia
What UPSC has tested in Contemporary Events: World
The World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio+10) was held at Johannesburg.
The United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference of 1944 is known as the Bretton Woods Conference.
Hand-in-Hand 2007 was a joint anti-terrorism military training between India and China.
Nicaragua was planning a canal to rival the Panama Canal.
Fiji was suspended from the Commonwealth near the end of 2006.
Bangkok has been the venue of the Asian Games the maximum number of times.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Contemporary Events: World?
This page covers 99 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Contemporary Events: World (General Knowledge), asked from 1996 to 2010. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
What was the Bretton Woods Conference?
The 1944 United Nations Monetary and Financial Conference at Bretton Woods, New Hampshire, which created the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. It set up the post-war system of fixed exchange rates.
Which exercise was Hand-in-Hand 2007?
A joint anti-terrorism military training between India and China, held in 2007 in China. It was the first such exercise between the two armies and marked a step in their defence cooperation.
Where was the Rio+10 summit held?
At Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, ten years after the Earth Summit at Rio de Janeiro. It reviewed progress on sustainable development and is formally called the World Summit on Sustainable Development.
