Contemporary Events: World: UPSC Previous Year Questions (General Knowledge)
7 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Contemporary Events: World (General Knowledge). Choose an option to see the answer and explanation.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 1–7 of 7 questions
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q1. Which one of the following countries is the first country in the world to propose a carbon tax for its people to address global warming?
Explanation
New Zealand was among the early adopters of measures to directly regulate greenhouse gas emissions. In 2008, New Zealand implemented the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (NZ ETS), an all-gases, partial-coverage, uncapped domestic emissions trading scheme that features price floors, forestry offsetting, free allocation, and auctioning of emissions units.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q2. Who among the following directed the film chosen as India official entry for of 2006 Academy Awards?
Explanation
"Paheli" (2005) is a Hindi fantasy film directed by Amol Palekar and starring Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukerji. Based on Vijayadan Detha’s story "Duvidha", it follows Lachchi (Rani Mukerji), whose husband Kishanlal (Shah Rukh Khan) leaves for business, while a ghost takes his form and wins her love. Set in Rajasthan, the film explores love, fidelity, and the supernatural, leading to a unique resolution when the real Kishanlal returns.
Additional insight:
At the 95th Academy Awards (Oscars 2023), India achieved historic success. "Naatu Naatu" from the film RRR won Best Original Song, marking India’s first win in this category. "The Elephant Whisperers", directed by Kartiki Gonsalves, won Best Documentary Short, becoming the first Indian production to win in this category. These victories highlighted India’s growing influence in global cinema.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q3. What is Medicines Sans Frontieres (MSF)?
Explanation
Medecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, is an independent, international non-governmental organization (NGO) that provides medical humanitarian aid in crisis-affected regions worldwide.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q4. Zayed bin Sultan-al-Nahyan was a long serving President of which of the following?
Explanation
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan was the long-time President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). He played a pivotal role in the UAE’s formation in 1971 and remained President until his passing in 2004.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q5. Where is Bundala Biosphere Reserve which has been recently added to the UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) network located?
Explanation
The Bundala Biosphere Reserve, located on the southeast coast of Sri Lanka, is a significant ecological site recognized for its rich biodiversity and unique ecosystems. In 2005, UNESCO designated Bundala as a Man and Biosphere Reserve, making it the only coastal biosphere reserve in Sri Lanka.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q6. Recently with which country government did ONGC Mittal Energy Limited (OMEL) sign a joint-venture deal of $6 billion dealing with infrastructure, refinery and power?
Explanation
In 2005, ONGC-Mittal Energy Limited (OMEL), a joint venture between India’s Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Videsh (ONGC) and Mittal Investment Sarl, entered into an agreement with the Nigerian government to explore offshore oil and gas blocks OPL-279 and OPL-285.
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q7. What was the main reason for which Niger was in the news in recent times?
Explanation
In 2005-2006, Niger suffered a severe food crisis, particularly in Maradi, Tahoua, Tillaberi, and Zinder, due to early rainfall shortages and desert locust infestations, which damaged crops and pasturelands. Poor harvests and reduced grazing areas worsened food scarcity. High food prices and widespread poverty further restricted access to essential supplies, leading to severe malnutrition and starvation.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2006
(d) New Zealand
2
2006
(b) Amol Palekar
3
2006
(b) A non-governmental organization which specializes in international humanitarian aid and emergency medical assistance.
4
2006
(c) United Arab Emirates
5
2006
(c) Sri Lanka
6
2006
(c) Nigeria
7
2006
(d) Famine and starvation
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Contemporary Events: World?
This page covers 7 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.
How should I use previous year UPSC questions for Prelims?
Attempt each question first, then open the answer and read the explanation for every option. Repeat by chapter, and track which statements UPSC reuses across years. Previous year questions show the exam pattern and difficulty level.
Which years are covered for Contemporary Events: World?
Questions on Contemporary Events: World (General Knowledge) are available for 15 years, from 1996 to 2010. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
