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 11–20 of 99 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q11. In the middle of the year 2008 the Parliament of which one of the following countries became the first in the world to enact a Climate Act by passing "The Climate Change Accountability Bill"?
Explanation
The Canadian Parliament made history in 2008 by becoming the first in the world to enact a Climate Act. This pioneering legislation, known as "The Climate Change Accountability Bill," aimed to hold the government accountable for implementing measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change. By passing this bill, Canada demonstrated its commitment to addressing the pressing issue of climate change and set a precedent for other countries to follow.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q12. Elephant pass, which is frequently in the news, is mentioned in the context of the affairs of which one of the following?
Explanation
Elephant Pass is a strategic location in northern Sri Lanka, connecting the Jaffna Peninsula to the rest of the island. This narrow isthmus, about 12 km wide, is the only land route between Jaffna and the rest of Sri Lanka, making it a crucial trade route and a significant cultural and historical site.
UPSC 2009General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q13. Among other things, which one of the following was the purpose for which the Deepak Parekh Committee was constituted?
Explanation
The Deepak Parekh Committee was a committee that recommended ways to finance infrastructure development in India.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q14. Cristina Kirchner succeeded her husband to become President of a South American country. Which is that country?
Explanation
Cristina Kirchner made history by becoming the first elected female President of Argentina, succeeding her husband Nestor Kirchner in 2007. She served as the President of Argentina from 2007 to 2015, leading the country through a period of significant economic and social change.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q15. Consider the following statements: Orange Prize is awarded to a work of published fiction in English by a woman. Pulitzer Prize is awarded by the Commonwealth Foundation to a citizen of any Commonwealth country for any literary work in English. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Orange Prize, now known as the Women’s Prize for Fiction, is a prestigious international award that recognizes and celebrates outstanding fiction written by women. Established in 1996, this prize acknowledges and promotes exceptional literary works by female authors worldwide.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Pulitzer Prize has a different focus and eligibility criteria. It is an esteemed award that honors exceptional achievements in journalism, literature, and music composition within the United States. Administered by Columbia University in New York City, the Pulitzer Prize is not affiliated with the Commonwealth Foundation, nor is it open to citizens of Commonwealth countries for literary works in English.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q16. In the year 2007, an earthquake led to massive radioactive water leakage in the largest nuclear plant in the world. In which country did it occur?
Explanation
The earthquake in 2007 that led to massive radioactive water leakage occurred in Japan. The incident took place at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant (net capacity of 7,965 megawatts), which is the largest nuclear plant in the world.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q17. Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 10) held?
Explanation
World Summit on Sustainable Development WSSD (Rio+10) was held in Johannesburg, South Africa, in 2002, marking 10 years since the 1992 Earth Summit. It focused on balancing economic development with environmental sustainability. Key Outcomes - Affirmed commitment to Agenda 21 and the Millennium Development Goals, leading to the Johannesburg Declaration for global sustainable development.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q18. Where was the first desalination plant in India to produce one lakh litres of freshwater per day based on low temperature thermal desalination principle commissioned?
Explanation
The first desalination plant in India, which produces one lakh litres of freshwater per day based on the Low Temperature Thermal Desalination (LTTD) principle, was commissioned in Kavaratti, the capital of Lakshadweep. This plant was developed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT).
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q19. ‘Hand-in-Hand 2007’, a joint anti terrorism military training was held by the officers of the Indian Army and officers of the Army of which one of the following countries?
Explanation
Hand-in-Hand 2007’ was a joint anti-terrorism military training exercise conducted between the Indian Army and the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China. This was part of confidence-building measures between the two countries to improve bilateral military cooperation. The only joint military exercise between India and China.
UPSC 2008General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q20. Kim Dae-jung won the Nobel for Peace. He is from which one of the following countries?
Explanation
Kim Dae-jung, the Nobel Peace Prize winner in 2000, is from South Korea. He was the eighth president of South Korea, serving from 1998 to 2003, and was recognized for his work towards democracy and human rights in South Korea and East Asia, as well as his efforts towards peace and reconciliation with North Korea.
Additional insight:
The Nobel Peace Prize for 2024 was awarded to the Japanese organization Nihon Hidankyo, for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
11
2009
(b) Canada
12
2009
(d) Sri Lanka
13
2009
(b) To suggest measures for financing the development of infrastructure
14
2008
(b) Argentina
15
2008
(a) 1 only
16
2008
(c) Japan
17
2008
(c) Johannesburg
18
2008
(a) Kavaratti
19
2008
(a) China
20
2008
(c) South Korea
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.
