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 41–50 of 99 questions
Browse by year
UPSC 2006General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q41. 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.
UPSC 2005General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q42. Where has world’s largest ever meet on HIV AIDS held in July, 2004?
Explanation
The 15th International AIDS Conference, the largest-ever HIV/AIDS gathering, was held in Bangkok, Thailand, in July 2004 to unite experts, researchers, and activists in advancing HIV/ AIDS research and treatment. Thailand’s leadership in HIV/ AIDS prevention and treatment, along with its strategic location in Southeast Asia, made it an ideal host for global collaboration.
UPSC 2005General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q43. Recently, to which of the following countries did India offer to build a Buddha temple?
Explanation
In 2005, during Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao’s visit to India, both nations signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to construct an Indian-style Buddhist temple in Luoyang, Henan Province, China. This initiative aimed to strengthen cultural ties and highlight the shared Buddhist heritage between the two countries.
UPSC 2005General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q44. In which one of the following countries did hundreds of people die in year 2004 as a result of flooding and mudslides triggered by Tropical Storm Jeanne?
Explanation
In September 2004, Tropical Storm Jeanne unleashed torrential rains over Haiti, triggering catastrophic flooding and mudslides that devastated the nation. The storm’s impact was particularly severe in Gonaïves, Haiti’s third-largest city, where a 9-foot wall of water inundated the area, leading to widespread destruction.
UPSC 2005General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q45. Where do the Sahariya tribals, who were recently in the news, live?
Explanation
The Sahariya tribe, recognized as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), primarily inhabits the Baran district of Rajasthan, especially in the Shahabad and Kishanganj tehsils. They also reside in parts of Madhya Pradesh, including Morena, Sheopur, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia, Shivpuri, Vidisha, and Guna districts.
UPSC 2005General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q46. Match List-I with List-II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List-I (Distinguished Person)
List-II (Achievement/ Known as)
A. Guenter Grass
1. First Woman Prime Minister of Canada
B. Trevor Huddleston
2. Nobel Prize Winner for literature
C. Dicky Dolma
3. Leading campaigner against apartheid in South Africa.
D. Kim Campbell
4. Youngest woman to climb the Mt. Everest.
5. American violinist
Explanation
A. Guenter Grass - 2. Nobel Prize Winner for Literature (1999) for his exceptional literary contributions. B. Trevor Huddleston - 3. Anti-apartheid activist, dedicated to opposing apartheid in South Africa. C. Dicky Dolma - 4. Youngest woman to climb Mount Everest at 19 years old. D. Kim Campbell - 1. First female Prime Minister of Canada (June-November 1993).
UPSC 2004General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q47. Which one of the following cities (they were in the news in recent times) is not correctly matched with its country?
Explanation
Option 1 is correct: Salamanca is in Spain. Known for its Renaissance architecture, the city also houses one of the world’s oldest universities.
Option 2 is incorrect: Cannes is actually located in France, on the French Riviera.
Option 3 is correct: Cancun is correctly associated with Mexico. It is a popular tourist spot, renowned for its beaches.
Option 4 is correct: Bruges is correctly linked to Belgium. Often called the "Venice of the North," it is famous for its picturesque canals.
UPSC 2004General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q48. In which one of the following countries, did an ethnic violence between the communities of Hema and Lendu results in the death of hundreds of people?
Explanation
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has been plagued by recurring ethnic violence between the Hema and Lendu communities, particularly in the Ituri region. This conflict, rooted in longstanding disputes over land and resources, escalated dramatically during the early 2000s.
UPSC 2004General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q49. Serbia was in the international news in the recent times for:
Explanation
In March 2004, Serbia faced its worst ethnic violence since 1999, centered in Kosovo. Clashes between Serbs and ethnic Albanians left 22 dead and thousands displaced. Serbian churches and homes were targeted, prompting NATO to deploy additional peacekeepers to restore order.
UPSC 2004General Knowledge · Contemporary Events: World
Q50. The reason for Chechnya to be in the news recently is:
Explanation
In 2004, Chechnya was in the news due to ongoing separatist activities and conflicts between Chechen rebels and Russian forces. The Second Chechen War (1999-2009) was ongoing, with Chechen militants carrying out attacks, bombings, and insurgency operations against the Russian government. One of the major incidents in 2004 was the Beslan school hostage crisis (September 2004), where Chechen militants took over 1,100 hostages, leading to a tragic outcome with over 330 deaths.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
41
2006
(d) Famine and starvation
42
2005
(a) Bangkok
43
2005
(a) China
44
2005
(b) Haiti
45
2005
(c) Rajasthan
46
2005
(b) A-2; B-3; C-4; D-1
47
2004
(b) Cannes: Italy
48
2004
(a) Democratic Republic of Congo
49
2004
(c) its long-running civil war killing or displacing thousands of people
50
2004
(b) separatist rebellious activities by the local people
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.
