Current Affairs: UPSC Previous Year Questions (International Relations and Current Affairs)
3 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on Current Affairs (International Relations and Current Affairs). 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 1–3 of 3 questions
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q1. Consider the following statements in respect of the ICC World Test Championship: 1. The finalists were decided by the number of matches they won. 2. New Zealand was ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Instead, the ranking was based on the percentage of points (PCT) earned from matches played. Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the ICC modified the ranking system in 2020, and PCT (Points Percentage System) be-came the deciding factor rather than just the number of wins.
Statement 2 is incorrect: England won more matches than New Zealand in the WTC cycle (England won 11, New Zealand won 7). However, New Zealand had a higher PCT (70%) compared to England (61.4%), securing their place in the final.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q2. 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?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: Hyderabad was recognized as the "2020 Tree City of the World", but not by the UNCDF. The recognition was given by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the Arbor Day Foundation, not the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF).
Statement 2 is correct: Hyderabad was selected due to its urban afforestation initiatives, including the Haritha Haram Program, which focuses on increasing green cover and maintaining urban forests. The city met the Tree Cities of the World standards, which require maintaining urban greenery, community involvement, and sustainable forestry policies.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q3. Consider the following statements: 1. 21st February is declared to be the International Mother Language Day by UNICEF. 2. The demand that Bangla has to be one of the national languages was raised in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: 21st February is recognized as International Mother Language Day by UNESCO, not UNICEF. It was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 and observed worldwide since 2000. The day commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement in East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), where protesters were killed for demanding Bangla as an official language.
Statement 2 is correct: In 1948, Dhirendranath Datta, a member from East Pakistan (now Bangladesh), raised the demand for Bangla to be recognized as one of the national languages of Pakistan in the Constituent Assembly of Pakistan. The West Pakistani leadership rejected the demand, leading to protests and eventually the Bengali Language Movement (Bhasha Andolon). This movement later contributed to the liberation of Bangladesh in 1971.
Additional insight:
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), established on 16 November 1945, is a specialized UN agency headquartered in Paris, France. With 194 member states and nearly 11 associate members, UNESCO promotes global peace and security through international collaboration in education, sciences, culture, and communication. Its initiatives include safeguarding cultural heritage, advancing literacy, fostering sustainable development, and supporting press freedom. UNESCO also designates World Heritage Sites and leads programs like the Man and the Biosphere (MAB). Focused on priorities such as Africa and gender equality, it plays a pivotal role in achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
2
2021
(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct.
3
2021
(b) 2 only
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on Current Affairs?
This page covers 3 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on Current Affairs (International Relations and Current Affairs), asked from 2011 to 2025. 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 Current Affairs?
Questions on Current Affairs (International Relations and Current Affairs) are available for 10 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
