International Relations and Current Affairs: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)
182 previous year UPSC Prelims International Relations and Current Affairs questions are on this page, from 2011 to 2025, in 3 chapters. International Relations is the largest, covering groupings, treaties, reports and countries in the news. Current Affairs and Miscellaneous add national schemes, awards, sports and institutions. The set is recent, so the explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked.
Explanations state facts as of the year each question was asked; words like “recently” refer to that year.
Showing 161–170 of 182 questions
Browse International Relations and Current Affairs chaptersBrowse by year
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q161. The ‘Fortaleza Declaration’, recently in the news, is related to the affairs of
Explanation
The Fortaleza Declaration was adopted during the 6th BRICS Summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, in July 2014. The BRICS Summit brought together the five member countries:
1. Brazil 2. Russia
3. India 4. China
5. South Africa
Additional insight:
Key Outcomes of the Fortaleza Declaration:
Establishment of the New Development Bank (NDB), also known as the BRICS Bank, to fund infrastructure projects in developing countries. Creation of the BRICS Contingent Reserve Arrangement (CRA) to provide financial stability in times of crisis. Commitment to multilateralism, sustainable development, and global economic stability. Recent Information: Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates officially joined BRICS, increasing the group’s membership to nine nations.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q162. Which one of the following issues the ‘Global Economic Prospects’ report periodically?
Explanation
The World Bank is the publisher of the Global Economic Prospects report, a flagship publication that provides comprehensive analyses of the global economic landscape. This report is released twice a year, typically in January and June, and offers in-depth assessments of current economic conditions, emerging trends, and potential risks to the global economy. It serves as a key resource for policymakers. It focuses on the challenges faced by emerging markets and developing economies (EMDEs). The report highlights key issues such as trade restrictions, inflation, debt, and geopolitical tensions, while offering policy recommendations to foster sustainable growth. For 2025-26, global growth is projected to remain at 2.7%, with EMDEs contributing significantly to global GDP. The GEP emphasizes the need for investment, fiscal reforms, and international cooperation to address climate change, trade governance, and economic disparities.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q163. Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
Explanation
The 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak devastated West Africa, with Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia at its epicenter. This was the largest Ebola epidemic ever recorded, exposing critical weaknesses in regional healthcare systems and requiring a massive international response. The rapid spread and high mortality rate highlighted the global importance of infectious disease preparedness.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q164. The term IndARC, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of
Explanation
IndARC is India’s underwater observatory in the Arctic, established for long-term climate and oceanographic research. It monitors water temperature, salinity, ocean currents, and marine life, providing crucial data on climate change and Arctic ecosystems. Despite its geographic distance, India recognizes the Arctic’s global climate impact and its relevance to the Indian subcontinent. IndARC underscores India’s commitment to Arctic research, aiding climate predictions, policy decisions, and global scientific collaboration.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q165. Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?
Explanation
Following approval by the Union Cabinet on February 20, 2014, the Odia (Odia) language became the country’s sixth classical language. Odia (Oriya) is an Indo-Aryan language primarily spoken in Odisha and one of six classical languages of India, recognized for its rich literary and cultural heritage. Its history dates back to the ancient Kalinga kingdom, with inscriptions from the 10th century and a literary tradition spanning over a thousand years. Sarala Dasa, a medieval poet, is renowned for his Odia Mahabharata, a landmark literary work.
Additional insight:
In 2024, Marathi, Assamese, Bengali, Pali and Prakrit were also given status of classical language by Cabinet on recommendation of the Language Expert Committee constituted by the Ministry of Culture and Sahitya Academy. Criteria for Classical Language Status in India Recorded history of over 1,000 years. Substantial body of ancient literature. Independent literary tradition, not derived from any other language. Distinct vocabulary, though it may have borrowings or influences from other languages.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q166. Which one of the following issues the ‘Global Economic Prospects’ report periodically?
Explanation
The World Bank is the publisher of the Global Economic Prospects report, a flagship publication that provides comprehensive analyses of the global economic landscape. This report is released twice a year, typically in January and June, and offers in-depth assessments of current economic conditions, emerging trends, and potential risks to the global economy. It serves as a key resource for policymakers,
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q167. Which of the following has/have been accorded ‘Geographical Indication’ status? 1. Banaras Brocades and Sarees 2. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma 3. Tirupathi Laddu Select the correct answer using the code given below.
Explanation
A Geographical Indication (GI) tag is granted to products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation linked to that location. Banaras Brocades and Sarees (GI Tag - 2009): Famous for intricate Zari and silk weaving, these sarees are handwoven in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. Tirupati Laddu (GI Tag - 2009): This prasadam from the Tirumala Venkateswara Temple in Andhra Pradesh is known for its unique recipe and religious significance. Rajasthani Daal-Bati-Churma is incorrect: It is a traditional Rajasthani dish but has not been granted a GI tag.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q168. Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarma- ment and Development for 2014 was given to which one of the following?
Explanation
In 2014, the award was conferred upon ISRO for its remarkable achievements in space technology and its role in scientific advancement and national development. The Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament, and Development is awarded annually for exemplary contributions to peace, sustainable development, and scientific progress. ISRO continues to make strides in space technology, with projects like Chandrayaan-3, Gaganyaan, and Aditya-L1. The Mars Orbiter Mission (Mangalyaan) was a key factor in ISRO receiving this award, making India the first country to reach Mars in its maiden attempt and at a low cost.
UPSC 2015International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q169. The Government of India has established NITI Aayog to replace the:
Explanation
The Planning Commission, which followed a centralized economic planning model, was replaced by NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) on January 1, 2015. NITI Aayog is leading initiatives like Aspirational Districts Programme, Atal Innovation Mission, and National Data and Analytics Platform. NITI Aayog emphasizes ‘cooperative federalism’, where states are given more autonomy in policy-making. Unlike the Planning Commission, which imposed five-year plans, NITI Aayog focuses on long-term policy strategies, innovation, and sustainable development goals (SDGs). It functions as India’s premier policy think tank and promotes digital governance, social sector reforms, and economic competitiveness.
UPSC 2014International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q170. Consider the following countries: 1. Denmark 2. Japan 3. Russian Federation 4. United Kingdom 5. United States of America Which of the above are the members of the ‘Arctic Council’?
Explanation
The Arctic Council is an intergovernmental forum that includes the following eight member states:
1. Canada
2. Denmark (including Greenland and the Faroe Islands)
3. Finland
4. Iceland
5. Norway
6. Russia (Russian Federation)
7. Sweden
8. United States (United States of America) Japan and the United Kingdom are not full member states. They hold observer status in the Council. The Arctic Council was established in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration. Its primary mandate is to promote cooperation, coordination, and interaction among the Arctic States, particularly on matters of sustainable development and environmental protection in the Arctic region. The Council serves as a platform for these eight member states to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by the Arctic’s changing environment and the increasing interest in its resources. In addition to the core members and Indigenous Permanent Participants, other states, intergovernmental organizations, and non-governmental organizations can hold observer status, allowing them to engage with the Council’s work and contribute their expertise. This inclusive structure fosters a collaborative approach to addressing the complex issues facing the Arctic region.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
161
2015
(b) BRICS
162
2015
(d) The World Bank
163
2015
(b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
164
2015
(d) India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region
165
2015
(a) Odia
166
2015
(d) The World Bank
167
2015
(c) 1 and 3 only
168
2015
(c) Indian Space Research Organization
169
2015
(d) Planning Commission
170
2014
(d) 1, 3 and 5
What UPSC has tested in International Relations and Current Affairs
Questions about reports and indices ask which organisation publishes them, such as the World Economic Forum, the IMF, the World Bank and the World Justice Project.
Country-grouping questions ask how many of the listed countries belong to a group, such as NATO, G20 or UPI payment partners.
Current-affairs items in recent papers include the AI Action Summit, the Kho Kho World Cup, the Chess Olympiad and the Gandhi Peace Prize jury.
Many items are one-line identifications: what a term means, who wrote a book, or which body issued a report.
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on International Relations and Current Affairs?
This page covers 182 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on International Relations and Current Affairs, asked from 2011 to 2025. Each has the correct answer and an explanation.
Which chapters does International Relations and Current Affairs have?
Three: International Relations with 91 questions, Current Affairs with 48 and Miscellaneous with 43. International Relations covers groupings, treaties and countries in the news, while the other two cover national schemes, institutions, sports and awards.
Which years do these questions cover?
They run from 2011 to 2025, so almost all are recent. This keeps the facts closer to today, although each explanation states the position as it stood in the year the question was asked.
Are the 2025 questions on BRICS, BIMSTEC and the AI Action Summit included?
Yes. The 2025 paper’s questions on BRICS, BIMSTEC, INSTC, the Minerals Security Partnership, NATO membership, the AI Action Summit, Kho Kho and the Gandhi Peace Prize jury are included with their explanations.
