International Relations and Current Affairs: UPSC Previous Year Questions (Prelims)

Explanation

Options 1, 2 and 4 are correct:

Italy has a low birth rate and ageing population. The country has one of the lowest fertility rates in the world at around 1.3 children per woman (well below the replacement rate of 2.1). This has led to a rapidly ageing population, with a significant proportion of the population over 65 years old. Japan is often highlighted for its aging population and declining population. The country has one of the oldest populations in the world with over 28% of its population aged 65 or older. Japan’s birth rate is also very low, at around 1.4 children per woman leading to a shrinking population. South Korea is frequently mentioned for its extremely low birth rate, which is the lowest in the world at around 0.7-0.8 children per woman. This has led to concerns about a rapidly ageing population and a declining workforce. Options 3 and 5 are incorrect:

Nigeria has one of the highest fertility rates in the world at around 4.5-5.3 children per woman and a very young population. The median age in Nigeria is approximately 18 years which makes it one of the youngest countries globally. South Africa is not typically associated with low birth rates or an ageing population. Fertility rate remains at around 2.2-2.4 children per woman which is more than the replacement rate. The country also has a relatively young population with a median age of approximately 28 years.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 was a joint military exercise between India and Sri Lanka, not Bangladesh.

Statement 2 is correct: The ninth edition of the Joint Military exercise "Exercise MITRA SHAKTI-2023" was held at the Foreign Training Node in Aundh, Pune.

Statement 3 is correct: The primary objective of the exercise was to rehearse sub-conventional operations under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter focusing on joint responses during counter-terrorism operations. Activities included raids, search-and-destroy missions, and heliborne operations. The Scope of the exercise included synergising joint responses during counter-terrorist operations.

Statement 4 is correct: Indian Air Force was part of this as both sides practiced tactical actions such as raid, search and destroy missions, heliborne operations, etc. For the first time, Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023 included participation from the Indian Air Force (15 personnel) and the Sri Lankan Air Force (5 personnel) making it a bi-service exercise.

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Argentina has been experiencing a severe economic crisis characterized by hyperinflation, a depreciating peso, and fiscal instability. Persistent fiscal deficits and chronic inflation are longstanding issues in Argentina. The inflation rate averaged 190% between 1944 and 2023, and the government defaulted on its sovereign debt nine times (of which three occurred during the past two decades).

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Since April 2023, Sudan has been embroiled in a violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). This civil war has resulted in significant casualties and displacement of civilians.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: As of February 2025, Turkey remains a member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). It plays a strategic role in the alliance particularly due to its geographic location bridging Europe and Asia. 10 International Relations and Current Affairs

Explanation

Statement I is correct: The Sumed Pipeline serves as a crucial conduit for transporting oil from the Persian Gulf to Europe especially when transit through the Suez Canal is not feasible. It provides an alternative route, ensuring the continuous flow of energy supplies to European markets.

Statement II is correct: The Sumed Pipeline runs through Egypt, linking the Ain Sukhna terminal on the Red Sea coast to the Sidi Kerir terminal on the Mediterranean coast. This connection facilitates the movement of oil between these two significant bodies of water. Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II explains Statement-I: The pipeline’s connection between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean Sea is the reason it serves as a strategic route for Persian Gulf oil shipments to Europe.

Explanation

The International Grains Council (IGC) is an inter-governmental organization established in 1949 to promote cooperation and stability in the global grain trade. It operates under the Grains Trade Convention (GTC), 1995, which aims to enhance market transparency and international policy coordination. Headquartered in London, United Kingdom, the IGC has 30 member countries, including India, the USA, the EU, China, and Russia, working together to monitor grain supply, demand, and trade policies worldwide.

Statement 1 is correct: The IGC is an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation in the global grain trade. India, along with 29 other countries, is a member of the International Grains Council (IGC).

Statement 2 is incorrect: A country does not need to be a member of the IGC to export or import rice and wheat. Membership in the IGC is not a prerequisite for engaging in international trade of grains. Many countries actively participate in the global grains market without being members of the IGC.

Explanation

Statement I is correct: The Sahel region has been experiencing escalating instability and poor security situation due to a combination of factors, including violent extremism, weak governance, climate change, and displacement crises. Terrorist groups such as Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) and Islamic State Sahel Province (IS Sahel) have expanded their influence, leading to widespread violence and insecurity across countries like Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger.

Statement II is correct: Over the last three years, the African Sahel region has witnessed a wave of coups d’état in seven countries that extend from Guinea on the Atlantic Ocean to Sudan on the Red Sea. Five military coups succeeded in five countries, in Mali, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Niger, and Gabon, while three other nations--Tunisia, Chad, and Sudan--had constitutional coups. These coups have further destabilized the region by weakening governance structures and creating power vacuums that terrorist groups have exploited. The coups disrupted counterterrorism efforts, weakened state institutions, and led to the withdrawal of foreign military support (e.g., France’s Operation Barkhane), all of which have emboldened extremist groups to expand their activities. Thus, both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II correctly explains Statement-I.

Explanation

Statement I is correct: The European Parliament recently approved the Net-Zero Industry Act (NZIA) to bolster EU production in technologies needed for decarbonization. The "Net-Zero Industry Act", sets a target for Europe to produce 40% of its annual deployment needs in net-zero technologies by 2030, based on National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs).

Statement 2 is incorrect: The European Union aims to be carbon-neutral by 2050, not 2040, an economy with net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. By 2040, the EU aims to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by 90% compared to 1990 levels, as part of its interim climate goals. This objective is at the heart of the European Green Deal, and is a legally binding target thanks to the European Climate Law.

Explanation

Venezuela is an example of a petrostate, where the government is highly dependent on fossil fuel income, power is concentrated, and corruption is widespread. Petrostates are vulnerable to what economists call Dutch disease, in which a government develops an unhealthy dependence on natural resource exports to the detriment of other sectors.

Statement I is incorrect: While Venezuela has shown modest economic growth in recent years, it is far from achieving a full recovery from its prolonged economic crisis. Poverty, hyperinflation, and deteriorating public services persist, and millions of Venezuelans continue to emigrate due to poor living conditions and political instability. As of 2025, more than 7.7 million Venezuelans have fled the country, making it one of the largest refugee crises in the world.

Statement II is correct: Venezuela has the largest amount of oil reserves in the world with more than 300 billion barrels in reserve. Saudi Arabia has the second-largest amount of oil re-serves in the world with 297.5 billion barrels.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The World Toilet Organization (WTO) is an independent global non-profit organisation committed to improving toilet and sanitation conditions world-wide. It was founded in 2001. It is not an agency of the United Nations but it was granted consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2013.

Statement 2 is correct: Through its initiatives, such as World Toilet Day, World Toilet Summit, World Toilet College and SaniShop, WTO continues to mobilise an international network of partners, supporters, donors, governments and international organisations to advocate for effective sanitation policies to ensure health, dignity and well-being for everyone, everywhere. The World Toilet Summit and World Toilet Day were launched in 2001, and the World Toilet College was introduced in 2005 to address sanitation challenges through education and training.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The main focus of the organisation is to continue to build the global sanitation movement through collaborative action. The WTO’s primary focus is on advocacy, education, and capacity building rather than directly granting funds. It provides a platform for stakeholders to collaborate and exchange knowledge but does not primarily act as a funding body.

Explanation

The "100 Million Farmers" initiative, spearheaded by the World Economic Forum, aims to revolutionize global food systems by encouraging sustainable agricultural practices. Its key goals include achieving net-zero carbon emissions, improving biodiversity, and strengthening farmers’ resilience to the effects of climate change. The platform unites diverse stakeholders--such as businesses, governments, farmers, international organizations, and innovators--to collaboratively advance this transformation. By prioritizing regenerative agriculture and climate adaptation strategies, the initiative seeks to help farmers transition to sustainable practices through innovative financial models and partnerships. It also aims to position food systems and farmers at the forefront of global efforts to address climate and environmental challenges, aligning with broader sustainability objectives.