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 31–40 of 182 questions
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UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q31. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. Statement-II: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative’ mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: Israel has established diplomatic relations with several Arab states over the years. Egypt was the first Arab country to sign a peace treaty with Israel in 1979, followed by Jordan in 1994. The Abraham Accords of 2020 led to normalization agreements between Israel and the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco. These agreements marked significant milestones in Arab-Israeli relations.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Arab Peace Initiative (API) was proposed by Saudi Arabia in 2002 and endorsed by the Arab League but it was not signed by Israel. The API offered normalization of relations between Arab states and Israel in exchange for Israel’s withdrawal from occupied territories, the establishment of a Palestinian state, and a "just solution" for Palestinian refugees.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q32. In recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali and Sudan caught the international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?
Explanation
In recent years, several African nations have experienced military takeovers. In Chad, after President Idriss Déby’s death in 2021, his son led a military coup and established a Transitional Military Council. In Sudan, General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan led a 2021 coup, dissolving the civilian government and sparking protests. Mali saw two military coups in 2020 and 2021, with Colonel As-simi Goita overthrowing President Ibrahim Boubacar Keïta and later taking power himself. In Guinea, Colonel Mamady Doumbouya led a 2021 coup, ousting President Alpha Conde after his controversial bid for a third term.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q33. Consider the following statements about G-20: 1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss international economic and financial issues. 2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India’s G-20 priorities. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The G-20 was established in 1999 in response to the financial crises of the late 1990s. It began as a forum for Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors from major economies to discuss international economic and financial issues. The primary aim was to bring together both developed and emerging economies to promote international financial stability.
Statement 2 is correct: During its G-20 presidency in 2023, India has prioritized digital public infrastructure (DPI) as a key agenda item. India has been a global leader in developing and implementing DPI such as the Aadhaar biometric identification system, the Unified Payments Interface (UPI), and the DigiLocker platform. India aims to share its expertise and promote the adoption of DPI globally to foster inclusive growth and digital transformation.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q34. Consider the following statements: Statement-I: Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Trade and Technology Council. Statement-II: The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control. Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
Explanation
Statement-I is correct: The U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was launched in June 2021 as a forum to strengthen transatlantic cooperation on trade, technology, and supply chain issues. The TTC aims to address shared challenges such as climate change, digital governance, and global trade standards and counter the influence of non-market economies like China. Statement-II is incorrect: The primary goal of the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council is not to bring technological progress and physical productivity "under their control." The TTC focuses on fostering collaboration in areas such as:
Setting global standards for emerging technologies (e.g., AI, semiconductors). Ensuring secure and resilient supply chains. Promoting democratic values in technology governance. Addressing unfair trade practices and economic coercion. The TTC emphasizes cooperation and shared governance, not unilateral control.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q35. Consider the following statements: The ‘Stability and Growth Pact’ of the European Union is a treaty that 1. limits the levels of the budgetary deficit of the countries of the European Union 2. makes the countries of the European Union to share their infrastructure facilities 3. enables the countries of the European Union to share their technologies How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Stability and Growth Pact (SGP) is an agreement among the member states of the European Union (EU) to facilitate and maintain the stability of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU). It sets limits on the budgetary deficits and public debt of EU member states. It requires countries to keep their budget deficits below 3% of GDP and public debt below 60% of GDP or to be working towards these targets. Statements 2 and 3 are incorrect:
The Stability and Growth Pact does not mandate or involve sharing infrastructure facilities among EU member states. It is purely focused on fiscal discipline and economic stability. The Stability and Growth Pact does not directly deal with technology sharing or cooperation in technological development.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q36. Consider the following statements: 1. Recently, all the countries of the United Nations have adopted the first-ever compact for international migration, the ‘Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM)’. 2. The objectives and commitments stated in the GCM are binding on the UN member countries. 3. The GCM addresses internal migration or internally displaced people also in its objectives and commitments. How many of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) was adopted by most UN member states in December 2018 but not all. Countries like the US, Hungary, Poland, Israel, and the Czech Republic did not endorse it. It is the first global framework on international migration.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The GCM is a non-binding agreement. It is a cooperative framework that provides guidelines and best practices for managing international migration but does not impose legally binding obligations on UN member states. It respects the sovereignty of states and is intended to foster inter-national cooperation.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The GCM specifically focuses on international migration and does not address internal migration or internally displaced people (IDPs). Internal displacement is covered by other frameworks such as the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q37. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?
Explanation
Somalia, the Eastern African nation has endured decades of civil strife and political instability since its central government collapsed in 1991, leading to widespread violence and displacement. Recurring droughts exacerbated by climate change and conflict have caused severe food shortages and famine. In 2022 and 2023 Somalia faced one of its worst droughts resulting in a humanitarian crisis. Organizations like the United Nations and the World Food Programme have highlighted the dire situation, calling for urgent aid. The combination of prolonged conflict, economic challenges, and environmental factors has made Somalia a focal point of global attention for its severe famine conditions.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q38. Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022: 1. It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India. 2. The official mascot was named ‘Thambi’. 3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup. 4. The trophy for the winning team in the women’s section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup. How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The 44th Chess Olympiad is being held in Chennai from July 28 to August 9, 2022. The prestigious competition, organised since 1927, is being hosted in India for the first time and in Asia after 30 years.
Statement 2 is correct: The 44th Chess Olympiad has unveiled the official logo and mascot for the event. The Mascot is a chess knight called Thambi.
Statement 3 is incorrect:: Vera Menchik Cup is for 1st place in the Women’s section.
Statement 4 is incorrect: Hamilton-Russell Cup is given to the winning team in the open section.
Additional insight:
The 45th edition of the Chess Olympiad will take place in Hungary from September 10 to 23. This will be the first time since 1926 that the world’s biggest multi-national chess tournament returns to Budapest. In the 45th edition, this was the first Chess Olympiad in which teams of refugees participated due to efforts made through FIDE’s initiative for refugees "Chess for Protection". India won Gold Medal in Open category, Women category, Open Individual (Gukesh Dommaraju). Team India also won Gaprindashvili Trophy.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q39. Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana: 1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women. 3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women. 4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age. How many of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
The Janani Suraksha Yojana, a centrally sponsored scheme, was introduced in April 2005 by modifying the National Maternity Benefit Scheme (NMBS), which itself was established in August 1995 as a component within the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP). Under the scheme, qualifying pregnant women are eligible to receive cash assistance regardless of the mother’s age or the number of children she has, as long as she gives birth in a government or accredited private health facility. The scheme is currently being executed across all states and Union Territories (UTs), with particular emphasis placed on Low Performing States (LPS).
Statement 1 is incorrect: Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is a safe motherhood intervention under the National Rural Health Mission (NRHM). It is not an initiative of State Health Departments.
Statement 2 is correct: The objective of the Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.
Statement 3 is correct: The Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) encourages pregnant women, particularly those with disadvantaged socio- economic backgrounds such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and households below the poverty line (BPL), to opt for institutional delivery.
Statement 4 is incorrect: The JSY is only related to the safe motherhood intervention. Providing public health facilities to sick infants upto one year of age is the objective of Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram.
UPSC 2023International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q40. Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:
Award
Description
1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
For the most spectacular and outstanding performance by a sportsperson over a period of the last four years.
2. Arjuna Award
For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson
3. Dronacharya Award
To honour eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons and teams.
4. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirement.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: ‘Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award’ the highest sporting honour in India, is presented annually by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India. It is given for the spectacular and most outstanding performance in the field of sports by a sportsperson over a period of the previous four years.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Arjuna Awards holds the distinction of being India’s second- highest sporting recognition. Recipients are chosen by a committee appointed by the Ministry based on their commendable performance over a span of four years, coupled with demonstrated qualities of leadership, sportsmanship, and discipline.
Statement 3 is correct: The Dronacharya Award represents a prestigious coaching accolade within the Republic of India. Recipients are carefully chosen by a committee appointed by the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs, who have helped athletes achieve excellence over a period of four years.
Statement 4 is incorrect: ‘Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Purus-kar’ is given to corporate entities (both in the private and public sector), sports control boards, and NGOs, including sports bodies at the State and National level who have played a visible role in the area of sports promotion and development. ‘Dhyan Chand Award for Lifetime Achievement in Sports and Games’ is given to honour sportspersons who have contributed to sports by their performance and continue to contribute to the promotion of sports events after their retirement.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
31
2023
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
32
2023
(d) Successful coups
33
2023
(c) Both 1 and 2
34
2023
(c) Statement-I is correct but Statement-II is incorrect
35
2023
(a) Only one
36
2023
(d) None
37
2023
(d) Somalia
38
2023
(b) Only two
39
2023
(b) Only two
40
2023
(b) Only two
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.
