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

Explanation

Pair 1 is correctly matched: Anatolia is a historical and geographical region covering most of modern-day Turkiye. It is often in the news due to geopolitical issues, earthquakes, and archaeological discoveries.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: Amhara is a region in Ethiopia that has been in the news due to conflicts involving the Ethiopian government and Tigray forces. It is one of the major ethnic regions in Ethiopia.

Pair 3 is incorrectly matched: Cabo Delgado is in Mozambique, not Spain. It has been in the news due to Islamist insurgencies and attacks by terrorist groups in northern Mozambique.

Pair 4 is incorrectly matched: Catalonia is in Spain, not Italy. It is a region in northeastern Spain that has been in the news due to independence movements and political conflicts with the Spanish government.

Explanation

Pair 1 is incorrectly matched: There is no confirmed report of China establishing a permanent military base in Chad. China has increased its influence in Africa through economic investments and Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) projects but not through a military base in Chad. The only confirmed Chinese overseas military base is in Djibouti.

Pair 2 is correctly matched: In September 2021 Guinea’s military staged a coup by overthrowing President Alpha Condé and suspending the constitution and government. The coup was led by Colonel Mamady Doumbouya citing political instability, corruption, and economic issues.

Pair 3 is correctly matched: Lebanon has been facing a deep economic crisis since 2019, marked by: Hyperinflation and currency collapse, mass unemployment, energy and food shortages, Political instability. The World Bank described Lebanon’s crisis as one of the worst economic collapses since the 19th century.

Pair 4 is correctly matched: In July 2021 Tunisia’s President Kais Saied suspended the Parliament and dismissed the Prime Minister citing emergency powers due to political and economic instability.In 2022, a new constitution was introduced which further consolidating Saied’s power and reducing parliamentary authority.

Explanation

The Senkaku Islands (called "Diaoyu Islands" by China) are a group of uninhabited islands in the East China Sea which is controlled by Japan but also claimed by China and Taiwan. The islands are located northeast of Taiwan, east of China, and southwest of Japan’s Okinawa Prefecture. They cover around 7 square kilometers and are strategically important due to their rich fishing grounds and potential oil and gas reserves. Japan claims it incorporated the islands in 1895 considering them terra nullius (land belonging to no one). China claims historical sovereignty over the islands, citing maps and records dating back to the Ming Dynasty. Taiwan also claims the islands and refers to them as Tiaoyutai.

Explanation

Greenwashing is a deceptive marketing practice where a company misleads consumers into believing that its products, policies, or practices are environmentally friendly, when in reality they are not. It is used to improve a company’s public image without making real sustainability efforts. Companies often use misleading labels, vague terms (like "natural" or "eco-friendly"), or exaggerated claims to appear environmentally responsible. Examples of Greenwashing:

A company claims its plastic packaging is "biodegradable" but fails to mention that it takes decades to break down. Fast fashion brands marketing "sustainable" clothing lines while continuing environmentally harmful practices. Oil and gas companies promote carbon offset programs while still expanding fossil fuel extraction.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The largest solar park in India is Bhadla Solar Park, located in Rajasthan, not Gujarat. Spread over 14,000 acres, it has a capacity of 2,245 MW and is among the largest in the world.

Statement 2 is correct: Cochin International Airport in Kerala is the world’s first fully solar-powered international airport. It was inaugurated as a completely solar-run airport in 2015 and won the UN Champions of the Earth award in 2018 for its sustainable model.

Statement 3 is incorrect: Goa does not have the largest floating solar photovoltaic (PV) project. The largest floating solar PV project in India is located in Ramagundam, Telangana, with a 100 MW capacity, developed by NTPC.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The Tea Board of India is a statutory body established under the Tea Act, 1953. It is responsible for the promotion, research, regulation, and trade facilitation of the tea industry.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The Tea Board functions under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, not the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare.

Statement 3 is incorrect: The headquarters of the Tea Board of India is in Kolkata, not Bengaluru. Kolkata has been the traditional center of India’s tea trade.

Statement 4 is correct: The Tea Board has overseas offices in Dubai and Moscow, which help facilitate tea exports, conduct quality inspections, and enhance international market reach.

Explanation

The Polar Code, implemented in January 2017 by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), is a mandatory regulatory framework for ships operating in Arctic and Antarctic waters. It covers ship design, crew training, pollution prevention, and navigation safety, ensuring environmental protection and human safety in extreme polar conditions. The Polar Code supplements existing MARPOL (Marine Pollution) and SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) conventions.

Explanation

Statement 1 is incorrect: The India Sanitation Coalition (ISC) is an independent platform led by FICCI, aimed at promoting sanitation, but it is not funded directly by the Government of India or WHO.

Statement 2 is correct: The National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA) is an autonomous research body under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA). It provides policy recommendations, urban research, and capacity building for cities across India.

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: The CCO is the primary source of coal statistics in India, collecting data on production, stock, and dispatch.

Statement 2 is correct: It monitors captive coal and lignite blocks, ensuring efficient allocation and compliance.

Statement 3 is correct: The CCO hears objections regarding coal-bearing land acquisition, as per the Coal Bearing Areas (Acquisition and Development) Act, 1957.

Statement 4 is incorrect: The CCO does not oversee direct coal delivery; this function is handled by Coal India Limited (CIL) and private coal producers. Coal is India’s primary energy source, contributing to over 55% of electricity generation. The Coal Controller’s Organization (CCO) plays a pivotal role in coal regulation, monitoring, and policy implementation.

Explanation

The Labour Bureau, part of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, is tasked with compiling and analyzing data on industrial disputes, closures, retrenchments, and layoffs in factories with workers. It releases the Industrial Disputes Statistics Report and other labour market indicators, which are essential for informing labour policy decisions in India. These data play a vital role in shaping policies, particularly in monitoring industrial conflicts, workforce reductions, and factory shutdowns. Other options are incorrect:

The Central Statistics Office (CSO) focuses on macroeconomic data, not industrial disputes. The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) handles investment and trade policies, not labour issues. National Technical Information System Manpower does not compile labour statistics.