UPSC 2021 International Relations and Current Affairs Questions with Answers
7 previous year UPSC Prelims questions on International Relations and Current Affairs in the UPSC 2021 Prelims. 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 1–7 of 7 questions
Browse International Relations and Current Affairs chapters
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · International Relations
Q1. Consider the following statements: 1. The Global Ocean Commission grants licences for seabed exploration and mining in international waters. 2. India has received licences for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. 3. ‘Rare earth minerals’ are present on the seafloor in international waters. Which of the statements given above are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Global Ocean Commission (GOC) does not grant licenses for seabed mining. The Inter-national Seabed Authority (ISA) established under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is responsible for granting licenses for seabed exploration and mining in international waters.
Statement 2 is correct: India has been granted licenses by the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for seabed mineral exploration in international waters. India has received a contract to explore polymetallic sulfides in the Indian Ocean Ridge. The Indian Ministry of Earth Sciences and NIOT (National Institute of Ocean Technology) are leading the project.
Statement 3 is correct: Rare earth elements (REEs) are found in deep-sea sediments, polymetallic nodules, and hydrothermal vents in international waters. These include elements like neo-dymium, yttrium, and dysprosium, which are essential for electronics, renewable energy, and defense industries.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Current Affairs
Q2. 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
Q3. 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
Q4. 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).
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q5. Consider the following statements in respect of the 32nd Summer Olympics: 1. The official motto for this Olympics is ‘A New World’. 2. Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate and Baseball are included in this Olympics. Which of the above statements is/are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The 32nd Summer Olympics, originally scheduled for 2020 but held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was one of the most unprecedented edi-tions in Olympic history. The official motto for Tokyo 2020 was "United by Emotion," a departure from the 2016 Rio Olympics’ motto, "A New World."
Statement 2 is correct: The Tokyo Olympics saw the addition of five new sports, Sport Climbing, Surfing, Skateboarding, Karate, and Baseball/Softball (which returned after being removed in 2008). These sports were included to enhance youth engagement and bring more diversity to the Games.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q6. Consider the following statements in respect of the Laureus World Sports Award which was instituted in the year 2000: 1. American golfer Tiger Woods was the first winner of this award. 2. The award was received mostly by ‘Formula One’ players so far. 3. Roger Federer received this award maximum number of times compared to others. Which of the above statements are correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is correct: The Laureus World Sports Award, also known as the ‘Oscar of Sports’, recognizes exceptional performances in global sports annually. Tiger Woods was the first-ever winner of the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award in 2000, following his dominance in golf.
Statement 2 is incorrect: Formula One drivers have received the award, but it has not been mostly won by them. Instead, tennis, golf, and athletics players have been frequent recipients.
Statement 3 is correct: Roger Federer holds the record for the most wins (5 times: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2018) in the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year category.
UPSC 2021International Relations and Current Affairs · Miscellaneous
Q7. Consider the following statements in respect of Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards: 1. Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are titles under the Article 18(1) of the Constitution of India. 2. Padma Awards, which were instituted in the year 1954, were suspended only once. 3. The number of Bharat Ratna Awards is restricted to a maximum of five in a particular year. Which of the above statements are not correct?
Explanation
Statement 1 is incorrect: The Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are among India’s highest civilian honors, conferred by the President of India. As per Article 18(1) of the Constitution, the State shall not confer titles except military and academic distinctions. However, Bharat Ratna and Padma Awards are not considered "titles" and have been upheld by the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is incorrect: The Padma Awards, instituted in 1954, were suspended twice, in 1977 and 1993 due to policy reviews.
Statement 3 is incorrect: The maximum number of Bharat Ratna awards per year is limited to three, not five. However, in 2024, this honour was bestowed upon five distinguished personalities namely, Karpoori Thakur, L. K. Advani, P. V. Narasimha Rao, Charan Singh, and M. S. Swaminathan.
Answer key for these questions
Q
UPSC year
Correct answer
1
2021
(b) 2 and 3 only
2
2021
(d) Neither 1 nor 2
3
2021
(d) Statement 1 is not correct but Statement 2 is correct.
4
2021
(b) 2 only
5
2021
(b) 2 only
6
2021
(c) 1 and 3 only
7
2021
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Frequently asked questions
How many previous year UPSC questions are there on International Relations and Current Affairs?
This page covers 7 previous year UPSC Prelims GS Paper-I questions on International Relations and Current Affairs in the UPSC 2021 Prelims, 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 International Relations and Current Affairs?
Questions on International Relations and Current Affairs in the UPSC 2021 Prelims are available for 14 years, from 2011 to 2025. Use the Year filter to practise a single paper.
