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Topics / IR

Global Issues

Asked 30 times in UPSC Prelims · first asked 1995 · last asked 2025

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Consider the following pairs: I. International Year of the Woman Farmer - 2026 II. International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism - 2027 III. International Year of Peace and Trust - 2025 IV. International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence - 2029. How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

2025IR
AOnly one
BOnly two
COnly three
DAll the four

Explanation

Each of the pairs mentioned in the question corresponds to the correct International Year designation. International Year of the Woman Farmer is indeed 2026, International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism is 2027, International Year of Peace and Trust is 2025, and International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence is 2029.

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?

2023IR
AOnly one
BOnly two
CAll three
D

Explanation

The given statements are not entirely correct. The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration (GCM) is the first-ever UN global agreement on a common approach to international migration, but it is not legally binding on member states. The GCM primarily focuses on international migration and does not specifically address internal migration or internally displaced people.

With reference to the 'Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA)', which of the following statements is/are correct?

2018IR
A1 and 3 only
B2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

The Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) is a platform focused on Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) that is inclusive, voluntary, and action-oriented. Being voluntary means it does not impose any binding obligations. India is not listed as a member or observer of GACSA, making statement 3 incorrect. Therefore, the correct answer is option (b), which is only statement 2 is correct.

Which of the following gives 'Global Gender Gap Index' ranking to the countries of the world?

2017IR
AWorld Economic Forum
BUN Human Rights Council
CUN Women
DWorld Health Organization

Explanation

The organization responsible for ranking countries based on the 'Global Gender Gap Index' is the World Economic Forum. In 2016, India was ranked 87th according to this index.

Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?

2015IR
ASyria and Jordan
BGuinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
CPhilippines and Papua New Guinea
DJamaica, Haiti and Surinam

Explanation

Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia were the countries that were frequently in the news due to the recent outbreak of the Ebola virus.

Which one of the following issues the 'Global Economic Prospects' report periodically?

2015IR
AThe Asian Development Bank
BThe European Bank for Reconstruction and Development
CThe US Federal Reserve Bank
DThe World Bank

Explanation

The World Bank releases the 'Global Economic Prospects' report on a regular basis.

Recently, a series of uprisings of people referred to as 'Arab Spring' originally started from

2014IR
AEgypt
BLebanon
CSyria
DTunisia

Explanation

The Arab Spring, a series of uprisings by the people, began in Tunisia on December 18, 2010.

Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called 'rare earth metals'. Why? 1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export. 2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country. 3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2012IR
A1 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In recent times, there has been worry about the limited availability of rare earth metals due to certain reasons. Firstly, China, the primary producer of these elements, has imposed restrictions on their export. Secondly, apart from China, rare earth metals are not naturally found in any other country except Australia, Canada, and Chile. Lastly, there is a rising demand for these metals as they are crucial for producing various electronic devices. The correct statements among the options provided are the first and the third, which means that China's export restrictions and the increasing demand for rare earth metals are valid concerns.

Stiglitz Commission established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly was in the international news. The commission was supposed to deal with

2010IR
AThe challenges posed by the impending global climate change and prepare a road map
BThe workings of the global financial systems and to explore ways and means to secure a more sustainable global order
CGlobal terrorism and prepare a global action plan for the mitigation of terrorism
DExpansion of the United Nations Security Council in the present global scenario

Explanation

The Stiglitz Commission, established by the President of the United Nations General Assembly, gained international attention for its focus on examining the operations of the global financial system.

Consider the following names: 1. Ike 2. Kate 3. Gustav Which of the above are the names of hurricanes that had occurred very recently?

2009IR
A1 and 2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3

Explanation

In 2008, hurricanes named Ike and Gustav were observed.

In the year 2007, an earthquake led to massive radioactive water leakage in the largest nuclear plant in the world. In which country did it occur?

2008IR
AGermany
BCanada
CJapan
DUSA

Explanation

In 2007, a powerful earthquake caused a significant release of radioactive water at the largest nuclear facility globally. Where did this incident take place? (a) Germany (b) Canada (c) Japan (d) USA Correct answer: (c) Original: A major earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck close to Tepco's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan in July 2007. Rewritten: In July 2007, a significant earthquake measuring 6.8 struck near Japan's Tepco's Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant.

Where was the World Summit on Sustainable Development (Rio + 10) held?

2008IR
ADavos
BNova Scotia
CJohannesburg
DShanghai

Explanation

The World Summit on Sustainable Development, also known as Rio + 10, took place in Johannesburg, South Africa in 2002.

Consider the following statements: 1. Republicans won the majority in the US House of Representatives Elections held in the year 2006. 2. Republican Bobby Jindal, won a seat in the US House of Representatives for the second time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

2007IR
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

In the 2006 US House of Representatives elections, the Democrats secured a majority with 233 seats, while the Republicans won 202 seats. Bobby Jindal was successfully re-elected for a second term in 2006.

Which one of the following countries is planning to construct a rival to the Panama Canal to link the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans?

2007IR
AColombia
BCosta Rica
CGuatemala
DNicaragua

Explanation

Colombia, in partnership with China, is preparing to build a new canal as an alternative to the Panama Canal to connect the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

What was the main reason for which Niger was in the news in recent times?

2006IR
AMany deaths due to AIDS
BFierce civil war
CIntense fighting with Algeria
DFamine and starvation

Explanation

Niger made headlines recently due to issues of famine and starvation.

Where has world's largest ever meet on HIV AIDS held in July, 2004?

2005IR
ABangkok
BSingapore
CNew York
DRome

Explanation

In July 2004, the world's largest ever meeting on HIV AIDS took place in Bangkok. The 15th International AIDS Conference was attended by approximately 20,000 individuals, including policy makers, scientists, activists, and celebrities.

In which one of the following countries did hundreds of people die in year 2004 as a result of flooding and mudslides triggered by Tropical Storm Jeanne?

2005IR
AColumbia
BHaiti
CSudan
DGhana

Explanation

In the year 2004, in Haiti, hundreds of individuals lost their lives due to flooding and mudslides caused by Tropical Storm Jeanne.

In which one of the following countries, did an ethnic violence between the communities of Hema and Lendu result in the death of hundreds of people?

2004IR
ADemocratic Republic of Congo
BIndonesia
CNigeria
DZambia

Explanation

An ethnic conflict between the Hema and Lendu communities led to the death of hundreds of individuals in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Serbia was in the international news in the recent times for:

2004IR
Aharbouring terrorists associated with religious fundamentalism
Bsupplying raw uranium to North Korea
Cits long-running civil war killing or displacing thousands of people
Dcultivation of drug-yielding crops and smuggling of drugs

Explanation

Serbia gained global attention recently due to its prolonged civil war, which resulted in the deaths or displacement of thousands of individuals.

As per the Human Development Index given by UNDP, which one of the following sequences of South Asian countries is correct, in the order of higher to lower development?

2003IR
AIndia–Sri Lanka–Pakistan–Maldives
BMaldives–Sri Lanka–India–Pakistan
CSri Lanka–Maldives–India–Pakistan
DMaldives–India–Pakistan–Sri Lanka

Explanation

According to the Human Development Index provided by UNDP, the correct sequence of South Asian countries in terms of higher to lower development is as follows: Maldives, Sri Lanka, India, Pakistan. This is because Maldives is ranked 84th, Sri Lanka is ranked 89th, India is ranked 124th, and Pakistan is ranked 138th on the HDI scale.

Consider the following names: 1. Archbishop Desmond Tutu 2. Lech Walesa 3. Shimon Peres 4. Yasser Arafat Who among these won the Nobel Peace Prize?

2002IR
A1 and 2
B1, 3 and 4
C2, 3 and 4
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Among the given names, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Lech Walesa, Shimon Peres, and Yasser Arafat were all recipients of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Consider the following countries: 1. Angola 2. Colombia 3. Congo 4. Sudan Which of these countries has/have been suffering from civil war?

2002IR
A1 only
B2 and 3
C4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4

Explanation

Out of the countries mentioned - Angola, Colombia, Congo, and Sudan - all four have experienced civil wars.

A World Summit with representation from all the countries will be held in Johannesburg in September 2002 on the subject of:

2002IR
AAIDS control
Bglobal terrorism
Chuman rights
Dsustainable development

Explanation

In September 2002, a World Summit called the 'World Conference on Sustainable Development' took place in Johannesburg with the participation of representatives from almost 200 countries.

The theme of the World Development Report 2001 is:

2001IR
Afrom plan to market
Bknowledge for development
Cattacking poverty
Dthe state in the changing world

Explanation

The World Development Report of 2001 is centered around the theme of "attacking poverty." This report was issued by the World Bank in September 2000.

A great landslide caused by an earthquake killed hundreds of people in January 2001 near:

2001IR
ASan Salvador
BSan Jose
CManagua
DGuatemala City

Explanation

In January 2001, a powerful earthquake with a magnitude ranging between 7.7 and 7.9 triggered a massive landslide near San Salvador, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people.

Which one of the following countries occupies the first place in the 'Global Competitive Report' of World Economic Forum?

2000IR
AUSA
BSingapore
CHong Kong
DFrance

Explanation

In the 'Global Competitive Report' by the World Economic Forum in 1999, Singapore was ranked as the top country with an index of 2.12.

At which one of the cities labelled as A, B, C and D on the given map of Europe was the historic treaty between NATO and Warsaw pact countries signed in 1998?

2000IR
AA
BB
CC
DD

Explanation

The city marked as C on the map of Europe is Brussels, where the significant treaty between NATO and Warsaw Pact countries was signed in 1998.

The economic crisis in the later half of 1990s most seriously affected Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia and South Korea. The cause of the crisis was:

1999IR
Amismanagement of the financial resources and financial sector, in general
Bthe prolonged over-valuation of local currencies vis-vis the western currencies
Cthe downswing and recession in the western economies which earlier provided export market oriented countries
Dnone of these

Explanation

In the late 1990s, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, and South Korea were significantly impacted by an economic crisis. The primary reason for this crisis was the mismanagement of financial resources and the financial sector in general. The over-valuation of local currencies compared to Western currencies also played a role in exacerbating the situation. The downturn and recession in Western economies, which had previously served as export markets for these countries, further contributed to the crisis. Ultimately, the correct answer is option (a) - mismanagement of financial resources and the financial sector.

Assertion (A): The emergence of economic globalism does not imply the decline of socialist ideology. Reason (R): The ideology of socialism believes in Universalism and globalism.

1997IR
ABoth A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
BBoth A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
CA is true but R is false
DA is false but R is true

Explanation

The statement that economic globalism does not signify the decline of socialist ideology is supported by the fact that socialism upholds principles of Universalism and globalism. Globalism prioritizes the well-being of the world over individual nations, while socialism involves state ownership of production resources. Universalism involves applying fundamental principles universally.

Comet shoemaker-Levy 9 hit the planet:

1995IR
APluto
BMars
CJupiter
DSaturn

Explanation

Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9 was found by Keroshil Shoemaker and David Levy on March 24, 1994. This comet was pulled in by Jupiter's gravity and crashed into the planet in the same year.