1. Which one among the following cities was included as the ‘City of Musi

Which one among the following cities was included as the ‘City of Music’ in the year 2023 in the UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network ?

Kozhikode
Chennai
Varanasi
Gwalior
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
In 2023, Gwalior was designated as a ‘City of Music’ in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network.
UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN) recognizes cities based on their creative potential and contributions in seven categories: Crafts and Folk Art, Digital Arts, Film, Gastronomy, Literature, Music, and Media Arts.
In 2023, two Indian cities were added to the UCCN: Gwalior (City of Music) and Kozhikode (City of Literature). Varanasi was already designated as a UNESCO City of Music in 2015. Chennai is a major music hub but was not designated in the 2023 list.

2. The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is developing Sc

The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM), which is developing Science Centres/Museums/ Innovation Hubs in India, works under

the Ministry of Science and Technology
the Ministry of Culture
the Ministry of Education
the Ministry of Earth Sciences
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
The National Council of Science Museums (NCSM) is an autonomous society functioning under the administrative control of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India.
NCSM is the largest network of science centres and museums in India, dedicated to popularizing science and technology among people, especially students.
NCSM manages several national-level museums and numerous regional and sub-regional science centres across the country. It is involved in setting up new science centres, developing educational programmes, and creating exhibits.

3. Which of the following statements with regard to the Anoop Barenwal v.

Which of the following statements with regard to the Anoop Barenwal v. Union of India (2023) case is/are correct ?
Select the answer using the code given below :

  • 1. The case was heard by a Constitutional Bench
  • 2. According to the judgment, the grounds for removal of Election Commissioners shall be the same as the Chief Justice of India
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Statement 1 is correct. The case of Anoop Baranwal v. Union of India (2023), concerning the appointment of Election Commissioners, was heard by a five-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court.
Statement 2 is incorrect. The judgment primarily focused on the *appointment process* of the Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) and Election Commissioners (ECs), ruling that they should be appointed by the President on the recommendation of a committee comprising the Prime Minister, the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, and the Chief Justice of India. While the judgment aimed to provide the ECs with greater independence similar to the CEC and Supreme Court judges, it did *not* change the constitutional provision regarding the *grounds* for removal of Election Commissioners. According to Article 324(5), an Election Commissioner cannot be removed from office except on the recommendation of the Chief Election Commissioner. The grounds for removal of the CEC (and Supreme Court judges) are “proved misbehaviour or incapacity” through a parliamentary process, but this is not explicitly stated as the grounds for other ECs when recommended for removal by the CEC in the Constitution or the judgment. The judgment reinforced the existing removal protection via the CEC’s recommendation.
The Anoop Baranwal judgment was aimed at ensuring the independence and fairness of the Election Commission by reforming the appointment process, which previously relied solely on the executive. The court called for this committee system until Parliament enacts a law on the matter. Parliament subsequently passed a law changing the composition of the appointment committee, replacing the Chief Justice of India with a Union Cabinet Minister nominated by the Prime Minister.

4. Which one among the following statements with regard to the United Nat

Which one among the following statements with regard to the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) is NOT correct ?

The 'Global Stocktake' is the central outcome of COP28
It recognized the need to limit global warming to 1.5°C
It directed the developing countries to lead the transition away from fossil fuel
It emphasized accelerated phase-down of coal-power
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Statement C is NOT correct. The COP28 outcome document, known as the UAE Consensus, calls for “transitioning away from fossil fuels,” but it does not direct developing countries to *lead* this transition. The principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities (CBDR–RC) under the UNFCCC means that developed countries, which have historically contributed more to emissions, are expected to take the lead and provide support to developing countries.
Statements A, B, and D are correct descriptions of the outcomes or emphases of COP28.
A) The ‘Global Stocktake’, the first comprehensive assessment of progress towards the Paris Agreement goals, was a central outcome of COP28.
B) The conference reaffirmed the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
D) The agreement emphasized accelerated efforts towards the phase-down of unabated coal power.
The UAE Consensus was notable as it was the first COP decision to explicitly mention “transitioning away from fossil fuels.” It also included goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double the rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.

5. Which of the following statements about the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023

Which of the following statements about the Nobel Peace Prize for 2023 is/are correct ?
Select the answer using the code given below :

  • 1. The 2023 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Narges Mohammadi
  • 2. Narges Mohammadi was awarded the prize for her struggle to bring peace in Afghanistan and Iran
1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Statement 1 is correct. The Nobel Peace Prize 2023 was awarded to the Iranian human rights advocate Narges Mohammadi.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Narges Mohammadi was awarded the prize for her courageous struggle against the oppression of women in Iran and her fight to promote human rights and freedom for all. Her struggle primarily focuses on the situation within Iran, not Afghanistan.
Narges Mohammadi is a journalist and human rights activist who has been repeatedly imprisoned in Iran. The award committee highlighted her bravery in the face of significant personal hardship, including prolonged imprisonment and separation from her family.

6. Which of the following statements about CBAM (Carbon Border Adjust-men

Which of the following statements about CBAM (Carbon Border Adjust-ment Mechanisms) is/are correct ?

  • 1. These are an emerging set of trade tools to allow movement of carbon-intensive economic activity from a jurisdiction having less stringent climate policy to a jurisdiction having stringent climate policy.
  • 2. These are meant to increase the environmental effectiveness of climate policies

Select the answer using the code given below :

1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Statement 1 is incorrect because CBAM is designed to *prevent* carbon leakage (movement of production to countries with less stringent climate policies) by imposing a price on the carbon content of imports. Statement 2 is correct; by pricing carbon on imports, CBAM incentivizes other countries to increase their climate ambition, thereby making climate policies more effective globally.
CBAM is a policy tool primarily developed by the European Union to tackle carbon leakage and encourage trading partners to raise their climate ambitions in line with the EU’s own climate goals.
CBAM works by requiring importers to purchase certificates corresponding to the carbon price that would have been paid had the goods been produced under the EU’s carbon pricing rules. The mechanism initially applies to carbon-intensive goods like iron, steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity, and hydrogen. It entered into force in October 2023 with a transitional period.

7. Who, amongst the following, has won International Emmy Award-2023 for

Who, amongst the following, has won International Emmy Award-2023 for ‘Best Actor’ ?

Jim Sarbh
Shefali Shah
Vir Das
Martin Freeman
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Martin Freeman won the International Emmy Award 2023 for Best Actor for his performance in the British series ‘The Responder’. Jim Sarbh was nominated in the same category for ‘Rocket Boys’ but did not win. Shefali Shah was nominated for Best Actress. Vir Das won in the Comedy category.
The International Emmy Awards recognize excellence in television programming produced outside the United States. The 2023 awards ceremony took place in November.
Indian nominees included Jim Sarbh, Shefali Shah, and Vir Das. While Sarbh and Shah did not win in their respective acting categories, Vir Das secured an award for Best Comedy Series (along with ‘Derry Girls’ and ‘La Caída’).

8. JAYWAN is the domestic Debit Card of which of the following countries

JAYWAN is the domestic Debit Card of which of the following countries ?

UAE
Egypt
Saudi Arabia
Nepal
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
JAYWAN is the domestic card payment scheme of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). It was launched by the Al Etihad Payments (AEP), a subsidiary of the Central Bank of the UAE (CBUAE).
JAYWAN was recently in the news due to the agreement signed between India and the UAE to interlink India’s Rupay card system with UAE’s JAYWAN card system.
The interlinking of domestic card systems aims to enhance convenience for citizens of both countries travelling to the other, enabling seamless payment processing using their domestic cards.

9. Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine

Which of the following countries does NOT share boundary with Ukraine ?

Romania
Moldova
Poland
Lithuania
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Lithuania does not share a direct land boundary with Ukraine. Ukraine shares borders with Poland, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania, Moldova, Belarus, and Russia. Lithuania shares borders with Poland, Latvia, Belarus, and Russia (Kaliningrad Oblast).
Understanding the geography of Eastern Europe is key. Lithuania is located to the northwest of Ukraine, separated by Belarus and Poland.
Ukraine is the second-largest country by area in Europe. Its strategic location has historically made its borders significant.

10. Which of the following two organizations are parts of TIWB (Tax Inspec

Which of the following two organizations are parts of TIWB (Tax Inspectors Without Borders) ?

United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)
Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and ASEAN
UNDP and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)
International Labour Organization (ILO) and ASEAN
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2024
Tax Inspectors Without Borders (TIWB) is a joint initiative launched by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
TIWB aims to help developing countries build tax audit capacity by facilitating the deployment of qualified tax experts to work alongside local tax officials on ongoing audits and audit-related issues.
The initiative contributes to domestic resource mobilization efforts in developing countries, which is crucial for financing development. It focuses on knowledge transfer and practical assistance in conducting complex tax audits.