Current News and Affairs

151. Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news

Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres)’, often in the news, is

[amp_mcq option1=”a division of World Health Organization” option2=”a non-governmental international organization” option3=”an inter-governmental agency sponsored by European Union” option4=”a specialized agency of the United Nations” correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Download PDFAttempt Online
Doctors Without Borders (Medecins Sans Frontieres, MSF) is a non-governmental international organization. It is an independent medical humanitarian organization that delivers emergency aid to people affected by armed conflict, epidemics, natural disasters, and exclusion from healthcare.
MSF is an independent, non-governmental organization providing medical humanitarian assistance globally.
Founded in France in 1971, MSF operates based on the principles of medical ethics and the principles of neutrality, impartiality, and independence. It does not accept funding from parties to conflicts and primarily relies on private donations. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.

152. Consider the following statements : The India-Africa Summit 1. held

Consider the following statements :
The India-Africa Summit

  • 1. held in 2015 was the third such Summit
  • 2. was actually initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1951

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement 1 is correct, while statement 2 is incorrect. The first India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) was held in New Delhi in 2008. The second was in Addis Ababa in 2011, and the third was in New Delhi in 2015. Therefore, the 2015 summit was indeed the third such summit.
The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is the official platform for the India-Africa partnership. It was established in 2008.
While India under Jawaharlal Nehru was a strong proponent of Afro-Asian solidarity and decolonization, establishing early diplomatic ties with newly independent African nations, the specific format of the ‘India-Africa Forum Summit’ as a structured, recurring meeting between India and African heads of state/government is a modern initiative, not dating back to 1951. The Bandung Conference of 1955 is a significant historical example of Afro-Asian cooperation championed by Nehru.

153. With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the follow

With reference to the ‘Trans-Pacific Partnership’, consider the following statements:

  • 1. It is an agreement among all the Pacific Rim countries except China and Russia.
  • 2. It is a strategic alliance for the purpose of maritime security only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Download PDFAttempt Online
The Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was a comprehensive trade agreement involving several countries around the Pacific Rim.
Statement 1 is incorrect. The TPP involved 12 specific countries (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Vietnam, United States). While it did exclude China and Russia, it did not include *all* Pacific Rim countries (many others were not members).
Statement 2 is incorrect. The TPP was primarily an economic agreement focused on trade liberalization, reducing tariffs, and setting common standards across various sectors like intellectual property, labor, and environmental regulations. While economic cooperation can have strategic implications, it was not solely or primarily a strategic alliance for maritime security.
The United States withdrew from the TPP in 2017. The remaining 11 countries proceeded with a revised agreement called the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which came into effect in 2018.

154. With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapon

With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)’, consider the following statements :

  • It is an organization of European Union in working relation with NATO and WHO.
  • It monitors chemical industry to prevent new weapons from emerging.
  • It provides assistance and protection to States (Parties) against chemical weapons threats.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 and 3 only” option3=”1 and 3 only” option4=”1, 2 and 3″ correct=”option2″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is B) 2 and 3 only. Statements 2 and 3 correctly describe functions of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), while statement 1 is incorrect about its affiliation.
– Statement 1 is incorrect: The OPCW is an independent international organization established by the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC). It is not an organization of the European Union, although individual EU member states are parties to the CWC. It works with relevant international bodies but does not have a formal working relation *as an EU organization* with NATO and WHO.
– Statement 2 is correct: The OPCW verifies the destruction of existing chemical weapons and monitors the chemical industry in member states to prevent the re-emergence of chemical weapons.
– Statement 3 is correct: The OPCW provides assistance and protection to member states against the use or threat of use of chemical weapons (as per Article X of the CWC). This includes providing advice, coordinating assistance, and conducting exercises.
The OPCW is headquartered in The Hague, Netherlands. It was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2013 for its extensive efforts to eliminate chemical weapons.

155. Consider the following pairs : Community sometimes mentioned in th

Consider the following pairs :

Community sometimes mentioned in the newsIn the affairs of
1. KurdBangladesh
2. MadhesiNepal
3. RohingyaMyanmar

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2″ option2=”2 only” option3=”2 and 3″ option4=”3 only” correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2016
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct answer is C) 2 and 3. The pairs for Madhesi and Rohingya communities are correctly matched with their respective regions.
– Pair 1 is incorrect: Kurds are an ethnic group mainly inhabiting a region spanning parts of Turkey, Iraq, Iran, and Syria. They are not associated with Bangladesh.
– Pair 2 is correct: The Madhesi are an ethnic group originating from the Terai region of southern Nepal, bordering India. They have been prominent in Nepalese politics due to issues related to representation and federal structure.
– Pair 3 is correct: The Rohingya are a stateless Indo-Aryan ethnic group who primarily reside in Rakhine State, Myanmar. They have faced persecution and mass displacement, leading to a major humanitarian crisis.
Understanding the location and context of various communities is important for following international and regional news. The conflicts and issues related to the Madhesi in Nepal and the Rohingya in Myanmar have frequently been in the news.

156. Consider the following countries : 1. China 2. France 3. India 4.

Consider the following countries :

  • 1. China
  • 2. France
  • 3. India
  • 4. Israel
  • 5. Pakistan

Which among the above are Nuclear Weapons States as recognized by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, commonly known as Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT)?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 and 2 only” option2=”1, 3, 4 and 5 only” option3=”2, 4 and 5 only” option4=”1, 2, 3, 4 and 5″ correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is A (1 and 2 only). Among the given countries, only China and France are recognized as Nuclear Weapons States (NWS) by the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
– The NPT defines a Nuclear-Weapon State as one which has manufactured and exploded a nuclear weapon or other nuclear explosive device prior to January 1, 1967.
– The five states recognized by the NPT as NWS are the United States, the Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, France, and China. These are also the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council.
– India, Israel, and Pakistan possess nuclear weapons but are not signatories to the NPT as NWS. They are often referred to as de facto or non-NPT nuclear weapons states.
The NPT aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, promote cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, and further the goal of achieving nuclear disarmament. India, Pakistan, and Israel have not signed the NPT. North Korea signed but later withdrew from the treaty.

157. Which one of the following was given classical language status

Which one of the following was given classical language status recently?

[amp_mcq option1=”Odia” option2=”Konkani” option3=”Bhojpuri” option4=”Assamese” correct=”option1″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
The question asks which language was *recently* given classical language status. The Indian government criteria for classical language status were announced in 2004. Tamil was the first language to be granted this status in 2004, followed by Sanskrit (2005), Kannada (2008), Telugu (2008), Malayalam (2013), and Odia (2014). Among the given options, Odia was the most recent addition (as of 2014 when this question was likely framed or relevant).
The status of ‘Classical Language’ in India is granted by the Government of India based on specific criteria. Odia was the sixth language to receive this status.
The criteria for declaring a language as classical include: high antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over 1500-2000 years; a body of ancient literature/texts, considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers; the literary tradition being original and not borrowed from another speech community; and the classical language and literature being distinct from modern, though there may be a continuity. As of the latest updates, six languages have been granted this status.

158. The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

The term ‘IndARC’, sometimes seen in the news, is the name of

[amp_mcq option1=”an indigenously developed radar system inducted into Indian Defence” option2=”India’s satellite to provide services to the countries of Indian Ocean Rim” option3=”a scientific establishment set up by India in Antarctic region” option4=”India’s underwater observatory to scientifically study the Arctic region” correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
‘IndARC’ is the name of India’s first underwater moored observatory deployed in the Arctic region. It was set up by the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR) to collect data and conduct scientific studies related to the Arctic climate and its influence on global processes.
IndARC is India’s contribution to Arctic scientific research, providing continuous data on oceanographic parameters to understand climate change in the Arctic.
India has a research station in the Arctic called Himadri, located in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, Norway. IndARC is an underwater observatory complementing the research conducted at Himadri by providing oceanographic data. The Arctic region is crucial for understanding global climate patterns, and India’s research efforts there contribute to international scientific endeavors.

159. With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperatio

With reference to Indian Ocean Rim Association for Regional Cooperation (IOR-ARC), consider the following statements:

  • It was established very recently in response to incidents of piracy and accidents of oil spills.
  • It is an alliance meant for maritime security only.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2 only” option3=”Both 1 and 2″ option4=”Neither 1 nor 2″ correct=”option4″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
Statement 1 is incorrect as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC) was established in 1997, not recently, and while maritime safety and security are part of its agenda, they were not the primary or sole reasons for its establishment; it was founded primarily to promote economic cooperation. Statement 2 is incorrect because IOR-ARC is not solely focused on maritime security; its objectives encompass a wide range of areas including economic cooperation, trade, investment, tourism, technology, disaster risk management, and cultural exchange, in addition to maritime safety and security. Therefore, neither statement is correct.
The Indian Ocean Rim Association (IOR-ARC), now known as the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA), is an international organisation established in 1997 to promote regional cooperation and development within the Indian Ocean region. Its focus is multi-faceted, covering economic, social, and environmental aspects.
IORA’s membership includes 23 Member States and 10 Dialogue Partners. The organization provides a platform for countries of the Indian Ocean region to discuss and cooperate on issues of mutual interest. While maritime security is an important area of focus, it is one of several priority areas alongside trade facilitation, fisheries management, disaster risk management, and academic and S&T cooperation.

160. In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which

In the Mekong-Ganga Cooperation, an initiative of six countries, which of the following is/are not a participant/participants?
1. Bangladesh
2. Cambodia
3. China
4. Myanmar
5. Thailand
Select the correct answer using the code given below.

[amp_mcq option1=”1 only” option2=”2, 3 and 4″ option3=”1 and 3″ option4=”1, 2 and 5″ correct=”option3″]

This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2015
Download PDFAttempt Online
The correct option is C.
The Mekong-Ganga Cooperation (MGC) is an initiative comprising six member countries: India and five ASEAN countries, namely Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The initiative focuses on cooperation in areas like tourism, culture, education, transport, and communication. Looking at the list provided:
1. Bangladesh: Not a member of MGC.
2. Cambodia: Is a member of MGC.
3. China: Not a member of MGC.
4. Myanmar: Is a member of MGC.
5. Thailand: Is a member of MGC.
The question asks which is/are *not* a participant/participants. Therefore, Bangladesh (1) and China (3) are not participants.
The MGC was launched in 2000 at Vientiane, Laos. It is named after the two major rivers in the region, the Mekong and the Ganga (Ganges), symbolising the historical and cultural linkages between India and the countries of Southeast Asia.
Page 1Page 2Page 3Page 4Page 5