Current Affairs — UPSC Civil Services Prelims Previous Year Questions

All 104 UPSC Civil Services Prelims Current Affairs questions asked across 11 exam years, each with the correct answer, a detailed explanation and the source it was drawn from.

Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2026

Q1Current Affairs2026

Which of the following international conventions have not been ratified by India?

1. Employment Policy Convention
2. Abolition of Forced Labour Convention
3. International Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of Their Families
4. Geneva Convention Relative to the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War
5. Convention on Reduction of Statelessness

Select the answer using the code given below:

Q2Current Affairs2026

The Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany visited India in January, 2026. Which of the following is/are not correct in terms of outcomes of this visit ?

1. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the All India Institute of Ayurveda and the University of Hamburg
2. Signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on Youth Hockey Development between Hockey India and the German Hockey Federation
3. Establishment of a bilateral dialogue mechanism on the Indo-Pacific
4. Opening of an Honorary Consul of Germany in Lucknow

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q3Current Affairs2026

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (UN Peacekeeping Operation) List II (Period of Operation)
A. UNMIL 1. 2007 - 2010
B. MINURCAT 2. 2002 - 2005
C. MINUSTAH 3. 2003 - 2018
D. UNMISET 4. 2004 - 2017
Q4Current Affairs2026

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (INTERPOL Notice) List II (Description)
A. Silver Notice 1. To seek information on unidentified bodies
B. Blue Notice 2. To collect additional information about a person's identity, location, or activities in relation to a criminal investigation
C. Black Notice 3. To provide warning about a person's criminal activities, where the person is considered to be a possible threat to public safety
D. Green Notice 4. To identify and trace criminal assets
Q5Current Affairs2026

Consider the following statements with respect to the AI Impact Summit, 2026 held in New Delhi :

1. The Summit's intellectual framework was based on three foundational Sutras : People, Planning, and Progress.
2. The Preamble of the Summit stresses Democratising AI Resources, which acknowledges the Charter for Democratic Diffusion of AI as a binding framework to support locally relevant innovation and strengthen resilient AI ecosystems while respecting national laws.
3. The New Delhi Declaration on AI Impact was structured around seven Chakras (Pillars), which included Access for Social Empowerment, AI for Science, and Secure and Trusted AI.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q6Current Affairs2026

Consider the following statements about platforms for multilateral co-operation :

1. The 'Colombo Process' is a regional consultative process in which member states take binding decisions by consensus.
2. The 'Abu Dhabi Dialogue' is a voluntary non-binding consultative process among Asian countries of labour origin and destination to facilitate regional cooperation on contractual labour mobility.
3. The 'Global Forum for Migration and Development', created upon the proposal of a former UN Secretary General, is a voluntary forum whose decisions are non-binding in nature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q7Current Affairs2026

Consider the following statements with regard to the film 'Boong':

1. The film has recently won the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Award in the Children's and Family Film category.
2. The film is directed by Lakshmipriya Devi.
3. This is the first Indian film to win a BAFTA award in the Children's and Family Film category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q8Current Affairs2026

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (BIMSTEC Centre/Establishment) List II (Location)
A. BIMSTEC Cultural Industries Observatory 1. NOIDA
B. BIMSTEC Energy Centre 2. Bengaluru
C. BIMSTEC Centre for Weather and Climate 3. Colombo
D. BIMSTEC Technology Transfer Facility 4. Thimphu
Q9Current Affairs2026

Which among the following is/are the objective(s) of the Rainfed Area Development (RAD) initiative under the National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)?

1. Encouraging monoculture in rainfed areas
2. Increasing rice cultivation in irrigated regions
3. Enhancing productivity and minimising climatic risks through Integrated Farming Systems (IFS)

Select the answer using the code given below:

Q10Current Affairs2026

Match List I with List II and select the answer using the code given below the Lists :

List I (Project Supported by India) List II (Country)
A. Mangdechhu Hydroelectric Project 1. Maldives
B. Restoration of Stor Palace 2. Afghanistan
C. District Hospital at Dickoya 3. Bhutan
D. Institute of Security and Law Enforcement Studies 4. Sri Lanka
Q11Current Affairs2026

At the United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC) held in June, 2025 in France, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) of the United Nations demonstrated its leading voice on marine and ocean issues, especially on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture for resilient livelihood and "Blue Transformation".

Which of the following combinations about the "Four Betters" proposed by FAO for "Blue Transformation" is correct ?

Q12Current Affairs2026

Which one of the following pairs is not correctly matched ?

(Indian Army Corps) : (Headquarters)

Q13Current Affairs2026

X', born in the UK, was conferred the Nobel Prize in 2025. He was a professor in an American university when this prize was announced. Identify 'X' :

Q14Current Affairs2026

Which of the following countries are members of the European Union ?

1. Belarus
2. Poland
3. Germany
4. Switzerland

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q15Current Affairs2026

Which of the following statements with regard to the Grand Slam Tennis Tournaments is/are correct?

1. The tournaments have a shared governance structure establishing the partnership among the four Grand Slam tournaments.
2. They are open for entry to all internationally ranked tennis players above the age of 14.
3. There is a limitation on the number of 'Wild Cards' a player may receive to compete in a Grand Slam Tournament.

Select the answer using the code given below:

Q16Current Affairs2026

Which of the following connectivity projects is/are a part of cooperation between India and the ASEAN member countries ?

1. Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project
2. IMT Trilateral Highway
3. Agartala-Akhaura Rail Line

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q17Current Affairs2026

Consider the following UN organisations/agencies :

1. World Food Programme
2. United Nations Children's Fund
3. United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
4. International Labour Organisation

How many of the above has/have been awarded the Nobel Prize twice ?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2025

Q18Current Affairs2025

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?

Q19Current Affairs2025

Consider the following countries:

I. Austria
II. Bulgaria
III. Croatia
IV. Serbia
V. Sweden
VI. North Macedonia

How many of the above are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization?

Q20Current Affairs2025

Consider the following statements in respect of the Kho Kho World Cup:

I. The event was held in Delhi, India.
II. Indian men beat Nepal with a score of 78–40 in the final to become the World Champion in men category.
III. Indian women beat Nepal with a score of 54–36 in the final to become the World Champion in women category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q21Current Affairs2025

Consider the following statements:

I. In the finals of the 45th Chess Olympiad held in 2024, Gukesh Dommaraju became the world's youngest winner after defeating the Russian player Ian Nepomniachtchi.
II. Abhimanyu Mishra, an American chess player, holds the record of becoming world's youngest ever Grandmaster.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q22Current Affairs2025

Who amongst the following are members of the Jury to select the recipient of 'Gandhi Peace Prize'?

I. The President of India
II. The Prime Minister of India
III. The Chief Justice of India
IV. The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Q23Current Affairs2025

Consider the following statements in respect of BIMSTEC:

I. It is a regional organization consisting of seven member States till January 2025.
II. It came into existence with the signing of the Dhaka Declaration, 1999.
III. Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Nepal are founding member States of BIMSTEC.
IV. In BIMSTEC, the subsector of tourism is being led by India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q24Current Affairs2025

With reference to India, consider the following pairs:

Organization Union Ministry
I. The National Automotive Board Ministry of Commerce and Industry
II. The Coir Board Ministry of Heavy Industries
III. The National Centre for Trade Information Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Q25Current Affairs2025

Consider the following statements with regard to BRICS:

I. 16th BRICS Summit was held under the Chairship of Russia in Kazan.
II. Indonesia has become a full member of BRICS.
III. The theme of the 16th BRICS Summit was Strengthening Multiculturalism for Just Global Development and Security.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q26Current Affairs2025

Consider the following statements about 'PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana':

I. It targets installation of one crore solar rooftop panels in the residential sector.
II. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy aims to impart training on installation, operation, maintenance and repairs of solar rooftop systems at grassroot levels.
III. It aims to create more than three lakhs skilled manpower through fresh skilling, and up-skilling, under scheme component of capacity building.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2024

Q27Current Affairs2024

87. Consider the following pairs :

Country | Reason for being in the news

1. |Argentina | Worst economic crisis
2. |Sudan | War between the country's regular army and paramilitary forces
3. | Turkey | Rescinded its membership of NATO

How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Q28Current Affairs2024

91. Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : There is instability and worsening security situation in the Sahel region.
Statement-II : There have been military takeovers/coups d'état in several countries of the Sahel region in the recent past.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

Q29Current Affairs2024

99. With reference to the ‘Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyan', consider the following statements :

1. This scheme guarantees a minimum package of antenatal care services to women in their second and _ third trimesters of pregnancy and six months post-delivery health care service in any government health facility.
2. Under this scheme, private sector health care providers of certain specialities can volunteer to provide services at nearby government health facilities.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q30Current Affairs2024

97. Consider the following statements :

Statement-I : Recently, Venezuela has achieved a rapid recovery from its economic crisis and succeeded in preventing its people from fleeing/emigrating to other countries.
Statement-II : Venezuela has the world's largest oil reserves.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements ?

Q31Current Affairs2024

24. Consider the following statements regarding World Toilet Organization :

i It is one of the agencies of the United Nations.
2. World Toilet Summit, World Toilet Day and World Toilet College are the initiatives of this organization, to inspire action to tackle the global sanitation crisis.
3. The main focus of its function is to grant funds to the least developed countries and developing countries to achieve the end of open defecation.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?

Q32Current Affairs2024

78. Operations undertaken by the Army towards upliftment of the local population in remote areas to include addressing of their basic needs is called :

Q33Current Affairs2024

82. Which of the following statements about ‘Exercise Mitra Shakti-2023' are correct ?

1. This was a joint military exercise between India and Bangladesh.
2. It commenced in Aundh (Pune).
3. Joint response during counter-terrorism operations was a goal of this operation.
4. Indian Air Force was a part of this exercise.

Select the answer using the code given below :

Q34Current Affairs2024

69. Which of the following is/are correctly matched in terms of equivalent rank in the three services of Indian Defence forces ?

Army | Airforce | Navy
1. |Brigadier | Air Commander | Commodore
2. | Major General | Air Vice Marshal | Vice Admiral
3. | Major | Squadron Leader | Lieutenant Commander
4. | Lieutenant Colonel| Group Captain | Captain

Select the correct answer using the code given below :

Q35Current Affairs2024

86. Who of the following is the author of the books "The India Way" and "Why Bharat Matters" ?

Q36Current Affairs2024

98. With reference to the Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme, consider the following statements :

1. To implement the scheme, the Central Government provides 100% funding.
2. Under the Scheme, Cadastral Maps are digitised.
3. An initiative has been undertaken to transliterate the Records of Rights from local language to any of the languages recognized by the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above are correct ?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2023

Q37Current Affairs2023

55. Consider the following pairs with regard to sports awards:

1. Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
For the most spectacular and outstanding  performance by a sportsperson over period of last four years

2. Arjuna Award
For the lifetime achievement by a sportsperson

3. Dronacharya Award
To honor eminent coaches who have successfully trained sportspersons or teams.

4. Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar
To recognize the contribution made by sportspersons even after their retirement
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Q38Current Affairs2023

67. Consider the following statements: 
Statement-I:Recently, the United States of America (USA) and the European Union (EU) have launched the Technology Council'.
Statement-II:The USA and the EU claim that through this they are trying to bring technological progress and physical productivity under their control.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q39Current Affairs2023

53. Consider the following pairs:
Regions often mentioned in the news
Reason for being in the news

1. North Kivu and Ituri
War between Armenia and Azerbaijan

2. Nagorno-Karabakh
Insurgency in Mozambique

3. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia
Dispute between Israel and Lebanon
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Q40Current Affairs2023

57. Consider the following pairs:
Area of conflict mentioned in news
Country where it is located

1. Donbas
Syria

2. Kachin
Ethiopia

3. Tigray
North Yemen
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

Q41Current Affairs2023

81. Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana

1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments.

2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.

3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to nick infants up to one year of age.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q42Current Affairs2023

54. Consider the following statements: 
Statement-1:Israel has established diplomatic relations with some Arab States. 
Statement-II: The ‘Arab Peace Initiative' mediated by Saudi Arabia was signed by Israel and Arab League. 
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q43Current Affairs2023

56. Consider the following statements in respect of the 44th Chess Olympiad, 2022:

1. It was the first time that Chess Olympiad was held in India.

2. The official mascot was named Thambi'.

3. The trophy for the winning team in the open section is the Vera Menchik Cup.

4. The trophy for the winning team in the women's section is the Hamilton-Russell Cup.
How many of the statements given above are correct?

Q44Current Affairs2023

58. In recent years Chad, Guinea, Mali, and Sudan caught international attention for which one of the following reasons common to all of them?

Q45Current Affairs2023

60. Consider the following statements about G-20: 
1. The G-20 group was originally established as a platform for the Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors to discuss the international economic and financial issues. 2. Digital public infrastructure is one of India's G-20 priorities.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

Q46Current Affairs2023

70. 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 pal Ex 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.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q47Current Affairs2023

82. Consider the following statements in the context of interventions being undertaken under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy:

1. It provides prophylactic calcium supplementation for preschool children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.

3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.

4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anemia in endemic pockets with a special focus on malaria, hemoglobinopathies, and fluorosis.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q48Current Affairs2023

98. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in the news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

Q49Current Affairs2023

50. Consider the following infrastructure sectors:

1. Affordable housing2. Mass rapid transport3. Health care4. Renewable energy
On how many of the above does UNOPS Sustainable Investments in Infrastructure and Innovation (S3) initiative focus for its investments?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2022

Q50Current Affairs2022

66. Consider the following:1. Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank2. Missile Technology Control Regime3, Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
India is a member of which of the above?

Q51Current Affairs2022

88. Consider the following pairs:The region often mentioned in the news – Country
1. Anatolia – Turkey
2. Amhara – Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado – Spain
4. Catalonia – Italy
How Many pairs given above are correctly matched?

Q52Current Affairs2022

76. With reference to the "United Nations Credentials Committee", consider the following statements:
1. It is a committee set up by the UN Security Council and works under its supervision.
2. It traditionally meets in March, June, and September every year.
3. It assesses the credentials of all UN members before submitting a report to the General Assembly for approval.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q53Current Affairs2022

19. With reference to Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, consider the following statements :
1. Private and public hospitals must adopt it.
2. As it aims to achieve universal health coverage, every citizen of India should be part of it ultimately.
3. It has seamless portability across the country.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q54Current Affairs2022

78. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observer status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organizations can seek observer status in the UN General Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain missions at the UN headquarters.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q55Current Affairs2022

82. Consider the following statements:
1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from the South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from the civil war in Somalia live in the Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q56Current Affairs2022

86. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with the Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?

Q57Current Affairs2022

83. Consider the following countries:
1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan
Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

Q58Current Affairs2022

87. Consider the following pairs:Country  —  Important reason for being in the news recently1. Chad — Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea — Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon — Severe and prolonged economic depression4. Tunisia — Suspension of Parliament by President
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2021

Q59Current Affairs2021

Q49. 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?

Q60Current Affairs2021

Q90. 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?

Q61Current Affairs2021

Q48. 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 the maximum number of times compared to others.
Which of the above statements are correct?

Q62Current Affairs2021

Q50. 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 has ranked ahead of England because it won more matches than England.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2020

Q63Current Affairs2020

Q75. In which one of the following groups are all the four countries members of G20 ?

Q64Current Affairs2020

Q76. Under the Kisan Credit Card Scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes ?

1. Working capital for maintenance of farm assets

2. Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks

3. Consumption requirements of farm households

4. Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2019

Q65Current Affairs2019

Q53. The Global Competitiveness Report is published by the

Q66Current Affairs2019

Q29. Recently, India signed a deal known as ‘Action Plan for Prioritization and Implementation of Cooperation Areas in the Nuclear Field' with which of the following countries?

Q67Current Affairs2019

Q28. Which of the following adopted a law on data protection and privacy for its citizens known as ‘General Data Protection Regulation' in April 2016 and started implementation of it from 25th May 2018?

Q68Current Affairs2019

Q3
4. Consider the following statements:
1. The United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC) has a ‘Protocol against the Smuggling of Migrants by Land, Sea and Air'.
2. The UNCAC is the ever-first legally binding global anti-corruption instrument.
3. A highlight of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime (UNTOC) is the inclusion of a specific chapter aimed at returning assets to their rightful owners from whom they had been taken illicitly.
4. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) is mandated by its member States to assist in the implementation of both UNCAC and UNTOC.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q69Current Affairs2019

Q79. Atal Innovation Mission is set up under the

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2018

Q70Current Affairs2018

90. Consider the following pairs :
Regions sometimes mentioned in news - Country

  1. Catalonia 一 Spain
  2. Crimea - Hungary
  3. Mindanao- Philippines
  4. Oromia- Nigeria

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?

Q71Current Affairs2018

33. In the Indian context, what is the implication of ratifying the 'Additional Protocol with the International Atomic Energy Agency
(IAEA)'?

Q72Current Affairs2018

37. Consider the following pairs :
Towns sometimes Country mentioned in news

  1. Aleppo - Syria
  2. Kirkuk - Yemen
  3. Mosul - Palestine
  4. Mazar-i-sharif - Afghanistan
    Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched ?
Q73Current Affairs2018

14. "Rule of Law Index" is released by which of the following ?

Q74Current Affairs2018

34. Consider the following countries :

  1. Australia
  2. Canada
  3. China
  4. India
  5. Japan
  6. USA
    Which of the above are among the 'free-trade partners' of ASEAN?
Q75Current Affairs2018

36. Which of the following is/are the aim/aims of "Digital India" Plan of the Government of India ?

  1. Formation of India's own Internet companies like China did.
  2. Establish a policy framework to encourage overseas multinational corporations that collect Big Data to build their large data centres within our national geographical boundaries.
  3. Connect many of our villages to the Internet and bring Wi-Fi to many of our schools, public places and major tourist centres.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q76Current Affairs2018

18. Very recently, in which of the following 21. Consider the following statements :
countries have lakhs of people either suffered from severe famine/acute malnutrition or died due to starvation caused by war/ethnic conflicts?

Q77Current Affairs2018

24. The term "two-state solution" is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the
affairs of

Q78Current Affairs2018

7. What is/are the consequence/consequences of a country becoming the member of the
'Nuclear Suppliers Group'?

  1. It will have access to the latest and most efficient nuclear technologies.
  2. It automatically becomes a member of
    "The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT)".
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? -
Q79Current Affairs2018

30. International Labour Organization's Conventions 138 and 182 are related to

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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2017

Q80Current Affairs2017

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

Q81Current Affairs2017

89. What is the aim of the programme Unnat Bharat Abhiyan' ?

Q82Current Affairs2017

28. Consider the following statements :

  1. The Nuclear Security Summits are periodically held under the aegis of the United Nations.
  2. The International Panel on Fissile Materials is an organ of International Atomic Energy Agency.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q83Current Affairs2017

60. With reference to the role of UN-Habitat in the United Nations programme working towards a better urban future, which of the statements is/are correct ?

  1. UN-Habitat has been mandated by the United Nations General Assembly to promote socially and environmentally sustainable towns and cities to provide adequate shelter for all.
  2. Its partners are either governments or local urban authorities only.
  3. UN-Habitat contributes to the overall objective of the United Nations system to reduce poverty and to promote access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation.
    Select the correct answer using the code given below :
Q84Current Affairs2017

68. Consider the following in respect of Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) :
1. Inaugural IONS was held in India in 2015 under the chairmanship of the Indian Navy.
2. IONS is a voluntary initiative that seeks to increase maritime co-operation among navies of the littoral states of the Indian Ocean Region.
Which of the above statements is/are correct ?

Q85Current Affairs2017

18. The term 'Digital Single Market Strategy' seen in the news refers to

Q86Current Affairs2017

40. With reference to 'Asia Pacific Ministerial Conference on Housing and Urban Development (APMCHUD), consider the following statemerits :

  1. The first APMCHUD was held in India in 2006 on the theme 'Emerging Urban Forms - Policy Responses and
    Governance Structure'.
  2. India hosts all the Annual Ministerial Conferences in partnership with ADB, APEC and ASEAN.
    Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Q87Current Affairs2017

84. What is the importance of developing Chabahar Port by India ?

Q88Current Affairs2017

88. What is the purpose of 'Vidyanjali Yojana'?

  1. To enable the famous foreign educational institutions to open their campuses in India.
  2. To increase the quality of education provided in government schools by taking help from the private sector and the community.
  3. To encourage voluntary monetary contributions from private individuals and organizations so as to improve the infrastructure facilities for primary and secondary schools.
    Select the correct answer using the code. given below :
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Current Affairs questions from UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2016

Q89Current Affairs2016

77. Regarding 'DigiLocker', sometimes seen in the news, which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. It is a digital locker system offered by the Government under Digital India Programme.
  2. It allows you to access your e-documents irrespective of your physical location,
Q90Current Affairs2016

19. 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?

Q91Current Affairs2016

90. Which of the following is not a member of the 'Gulf Cooperation Council'?

Q92Current Affairs2016

13. The term ‘Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership' often appears in the news in the context of the affairs of a group of countries known as:

Q93Current Affairs2016

55. India's ranking in the 'Ease of Doing Business Index' is sometimes seen in the news. Which of the following has declared that ranking?

Q94Current Affairs2016

27. 'Rashtriya Garima Abhiyaan' is a national campaign to:

Q95Current Affairs2016

63. ‘Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières)', often in the news, is:

Q96Current Affairs2016

75. The 'European Stability Mechanism', sometimes seen in the news, is an:

Q97Current Affairs2016

83. ‘Mission Indradhanush' launched by the Government of India pertains to:

Q98Current Affairs2016

92. 'Belt and Road Initiative' is sometimes mentioned in the news in the context of the affairs of:

Q99Current Affairs2016

47. Consider the following pairs: Community sometimes in the affairs of mentioned in the news

  1. Kurd : Bangladesh
  2. Madhesi : Nepal
  3. Rohingya : Myanmar

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

Q100Current Affairs2016

52. With reference to pre-packaged items in India, it is mandatory for the manufacturer to put which of the following information on the main label, as per the Food Safety and Standards (Packaging and Labelling) Regulations, 2011?

  1. List of additives ingredients including
  2. Nutriton information
  3. Recommendations, if any, made by the medical profession about the possibility of any allergic reactions
  4. Vegeteranian/non-vegeteraian
Q101Current Affairs2016

28. ‘SWAYAM', an initiative of the Government of India, aims at

Q102Current Affairs2016

72. A recent movie titled "The Man Who Knew Infinity" is based on the biography of:

Q103Current Affairs2016

18. 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?

Q104Current Affairs2016

48. With reference to ‘Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW); consider the following statements:

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

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

View the full UPSC Civil Services Prelims 2016 paper →

How Current Affairs is asked in UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Current affairs is not a subject so much as the delivery mechanism for the rest of the paper. A question triggered by the news almost always resolves into polity, economy, environment or science — which is why aspirants who read the news without linking it to the static syllabus find their preparation does not convert into marks.

Government schemes and initiatives

Flagship schemes, their implementing ministries, eligibility and coverage, and the missions launched during the preparation year. Questions usually ask which ministry runs a scheme or who qualifies, not what it is called.

International relations and institutions

Multilateral bodies and India's membership status, bilateral agreements and summits, and the reports published by international organisations. Membership and headquarters questions recur reliably.

Reports, indices and awards

The global indices India is ranked on and the bodies that publish them, national statistical releases, and significant appointments and honours. These are the most predictable current affairs questions in the paper.

Current Affairs weightage in UPSC Civil Services Prelims, year by year

How many Current Affairs questions appeared in each UPSC Civil Services Civil ServicesPrelims question paper, and what share of the paper they made up. These are counts from the questions tagged on this site, not estimates.

Exam yearCurrent Affairs questionsShare of the paperFull paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20261717%View 2026 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 202599%View 2025 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20241010%View 2024 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20231313%View 2023 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 202299%View 2022 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 202144%View 2021 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 202022%View 2020 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 201955%View 2019 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20181010%View 2018 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 201799%View 2017 paper
UPSC Civil Services Prelims 20161616%View 2016 paper

How to prepare Current Affairs for UPSC Civil Services Prelims

Filter before you read, and note only what attaches to a syllabus topic. The twelve to eighteen months before the exam carry the most weight, so a compact set of notes revised repeatedly beats a broad set read once. Working through these previous year questions shows exactly how far past the headline UPSC Civil Services expects you to have gone.

Every question on this page carries the correct answer and a detailed explanation, so the set doubles as an answer key you can check against after an attempt. Previous year questions do not replace mock tests, but they are the only material that shows which topics UPSC Civil Services Civil Serviceshas actually rewarded — treat them as the backbone of your Prelims preparation rather than a revision exercise bolted on at the end. Remember that GS Paper I carries negative marking of one-third, so in CSE Prelims a wrong answer costs candidates more than a blank one: practise deciding when not to attempt, not only what to attempt. Browse the full set of UPSC Civil Services Prelims previous year question papers to work through other subjects the same way.

Current Affairs previous year questions — frequently asked questions

How far back should current affairs be covered for Prelims?

The twelve to eighteen months before the exam carry the most weight, with the final year mattering most. Older material still counts when it attaches to a long-running policy or an institution that keeps returning to the news.

Is reading a newspaper daily enough for Prelims current affairs?

Only if it is paired with notes and revision. Reading without recording and revisiting produces familiarity rather than recall, and Prelims tests recall under time pressure.

What kind of current affairs questions does UPSC Civil Services ask?

Almost never what happened. The exam asks which body has jurisdiction, which article or convention applies, or what the underlying concept is — the news is the trigger, and the static syllabus is the answer.

Other UPSC Civil Services Prelims subjects