International relations & current affairs

Prelims · International relations & current affairs · 20 questions

Persons, awards & miscellany

Every UPSC Prelims question on this topic, 2016–2026, newest first. Tap an option to check yourself; the answer and explanation open below it.

Asked in 7 of 11 years · most in 2021 (5)

UPSC syllabus: “Current events of national and international importance.” See the full syllabus →

Prelims 2025 · Q93

Medium

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.

Answer & explanation

Answer: (c) II, III and IV

The Gandhi Peace Prize Jury has five members: the Prime Minister (chair), the Chief Justice of India, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha and two eminent persons. The President of India is not on it.

✗ I The President of India is not named among the members of the Jury.
✓ II The Prime Minister of India is a member and chairs the Jury.
✓ III The Chief Justice of India is a member.
✓ IV The Leader of Opposition recognised as such in the Lok Sabha is a member; if there is no recognised Leader of Opposition, the leader of the single largest opposition party takes the seat.

Remember · Gandhi Peace Prize Jury: Prime Minister (chair), Chief Justice of India, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, plus two eminent persons.

Sources

Code of Procedure, Gandhi Peace Prize, Chapter VI (Selection), clause 2, Ministry of Culture, Government of India ↗ “The Jury shall comprise five members, i.e. the Prime Minister of India, who would chair the Jury; the Chief Justice of India; the Leader of Opposition recognized as such in the Lok Sabha”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2025 · Q99

Medium

Consider the following statements in respect of the first 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?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (a) I only

The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup was held in New Delhi in January 2025, and India won both the men's and the women's titles by beating Nepal in each final. Statements II and III swap the two scores.

✓ I The tournament was played in New Delhi, with the finals at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.
✗ II The Indian men beat Nepal 54-36 in the final. The score of 78-40 belongs to the women's final.
✗ III The Indian women beat Nepal 78-40 in the final. The score of 54-36 belongs to the men's final.

Remember · First Kho Kho World Cup, New Delhi, January 2025: India won both finals against Nepal, men 54-36 and women 78-40.

Sources

DD News (Prasar Bharati): Kho Kho World Cup, India clinches historic double victory in men's and women's titles ↗ “The inaugural Kho Kho World Cup in New Delhi ended on a historic note as India secured both the men’s and women’s titles in thrilling fashion. … the Indian women’s kho kho team claimed the 2025 title at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium on Sunday night, defeating Nepal 78-40. Meanwhile, the men’s team followed suit with a 54-36 victory over Nepal in their final.”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2025 · Q100

Medium

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?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) II only

Gukesh D did become the youngest World Chess Champion in December 2024, but by beating China's Ding Liren in the World Championship match, not in the Chess Olympiad and not against Ian Nepomniachtchi. Abhimanyu Mishra of the USA remains the youngest person ever to earn the Grandmaster title.

✗ I Gukesh's record came in the 2024 World Chess Championship, where he defeated China's Ding Liren at 18. The Olympiad is a team event with no such final, and his opponent was not Nepomniachtchi.
✓ II Abhimanyu Mishra (USA, born 5 February 2009) became a Grandmaster on 30 June 2021 at 12 years, 4 months and 25 days. FIDE, the International Chess Federation, confirms he is the youngest Grandmaster in history.

Remember · Gukesh D, at 18, is the youngest World Chess Champion (beat Ding Liren, December 2024). Youngest Grandmaster ever: Abhimanyu Mishra (USA, 2021, aged 12 years, 4 months, 25 days).

Sources

DD News (Prasar Bharati): Gukesh beats China's Ding Liren to become youngest-ever World Champion in chess history (12 December 2024) ↗ “India’s D. Gukesh etched his name in history by dethroning China’s Ding Liren to claim the 2024 World Chess Championship on Thursday, becoming the sport’s youngest-ever titleholder at 18 years old.”
International Chess Federation (FIDE): Abhimanyu Mishra is the youngest Grandmaster in history, 30 June 2021 ↗ · reference work “is the youngest Grandmaster (GM) in history, breaking the record formerly held by Russian GM Sergey Karjakin … At age 12 years, 4 months, and 25 days, Mishra earned his third and final norm”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2025, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Persons, awards & miscellany

Prelims 2025 · Q93

Prelims 2025 · Q99

Prelims 2025 · Q100

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