Current affairs - recent national and international events - Question Bank
1. In 2023, the world celebrated the first International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. Which UN agency spearheaded this initiative?
2. The 'Digital India' initiative, a major government program, aims to improve online infrastructure and digital literacy across the country. Which country is implementing this initiative?
3. Which country's President, Yoon Suk Yeol, hosted the first-ever India-US-Japan trilateral summit in May 2023?
4. The conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh escalated in 2023, involving Azerbaijan and which other country?
5. Which major international treaty, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, continued to be a central point of discussion in climate negotiations in 2023?
6. The SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organisation) summit in 2023 was hosted by which country?
7. Which nation's capital, Islamabad, was the focus of international attention regarding its economic stability and political situation in 2023?
8. The global economy in 2023 faced challenges including high inflation and rising interest rates. Which international financial institution plays a key role in monitoring and advising on global economic stability?
9. The launch of India's Aditya-L1 mission in September 2023 was aimed at studying which celestial body?
10. Which country experienced significant political turmoil in early 2023, leading to protests against judicial reforms proposed by the government?
11. The G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 saw the inclusion of which new permanent member, signaling a shift in global representation?
12. What international body issued a report in 2023 highlighting the urgent need for climate action and warning of irreversible damage if global warming exceeds 1.5 degrees Celsius?
13. The 'New Development Bank' (NDB), established by BRICS nations, aims to finance infrastructure and sustainable development projects. Which country is the current president of the NDB?
14. Which country hosted the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup, marking a significant milestone for women's sports?
15. The ongoing conflict in Sudan in 2023 has led to a humanitarian crisis. The fighting is primarily between which two factions?
16. In 2023, the world witnessed a significant surge in AI development, particularly with the release of advanced language models. Which tech company is behind the popular AI chatbot 'ChatGPT'?
17. The G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023 focused on several key global issues. Which country is the current host of the G7 presidency?
18. Which nation successfully conducted its first-ever crewed space mission in 2023, becoming the third country to achieve this feat independently?
19. The ongoing drought in the Horn of Africa has led to a severe food crisis. Which countries are most affected by this crisis?
20. Which country, a major oil producer, hosted the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC in late 2023?
21. The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued an arrest warrant in March 2023 for the leader of which country in connection with alleged war crimes in Ukraine?
22. Which nation's leader, Emmanuel Macron, visited India in January 2023 as the chief guest for the Republic Day parade?
23. The 'AUKUS' security pact, involving Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, aims to enhance defense capabilities in which region?
24. Which country experienced widespread protests in 2022 and 2023 related to its strict 'zero-COVID' policy, which was later lifted?
25. The first G20 Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) conference was held in India in 2023. What is the primary aim of the SDG agenda?
26. What major global health organization declared the end of the COVID-19 pandemic as a global health emergency in May 2023?
27. The BRICS group of emerging economies held its summit in 2023. Which country was the host?
28. Which nation rejoined the UN Human Rights Council in 2023 after a hiatus?
29. The conflict between Israel and Hamas escalated significantly in late 2023. In which region is the Gaza Strip located?
30. Which country's space agency launched the James Webb Space Telescope in December 2021, revolutionizing astronomical observation?
31. The Nobel Peace Prize 2023 was awarded to which activist for her work on women's rights in Iran?
32. The Sahel region in Africa has been facing significant security challenges. Which country in this region experienced a military coup in 2023?
33. Which major international event, postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, was held in Tokyo, Japan, in the summer of 2021?
34. India celebrated its 77th Independence Day in August 2023. Who is the current Prime Minister of India?
35. The devastating earthquake that struck Turkey and Syria in February 2023 caused widespread destruction and loss of life. What was the magnitude of the initial earthquake?
36. Which country's first female Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, resigned shortly after taking office in late 2021, but was re-elected shortly after?
37. The 'Quad' grouping, comprising India, Japan, Australia, and the United States, held several high-level meetings in 2023 to discuss regional security and economic cooperation. What does 'Quad' stand for in this context?
38. Which nation's capital, Kyiv, was a focal point of intense fighting and international attention in 2022 and 2023?
39. The G7 Summit in 2023 was hosted by which country?
40. Which country became the world's most populous nation in 2023, surpassing China?
41. What significant event occurred in Sri Lanka in July 2022, leading to widespread protests and the resignation of its President?
42. The European Union imposed significant sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine. Which country is the primary target of these sanctions?
43. India's Chandrayaan-3 mission successfully landed near the south pole of the Moon in August 2023. What was the name of the lander module?
44. Which major international sporting event took place in Qatar in late 2022?
45. The COP27 climate summit was held in which Egyptian city in November 2022?
46. Which African nation experienced a significant political transition in 2023 with the election of its first female vice president?
47. Who was appointed as the new Secretary-General of the United Nations in 2022?
48. The 'Operation Ganga' was launched by India to evacuate its citizens from which war-torn European country in early 2022?
49. Which country hosted the 2023 G20 Summit where leaders discussed global economic cooperation and sustainable development?