The Current Affairs questions are designed to aid students in their preparation journey. These questions serve as an invaluable resource for improving their understanding of the latest developments across diverse subjects, ensuring they’re well-equipped to handle the examination. The top 100 Current Affairs questions cover a wide spectrum of topics, which are thought-provoking, and encourage critical thinking and analytical skills, which are essential as per the demand of the UPSC CSE Examination. The questions would serve as an opportunity to engage with relevant issues and enhance the grip over current affairs, which would pave the way for a confident and informed approach towards the examination.

UPSC Current Affairs Questions Asked

Download the latest Current Affairs 2024 questions and answers PDF from the link provided below. It contains the recent questions as well as the previous year questions on current affairs in the UPSC Prelims and Mains exams.

UPSC Current Affairs Questions PYQs

Question 1: The term “Levant” often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which of the following regions? (UPSC 2022)

• Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores
• Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
• Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
• The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea

Answer: (a)

Question 2: Consider the following:

1. Aarogya Setu
2. CoWIN
3. DigiLocker
4. DIKSHA

Which of the above are built on top of open-source digital platforms? (UPSC 2022)

• 1 and 2 only
• 2, 3 and 4 only
• 1, 3 and 4 only
• 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (d)

Question 3: Which one of the following is the context in which the term “qubit” is mentioned? (UPSC 2022)

• Cloud Services
• Quantum Computing
• Visible Light Communication Technologies
• Wireless Communication Technologies

Answer: (b)

Question 4: With reference to the “G20 Common Framework”, consider the following statements : (UPSC 2022)

1. It is an initiative endorsed by the G20 together with the Paris Club.
2. It is an initiative to support Low Income Countries with unsustainable debt.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 2 only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c)

Question 5: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world, in recent years.
2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party political system.
3. Vietnam’s economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and focus on exports.
4. For a long time Vietnam’s low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted global manufacturers.
5. Vietnam has the most productive e-service sector in the Indo-Pacific region.

Which of the statements given above is correct? 

• 2 and 4
• 3 and 5
• 1, 3 and 4
• 1 and 2

Answer: (c)

Question 6: Gandikota Canyon of South India was created by which one of the following rivers? (UPSC 2022)

1. Cauvery
2. Manjira
3. Pennar
4. Tungabhadra

Answer: (c)

Question 7: Consider the following countries: (UPSC 2022)

1. Azerbaijan
2. Kyrgyzstan
3. Tajikistan
4. Turkmenistan
5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above have borders with Afghanistan?

• 1, 2 and 5 only
• 1, 2, 3 and 4 only
• 3, 4 and 5 only
• 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (c)

Question 8: With reference to the funds under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS), which of the following statements is correct? (UPSC 2020)

1. MPLADS funds must be used to create durable assets like physical infrastructure for health, education, etc.
2. A specified portion of each MP’s fund must benefit SC/ST populations.
3. MPLADS funds are sanctioned on a yearly basis, and the unused funds cannot be carried forward to the next year.
4. The district authority must inspect at least 10% of all works under implementation every year.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• 1 and 2 only
• 3 and 4 only
• 1, 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 4 only

Answer: (d)

Question 9: With reference to Web 3.0, consider the following statement: (UPSC 2022)

1. Web 3.0 technology enables people to control their own data.
2. In the Web 3.0 world, there can be blockchain based social networks.
3. Web 3.0 is operated by users collectively rather than a corporation.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Question 10: Consider the following statements:  (UPSC 2022)

1. Tight monetary policy of the US Federal Reserve could lead to capital flight.
2. Capital flight may increase the interest cost of firms with existing External Commercial Borrowings (ECBs).
3. Devaluation of domestic currency decreases the currency risk associated with ECBs.

Which of the statements given above is correct? 

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Question 11: Consider the following pairs: Wetland/Lake Locations (UPSC 2022)

1. Hokera Wetland Punjab
2. Renuka Wetland Himachal Pradesh
3. Rudrasagar Lake Tripura
4. Sasthamkotta Lake Tamil Nadu

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

• Only one pair
• Only two pairs
• Only three pairs
• All four pairs

Answer: (b)

Question 12: Consider the following statement: (UPSC 2022)

1. “The Climate Group” is an international no-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them. 
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition.”

Which of the statements given above is correct? 

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (b)

Question 13: Consider the following statements:  (UPSC 2019)

1. The Parliament (Prevention of Disqualification) Act, 1959 exempts several posts from disqualification on the grounds of ‘Office of Profit’.
2. The above-mentioned Act was amended five times.
3. The term ‘Office of Profit’ is well defined in the Constitution of India.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

1. 1 and 2 only 
2. 3 only
3. 2 and 3 only 
4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Question 14: Which one of the following statements best reflects the idea behind the “Fractional Orbital Bombardment System” often talked about in the media? (UPSC 2022)

1. A hypersonic missile is launched into space to counter the asteroid approaching the Earth and explode it in space.
2. A spacecraft lands on another planet after making several orbital motions.
3. A missile is put into stable orbit around the Earth and deorbits over a target on the Earth.
4. A spacecraft moves along a comet with the same speed and places a probe on its surface.

Answer: (c)

Question 15: Consider the following statements : (UPSC 2021)

The effect of devaluation of a currency is that it necessarily

1. improves the competitiveness of the domestic exports in the foreign markets
2. increases the foreign value of domestic currency
3. improves the trade balance

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

• 1 only
• 1 and 2
• 3 only
• 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Question 16: “Biorock technology” is talked about in which one of the following situations? (UPSC 2022)

1. Restoration of damaged coral reefs
2. Development of building materials using plant residues
3. Identification of areas for exploration/extraction of shale gas
4. Providing salt licks for wild animals in forest/protected areas

Answer: (a)

Question 17: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

1. Bidibidi is a large refugee settlement in north-western Kenya.
2. Some people who fled from South Sudan civil war live in Bidibidi.
3. Some people who fled from civil war in Somalia live in Dadaab refugee complex in Kenya.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1. 1 and 2
2. 2 only
3. 2 and 3
4. 3 only

Answer: (c)

Question 18: Consider the following statements: (UPSC 2018)

1. In the first Lok Sabha, the single largest party in the opposition was the Swatantra Party.
2. In the Lok Sabha, a “Leader of the Opposition” was recognized for the first time in 1969.
3. In the Lok Sabha, if a party does not have a minimum of 75 members, its leader cannot be recognized as the Leader of the Opposition.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

• 1 and 3 only 
• 2 only 
• 2 and 3 only 
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Question 19: Consider the following communication technologies: (UPSC 2022)

1. Closed-circuit Television
2. Radio Frequency Identification
3. Wireless Local Area Network

Which of the above are considered Short-Range devices/ Technologies? 

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)

Question 20: If another global financial crisis happens in the near future, which of the following actions/profiles are most likely to give some immunity to India? (UPSC 2020)

1. Not depending on short-term foreign borrowings
2. Opening up to more foreign banks
3. Maintaining full capital account convertibility

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

• 1 only 
• 1 and 2 only
• 3 only 
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (a)

Question 21: The “Miyawaki method’ is well known for the:  (UPSC 2022)

• Promotion of commercial farming in arid and semi-arid areas
• Development of gardens using genetically modified flora
• Creation of mini forests in urban areas
• Harvesting wind energy on coastal area and on sea surfaces.

Answer: (c)

Question 22: Which one of the following best describes the term “greenwashing”?  (UPSC 2022)

• Conveying a false impression that a company’s products are eco-friendly and environmentally sound
• Non-inclusion of ecological/ environmental costs in the Annual Financial Statements of a country
• Ignoring the disastrous ecological consequences while undertaking infrastructure development
• Making mandatory provisions for environmental costs in a government project/programme.

Answer: (a)

Question 23: Consider the following countries: (UPSC 2022)

1. Armenia
2. Azerbaijan
3. Croatia
4. Romania
5. Uzbekistan

Which of the above are members of the Organization of Turkic States?

• 1, 2 and 4
• 1 and 3
• 2 and 5
• 3, 4 and 5

Answer: (c)

Question 24: Consider the following pairs : (UPSC 2022)

Country Important reason for being in the news recently

1. Chad – Setting up of permanent military base by China
2. Guinea – Suspension of Constitution and Government by military
3. Lebanon – Severe and prolonged economic depression
4. Tunisia – Suspension of Parliament by President

How many pairs given above are correctly matched?

• Only one pair
• Only two pairs
• Only three pairs
• All four pairs

Answer: (c)

Question 25: Consider the following pairs: (UPSC 2022)

Region often Country mentioned in the news

1. Anatolia – Turkey
2. Amhara – Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado – Spain
4. Catalonia – Italy

How many pairs given above are ‘correctly matched’?

• Only one pair
• Only two pairs
• Only three pairs
• All four pairs

Answer: (b)

Question 26: Regarding Money Bill, which of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC 2018)

• A bill shall be deemed to be a Money Bill if it contains only provisions relating to imposition, abolition, remission, alteration or regulation of any tax.
• A Money Bill has provisions for the custody of the Consolidated Fund of India or the Contingency Fund of India.
• A Money Bill is concerned with the appropriation of money out of the Contingency Fund of India.
• A Money Bill deals with the regulation of borrowing money or giving of any guarantee by the Government of India.

Answer: (c)

Question 27: With reference to the Parliament of India, consider the following statements:  (UPSC 2017)

1. A private member’s bill is a bill presented by a Member of Parliament who is not elected but only nominated by the President of India.
2. Recently, a private member’s bill has been passed in the Parliament of India for the first time in its history.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

• 1 only 
• 2 only
• Both 1 and 2
• Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (d)

Question 28: Consider the following statements in respect of probiotics:  (UPSC 2022)

1. Probiotics are made of both bacteria and yeast.
2. The organisms in probiotics are found in foods we ingest but they do not naturally occur in our gut.
3. Probiotics help in the digestion of milk sugars.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

• 1 only
• 2 only
• 1 and 3
• 2 and 3

Answer: (c)

Question 29: In the context of vaccines manufactured to prevent COVID-19 pandemic, consider the following statements:  (UPSC 2022)

1. The Serum Institute of India produced COVID-19 vaccine named Covisheild using mRNA platform.
2. Sputnik V vaccine is manufactured using a vector based platform.
3. COVAXIN is an inactivated pathogen based vaccine.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

• 1 and 2 only
• 2 and 3 only
• 1 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (b)

Question 30: With reference to India, consider the following statements: (UPSC 2022)

1. Monazite is a source of rare earths.
2. Monazite contains thorium.
3. Monazite occurs naturally in the entire Indian coastal sands in India.
4. In India, Government bodies only can process or export monazite.

Which of the statements given above are correct? 

• 1, 2 and 3 only
• 1, 2 and 4 only
• 3 and 4 only
• 1, 2, 3 and 4

Answer: (b)

Current Affairs Questions UPSC Mains (PYQs)

Question 1: Discuss the main objectives of Population Education and point out the measures to achieve them in India in detail. (UPSC 2021)

Question 2: Mention the global occurrence of volcanic eruptions in 2021 and their impact on the regional environment. (UPSC 2021)

Question 3: How have the recommendations of the 14th France Commission of India enabled the States to improve their fiscal position? (UPSC 2021)

Question 4: “ ‘Earn while you learn’ scheme needs to be strengthened to make vocational education and skill training meaningful”. Comment. (UPSC 2021)

Question 5: How is the Government of India protecting traditional knowledge of medicine from patenting by pharmaceutical companies? (UPSC 2019)

Question 6: “The USA is facing an existential threat in the form of China, that is much more challenging than the erstwhile Soviet “If the last few decades were of Asia’s growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa’s.” In light of this statement, examine India’s influence in Africa in recent years. (UPSC 2021)

Question 7: How and to what extent would micro-irrigation help in solving India’s water crisis? (UPSC 2021)

Question 8: Explain the purpose of the Green Grid Initiative launched at the World Leaders Summit of the COP26 UN Climate Change Conference in Glasgow in November 2021. When was this idea first floated in the International Solar Alliance (ISA)? (UPSC 2021)

Question 9: “What introduces friction into the ties between India and the United States is that Washington is still unable to find for India a position in its global strategy, which would satisfy India’s National self-esteem and ambitions” Explain with suitable examples. (UPSC 2019)

Question 10: How is S-400 air defence system technically superior to any other system presently available in the world? (UPSC 2021)

Assessing the Weightage of Current Affairs

The weightage given to current affairs varies from year to year. It is essential to stay updated and understand the trends in question patterns. A table below summarizes the typical weightage:

Trends in Current Affairs Questions

The trend shows that questions on current affairs have varied widely over the years. For instance, in 2016, there were as many as 27 questions related to current affairs, while in 2013, there were none. This fluctuation indicates that candidates must be prepared for a broad range of topics.

Weightage of Topics

The weightage of topics can vary each year. Below is a table showing the average number of questions from key subjects over the last five years:

Types of current affairs questions in UPSC Prelims:

• Direct factual questions:

Asking about a recent event, key players involved, or a specific policy detail.

• Matching exercises:

Matching current events with relevant organizations, agreements, or locations.

• Statement-based questions:

Asking to identify correct or incorrect statements related to a current issue.

• Analysis and interpretation questions:

Asking about the implications or significance of a recent development.

• Current events linked to static syllabus topics:

Integrating recent news with concepts from other subjects like geography, polity, or economy. 

Top Current Affairs Topics for 2024:

International Relations:

1. US-China trade tensions and geopolitical dynamics
2. Ukraine conflict and its global impact
3. Middle East peace process and regional instability
4. India’s role in regional and global organizations

Economy and Development:

1. Global recession and its impact on developing economies
2. Cryptocurrency regulations and adoption
3. Sustainable development goals and progress reports
4. India’s economic reforms and initiatives

Environment and Climate Change:

1. COP meetings and climate change agreements
2. Renewable energy advancements and adoption
3. Extreme weather events and disaster management
4. Biodiversity conservation and endangered species

Technology and Innovation:

1. Artificial intelligence and its applications
2. Cyber security threats and measures
3. Space exploration and satellite technology
4. Quantum computing developments

Indian Polity and Governance:

1. Recent amendments to the Indian Constitution
2. Election reforms and electoral process
3. Issues related to federalism and center-state relations
4. Government schemes and initiatives for social welfare

Social Issues:

1. Public health concerns and pandemics
2. Migration and refugee crises
3. Gender equality and women’s empowerment
4. Caste-based discrimination and affirmative action

Why is Solving the Latest Current Affairs Questions Important?

In preparation for the UPSC Civil Services Examination, staying informed about current affairs and the associated questions is of utmost importance.

• For comprehensive analysis: It helps in maintaining a current understanding of global occurrences, governmental strategies, social and economic issues and related data that constitute a foundation of the exam’s syllabus.
• It imbibes critical thinking and analytical skills, makes aspirants understand the concept better and improves one’s ability to relate one part of the syllabus to another and make the answers comprehensive to fetch good scores in the examination.

How to Prepare Current Affairs Questions for UPSC?

Preparing the current affairs is vital for the UPSC examination and the most important source will always be the Newspapers (any standard newspaper which you find handy and easy to comprehend).

• In the newspapers, one should focus on the editorials and opinions to get in-depth knowledge or to understand the background of the topic.
• Apart from newspapers, one can follow the content provided in the magazines like Yojana and Kurukshetra. These magazines are considered authentic as they are published by the government, so relevant data can be used in the answers.
• Try to make short notes out of these sources, revise them and try to inculcate them in your answers.