NDA World affairs, awards, sports and persons previous year questions with solutions

Answer: (a) France

Method. International Big Cat Alliance membership

Somalia, Sri Lanka and Saudi Arabia are on the IBCA member list; Saudi Arabia was welcomed as a member on 22 May 2026, before the sitting. France is neither a member nor an observer, so it is the non-member. Source: IBCA member list (ibca.world).

Answer: (b) India and Canada

Method. India-Canada uranium deal

On 2 March 2026, during PM Carney's visit, Cameco and India's Department of Atomic Energy signed a long-term uranium supply agreement valued at about C$2.6 billion. Source: Cameco release.

Answer: (a) Timor-Leste

Method. ASEAN 2025

Timor-Leste was admitted as the 11th ASEAN member at the 47th ASEAN Summit, 26 October 2025. Source: ASEAN Secretariat.

Answer: (b) Indonesia

Method. ASEAN-India event

The ASEAN-India Millet Festival 2023 (22-26 November 2023), organised by the Indian Mission to ASEAN, was held in Jakarta, Indonesia. Source: MEA/⁠Indian Mission to ASEAN.

Answer: (a) Nepal

Method. India's grant assistance, January 2024

India's small grant-funded bridges in the neighbourhood are built in Nepal under the Embassy of India's community development projects, whose revised MoU India and Nepal signed in January 2024; the 20-ft Bailey bridge agreement is taken to be with Nepal. Not confirmed from a dated official release.

Answer: (a) Myanmar

Method. Border policy, February 2024

In February 2024 the Government of India announced the scrapping of the Free Movement Regime on the India-Myanmar border and fencing of the border. Source: MHA statement, 8 February 2024.

Answer: (c) Nepal

Method. Hydropower project

The 480 MW Phukot Karnali Hydroelectric Project is in Kalikot district, Karnali Province, Nepal; its development was awarded to India's NHPC in 2023. Source: Investment Board Nepal/⁠NHPC.

Answer: (c) Ukraine

Method. News location, June 2023

The Nova Kakhovka dam on the Dnipro river, Kherson Oblast, Ukraine, was breached on 6 June 2023. Source: UN OCHA.

Answer: (c) Climate change

Method. UN COP-27

COP-27 (Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, Nov 2022) was the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change conference. Source: UNFCCC.

Answer: (c) Costa Rica

Method. UNCTAD Secretary-General

Rebeca Grynspan, former Vice-President of Costa Rica, became the first woman Secretary-General of UNCTAD (appointed 2021). Source: UN.

Answer: (a) Central African Republic

Method. Elections December 2020

Faustin-Archange Touadera won a second term as President of the Central African Republic in the 27 December 2020 elections. Source: official results.

Answer: (d) Myanmar

Method. Current events, early 2021

After the military coup of 1 February 2021, a one-year state of emergency was declared in Myanmar. Source: UN/⁠Myanmar military announcement.

Answer: (b) Ukraine International Airlines

Method. Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752

On 8 January 2020 Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 crashed after take-off from Tehran Imam Khomeini airport (176 killed), after being shot down by Iranian air defence. Source: ICAO/⁠Iranian reports.

Answer: (a) Singapore

Method. News location

Sentosa, an island resort of Singapore, hosted the Trump-Kim summit on 12 June 2018. Source: MEA/⁠news of the summit.

Answer: (b) Belt and Road Initiative

Method. India's stand on connectivity projects

At the SCO Qingdao summit (June 2018) India refused to endorse China's Belt and Road Initiative, because the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through Indian-claimed territory, violating sovereignty and territorial integrity. Source: MEA statements.

Answer: (c) Britain

Method. ICJ election, Nov 2017

In the November 2017 ICJ election to the last vacancy, Christopher Greenwood, the UK nominee, withdrew before the 12th round and Justice Dalveer Bhandari was re-elected. Greenwood was Britain's candidate. Source: UN General Assembly/⁠Security Council press releases.

Answer: (c) Afghanistan

Method. News event, April 2017

On 13 April 2017 the US dropped the GBU-43/⁠B MOAB on an ISIS-K tunnel complex in Achin district, Nangarhar province, Afghanistan. Source: US Department of Defense statement.

Answer: (d) Guwahati

Method. BRICS 2016 under India's chair

India chaired BRICS in 2016. The 2nd BRICS Youth Summit (1-3 July 2016) was held at Guwahati, Assam; the 1st was at Kazan, Russia (2015). Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs, BRICS 2016 programme.

Answer: (a) New Delhi

Method. Conference venue

The 3rd World Trauma Congress (17-20 August 2016) was hosted by AIIMS at New Delhi. Source: World Coalition for Trauma Care / AIIMS announcement.

Answer: (d) II and III

Method. Goldman Environmental Prize 2026

Statement I is false: the prize is annual. II: six winners, one from Asia (Borim Kim, South Korea): true. III: all six 2026 winners are women: true. Source: goldmanprize.org, 2026 press release (20 April 2026).

Answer: (a) Jimmy Carter

Method. Nobel Peace Prize

Jimmy Carter's 2002 Peace Prize citation: 'for his decades of untiring effort to find peaceful solutions to international conflicts, to advance democracy and human rights, and to promote economic and social development'. Wilson (1919), Obama (2009) and Gore (2007, climate) have different citations. Source: Nobel Foundation.

Answer: (b) Benjamin List

Method. Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2022

2022 Chemistry Nobel: Carolyn Bertozzi, Morten Meldal and K. Barry Sharpless (click chemistry). Benjamin List shared the 2021 prize (with David MacMillan). So List is the one who is not a 2022 recipient. Source: Nobel Foundation.

Answer: (d) It is the highest civilian award of the United States of America.

Method. US Legion of Merit

The Legion of Merit is a US military decoration, awarded to PM Modi (Chief Commander, Dec 2020) and PM Scott Morrison. The highest civilian award of the US is the Presidential Medal of Freedom, so (d) is incorrect. Source: US Department of Defense/⁠White House.

Answer: (d) Bajrang Punia and Deepa Malik

Method. Khel Ratna 2019

The Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna 2019 went to wrestler Bajrang Punia and para-athlete Deepa Malik. Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Answer: (b) Two

Method. Bharat Ratna 2019

In 2019 the Bharat Ratna went to Pranab Mukherjee, Nanaji Deshmukh (posthumous) and Bhupen Hazarika (posthumous). So two more persons, option (b). Source: Rashtrapati Bhavan/⁠MHA announcement.

Answer: (b) Hellaro

Method. 66th National Film Awards

At the 66th National Film Awards (for 2018 films, announced August 2019) the Best Feature Film was 'Hellaro' (Gujarati). Source: Directorate of Film Festivals.

Answer: (a) Neelum Saran Gour

Method. The Hindu Prize 2018

The Hindu Prize 2018 (announced January 2019) for Fiction went to Neelum Saran Gour for 'Requiem in Raga Janki'; the Non-fiction prize went to Manoranjan Byapari for 'Interrogating My Chandal Life'. Source: The Hindu Literary Prize announcement.

Answer: (b) Nazir Ahmad Wani

Method. Ashoka Chakra 2019

Lance Naik Nazir Ahmad Wani (J&K Light Infantry) was awarded the Ashoka Chakra posthumously on Republic Day 2019. Nirala got it in 2018, Hangpan Dada in 2016, Goswami in 2010. Source: MHA gallantry awards portal.

Answer: (c) Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement

Method. Award fact

Dr. Bindeshwar Pathak, founder of Sulabh International Social Service Organisation (Sulabh Sanitation and Social Reform Movement), received the Nikkei Asia Prize for Culture and Community 2018. Source: Nikkei Asia Prizes.

Answer: (b) Sushmita Sen

Method. Miss World titleholders from India

Indian Miss World winners: Reita Faria (1966), Aishwarya Rai (1994), Diana Hayden (1997), Yukta Mookhey (1999), Priyanka Chopra (2000), Manushi Chhillar (2017). Sushmita Sen won Miss Universe 1994, not Miss World. Source: Miss World Organisation records.

Answer: (b) Lucknow

Method. UNESCO Creative Cities 2025

In the October 2025 designation, Lucknow was named UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. Source: UNESCO.

Answer: (a) 1 only

Method. National Technology Day 2025

11 May commemorates the 1998 Pokhran tests (Operation Shakti): statement 1 is true. The 2025 official theme was 'YANTRA − Yugantar for Advancing New Technology, Research & Acceleration'; the 'Schools to Startups' wording belonged to earlier years, so statement 2 is false. Source: Technology Development Board, DST.

Answer: (b) 1

Method. UNESCO lists

Kozhikode was designated UNESCO City of Literature (Oct 2023) and Gwalior City of Music, so statements 1 and 3 are false. Garba of Gujarat was inscribed on the Intangible Cultural Heritage list (Dec 2023): true. One statement is correct. Source: UNESCO.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Method. National Youth Day

National Youth Day in India is on 12 January (Swami Vivekananda's birthday, 1863). Statement 1 (12th March) is wrong; statement 2 is right. Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Answer: (b) Sweden

Method. World Environment Day 2022

World Environment Day 2022 ('Only One Earth') was hosted by Sweden (Stockholm+50). Source: UNEP.

Answer: (c) 26th December

Method. Observance announced January 2022

Veer Baal Diwas is observed on 26 December, the day of martyrdom of the sons of Guru Gobind Singh (Sahibzadas Zorawar Singh and Fateh Singh). Source: PMO/⁠Ministry of Women and Child Development.

Answer: (c) Yoga for well-being

Method. International Day of Yoga 2021

The theme for 21 June 2021 was 'Yoga for Well-being'. 2020 was 'Yoga at Home and Yoga with Family'. Source: Ministry of AYUSH.

Answer: (d) Tourism and jobs: a better future for all

Method. UNWTO World Tourism Day 2019 theme

World Tourism Day (27 September) 2019 theme: 'Tourism and Jobs: A Better Future for All'. Source: UNWTO.

Answer: (c) 19th August

Method. UN observance date

World Humanitarian Day is on 19 August. Source: un.org observances.

Answer: (c) Rio de Janerio

Method. UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture

Rio de Janeiro was named the UNESCO-UIA World Capital of Architecture for 2020 (printed 'Rio de Janerio'). Source: UNESCO.

Answer: (b) Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life

Method. World Blood Donor Day theme

14 June 2018 theme: 'Be there for someone else. Give blood. Share life.' Option (a) was 2016, (c) 2017. Source: WHO.

Answer: (b) Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism

Method. International Day for Monuments and Sites theme

18 April 2017 (ICOMOS/⁠UNESCO) theme: 'Cultural Heritage and Sustainable Tourism', in step with the UN International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development 2017. Source: ICOMOS/⁠UNESCO.

Answer: (c) Depression: Let's Talk

Method. WHO World Health Day theme

World Health Day, 7 April 2017, theme: 'Depression: Let's Talk'. Ageing and Health was 2012, Food Safety 2015, Diabetes 2016. Source: WHO.

Answer: (b) 19 August

Method. UN observance date

World Humanitarian Day is 19 August (UN General Assembly resolution 63/⁠139; first observed 2009), marking the 2003 Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad. 24 October is UN Day, 10 December Human Rights Day, 8 March Women's Day. Source: un.org observances.

Answer: (a) Vidarbha

Method. Ranji Trophy 2024-25

Vidarbha won the 2024-25 Ranji Trophy, beating Kerala in the final (Nagpur, March 2025). Source: BCCI.

Answer: (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Method. Kohli Test records, line by line

1: Kohli has seven Test double centuries, all as captain, the most by any captain: true. 2: his 20 Test hundreds as captain are the most by an Indian: true. 3: he scored 115 and 141 on captaincy debut at Adelaide, December 2014, the first Indian captain with a hundred in each innings on debut: true. 4: his seven double hundreds are the most by an Indian (Tendulkar, Sehwag 6 each): true. Source: ESPNcricinfo/⁠BCCI records.

Answer: (b) Australia

Method. Cricket retirement

Aaron Finch captained Australia's limited-overs sides and retired from international cricket in 2022. Source: Cricket Australia.

Answer: (b) 2 only

Method. T20 World Cup records

Statement 1 is false: England (2010, 2022) is not the only two-time winner; West Indies also won twice (2012, 2016). Statement 2 is true: Kohli was Player of the Tournament in 2014 and 2016, and no one else has won it twice (others: Afridi, Dilshan, Pietersen, Watson, Warner, Curran).

Answer: (d) Ross Taylor

Method. Cricket record

Ross Taylor ended his Test career (NZ v Bangladesh, Christchurch, 11 January 2022) by taking Ebadot Hossain's wicket with the last ball he bowled. Source: ESPNcricinfo.

Answer: (d) Vinoo Mankad

Method. ICC Hall of Fame 2021

In the June 2021 special inductions for the inaugural WTC final, ten former greats were added; the lone Indian was Vinoo Mankad. Source: ICC.

Answer: (c) Tamil Nadu

Method. Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2021

Tamil Nadu beat Baroda by 7 wickets in the final (31 January 2021) at Ahmedabad. Source: BCCI.

Answer: (c) She became the first female match official to conduct a men’s cricket test match.

Method. News fact, January 2021

Claire Polosak became the first woman to officiate in a men's Test (fourth umpire, India v Australia, Sydney, Jan 2021). Source: ICC/⁠Cricket Australia.

Answer: (a) Rishabh Pant

Method. ICC awards 2018

ICC Emerging Cricketer of the Year 2018 (awards announced Jan 2019): Rishabh Pant. Kohli took Cricketer of the Year. Source: ICC.

Answer: (c) Pakistan

Method. Women's Asia Cup T20 2016 final

The Women's Twenty20 Asia Cup 2016 (Bangkok, Thailand) final was India v Pakistan; India won and lifted the cup. Source: ACC Women's Asia Cup records.

Answer: (c) II and III only

Method. Khelo India Tribal Games

I is false: the inaugural edition (March-April 2026) was held in Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur, Surguja), not in Jharkhand and Odisha. II: Morveer was the mascot: true. III: part of the Khelo India Scheme: true. Source: Sports Authority of India, Khelo India.

Answer: (d) The Kookaburras

Method. Sports team nickname

Australia's men's national hockey team is the Kookaburras (women: Hockeyroos). The Boomers are the men's basketball team. Source: Hockey Australia.

Answer: (c) Casper Ruud

Method. French Open 2022

Rafael Nadal beat Norwegian Casper Ruud in straight sets in the men's singles final (5 June 2022). Austin Krajicek, Ivan Dodig and Joran Vliegen were doubles players. Source: Roland-Garros.

Answer: (b) Boxing

Method. Sports personality

Dingko Singh won the boxing gold (bantamweight) at the 1998 Asian Games, Bangkok; died June 2021. Source: Sports Authority of India.

Answer: (a) Novak Djokovic

Method. French Open 2021

Novak Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in five sets in the men's singles final (13 June 2021). Source: Roland-Garros.

Answer: (a) Madagascar

Method. Indian Ocean Island Games host

The 2023 Indian Ocean Island Games, originally given to the Maldives, were reallocated to Madagascar as named host at the sitting. Source: Indian Ocean Islands Games Council (CJSOI).

Answer: (c) Chess

Method. Sports personality

Koneru Humpy is an Indian chess Grandmaster (Women's World Rapid Champion 2019). Source: FIDE.

Answer: (a) Vijaya

Method. KIYG 2020 mascot

The Khelo India Youth Games mascots are Vijay the Tiger and Jaya the Black Buck (SAI release, 12 January 2019), used again at the 3rd Games, Guwahati, 10–⁠22 January 2020; UPSC's option spells the name Vijaya. Rongmon (2007 National Games) and Ammu (2015 National Games) are other Games' mascots; Yaya is none. Source: SAI Khelo India.

Answer: (c) Motorsports

Method. Sports personality

Aishwarya Pissay is an Indian motorcycle racer; in 2019 she became the first Indian to win a FIM World Championship title (FIM World Cup, women's). Sport: motorsports. Source: FIM/⁠FMSCI.

Answer: (d) Zabivaka

Method. FIFA World Cup 2018 mascot

The official mascot of the 2018 World Cup (Russia) was Zabivaka, a wolf. Fuleco was 2014, Zakumi 2010, Pille 1974. Source: FIFA.

Answer: (b) Manipur

Method. National Sports University Ordinance 2018

The National Sports University Ordinance, 2018 provided for a sports university at Imphal, Manipur (later enacted as the National Sports University Act, 2018). Answer is as at the sitting under the 2018 Ordinance. Source: Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports.

Answer: (d) Italy

Method. FIFA World Cup 2018 qualifying

Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup (lost the play-off to Sweden, Nov 2017), the first miss since 1958, i.e. in 60 years. Mexico, Iran and Saudi Arabia qualified. Source: FIFA.

Answer: (c) B. Sai Praneeth

Method. Singapore Open Superseries 2017

B. Sai Praneeth beat fellow Indian Kidambi Srikanth 17-21, 21-17, 21-12 in the April 2017 final, his first Superseries title. Srikanth's 2017 Superseries wins came later (Indonesia, Australia, Denmark, French). Lin Dan and Momota did not win it. Source: BWF tournament record.

Answer: (c) 4, 3, 2, 1

Method. Rio 2016 medal tallies, ordering

Total medals at Rio 2016: United States 121, China 70, Great Britain 67, Russia 56. Ascending order: Russia (4), Great Britain (3), China (2), United States (1) = 4, 3, 2, 1, which is option (c). Option (d) (as printed '4, 3 1, 2') would put the United States before China and is wrong in any reading. Source: olympics.com, Rio 2016 medal table.

Answer: (b) S. Jaishankar

Method. Book author

'Why Bharat Matters' (2024) is by External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Source: publisher (Rupa) and press.

Answer: (b) Geetanjali Shree

Method. Booker Prize 2022

'Tomb of Sand' (translation of 'Ret Samadhi') by Geetanjali Shree, translated by Daisy Rockwell, won the International Booker Prize 2022. Source: Booker Prize Foundation.

Answer: (c) Zambia

Method. Obituary

Kenneth Kaunda was the first President of Zambia (1964-1991); died June 2021 aged 97. Source: Zambian government.