International Current Affairs MCQs

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Cyclone Garance hit French overseas territory of La Reunion with winds of 155 kph (96 mph), causing roof damage and power outages. The storm moved from the north to the south of the island. The cyclone alert was downgraded from purple to red, and a stay-at-home order remained in effect.

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Yamandú Orsi was sworn in as Uruguay’s President on March 1, 2025. His victory marks the return of the leftist Broad Front coalition after five years of conservative rule. Uruguay is South America’s second-smallest country after Suriname. It shares borders with Brazil (north) and Argentina (west) and has a maritime boundary with the Atlantic Ocean (east).

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The Wallace Line is an invisible boundary separating Asian and Australian animal species. It was first identified by English naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace in the 19th century. The line runs through the Malay Archipelago, between Bali and Lombok, and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Asian side species (Borneo, Bali) resemble mainland Asian animals like tigers and monkeys. Australian side species (Sulawesi, Lombok) resemble Australian wildlife like kangaroos and cuscuses. Scientists now view it as a transition zone rather than a strict boundary. Climate change and habitat destruction threaten these ecosystems and species adaptation.

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Armenia and Azerbaijan have agreed to a peace deal to end nearly 40 years of conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. Nagorno-Karabakh, also called Artsakh by Armenians, is a landlocked, mountainous region in the South Caucasus. It has a diverse landscape with steppe, forests, and alpine meadows. The region was part of Azerbaijan but was governed by the unrecognized Republic of Artsakh, with a majority ethnic Armenian population. The conflict began in 1917 after the Russian Empire’s collapse, with both Armenia and Azerbaijan claiming the area.

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The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Director praised India’s growing nuclear sector, calling it one of the most dynamic in Asia and the world. IAEA is the world’s top intergovernmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field. It promotes safe, secure, and peaceful uses of nuclear science and technology. IAEA is an autonomous body within the United Nations (UN) and is known as the “Atoms for Peace and Development” organization. It was established in 1957. Its headquarters is in Vienna, Austria, with 178 member states. It ensures nuclear safeguards through monitoring, inspection, and verification to prevent misuse.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin launched Perm, a Project 885M Yasen-class nuclear-powered submarine, from Murmansk. Perm is a fourth-generation nuclear-powered attack submarine of the Yasen-M class (Project 885M). Named after the city of Perm in the Urals, it is the sixth vessel in the Yasen/Yasen-M series. It is the first Russian nuclear submarine officially equipped with the 3M22 Zircon hypersonic cruise missile as a standard feature. Perm is expected to enter service with the Russian Navy in 2026.

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The Arctic region is a global flashpoint due to geopolitical tensions, climate change, and resource competition. The Arctic Council, formed in 1996 through the Ottawa Declaration, governs the Arctic. The Council has 8 member states: Canada, Denmark (Greenland), Finland, Iceland, Norway, Russia, Sweden, and the United States. These countries control land territories and have rights over resources within their Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs). Six Indigenous groups are permanent participants representing Arctic inhabitants. Thirteen countries, including India, and various organizations are observers. All decisions require consensus from the eight Arctic States and consultation with permanent participants.

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India has been appointed to the United Nations Intergovernmental Working Group of Experts on International Standards of Accounting and Reporting (ISAR) for 2025–2027. This reflects global trust in India’s growing role in shaping international financial reporting systems. ISAR functions under the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). It works to improve global accounting standards and promote transparent corporate disclosures. India’s selection highlights its efforts in strengthening corporate governance and financial accountability. ISAR also provides policy advice and technical support to improve the quality and comparability of financial reporting worldwide.

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India and Nepal recently inaugurated the start of electromechanical works at the Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project to ensure its timely completion. The Arun-3 Hydroelectric Project is located on the Arun River, a tributary of the Kosi River, in Sankhuwasabha District of eastern Nepal. It is a 900 Megawatt (MW) Run-of-River scheme, which means it uses the river’s natural flow without needing a large reservoir.

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The United States has recently approved a military hardware and logistics support package for India to assist in the Integrated Platform for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA). IPMDA is a technology and training initiative designed to boost maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific region and increase transparency in its vital waterways. It was announced by the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD), which includes India, Australia, Japan, and the United States, during the Tokyo summit in 2022. The initiative uses innovative technology to provide near real-time information on maritime activities to partners in Southeast Asia, the Indian Ocean region, and the Pacific.