International Current Affairs MCQs
71. Which two countries launched the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge at the third UN Ocean Conference?
[A] India and France
[B] Brazil and India
[C] France and Brazil
[D] Australia and Kenya
[B] Brazil and India
[C] France and Brazil
[D] Australia and Kenya
Correct Answer: C [France and Brazil]
Notes:
On the first day of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), France and Brazil launched the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge. This new global initiative urges countries to put oceans at the center of their climate strategies ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in November 2025. The initiative aims to scale up ocean-focused climate action to limit global warming and build resilience. Countries like Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles have already joined the challenge.
On the first day of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), France and Brazil launched the Blue Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) Challenge. This new global initiative urges countries to put oceans at the center of their climate strategies ahead of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) to be held in Brazil in November 2025. The initiative aims to scale up ocean-focused climate action to limit global warming and build resilience. Countries like Australia, Fiji, Kenya, Mexico, Palau, and Seychelles have already joined the challenge.
72. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) is associated with which organization?
[A] United Nations (UN)
[B] World Bank
[C] European Union (EU)
[D] African Union (AU)
[B] World Bank
[C] European Union (EU)
[D] African Union (AU)
Correct Answer: C [European Union (EU)]
Notes:
India has recently expressed deep reservations over the European Union (EU)’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a policy tool by the European Union (EU) to put a fair price on carbon emissions linked to imported carbon-intensive goods like steel, aluminium, and cement. It aims to push industries in non-EU countries to adopt cleaner production methods. CBAM is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” strategy, which targets a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Its transitional phase runs from 2023 to 2025, and full enforcement will begin in 2026.
India has recently expressed deep reservations over the European Union (EU)’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). CBAM is a policy tool by the European Union (EU) to put a fair price on carbon emissions linked to imported carbon-intensive goods like steel, aluminium, and cement. It aims to push industries in non-EU countries to adopt cleaner production methods. CBAM is part of the EU’s “Fit for 55” strategy, which targets a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Its transitional phase runs from 2023 to 2025, and full enforcement will begin in 2026.
73. Where is the headquarters of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) located?
[A] Montreal, Canada
[B] Paris, France
[C] Beijing, China
[D] Moscow, Russia
[B] Paris, France
[C] Beijing, China
[D] Moscow, Russia
Correct Answer: A [Montreal, Canada]
Notes:
India performed better than the global average in air operations and safety, according to the audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in November 2022. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency formed under the Chicago Convention of 1944. It works to promote safe, secure, and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes. It sets global aviation safety and environmental standards and supports economic development of air transport.
India performed better than the global average in air operations and safety, according to the audit by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in November 2022. International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) is a United Nations (UN) specialized agency formed under the Chicago Convention of 1944. It works to promote safe, secure, and efficient international air transport for peaceful purposes. It sets global aviation safety and environmental standards and supports economic development of air transport.
74. Which country has officially joined BRICS as a partner country in June 2025?
[A] Vietnam
[B] Indonesia
[C] Tazikistan
[D] Rwanda
[B] Indonesia
[C] Tazikistan
[D] Rwanda
Correct Answer: A [Vietnam]
Notes:
Vietnam has officially joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) as a partner country. This makes Vietnam the 10th nation in the BRICS partner category. The partner country category was introduced during the 2024 BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Other BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
Vietnam has officially joined BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa) as a partner country. This makes Vietnam the 10th nation in the BRICS partner category. The partner country category was introduced during the 2024 BRICS Summit held in Kazan, Russia. Other BRICS partner countries include Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, and Uzbekistan.
75. Who has been appointed as the ambassador of India to North Korea?
[A] Vinay Kumar
[B] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[C] Vinay Mohan Kwatra
[D] Aliawati Longkumer
[B] Harsh Vardhan Shringla
[C] Vinay Mohan Kwatra
[D] Aliawati Longkumer
Correct Answer: D [Aliawati Longkumer]
Notes:
India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next Ambassador to the North Korea. He is a 2008 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and is currently Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. This move marks India’s diplomatic return to Pyongyang after a four-year gap since the embassy closure in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
India has appointed Aliawati Longkumer as its next Ambassador to the North Korea. He is a 2008 batch officer of the Indian Foreign Service (IFS) and is currently Charge d’affaires at the Indian Embassy in Asuncion, Paraguay. This move marks India’s diplomatic return to Pyongyang after a four-year gap since the embassy closure in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
76. The Bajau Tribe is primarily found in which countries?
[A] Nepal, Bhutan and India
[B] Chile, Peru and Brazil
[C] Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
[D] Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines
[B] Chile, Peru and Brazil
[C] Myanmar, Laos and Cambodia
[D] Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines
Correct Answer: D [Indonesia, Malaysia and Philippines]
Notes:
The Bajau tribe, also known as the Sama-Bajau, lives in coastal areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines and depends entirely on the sea. They are excellent free divers, diving 20–30 meters deep and holding their breath for 5–13 minutes without equipment. Recent research shows that the Bajau have spleens that are 50% larger than average, helping them dive longer and deeper. This adaptation is linked to a variation in the PDE10A gene.
The Bajau tribe, also known as the Sama-Bajau, lives in coastal areas of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Philippines and depends entirely on the sea. They are excellent free divers, diving 20–30 meters deep and holding their breath for 5–13 minutes without equipment. Recent research shows that the Bajau have spleens that are 50% larger than average, helping them dive longer and deeper. This adaptation is linked to a variation in the PDE10A gene.
77. What is the name of the military operation launched by Iran targeting the United States’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar?
[A] Operation Martyrs’ Dawn
[B] Operation Desert Shield
[C] Operation Bashayer Al-Fath
[D] None of the Above
[B] Operation Desert Shield
[C] Operation Bashayer Al-Fath
[D] None of the Above
Correct Answer: C [Operation Bashayer Al-Fath]
Notes:
On June 23, 2025, Iran launched Operation Bashayer Al-Fath, meaning Annunciation of Victory, targeting the United States’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. This was a response to Operation Midnight Hammer, where the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear sites using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile attack, calling it a response to U.S. aggression and violation of international law. Iran declared it will never compromise on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security.
On June 23, 2025, Iran launched Operation Bashayer Al-Fath, meaning Annunciation of Victory, targeting the United States’ Al-Udeid Air Base in Doha, Qatar. This was a response to Operation Midnight Hammer, where the United States attacked three Iranian nuclear sites using GBU-57 Massive Ordnance Penetrator bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) confirmed the missile attack, calling it a response to U.S. aggression and violation of international law. Iran declared it will never compromise on its territorial integrity, sovereignty, and national security.
78. Which country hosted the ConvEx-3 (2025), the world’s largest nuclear emergency exercise?
[A] Germany
[B] Japan
[C] United States
[D] Romania
[B] Japan
[C] United States
[D] Romania
Correct Answer: D [Romania]
Notes:
On 24 June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Romania launched ConvEx-3 (2025), the world’s largest and most complex nuclear emergency exercise. It will simulate a severe accident at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s only nuclear plant located 160 km east of Bucharest. It aims to improve global coordination under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. ConvEx-3 is the highest level of Convention Exercises, testing full-scale international emergency response capabilities. Romania last hosted ConvEx-3 in 2005.
On 24 June 2025, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and Romania launched ConvEx-3 (2025), the world’s largest and most complex nuclear emergency exercise. It will simulate a severe accident at Romania’s Cernavodă Nuclear Power Plant, the country’s only nuclear plant located 160 km east of Bucharest. It aims to improve global coordination under the Convention on Early Notification of a Nuclear Accident and the Convention on Assistance in the Case of a Nuclear Accident or Radiological Emergency. ConvEx-3 is the highest level of Convention Exercises, testing full-scale international emergency response capabilities. Romania last hosted ConvEx-3 in 2005.
79. Where is the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) located?
[A] Cairo, Egypt
[B] Istanbul, Turkey
[C] Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
[D] Dubai, UAE
[B] Istanbul, Turkey
[C] Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
[D] Dubai, UAE
Correct Answer: C [Jeddah, Saudi Arabia]
Notes:
Recently, India strongly criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for making “unwarranted” and “factually incorrect” remarks influenced by Pakistan, which India said uses terrorism as “statecraft.” The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations (UN). The OIC works to ensure peace, security, and development in political, social, and economic areas for the Muslim world. India is not a member of the OIC. Its headquarters is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Recently, India strongly criticized the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for making “unwarranted” and “factually incorrect” remarks influenced by Pakistan, which India said uses terrorism as “statecraft.” The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is the second largest intergovernmental group after the United Nations (UN). The OIC works to ensure peace, security, and development in political, social, and economic areas for the Muslim world. India is not a member of the OIC. Its headquarters is located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
80. Which group of nations launched the “At Sea Observer Mission” to boost maritime cooperation?
[A] BRICS
[B] ASEAN
[C] SAARC
[D] QUAD
[B] ASEAN
[C] SAARC
[D] QUAD
Correct Answer: D [QUAD]
Notes:
Recently, the QUAD nations launched their first-ever At Sea Observer Mission to strengthen maritime cooperation. QUAD includes the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia. The mission aims to boost maritime security and teamwork in the Indo-Pacific under the Wilmington Declaration. Two officers, including women, from each country have joined the United States Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, now heading to Guam.
Recently, the QUAD nations launched their first-ever At Sea Observer Mission to strengthen maritime cooperation. QUAD includes the Coast Guards of India, Japan, the United States, and Australia. The mission aims to boost maritime security and teamwork in the Indo-Pacific under the Wilmington Declaration. Two officers, including women, from each country have joined the United States Coast Guard Cutter Stratton, now heading to Guam.