Current affairs

Practice questions

4 Prelims and 2 Mains questions, on the most important items above.

Prelims

1. Q1

   With reference to loss and damage in the UN climate regime, consider the following statements:

   1. 1.The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage was operationalised at COP28 in Dubai.
   2. 2.The decision adopting the Paris Agreement makes Article 8 a basis for liability and compensation.
   3. 3.The Warsaw International Mechanism was set up at COP27.

   Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

   1. (a)1 and 2 only
   2. (b)1 onlyAnswer
   3. (c)2 and 3 only
   4. (d)1 and 3 only
   Show answer and explanationHide answer and explanation

   Only statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: that decision says Article 8 gives no basis for liability or compensation. Statement 3 is wrong: the Warsaw International Mechanism was set up at COP19 in 2013; COP27 agreed to set up the fund.

   From Loss and damage: Nepal seeks climate compensation from major emitters, and India responds

2. Q2

   With reference to the BRICS New Delhi Declaration, 2026, consider the following statements:

   1. 1.It opposes carbon border adjustment mechanisms as unilateral, punitive and discriminatory measures.
   2. 2.It calls for fossil fuels to be phased out of emerging and developing economies.
   3. 3.It supports negotiations on Pathogen Access and Benefit Sharing under the WHO Pandemic Agreement.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   1. (a)1 and 2 only
   2. (b)1 and 3 onlyAnswer
   3. (c)2 and 3 only
   4. (d)1, 2 and 3
   Show answer and explanationHide answer and explanation

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the declaration accepts that fossil fuels will keep an important role in developing economies, and calls for just, orderly, equitable and inclusive transitions instead.

   From BRICS New Delhi Declaration: what it says on climate, energy, health and technology

3. Q3

   Consider the following statements about India's space cooperation:

   1. 1.TRISHNA is a joint mission of ISRO and CNES to track land surface temperature and evapotranspiration.
   2. 2.SARAL was built by ISRO with the European Space Agency.
   3. 3.European Space Agency ground stations will track Gaganyaan missions.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   1. (a)1 and 2 only
   2. (b)2 and 3 only
   3. (c)1 and 3 onlyAnswer
   4. (d)1, 2 and 3
   Show answer and explanationHide answer and explanation

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: SARAL, like Megha-Tropiques, was built by ISRO with France's space agency CNES.

   From At the first International Space Summit in Paris, India sets out three principles for space

4. Q4

   Consider the following statements about the Ramsar Convention:

   1. 1.It was signed at Ramsar in Iran in 1971.
   2. 2.India joined the convention at its signing in 1971.
   3. 3.Wetlands whose ecological character is changing because of human activity can be placed on the Montreux Record.

   Which of the statements given above are correct?

   1. (a)1 only
   2. (b)2 only
   3. (c)2 and 3 only
   4. (d)1 and 3 onlyAnswer
   Show answer and explanationHide answer and explanation

   Statements 1 and 3 are correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the convention was signed in 1971, but India joined it only in 1982.

   From India and Germany sign a joint declaration on conserving wetlands of international importance

Mains

1. Q1 · 10 marks · 150 words

   Nepal's demand for climate compensation applies to India the argument of historical responsibility that India makes to developed countries. Examine this claim, and the adequacy of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.

   From Loss and damage: Nepal seeks climate compensation from major emitters, and India responds

2. Q2 · 10 marks · 150 words

   What does the BRICS opposition to carbon border adjustment mechanisms reveal about the divide between developed and developing countries on climate action?

   From BRICS New Delhi Declaration: what it says on climate, energy, health and technology