Since the change in UPSC Exam format and syllabus in 2013, current affairs have played a significant part in the preparation, and the exam needs familiarity with current events both nationally and internationally. The significance of Current Affairs in this prestigious IAS Exam is increasing every year.
As per the UPSC 2023 calendar, the IAS Prelims and main exams are scheduled to take place on May 28, 2023 and September 15, 2023 respectively. In both Preliminary Test and Main Exam, the majority of the questions asked are Current Affairs-oriented. Even some of the static topics which are asked in the exam have some relevance to the current happenings in the world. The trend analysis of previous years’ question papers suggests that the weightage for current affairs questions is growing year after year, hence aspirants should prioritise current affairs and related topics when preparing for UPSC.
Although current affairs are significant, there is no specific syllabus for both the prelims and mains examinations of the UPSC civil service exam. The syllabus for the preliminary, examination only covers “current events of national and international interest.” Many aspirants, therefore, find it challenging to cover the syllabus for current affairs as there is no one prescribed textbook for the same, unlike other static subjects like History, Geography and Polity. Reading newspapers like The Indian Express and The Hindu, every day is usually advised to the aspirants for covering the Current Affairs. But it becomes overwhelming to revise all the topics near the examination.
To help the aspirants revise better we have come up with the top 25 topics related to the current affairs, which are expected to be asked in the UPSC Prelims. Aspirants can use these questions/ topics as a final revision before the Prelims exam.
| Related Links | |
| Topic-wise UPSC Prelims Questions PDF | UPSC Cut Off |
| UPSC Prelims 2023 Question Papers PDF | Current Affairs Questions for UPSC Prelims |
| UPSC Prelims Result | UPSC Syllabus |
Relevant Video:
How to revise important topics of Current Affairs for UPSC Prelims 2023?
As mentioned before, there is no one particular source or textbook to revise the Current Affairs for the UPSC Prelims. Hence candidates must solve previous years’ question papers for prelims to determine how much weightage is given to current affairs, how many questions are asked, and how current affairs are interconnected to other sections of the syllabus. This will assist the candidates in developing an appropriate strategy for dealing with current affairs in the final exam.
To revise Current Affairs better candidates now have multiple sources of information, thanks to the various coaching platforms available online and offline. Candidates can use the Current Affairs Magazines, to revise all the current events that happened in one year. Nowadays, various coaching institutes have come up with concise Current Affairs modules focusing only on the Prelims part of the syllabus. Aspirants can use them for effective revision of the current events in a short period of time.
Another strategy to cover the entire year’s Current Affairs is by solving the complete Test Series of any good institution. The test series covers the important current affairs monthly and candidates can revise and analyse their preparation by solving the test series.
Best 25 Current Affairs Topics/Questions Expected in UPSC Prelims 2023
Given below is the compilation of the 25 most expected topics/ questions from the Current Affairs section that can be asked in the UPSC Prelims in 2023. The topics and questions are chosen by UPSC Experts based on the topics in news in the last year. There is a high chance of questions being asked in the Prelims from these topics as these are well research topics/ questions, which have been framed keeping in mind the last 5 years’ trend in the UPSC Prelims.
As per the UPSC 2023 calendar, the IAS Prelims and main exams are scheduled to take place on May 28, 2023 and September 15, 2023 respectively. Aspirants can study the associated topics from the below questions and conduct their own short research for important facts, or visit the linked articles to read more.
Note– These are the most likely questions/topics to be asked in the UPSC Prelims; nevertheless, aspirants should keep in mind that the UPSC has a reputation for surprising candidates with the most unexpected questions. So, keep studying your everyday subjects and enhance your preparation with these questions. There is no reason to be concerned if a few candidates find any aspects of the question and answer challenging or unfamiliar. Simply read the gist of the given topic or ignore it. The purpose of providing these most expected questions is not to intimidate candidates, but to assist them in revising more effectively.
List of 25 Expected Current Affairs Questions in IAS Prelims 2023:
- What are the objectives of the Good Governance Index (GGI)?
Good Governance Index (GGI), 2021 was launched on Good Governance Day (25th December). GGI assesses the State of Governance across States and UTs which enables ranking of States/Districts and provides a comparative picture while developing a competitive spirit for improvement. Every year at least one question is asked on the Indexes. So aspirants must prepare the newly launched indexes.
Refer to the following links for detailed information on the topic:
- What is the objective of the PM-DevINE scheme, launched recently?
The new scheme Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North-East Region (PM-DevINE) was launched to fund infrastructure and social development projects in the Northeast. Such schemes which have been in news or have been launched recently are important for the UPSC Prelims. Learn the objectives of the PM-DevINE scheme, by visiting the linked article.
- What are the features of the world’s 1st GM rubber sapling?
Genetically modified plants are an important topic from the perspective of UPSC Prelims as many times questions on the technology are asked. Aspirants must prepare such topics intensively. The world’s first genetically modified (GM) rubber sapling was recently planted at the Rubber Board’s Sarutari research farm on the outskirts of Guwahati in Assam. With additional copies of the gene MnSOD (manganese-containing superoxide dismutase) inserted in it, the GM rubber is expected to tide over the severe cold conditions during winter, which is a major factor affecting the growth of rubber saplings.
Learn about the Genetically Modified (GM) Crops by visiting the linked article.
- What is the status of India with respect to the import and export of Pulses and Basmati Rice?
Every year at least one question is expected on the trends of production, import or export of pulses, rice, etc. Aspirants must update these facts before the exam.
- India is the world’s largest exporter of basmati rice.
- India is the biggest producer and consumer of pulses in the world.
- India is the largest cotton producer and the largest consumer of cotton in the world.
- India ranks first in the number of organic farmers and ninth in terms of area under organic farming.
Read in detail about each of the following:
- What are the advantages of Fertigation?
UPSC has a way of asking for unique terminologies. So such terms become important. Fertigation is a method of fertilizer application in which fertilizer is incorporated within the irrigation water by the drip system. In this system, fertilizer solution is distributed evenly in irrigation. Read in detail about the Fertigation, in the linked article.
- What is the “World Hunger Map”?
Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of Alibaba is working with World Food Programme (WFP) to develop a digital “World Hunger Map”. The map will help to monitor global hunger and operations to end the scourge by 2030 which is one of the UN’s key Sustainable Development goals. World Food Programme (WFP) has been in news recently which makes it an important topic. Read in detail about the World Food Programme in the linked article.
- What is Article 348 (1), as seen sometimes in news?
The articles, which were in news in one year are likely to be asked in the exam. A Division Bench of the Gujarat High Court recently asked a journalist facing contempt of court proceedings to speak only in English as that was the language in the higher judiciary. Such articles which were in news recently, become important from the perspective of UPSC Prelims. Article 348 (1) of the Constitution of India provides that all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High court shall be in the English Language until Parliament by law otherwise provides.
Find the List of Important articles for UPSC Exams, in the linked article.
- What is ‘One Nation, One Election?
Recently, the Centre has clarified that it is not planning on amending the Representation of the People Act,1951 to enable a common electoral roll and simultaneous elections to all electoral bodies in the country. Simultaneous elections have been in news for a few years now. Thus, candidates must detailed understanding of such important topics.
Go through the following articles to have a better understanding of the topics:
- One Nation One Election: RSTV
- Sansad TV: One Nation One Election
- Common Electoral Roll and Simultaneous Elections
- What is Public Order?
The Hijab ban was in the news recently. The state government issued a “public order” under the Karnataka Education Act, 1983 that didn’t allow students to wear a headscarf in educational institutions. Public order is one of the three grounds on which the state can restrict freedom of religion. It is also one of the grounds to restrict free speech and other fundamental rights. Aspirants must focus on such words when reading through current affairs.
Read Why wearing Hijab is not an essential part of Religion, to understand the issue better.
- What is the right to be forgotten?
Recently the Centre told the Delhi High Court that the “right to be forgotten” is part of the fundamental right to privacy. Fundamental rights are a very important part of the syllabus of UPSC Prelims. Every year, at least one question is asked related to this topic. Aspirants must revise these important topics before the final exam. Learn more about the Right to be Forgotten in the article linked.
- The sea of Japan is surrounded by how many countries?
Questions from geographical locations are seen every year in the UPSC Prelims. Although one must read maps every day to be able to answer such types of questions, having a good understanding of locations that were in news for some reason or other is a smart way of tackling such questions. The sea of Japan is bounded by Japan and Sakhalin Island to the east and by Russia and Korea on the Asian mainland to the west.
Read Places in News for UPSC for more such topics.
Also, go through Senkaku-Diaoyu Islands Dispute: RSTV- Big Picture, for understanding why the topic is important.
- What is Operation Devi Shakti, recently seen in the news?
Such questions are asked in the match of the following types of questions. Amid the Taliban seizing power in Afghanistan and capturing Kabul after the U.S. withdrawal from the country. India conducted Operation Devi Shakti to evacuate more than 800 people including its citizens and Afghan partners from Afghanistan.
Read more at the linked article: Operation Devi Shakti.
- Where are the following places located?
- Panjshir Valley
- Farzad-B Gas field
- Sanaa
Some important places in the news must be revised. Panjshir is located in Hindukush Mountains and the entire valley is located along the Panjshir River which flows all along its length in Afghanistan.
Farzad B is an offshore natural gas field located in the Persian Gulf (Iran).
Recently, the Houthi rebels attacked Yemen’s largest airbase (Al-Anad airbase). Sanaa is the capital of Yemen.
- What is the current financing model of WHO?
Because of the ongoing Covid-19, WHO has been in news for over two years. It is important to understand different aspects of the organisation. The WHO budget largely consists of two funding types, namely assessed contributions and voluntary contributions. While WHO’s budget has increased substantially – from US$ 1.4 billion from 1990–1991 to US$ 5.8 billion for 2020–2021 – assessed contributions have remained more or less static at about US$ 1 billion.
Read about more features of the World Health Organisation by visiting the linked article.
- Who are the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
United Nations Security Council (UNSC) is an important organisation and an aspirant can expect a question on this organisation anytime. UNSC is one of the principal organs of the United Nations with the primary responsibility of maintaining international peace and security. India has been campaigning for a permanent seat at the UNSC along with Germany, Japan and Brazil (known as G4).
Get the details United Nations Security Council (UNSC), by visiting the linked article.
- Who are the participating countries in the multilateral exercise Dosti?
Multilateral and bilateral exercises are conducted every year between India and other countries. These are important from the point of view of the Prelims exam. Dosti is one such multilateral exercise between Maldives, India and Sri Lanka.
Find the List of Bilateral and Multilateral Exercises in the linked article.
- What is the meaning of feminization of the Indian Agri-workforce?
The Periodic Labour Force Survey or PLFS (2019-2020) data shows a surge in the female labour force participation rate in agriculture. There has been a rise in the workforce engaged in agriculture to 45.6 per cent (2019-20) from 42.5 per cent (2018-19). These are some important concepts which an aspirant must be familiar with.
Get the details here:
- What are the important features of the National Education Policy 2020?
Prime Minister launched multiple key initiatives in the education sector to mark the first year anniversary of the National Education Policy 2020. Education policy is an important topic from which one can expect a question in the upcoming Prelims exam. The NEP was launched in July 2020 as the guiding philosophy for changing the learning landscape, making education holistic and building strong foundations for an Atmanirbhar Bharat. Also, the National Achievement Survey (NAS) and Annual Status of Education Report (ASER) survey released the recent reports, highlighting the quality of education in school again. Read the highlights of these reports as trends of such questions has been on rising in the UPSC Prelims.
Visit the following articles for details:
- National Education Policy 2020
- National Achievement Survey (NAS)
- Annual Status of Education Report (ASER)
- What are the highlights of the NFHS-5 survey released by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Affairs?
The main objective of successive rounds of the NFHS is to provide reliable and comparable data relating to health and family welfare and other emerging issues. NFHS-5 includes some new focal areas, such as death registration, pre-school education, expanded domains of child immunization, menstrual hygiene, frequency of alcohol and tobacco use etc. Health and Education are important sections of the UPSC Syllabus. One or more questions are expected on these subjects anytime in this examination. Learn about the highlights of the National Family Health Survey- 5, in the linked article.
- Who releases Global Hunger Index?
The GHI has been released by Welthungerhilfe (lately in partnerships with Concern Worldwide) since 2000. The Global Hunger Index (GHI) is a tool designed to comprehensively measure and track hunger at the global, regional, and country levels. High-income countries are not included in the GHI. Indexes and reports released by important organisations must be covered in order to answer some of the direct questions in the exam. Check the following links for more details:
- Global Hunger Index
- List of Reports Published by International Organizations
- Global Indices & India’s Ranking in 2022
- What is the significance of Web 3.0?
Web 3.0 is the next stage of the web evolution that would make the internet more intelligent or process information with near human-like intelligence through the power of AI systems that could run smart programs to assist users. The significance of Web 3.0 is that data will be more relevant to each user, decentralised data networks, ensure data security and privacy etc.
Learn about Web 3.0 by visiting the linked article.
- What are Karewas, seen in the news recently?
Karewas are thick lacustrine deposits (deposits in the lake) of glacial clay and other materials embedded with moraines. Development and construction in the Kashmir Valley are excavating and destroying its highly fertile alluvial soil deposits called ‘karewas’. They are ideal for the cultivation of saffron almonds, apples and several other cash crops, they also hold fossils and remnants of many human civilisations and habitations.
Get details about Karewa Deposits in the linked article.
- What is a Standing Deposit Facility (SDF)?
In its first bi-monthly policy review (FY23), the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) introduced Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) as the floor in the Liquidity Adjustment Facility (LAF) corridor. SDF is a liquidity management instrument to absorb liquidity (deposit) from Scheduled Commercial banks (SCBs) without any collateral/government securities in return.
Read about Standing Deposit Facility, in the linked article.
- What is Carbofuran?
The recent death of more than 95 Himalayan griffon vultures (Near Threatened) and a steppe eagle in Assam has been attributed to pesticide poisoning due to carbofuran. It is a pesticide that is widely used to control insects and nematodes on a variety of agricultural crops. Its extensive use for agricultural and non-agricultural purposes has been directly responsible for environmental contamination and human health issues. Find the IUCN Red List or Red Data List in the linked article.
- What are the distinctive styles of Hoysala Architecture?
Ministry of Culture announced that the Hoysala temples of Belur, Halebid and Somnathapura in Karnataka have been selected as India’s nomination for UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites for 2023. This makes this topic important. Aspirants are advised to read through the Hoysala Architecture and some important facts related to the temple.
Find the details on Temple Architecture and Sculpture in the linked article.
Note- Do keep in mind that the questions below are not sure-shot questions but rather it’s a game of probabilities given the dynamic nature of the UPSC Exam. Hence there is an actual possibility that some of the questions may not necessarily show up for the exam.
Motivation for UPSC Prelims 2023 – Revision Tips
A week before the UPSC Prelims, it is common to have doubts and to feel exhausted. Aspirants, however, should realise that this is the most crucial time and they should remain calm and motivated. Some tips to stay motivated and improve the performance in the exam are:
- For History, focus on important personalities, Acts, Years and Books, as topics are always asked from these areas. For Art and Culture, focus more on NCERT for class 11th and topics like Buddhism and Jainism.
- For Polity, make sure you revise the core topics well: Fundamental Rights, Fundamental Duties, Parliament, Federal characteristics, etc. As most basic questions are asked about these topics. For Economics– revise important points from the budget and economic survey. Also, revise the basic terms like CAR, REPO, Reverse REPO etc.
- For Geography, have a look at Maps, see important locations, that were in news, important rivers, national parks etc. For Environment and Science, revise the current affairs.
- Don’t pick new topics or materials for study or revision just before the exam. Stick with the standard study materials and your hand notes. However tempting it is to study something that has not been covered till now, remember that in the last week what will benefit an aspirant is the revision of the topics already known to the aspirant and not the new topics.
- Most of the students fail to clear the preliminary examination despite having put in a lot of hard work in preparation. This mostly happens because of a lack of faith in oneself and negative self-talk.
- Lastly, maintain your calm and confidence when taking the exam, as confidence is the only thing which can make or break the chances of qualifying for the exam.
Candidates who are going to appear in the upcoming UPSC prelims exam can refer to the following links:
25 UPSC Prelims 2023 Current Affairs Expected Questions:-Download PDF Here
Comments