Yyy

SUDAN
SUDAN
SUDAN
SOUTH CHINA SEA
South China Sea
Amid overlapping sovereign claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines
and the U.S. are currently discussing conducting joint coast guard patrols in
the strategic waterway.
👉👉 About
● It is a branch of the western Pacific Ocean in
Southeast Asia.
● It is south of China, east and south of Vietnam, west
of the Philippines and north of the island of Borneo.
● Bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand and Vietnam.
South China Sea
Amid overlapping sovereign claims in the South China Sea, the Philippines
and the U.S. are currently discussing conducting joint coast guard patrols in
the strategic waterway.
👉👉 About
● It is a branch of the western Pacific Ocean in
Southeast Asia.
● It is south of China, east and south of Vietnam, west
of the Philippines and north of the island of Borneo.
● Bordered by Brunei, Cambodia, China, Indonesia,
Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan,
Thailand and Vietnam.
Mapping Practice
Mapping Practice
South China Sea
◎ The body of water is bounded by the east coast of the
Malay Peninsula and the southern part of the Gulf of
Thailand.
◎ It communicates with the East China Sea via the
Taiwan Strait, the Philippine Sea via the Luzon Strait,
the Sulu Sea via the straits around Palawan , the
Strait of Malacca via the Singapore Strait, and the
Java Sea via the Karimata and Bangka Straits.
◎ The Gulf of Thailand and the Gulf of Tonkin are also
part of the South China Sea.
◎ The two major archipelagos in SCS are known as the
Paracel Islands, controlled by China, and the Spratly
Islands.
South China Sea
South China Sea
Previous Year Question 2020
Consider the following pairs

River – Flows into
1.Mekong — Andaman Sea
2.Thames — Irish Sea
3.Volga — Caspian Sea
4.Zambezi — Indian Ocean
Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 4 only
Consider the following pairs

River – Flows into
1.Mekong — Andaman Sea
2.Thames — Irish Sea
3.Volga — Caspian Sea
4.Zambezi — Indian Ocean

A. 1 and 2 only
B. 3 only
C. 3 and 4 only
D. 1, 2 and 4 only
DHANUSHKODI
In the News: A family of five from Killinochi

district, Sri Lanka, reached the Indian
waters at first islet of Dhanushkodi.
DHANUSHKODI
DHANUSHKODI
DHANUSHKODI
About:
 The southernmost tip of Pamban Island is called Dhanushkodi.
 It is one of the smallest towns in the world, with a length of just 50 yards.
 Dhanushkodi is the land border between Sri Lanka and India and is
around 15 km away from Sri Lanka.
 The town of Dhanushkodi is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal on one side
and the Indian Ocean on another side.
DHANUSHKODI
Ghost Town:
 The town has been declared a ghost town after the Rameshwaram
cyclone hit the town in 1964.
 The town was completely washed away by the cyclone except for the
Kothandaramasamy Temple.
 The town is mostly uninhabited ever since the cyclone and only a few
fishermen families live here.
DHANUSHKODI
Significance:
 The ghost town is a famous tourist spot known for the cyclone ruins and
the vast stretch of beach.
 The Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park is located between Tuticorin
and Dhanushkodi.
RAM SETU
In the News: The teaser of Akshay Kumar’s new

film, Ram Setu has once again generated buzz
around the Ram Setu or Adam Bridge which many
believe is the bridge to Lanka mentioned in the
Ramayana.
RAM SETU
About:
 It is also known as Adam's Bridge.
 It is a 48-km chain of limestone shoals between Rameswaram on India’s
southeast coast and Mannar Island near Sri Lanka’s northwest coast.
 The structure has significance in both Hindu and Muslim mythology:
o While Hindus Believe this is the bridge (setu) built by Lord Ram and his
army to cross to Lanka and fight Ravan.
o As per Islamic legend, Adam used this bridge to reach Adam's Peak in
Sri Lanka, where he stood on one foot for 1,000 years in repentance.
RAM SETU
 Scientists believe Ram Setu is a natural structure formed due to

tectonic movements and sand getting trapped in corals.
RAM SETU
Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project:
 The project aims to create a shipping route between India and Sri
Lanka by building an 83-km long deep water channel which would
also reduce travel time between the eastern and western coasts of
India.
 As ships would no longer have to circle Sri Lanka to travel between
the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.
RAM SETU
 However, the project has been opposed on religious and

environmental grounds.
 In 2018, the Government of India told the Supreme Court that the Ram
Setu will not be affected by the execution of the Sethusamudram
Shipping Canal project.
SAHEL REGION
In the News: French President Emmanuel

Macron announced the end of the decade-
long Operation Barkhane in Africa’s Sahel
Region.
SAHEL REGION
About
 The Sahel is the ecoclimatic and biogeographic realm of transition in
Africa between the Sahara to the north and the Sudanian savanna to
the south.
 Having a semi-arid climate, it stretches across the southcentral latitudes of
Northern Africa between the Atlantic Ocean and the Red Sea.
 The name is derived from the Arabic term for “coast, shore”; this is
explained as being used in a figurative sense in reference to the southern
edge of the vast Sahara.
SAHEL REGION
 The Sahel part includes from west to east parts of northern Senegal,
southern Mauritania, central Mali, northern Burkina Faso, the extreme south
of Algeria, Niger, the extreme north of Nigeria, the extreme north of
Cameroon.
 The Central African Republic, central Chad, central and southern Sudan, the
extreme north of South Sudan, Eritrea and the extreme north of Ethiopia.
SAHEL REGION
Operation Barkhane:
 France began its military operations in Sahel in January 2013.

 Titled Operation Serval, it was limited to targeting Islamic
extremists linked to al-Qaeda who took control of northern
Mali.
 However, in 2014, the mission was scaled up, renamed
Operation Barkhane and was aimed at counter-terrorism.
SAHEL REGION
 The objective was to assist local armed forces to prevent the

resurgence of non-state armed groups across the Sahel region.
 Around 4,500 French personnel were deployed with the local joint
counter-terrorism force.
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION- 2022
Q. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following
statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observe status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General
Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain mission at the UN
headquarters
Which of the statements given above are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. With reference to the United Nations General Assembly, consider the following
statements:
1. The UN General Assembly can grant observe status to the non-member States.
2. Inter-governmental organisations can seek observer status in the UN General
Assembly.
3. Permanent Observers in the UN General Assembly can maintain mission at the UN
headquarters

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku
Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South
China Sea.
b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase
its defence capabilities.
d) Through International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-
East Asian countries claim them
Q. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku
Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news?
a) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South
China Sea.
b) China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea.
c) A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase
its defence capabilities.
d) Through International Court of Justice declared them as no man's land, some South-
East Asian countries claim them
SENKAKU ISLANDS
KURIL ISLANDS
Q. Consider the following pairs:

Region often mentioned in the news Country
1. Anatolia – Turkey
2. Amhara – Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado – Spain
4. Catalonia – Italy
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) Only one pair
b) Only two pairs
c) Only three pairs
d) All four pairs

Region often mentioned in the news Country
1. Anatolia – Turkey
2. Amhara – Ethiopia
3. Cabo Delgado – Spain
4. Catalonia – Italy
How many pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) Only one pair
b) Only two pairs
c) Only three pairs
d) All four pairs
PREVIOUS YEAR QUESTION
Q. With reference to the United National Convention on the

Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit
not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance
with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent
passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the
baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. With reference to the United National Convention on the

Law of Sea, consider the following statements:
1. A coastal state has the right to establish the breadth of its territorial sea up to a limit
not exceeding 12 nautical miles, measured from baseline determined in accordance
with the convention.
2. Ships of all states, whether coastal or land-locked, enjoy the right of innocent
passage through the territorial sea.
3. The Exclusive Economic Zone shall not extend beyond 200 nautical miles from the
baseline from which the breadth of the territorial sea is measured.
a) 1 and 2 only
b) 2 and 3 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 1, 2 and 3
Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent
years.
2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party-political system.
3. Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and
focus on exports.
4. For a long time, Vietnam's low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted
global manufacturers.
5. Vietnam has the most productive eservice sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
a) 2 and 4
b) 3 and 5
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 1 and 2
Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Vietnam has been one of the fastest growing economies in the world in the recent
years.
2. Vietnam is led by a multi-party-political system.
3. Vietnam's economic growth is linked to its integration with global supply chains and
focus on exports.
4. For a long time, Vietnam's low labour costs and stable exchange rates have attracted
global manufacturers.
5. Vietnam has the most productive eservice sector in the Indo-Pacific region.
a) 2 and 4
b) 3 and 5
c) 1, 3 and 4
d) 1 and 2
Q. Consider the following pairs International agreement/set-up Subject

1. Alma-Ata Declaration - Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention - Biological and chemical weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue - Global climate change
4. Under Coalition - Child rights

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 4 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Q. Consider the following pairs International agreement/set-up Subject

1. Alma-Ata Declaration - Healthcare of the people
2. Hague Convention - Biological and chemical weapons
3. Talanoa Dialogue - Global climate change
4. Under Coalition - Child rights

a) 1 and 2 only
b) 4 only
c) 1 and 3 only
d) 2, 3 and 4 only
Q. 'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen

in the news, is
a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a

meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
b) a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-
Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-
Pacific Economic Forum
c) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a
World Conference convened by the United Nations
d) a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the
East Asia Summit
Q. 'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen

in the news, is
a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a

meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization
b) a plan of action for sustainable economic growth in the Asia-
Pacific Region, an outcome of the deliberations of the Asia-
Pacific Economic Forum
c) an agenda for women's empowerment, an outcome of a
World Conference convened by the United Nations
d) a strategy to combat wildlife trafficking, a declaration of the
East Asia Summit

Sea Bordering country
1. Adriatic Sea Albania
2. Black Sea Croatia
3. Caspian Sea Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean Morocco
Sea
5. Red Sea Syria
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
a) 1, 2 and 4 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

Sea Bordering country
1. Adriatic Sea Albania
2. Black Sea Croatia
3. Caspian Sea Kazakhstan
4. Mediterranean Morocco
Sea
5. Red Sea Syria
a) 1, 2 and 4 only
b) 1, 3 and 4 only
c) 2 and 5 only
d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Ans: (b)
Option 1 is correct. Adriatic Sea borders Albania.

Option 2 is incorrect. Black Sea borders Russia, Turkey, Georgia, Romania,
Ukraine and Bulgaria. Adriatic Sea borders Croatia.
Option 3 is correct. Russia, Iran, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan
are countries bordering Caspian Sea.
Option 4 is correct. Morocco which lies in North western Africa borders the
Mediterranean Sea near Strait of Gibraltar.
Option 5 is incorrect. Red Sea borders Egypt, Sudan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia,
Eritrea and Djibouti
The Mediterranean Sea borders Syria.
NUSANTARA
In the News: Indonesia’s parliament passed a law

approving the relocation of its capital from slowly
sinking Jakarta to a site 2,000 kilometres away on the
jungle-clad Borneo island that will be name
“Nusantara”.
NUSANTARA
NUSANTARA
About:
 Home to more than 30 million people in its greater metro
area, Jakarta has long been plagued by serious infrastructure
problems and flooding exacerbated by climate change.
 The new capital will cover about 56,180 hectares in east
Kalimantan province on the Indonesian part of Borneo.
NUSANTARA
 Indonesia is not the first country in the region to relocate

from an overpopulated capital.
 Malaysia moved its government to Putrajaya from Kuala
Lumpur in 2003, while Myanmar moved its capital to
Naypyidaw from Rangoon in 2006.
UNITED NATION: PRINCIPAL ORGANS
UNITED NATION: PRINCIPAL ORGANS
UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY (UNGA)
Basics
• UNGA is one of the six principal organs of
the UN (General Assembly, Security Council,
Economic and Social Council, Trusteeship
Council, International Court of Justice, and
UN Secretariat), serving as the main
deliberative, policymaking, and
representative organ of the UN;
• UNGA is responsible for: UN budget,
appointing the non-permanent members to
the Security Council, appointing the
Secretary-General of the UN, receiving
reports from other parts of the UN system,
and making recommendations through
resolutions;
Basics
• It also establishes numerous subsidiary
organs to advance or assist in its broad
mandate.
• President of the General Assembly is
elected each year by assembly to serve a
one-year term of office;
• Presidency rotates annually between the
five geographic groups: African, Asia-
Pacific, Eastern European, Latin American
and Caribbean, and Western European and
other States;
• Members: 193;
• Formation: 1945;
• Headquarters: New York, United States
Aims and Objectives

• Consider and approve the UN budget
and establish the financial assessments of
Member States;
• Elect the non-permanent members of
the Security Council and the members of
other UN councils and organs and, on the
recommendation of the Security Council,
appoint the Secretary-General;
• Consider and make recommendations
on the general principles of cooperation
for maintaining international peace and
security, including disarmament;
Aims and Objectives

• Discuss any question relating to
international peace and security and,
except where a dispute or situation is
currently being discussed by the Security
Council, make recommendations on it.
India and UNGA

• India was among the original members of
the UN that signed the Declaration by UN at
Washington, D.C. on 1 January 1942 and
also participated in the UN Conference on
International Organization at San
Francisco from 25 April to 26 June 1945;
• As a founding member of the UN, India
strongly supports purposes & principles of
the UN.
Points to Note
• UNGA is the only UN organ wherein all
member states have equal representation
UNITED NATIONS SECURITY COUNCIL (UNSC)
Basics
• Established in 1945, UNSC is one of the
six principal organs of the UN charged
with the maintenance of international
peace and security as well as accepting
new members to the UN and approving
any changes to UN Charter;
• Its powers include the establishment of
peacekeeping operations, the
establishment of international
sanctions, and the authorization of
military action through Security Council
resolutions;
Basics
• Five permanent members: China,
France, the Russian Federation, the
United Kingdom, and the United States.
• Ten non-permanent members: elected
for two-year terms by the General
Assembly;
• Headquarters: New York, United States.
Aims and Objectives

• Maintaining peace and security at the
international level. It takes the lead in
determining the existence of a threat to
peace or act of aggression;
• Security Council can also deploy UN
peacekeeping operations and impose
sanctions on states;
• UNSC can also impose diplomatic
relations severance, financial restrictions
and penalties, blockades and even
collective military action if required
against member countries.
• According to the UNSC rules of procedure,

the Council presidency rotates between
each of the 15 members of the UNSC, in
alphabetical order
India's Permanent Seat In UNSC

• Despite India being a country with a huge
population, a growing economy, and
nuclear power, it is not a permanent
member of the UNSC and India finds it
discriminatory in nature;
• China, in particular, has been blocking
India’s push for a permanent seat at the
Council;
• India is one among the G4 countries
(India, Germany, Japan, Brazil), which
gives it an edge at becoming one of the
permanent members of the UNSC.
Points to Note
• It is the only UN body with the authority
to issue binding resolutions to member
states.
UNITED NATIONS ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
Basics
• UN ECOSOC is one of the six principal
organs of the UN, responsible for
coordinating the economic and social
fields of the organization, specifically in
regards to the fifteen specialized agencies,
the eight functional commissions, and the
five regional commissions under its
jurisdiction;
• President of the Council is elected for a
one-year term and chosen from the small
or medium sized states represented on
the Council at the beginning of each new
session;
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
Basics
• Presidency rotates among the UN
Regional Groups to ensure equal
representation.
• Headquarters: New York.
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
Aims and Objectives

• To recommend international action on
economic and social issues; promote
universal respect for human rights; and
work for global cooperation on health,
education, and cultural and related areas;
For promoting higher standards of living,
full employment, and economic and social
progress; Identifying solutions to
international economic, social and health
problems.
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
India and UN-ECOSOC Nation

• UN-ECOSOC is at the heart of the UN
system to advance the three
dimensions of sustainable development
– economic, social and environmental thus
it is in India's interest to coordinate with
UN ECOSOC in order to advance its SDG
goals.
COUNCIL (UN ECOSOC)
Current Affairs
• India has been elected to the Economic
and Social Council, one of the six main
organs of the UN, for the 2022-24 term;
• India was elected in the Asia-Pacific
States category along with Afghanistan,
Kazakhstan and Oman.
UN SECRETARIAT
UN SECRETARIAT
Basics
• UN Secretariat is the United Nations'
executive arm.
• The Secretariat has an important role in
setting the agenda for the deliberative
and decision-making bodies of the UN
(the General Assembly, Economic and Social
Council, and Security Council), and the
implementation of the decisions of these
bodies;
• Secretariat comprises the Secretary-
General and thousands of international UN
staff members who carry out the day-to-day
work of the UN as mandated by the General
Assembly and the Organization’s other
principal organs;
UN SECRETARIAT
Basics
• Secretary-General is the chief
administrative officer of the
Organization, appointed by the General
Assembly on the recommendation of the
Security Council for a five-year;
• UN staff members work in duty stations
and on peacekeeping missions all around
the world;
• President: António Guterres (2017–
present)
UN SECRETARIAT
Aims and Objectives

• To help carry out the decisions made by
the different organs of the UN; To organize
international conferences; To translate
speeches and distribute documents into
the UN's official languages.
UN SECRETARIAT
India and UN-Secretariat

• India has consistently supported the
purposes and principles of the UN and
has made significant contributions to
implementing the goals of the UN Charter,
particularly in the field of peacekeeping;
• Experience and professionalism of India’s
armed forces has proved invaluable, time
and again, in UN peacekeeping operations
- in which over a hundred Indian soldiers
have given their lives."
INTERNATIONAL COURT OF JUSTICE (ICJ)
Basics
• ICJ was established in 1945 by the UN charter
and started working in April 1946;
• It is the principal judicial organ of the UN,
situated at the Peace Palace in The Hague
(Netherlands);
• It settles legal disputes between States and
gives advisory opinions in accordance with
international law, on legal questions referred
to it by authorized UN organs and specialized
agencies;
• It has 193 state parties and current President
is Ronny Abraham;
• The Court is composed of 15 judges, who are
elected for terms of office of nine years by the
UNGA and UNSC;
• Headquarters: Hague, Netherlands.
Aims and Objectives

• Settling legal disputes submitted by states
in accordance with international law;
Advising on legal questions brought by
authorized international organs and
agencies.
India and ICJ

• The ICJ has jurisdiction over all cases
other than:
o Disputes in regard to which the parties to
the dispute have agreed or shall agree to
have recourse to some other method or
methods of settlement;
o Disputes with the government of any State
which is or has been a Member of the
Commonwealth of Nations;
India and ICJ

o Disputes in regard to matters which are
essentially within the domestic jurisdiction
of the Republic of India;
o Disputes relating to or connected with facts
or situations of hostilities, armed conflicts,
individual or collective actions taken in self-
defense, resistance to aggression, fulfilment
of obligations imposed by international
bodies, and other similar or related acts,
measures or situations in which India is, has
been or may in future be involved, including
the measures taken for protection of
national security and ensuring national
defence.
Current Affairs
• During the latest hearing in the
Kulbhushan Jadhav case on February,
2019, India said Pakistan's continued
custody of Indian national Kulbhushan
Jadhav without any consular access should
be declared "unlawful" as it was an
egregious violation of the Vienna
Convention.
Points to Note
• Unlike the six principal organs of the UN, it
is the only one not located in New York
(USA).
TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
Basics
• UN Trusteeship Council is one of the six
principal organs of the UN, established to
help ensure that trust territories were
administered in the best interests of their
inhabitants and of international peace and
security;
• The trust territories—most of them
former mandates of the League of
Nations or territories taken from nations
defeated at the end of World War II—
have all now attained self-government or
independence, either as separate nations or
by joining neighbouring independent
countries;
TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
Basics
• The last was Palau, which became a
member state of the UN in December
1994;
TRUSTEESHIP COUNCIL
Aims and Objectives

• To administer and support the transition
to independence and self-governance of
the colonies held by countries from World
War II, as well as the territories mandated
by the League of Nations;
• The aims of the Trusteeship System have
been fulfilled to the extent that all Trust
Territories have attained self-
government or independence, either as
separate States or by joining
neighbouring independent countries.
Q. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East

Asia as one proceeds from south to north?
1. Bangkok
2. Hanoi
3. Jakarta
4. Singapore
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

a) 4-2-1-3
b) 3-2-4-1
c) 3-4-1-2
d) 4-3-2-1
Ans: (c)
Consider the following pairs:
Towns sometimes mentioned in news – Country
1) Aleppo – Syria
2) Kirkuk – Yemen
3) Mosul – Palestine
4) Mazar-i-sharif – Afghanistan

A. 1 and 2
B. 1 and 4
C. 2 and 3
D. 3 and 4
MACHCHHU RIVER AND MORBI BRIDGE
In the News: The newly-restored colonial-era

suspension bridge over Machchhu River
collapsed after 5 days of reopening.
About
 Locally known as the Julto Pool, it is one of the tourist attractions of
Morbi district in Gujarat.
 It had been closed for renovation for 6 months and reopened on the
Gujarati New Year day.
 The bridge was 1.25 metres wide and spanned 233 metres.
 The bridge was originally built by the erstwhile princely state of
Morbi and was considered a marvel of British engineering.
 Sir Waghji Thakor, who ruled Morbi till 1922, was inspired by the
colonial influence and decided to construct the bridge.
 The bridge was built in 1880 to connect Darbargadh Palace with
Nazarbag Palace.
 Morbi is an industrial town in Gujarat with thousands of factories
making ceramic tiles and bathroom products and wall clocks.
Machchhu River:
 Machchhu River originates from Madla hills (Jasdan) and meets in
little Rann of Kuchchh.
 It is a North flowing river of Saurashtra in Gujarat state.
 The total length of this river from its origin to its outfall is 140 km.
 There are 2 dams located on river Machchhu River:
1) Machchhu-I &
2) Machchhu-II.
HORN OF AFRICA
In the News: China is set to name an envoy to the

Horn of Africa.
BELARUS
In the News: Belarus, the largest landlocked

European country bordering the two warring
nations has found itself in a precarious position amid
its political proximity with Russia.
BELARUS
About
 Belarus is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe.
 It is bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the
south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the
northwest.
 Its capital is Minsk.
 After the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, Belarus
became a sovereign nation, and its first presidential elections
were held in 1994.
BELARUS
 Alexandr Lukashenko has served as the country's first president

since 1994. Belarus has been labelled "Europe's last
dictatorship" by some Western journalists, on account of the
country's poor human rights record and Lukashenko's self-
described authoritarian style of government.
LACHIN CORRIDOR
DRAKE PASSAGE
YELLOW STONE NATIONAL PARK
LAKE BAIKAL
ECUADOR
In the News: Ecuador, a South American country, has

become the first country in the world to give legal
rights to wild animals.
ECUADOR
About:
 Ecuador is a country in the north-western part of South
America.
 It is bordered by Colombia on the north, Peru on the east and
south, and the Pacific Ocean on the west.
 Ecuador also includes the Galapagos Islands in the Pacific
which is about 1,000 kilometres west of the mainland.
ECUADOR
 Ecuador is a part of the Pacific Rim’s “Ring of Fire” region. It

has eight volcanoes in its territory.
 Capital: Quito.
SANGAY VOLCANO- ECUADOR
GRONINGEN GAS FIELD
NORDIC COUNTRIES
GABON, SENEGAL
In the News: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu

embarked on a three-nation tour to Gabon, Senegal
and Qatar. This is the first-ever visit from India at
the level of Vice President to all three countries.
GABON, SENEGAL
About:
 Gabon is a country on the west coast of Central Africa.
 Located on the Equator, Gabon is bordered by Equatorial
Guinea to the northwest, Cameroon to the north, the
Republic of the Congo to the east and south, and the Gulf of
Guinea to the west.
 Gabon's capital is Libreville.
GABON, SENEGAL
Senegal:
 Senegal is a country in West Africa.

 Senegal is bordered by Mauritania in the north, Mali to the
east, Guinea to the southeast, and Guinea-Bissau to the
southwest.
 Senegal's capital is Dakar.
LA REUNION
In the News: The navies of India and France

recently conducted their second joint patrol on the
French island of La Reunion in the South-Western
Indian Ocean.
LA REUNION
About:
 Reunion is a French overseas department and
overseas region in the western Indian Ocean.
 It is located approximately 950 km east of the
island of Madagascar and 175 km southwest of
the island of Mauritius.
 Reunion is an outermost region of the European
Union and is part of the eurozone.
 Reunion and the fellow French overseas
department of Mayotte are the only eurozone
regions located in the Southern Hemisphere.
TRANSNISTRIA
In the News: Transnistria, the tiny breakaway

region of Moldova, risks being dragged into the
Russia-Ukraine war because of reports of a series
of explosions in its territory.
TRANSNISTRIA
About:
 The de facto state lies between Moldova to its west and
Ukraine towards its east.
 Often described as a “remnant of the Soviet Union”,
Transnistria declared independence like Moldova did soon
after the break-up of the Soviet Union.
 When Moldovan troops attempted to take over the territory in
1990-1992, Transnistria was able to resist them because of
Russian soldiers based in Transnistria.
TRANSNISTRIA
 Since then, it has remained free of Moldovan control.

However, most countries continue to see Transnistria as
part of Moldova.
 Transnistria is not recognised as independent even by
Russia and its economy is dependent on Russia for
subsidies and free gas. Most Transnistrians have dual
citizenship of Russia and Transnistria or triple citizenship
of Moldova, Transnistria, and Russia.
Q. Turkey is located between
a) Black Sea and Caspian Sea

b) Black Sea and Mediterranean Sea
c) Gulf of Suez and Mediterranean Sea
d) Gulf of Aqaba and Dead Sea
Ans: (b)
TIGRAY
In the News: The Director-General of the World Health

Organisation has said that racism is the reason behind
a lack of international interest in Ethiopia's war
stricken Northern Tigray region, where the civilians
are living in dire conditions.
TIGRAY
TIGRAY
TIGRAY
About:
 Tigray is Ethiopia's northernmost region.
 Bordering Eritrea, it is home to most of the country's estimated 7
million ethnic Tigrayans.
 The ethnic group, which accounts for about 6% of Ethiopia's
population, have had an outsized influence on national affairs.
UPSC PYQ 2022
The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which
of the following regions ?
A. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

B. Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
C. Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
D. The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
LEVANT REGION
UPSC PYQ 2022
The term "Levant" often heard in the news roughly corresponds to which
of the following regions ?
A. Region along the eastern Mediterranean shores

B. Region along North African shores stretching from Egypt to Morocco
C. Region along Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa
D. The entire coastal areas of Mediterranean Sea
PARAGUAY
In the News: External affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar

has unveiled a bust of Mahatma Gandhi in Asuncion,
Paraguay. The Minister also visited the historic Casa
de la Independencia, from where Paraguay’s
Independence movement started more than two
centuries ago.
PARAGUAY
In the News: External affairs Minister Dr S.

Jaishankar has unveiled a bust of Mahatma
Gandhi in Asuncion, Paraguay. The
Minister also visited the historic Casa
de la Independencia, from where
Paraguay’s Independence movement
started more than two centuries ago.
PARAGUAY
PARAGUAY
About:
 Paraguay is a landlocked country in South America.
 It is bordered by Argentina to the south and southwest, Brazil to
the east and northeast, and Bolivia to the northwest.
 It is a founding member of Mercosur, the United Nations, the
Organization of American States, the Non-aligned Movement
and the Lima Group.
 Asunción is the capital and the largest city of Paraguay.
LITHIUM
LITHIUM
About:
 Lithium is an element and in nature tends to concentrate
sufficiently in the two minerals, spodumene and lepidolite.
 They are usually found in specialized rocks called rare and greisens.
 The Geological agency described lithium as high grade because it is
found with 1-13% oxide content. Normally, the exploration begins
at levels as low as 0.4%.
[ Grade (in %) is a measure of the concentration of lithium in the
minerals and or rocks that contain it; higher the grade higher te
economic viability]
 It is widely used as a dental ceramic due to its strength,
machinability, and translucency. [ lithium disilicate]
LITHIUM
 Lithium metal is used to make useful alloys.

 Lithium is used in rechargeable batteries for mobile
phones, laptops, digital cameras and electric vehicles.
 Lithium is also used in some non-rechargeable batteries for
things like heart pacemakers, toys and clocks.
BOSNIA
In the News: Bosnia’s presidential and parliamentary

elections were held recently amid its worst political
crisis since the end of the 1992-95 war.
BOSNIA
About:
 Bosnia and Herzegovina is a country situated in the western
Balkan Peninsula of Europe.
 The capital of the country is Sarajevo.
 It has borders with Croatia (in the Southwest and the largest
part of the North), Serbia (in the Northeast) and Montenegro (in
the Southeast).
BURKINA FASO
About:
 Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered
by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the
southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and the Ivory Coast to
the southwest.
 It was previously called the Republic of Upper Volta.
 Its capital and largest city are Ouagadougou.
BURKINA FASO
 The country owes its former name of Upper Volta to three rivers
which cross it: the Black Volta(or Mouhoun), the White Volta
(Nakambe) and the Red Volta (Nazinon).
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
In the News: According to a new study, the cold,

eastward equatorial ocean current has been gaining
strength for decades. This is of great significance
because the Galapagos Islands are protected from
global warming in the Pacific Ocean Region by this
cold, eastward equatorial ocean current.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
About:
 The Galapagos Islands are a part of Ecuador. These are located in
the Pacific Ocean around 1,000 km away from the South American
continent.
 In 1978, the islands became UNESCO’s first World Heritage Site. It
is described by the UNESCO World Heritage Convention as a
“living museum and showcase of evolution.”
 The islands contain aquatic species such as manta rays and
sharks which have been endangered by commercial fishing.
GALAPAGOS ISLANDS
 Galapagos is home to the critically endangered — Galapagos

penguin, Galapagos fur seal and Galapagos sea lion.
 Also, the giant tortoises found here – ‘Galapagos’ in old Spanish –
give the islands their name.
Q. Which one of the following countries of South-West Asia does not open out to
the Mediterranean Sea?
a) Syria
b) Jordan
c) Lebanon
d) Israel
Ans: (b)
FUKUTOKU-OKANOBA VOLCANO
FUKUTOKU-OKANOBA VOLCANO
KUSHIYARA RIVER
MONGLA PORT AND CHITTAGONG PORT
ENGLISH CHANNEL
GILGIT-BALTISTAN
In the News: Valleys of Gilgit-Baltistan are

resonating with loud protests by local communities
against Pakistan for forcibly usurping village lands
and plundering their natural wealth.
GILGIT-BALTISTAN
About
 It borders China in the North, Afghanistan in the west and
Kashmir in the southeast.
 It shares a geographical boundary with Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir.
 The region was a part of the erstwhile princely state of
Jammu and Kashmir but has been under Pakistan’s control
since 4th November 1947, following the invasion of Kashmir by
tribal militias and the Pakistan army.
 The China-Pakistan Economic Corridor passes through this
region.
GILGIT-BALTISTAN
Current Status of Gilgit-Baltistan:
 It is an autonomous region now and with this elevation, it will

become the 5th province of the country.
 Currently, Pakistan has four provinces namely Baluchistan,
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Punjab, and Sindh.
GILGIT-BALTISTAN
 India’s position: India has conveyed to Pakistan that the entire Union
Territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh including the areas of
Gilgit and Baltistan, are an integral part of the country by their fully
legal and irrevocable accession.

Yyy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

You might also like

Yyy

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Yyy

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SUDAN

Consider the following pairs

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Consider the following pairs

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

In the News: A family of five from Killinochi

In the News: The teaser of Akshay Kumar’s new

 Scientists believe Ram Setu is a natural structure formed due to

Sethusamudram Shipping Canal project:

 However, the project has been opposed on religious and

In the News: French President Emmanuel

 France began its military operations in Sahel in January 2013.

 The objective was to assist local armed forces to prevent the

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Q. With reference to the United National Convention on the

Q. With reference to the United National Convention on the

Q. Consider the following statements:

Q. Consider the following statements:

Q. Consider the following pairs International agreement/set-up Subject

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q. Consider the following pairs International agreement/set-up Subject

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?

Q. 'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen

a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a

Q. 'Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action', often seen

a) a strategy to tackle the regional terrorism, an outcome of a

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Q. Consider the following pairs:

Option 1 is correct. Adriatic Sea borders Albania.

In the News: Indonesia’s parliament passed a law

 Indonesia is not the first country in the region to relocate

Aims and Objectives

Aims and Objectives

India and UNGA

Aims and Objectives

• According to the UNSC rules of procedure,

India's Permanent Seat In UNSC

Aims and Objectives

India and UN-ECOSOC Nation

Aims and Objectives

India and UN-Secretariat

Aims and Objectives

India and ICJ

India and ICJ

Aims and Objectives

Q. What is the correct sequence of occurrence of the following cities in South-East

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?

In the News: The newly-restored colonial-era

In the News: China is set to name an envoy to the

In the News: Belarus, the largest landlocked

 Alexandr Lukashenko has served as the country's first president

In the News: Ecuador, a South American country, has

 Ecuador is a part of the Pacific Rim’s “Ring of Fire” region. It

In the News: Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu