International Affairs
Introduction
The subtopic International Affairs within MPSC Current Affairs is one of the most dynamic and high-return areas for a serious aspirant. Over the past four years (2021–2024), MPSC has asked at least 18 questions directly from this domain, covering everything from global summits and UN agencies to India’s humanitarian operations, sports diplomacy, and human development indices. The questions are not merely factual—they test your ability to connect events across time, distinguish between similar-sounding institutions, and recall the exact venue, year, or outcome of a major international meeting.
This chapter is designed to anchor you in what has been asked, what the syllabus demands, and what is likely to appear next. The official MPSC syllabus for this subtopic is deceptively short: “Current Events – National and International” and “Current Events – Maharashtra Specific.” However, the depth of testing—as revealed by the previous year questions (PYQs)—ranges from remembering a single digit (India’s rank in the Global Hunger Index 2023) to distinguishing between Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across multiple statements.
Why does MPSC test International Affairs so frequently? Because an officer of the Maharashtra state civil service must be a globally aware administrator. Whether it’s understanding the implications of a UN climate conference for a coastal district, or grasping the significance of an ILO convention for labour welfare in Maharashtra’s industrial belts, international developments directly affect state policy. Moreover, many MPSC questions are borrowed from or inspired by UPSC patterns, so a solid foundation here also prepares you for the upcoming Main exams.
What will you learn in this chapter? First, we build the conceptual skeleton: key terms like Sustainable Development Goals, UN specialized agencies, COP, Anthropocene, human trafficking, etc. Then we dive deep into the most tested themes: the UN system and its landmark summits, global environmental governance (Rio+20, COP15, Basel Convention), India’s humanitarian and diplomatic missions (Operation Dost), and indices like the Global Hunger Index and Human Development Index. Along the way, we will use the 18 PYQs as worked examples, showing you exactly how MPSC frames a question and how to avoid common traps. We will also compare confusing pairs (e.g., MDGs vs SDGs, ILO vs WHO, Anthropocene vs Holocene), provide mnemonics to lock in dates and sequences, and forecast future question angles based on the pattern of past exams.
By the end of this chapter, you will not only be able to answer every one of the 18 PYQs accurately, but you will also have a mental framework to tackle any new International Affairs question that appears in the 2025 MPSC exam.
Core Concepts & Foundations
Before we dissect individual PYQs, it is essential to build a clear, first-principles understanding of the recurring institutional frameworks and conceptual vocabulary that MPSC expects you to know.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): A set of 17 global goals adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015 as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and cover social, economic, and environmental dimensions. Each goal has specific targets and indicators. Tested in MPSC 2021 (Q1) where you had to pick correct statements about SDGs.
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs): Eight international development goals established following the Millennium Summit of the United Nations in 2000, with a target date of 2015. They focused on reducing poverty, improving health and education, and ensuring environmental sustainability. They were succeeded by the SDGs. Tested in MPSC 2021 (Q9) regarding which items were not MDGs.
UN Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20): A United Nations conference held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in June 2012, marking the 20th anniversary of the 1992 Earth Summit. Its outcome document, “The Future We Want,” included guidelines on green economy policies and a decision to launch a process to develop SDGs. Tested in MPSC 2022 (Q2) for correct statements about the conference.
Basel Convention: An international treaty designed to reduce the movement of hazardous waste between nations, specifically from developed to less developed countries. It was adopted in March 1989 in Basel, Switzerland, and entered into force in 1992. The convention requires prior written consent for the export of hazardous wastes. Tested in MPSC 2021 (Q7) for the year and place of signing.
International Labour Organization (ILO): A UN specialized agency founded in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles. It sets international labour standards, promotes social justice, and works on issues like forced labour, child labour, and decent work. It completed 100 years in 2019 (the centenary was marked in 2019, but the question in MPSC 2022 asked which agency completed 100 years, meaning the agency founded in 1919—ILO). Note: WHO was founded in 1948, FAO in 1945, UPU in 1874.
UN Environment Programme (UNEP): Established in 1972, UNEP coordinates the UN’s environmental activities and assists developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies. It was not “de-powered” at Rio+20; rather, the conference strengthened its role. This distinction was tested in the Rio+20 question.
Human Development Report (HDR): An annual report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) since 1990. The 2020 report introduced the concept of the Anthropocene—the current geological age in which human activity is the dominant influence on climate and the environment. It examined the relationship between human development and planetary pressures. Tested in MPSC 2021 (Q10) where the correct answer was “Anthropocene.”
Anthropocene: A proposed geological epoch dating from the commencement of significant human impact on Earth’s geology and ecosystems. While not yet formally adopted by the International Union of Geological Sciences, the term is widely used in environmental discourse. It is distinguished from Holocene (the current official interglacial epoch starting about 11,700 years ago), Miocene (23–5.3 million years ago), and Eocene (56–33.9 million years ago). MPSC tested your ability to pick Anthropocene among these four similar-sounding terms.
Blue Heart Campaign: A global campaign launched by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to raise awareness about human trafficking and its impact on society. It encourages people to show solidarity with victims by wearing a blue heart. Tested in MPSC 2021 (Q11) where you had to identify the cause as human trafficking.
Operation Dost: The humanitarian mission launched by India on February 7, 2023, to provide relief and rescue assistance to Turkey and Syria after a devastating earthquake. It included NDRF teams, medical supplies, and field hospitals. Tested in MPSC 2023 (Q6). Other ops: Operation Rahat (evacuation from Yemen, 2015), Operation Hamdard (not a standard India op – likely a distractor), Operation Sakha (not a known India op).
ASEAN-India Business Summit: A platform for business leaders from ASEAN countries and India to explore trade and investment opportunities. The 5th edition was held in Dhaka, Bangladesh, in 2023. Tested in MPSC 2023 (Q8). Note: The venue is Dhaka, not New Delhi or Kuala Lumpur.
UN COP 15 (Conference of the Parties): Refers to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held in Montreal, Canada, in December 2022 (originally scheduled for Kunming, China, but moved due to COVID). It adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. MPSC 2023 (Q13) tested correct statements about COP 15—the correct combination included statements about the framework, targets, and the venue change.
Global Hunger Index (GHI): A tool jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welt Hunger Hilfe to measure and track hunger at global, regional, and national levels. India ranked 111th out of 125 countries in the 2023 GHI. This was directly tested in MPSC 2024 (Q17). Context: India’s rank has been consistently low, with a score of 28.7 (serious hunger category) in 2023.
Asian Games 2023: The 19th Asian Games were held in Hangzhou, China, from September 23 to October 8, 2023. India sent a record contingent and won 107 medals, including 28 gold. MPSC 2024 (Q18) tested correct statements about the Games—correct ones likely included the number of medals, the host city, and a specific achievement (e.g., India’s best-ever medal tally). The wrong statements might have mentioned incorrect medal counts or host city.
UNESCO International Education Day: The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization dedicates the International Day of Education (January 24) each year to a specific theme. In 2023, the day was dedicated to the girls and women of Afghanistan, highlighting the Taliban’s restrictions on female education. Tested in MPSC 2023 (Q14).
Monarchy on Currency: Australia removed the mention of the British Monarchy from its currency notes in 2023, replacing the image of Queen Elizabeth II with an indigenous design or a portrait of the new King (but the question specifically said “removed the mention of the British Monarchy”). This was a symbolic step towards a republic. Tested in MPSC 2023 (Q15). New Zealand and Canada still have the monarchy on currency.
Golden Jubilee Brand Ambassador: In 2022, the state of Manipur signed Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt as the brand ambassador for its Golden Jubilee celebrations (50 years of statehood, 1972–2022). Tested in MPSC 2022 (Q4). This question is a classic example of MPSC mixing culture and state-specific current affairs.
Saudi Arabian Grand Prix 2022: The Formula One race was won by Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in March 2022. Tested in MPSC 2022 (Q3). This is a pure sports current affairs question, but it falls under “International Affairs” because it’s an international sporting event.
Now that we have a clear set of definitions, we can move into the deep dives. The following sections are arranged thematically, not chronologically, to help you build connections.