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PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs Syllabus

The Current Affairs syllabus for PPSC Assistant Director Test in full: 4 chapters and 13 topics, every one listed below, plus 51 Current Affairs flashcards with answers.

4Chapters
13Topics
51Flashcards

Current Affairs syllabus: all 4 chapters

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics.

  1. National Current Affairs

     4 topics
    • Pakistan Politics and Recent Developments
    • National Economy and Budget
    • CPEC and Major Projects
    • Foreign Relations of Pakistan

  2. International Current Affairs

     3 topics
    • Global Political Developments
    • Conflicts, Wars and Peace Agreements
    • International Summits and Conferences

  3. Economy and Trade

     3 topics
    • Global Economic Issues
    • Trade Agreements and Blocs
    • Energy and Climate Policy

  4. Sports and Personalities

     3 topics
    • Recent Sports Events and Records
    • Newsmakers and Appointments
    • Awards and Recognitions

PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs flashcards — 51 questions with answers

  1. Under Pakistan's Constitution, who has the power to dissolve the National Assembly, and what triggers a caretaker government?

    The President dissolves the National Assembly on the Prime Minister's advice (or after a no-confidence vote). A caretaker government is then formed to oversee general elections within 90 days under the Election Commission of Pakistan.

  2. Which body conducts general elections in Pakistan, and what is the constitutional time limit to hold elections after assembly dissolution?

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) conducts elections, which must be held within 90 days of normal completion of term, or 60 days if the assembly is dissolved early (90 days if dissolved prematurely by the PM).

  3. What is the 26th Constitutional Amendment of Pakistan (2024) primarily known for?

    It restructured the judiciary—creating a Constitutional Bench in the Supreme Court and changing the process for appointing the Chief Justice of Pakistan, giving Parliament a greater role in judicial appointments.

  4. Define a 'vote of no-confidence' in Pakistan's parliamentary system.

    A motion by which the National Assembly removes the Prime Minister by majority vote of the total membership (172 of 342). Imran Khan was removed via this mechanism in April 2022.

  5. What is the structure of Pakistan's Parliament (Majlis-e-Shoora)?

    A bicameral legislature: the National Assembly (lower house, 336 seats including reserved seats) and the Senate (upper house, 96 members representing provinces equally).

  6. What is the IMF Extended Fund Facility (EFF) that Pakistan secured in 2024, and its approximate size?

    A 37-month IMF program worth about US$7 billion approved in September 2024 to stabilize Pakistan's economy through fiscal consolidation, reforms, and structural adjustments.

  7. In Pakistan's federal budget, what is the difference between the 'current expenditure' and the 'development budget (PSDP)'?

    Current expenditure covers running costs—debt servicing, salaries, defense, subsidies. The Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) funds new development projects like infrastructure, dams, and roads.

  8. What is the formula for a country's fiscal deficit?

    Fiscal Deficit = Total Government Expenditure − Total Government Revenue (excluding borrowing). It is usually expressed as a percentage of GDP.

  9. Which institution presents Pakistan's federal budget and on whose behalf?

    The Finance Minister presents the federal budget in the National Assembly on behalf of the federal government, typically in June for the upcoming fiscal year (July–June).

  10. What is the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award in Pakistan?

    A constitutional mechanism (Article 160) that distributes financial resources between the federal government and provinces, with the divisible pool shared based on population, poverty, revenue, and area.

  11. What does CPEC stand for, and which two flagship economic corridors/zones does it connect?

    China–Pakistan Economic Corridor; it links Kashgar in China's Xinjiang region to Gwadar Port in Balochistan, Pakistan, as part of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).

  12. Which Pakistani deep-sea port is the centerpiece of CPEC, and who operates it?

    Gwadar Port in Balochistan, operated by the China Overseas Ports Holding Company (COPHC).

  13. What is CPEC Phase 2 (sometimes called 'CPEC 2.0') focused on?

    Industrial cooperation, agriculture, IT, Special Economic Zones (SEZs), and the '5 corridors' framework—growth, livelihood, innovation, green development, and regional connectivity.

  14. Name two major energy projects developed under CPEC.

    Examples include the Sahiwal Coal Power Plant, Port Qasim Coal Power Plant, Karot Hydropower Project, and the Suki Kinari Hydropower Project.

  15. What is the ML-1 railway project under CPEC?

    The Main Line-1 railway upgrade—a major project to modernize and double-track the railway line from Karachi to Peshawar, the backbone of Pakistan Railways.

  16. What is Pakistan's stance on Kashmir, and which UN resolutions does it reference?

    Pakistan considers Jammu and Kashmir a disputed territory and calls for a plebiscite under UN Security Council Resolutions 47 (1948) and others, allowing Kashmiris to determine their future.

  17. What did India's revocation of Article 370 in August 2019 do, and how did Pakistan respond?

    It revoked the special autonomous status of Jammu and Kashmir. Pakistan downgraded diplomatic ties, suspended trade, and intensified diplomatic efforts internationally.

  18. What is the significance of the Pakistan–China 'all-weather strategic cooperative partnership'?

    It denotes the exceptionally close, enduring alliance between the two countries spanning defense, economy (CPEC), and diplomacy, often described as 'iron brothers.'

  19. What is Pakistan's membership status in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)?

    Pakistan became a full member of the SCO in 2017, alongside India, joining China, Russia, and Central Asian states in this regional security and economic bloc.

  20. What was the outcome of the India–Pakistan military escalation following the Pulwama attack (2019)?

    After India's Balakot airstrikes, Pakistan downed an Indian aircraft and captured pilot Abhinandan Varthaman, who was later returned as a 'peace gesture,' easing tensions.

Show the other 31 Current Affairs flashcards

  1. What event marked the end of the US war in Afghanistan in August 2021?

    The complete withdrawal of US/NATO forces and the Taliban's takeover of Kabul, re-establishing the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.

  2. Which two countries normalized relations in 2023 through a China-brokered deal after years of severed ties?

    Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed in March 2023 (Beijing) to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies after a 7-year rupture.

  3. What is BRICS, and which countries joined in its 2024 expansion?

    BRICS is an economic bloc originally of Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa. In 2024 it expanded to include Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE (with Saudi Arabia invited).

  4. What major conflict began in February 2022 and reshaped global geopolitics and energy markets?

    Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, triggering Western sanctions, a global energy crisis, and NATO expansion (Finland and Sweden seeking membership).

  5. Which two Nordic countries joined NATO following the Russia–Ukraine war?

    Finland joined NATO in April 2023, and Sweden joined in March 2024, ending decades of military non-alignment.

  6. What sparked the major Israel–Gaza war that began on October 7, 2023?

    A large-scale Hamas attack on southern Israel killed about 1,200 people and took hostages; Israel responded with a sustained military offensive in Gaza.

  7. What were the 1978 Camp David Accords?

    US-brokered agreements between Egypt (Sadat) and Israel (Begin) that led to the 1979 peace treaty—the first between Israel and an Arab state—returning Sinai to Egypt.

  8. What were the Abraham Accords (2020)?

    US-brokered normalization agreements between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, later Morocco and Sudan, establishing formal diplomatic and economic ties.

  9. What is the Doha Agreement (February 2020)?

    The US–Taliban peace deal signed in Doha, Qatar, setting terms for US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in exchange for Taliban counter-terrorism commitments.

  10. What is the purpose of a G20 Summit, and which country hosted it in 2023?

    The G20 brings together the world's major economies to coordinate on global economic and financial issues. India hosted the 2023 summit in New Delhi, during which the African Union joined as a member.

  11. What is COP (Conference of the Parties), and what landmark was achieved at COP21?

    COP is the annual UN climate summit. COP21 (2015, Paris) produced the Paris Agreement, committing nations to limit global warming to well below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C.

  12. What major fund was established at COP27 (2022) and operationalized at COP28?

    The Loss and Damage Fund, to help vulnerable developing countries cope with climate-related disasters. COP28 (Dubai, 2023) also called for 'transitioning away from fossil fuels.'

  13. What is the difference between the UN General Assembly and the UN Security Council?

    The General Assembly includes all 193 member states (one vote each, mostly non-binding resolutions). The Security Council has 15 members (5 permanent with veto) and issues binding resolutions on peace and security.

  14. Define 'inflation' and the difference between it and 'stagflation.'

    Inflation is the sustained rise in the general price level, reducing purchasing power. Stagflation is the combination of high inflation, stagnant economic growth, and high unemployment occurring simultaneously.

  15. What is a recession, by the common technical definition?

    A significant decline in economic activity, commonly defined as two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

  16. What is the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) versus the World Bank?

    The IMF focuses on global monetary stability and short-term balance-of-payments support. The World Bank provides long-term development financing and poverty-reduction loans.

  17. What does the FATF 'grey list' signify, and what was Pakistan's status?

    The Financial Action Task Force grey list flags countries with deficiencies in anti-money-laundering/counter-terror-financing. Pakistan was removed from the grey list in October 2022 after compliance.

  18. What is the WTO, and what principle is the 'Most Favoured Nation' (MFN)?

    The World Trade Organization regulates global trade. MFN requires a country to extend any trade advantage given to one member equally to all WTO members (non-discrimination).

  19. What is the difference between a Free Trade Area and a Customs Union?

    A Free Trade Area removes tariffs among members but each keeps its own external tariffs. A Customs Union removes internal tariffs AND adopts a common external tariff (e.g., the EU).

  20. What is the USMCA, and which agreement did it replace?

    The United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement, a free trade deal that replaced NAFTA in 2020.

  21. What is the RCEP, and what makes it significant?

    The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (2020/2022)—the world's largest free trade bloc by GDP, comprising 15 Asia-Pacific nations including China, Japan, South Korea, and ASEAN states.

  22. What are the main organs/blocs: name what ASEAN, OPEC, and the EU each represent.

    ASEAN: Association of Southeast Asian Nations (10-member regional bloc). OPEC: Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (oil cartel). EU: European Union (political-economic union of 27 states).

  23. What is OPEC+, and what is its main function?

    OPEC plus allied oil producers (notably Russia) who coordinate crude oil production levels to influence global oil prices and market stability.

  24. What is 'net-zero emissions,' and by which target year do many countries aim to achieve it?

    Net-zero means balancing greenhouse gases emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere. Many nations, including the EU and US, target 2050; China targets 2060 and India 2070.

  25. What are the three main categories of renewable energy sources commonly cited in climate policy?

    Solar, wind, and hydropower are the primary renewables, often grouped with geothermal, biomass, and tidal energy.

  26. What was the key 'Global Stocktake' outcome of COP28 (2023)?

    The first global assessment of Paris Agreement progress, resulting in a call to triple renewable energy capacity and double energy efficiency by 2030 and transition away from fossil fuels.

  27. Which country won the ICC Cricket World Cup 2023, and where was it held?

    Australia won the 2023 ODI Cricket World Cup, defeating host India in the final at Ahmedabad—Australia's 6th title.

  28. Which nation topped the medal tally at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics?

    The United States topped the medal tally; the Paris 2024 Games ran from July 26 to August 11, 2024.

  29. Which Pakistani athlete won a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and in which event?

    Arshad Nadeem won gold in the men's javelin throw with an Olympic-record throw of 92.97 metres—Pakistan's first individual Olympic gold.

  30. Who won the FIFA World Cup 2022, and who won the Golden Ball?

    Argentina won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, defeating France on penalties. Lionel Messi won the Golden Ball (best player).

  31. Who became the Secretary-General of the United Nations, and when did his term begin?

    António Guterres of Portugal became UN Secretary-General on 1 January 2017 and was reappointed for a second term beginning 2022.

PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs FAQ

What is in the PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs syllabus?

PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs is split into 4 chapters: National Current Affairs, International Current Affairs, Economy and Trade and Sports and Personalities. Together they contain 13 topics.

How many chapters are in PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs?

4 chapters, containing 13 topics. The largest chapter is National Current Affairs, with 4 topics.

Are there flashcards for PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs?

Yes — a 51-card Current Affairs deck, printed in full in the flashcards section of this page and available in the Examius app with spaced repetition. The free plan covers one exam of your choice, including its flashcards; Examius Pro, a one-time purchase, unlocks every other exam and deck.