PPSC Assistant Director Test Current Affairs Flashcards

24 sample cards from the Current Affairs deck

Sampled from the end of the deck, so these are different cards from the ones shown on the syllabus page.

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.'

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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).

12. 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).

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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).

16. 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.

17. 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.

18. 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.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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.

22. 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.

23. 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).

24. 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.

What this deck covers

Current Affairs flashcards FAQ