by Q. Match the following pairs:
UPSC Civil Services Examination (Prelims) 2025 – General Studies Paper I
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) Only three
(d) All the four
Answer: (d) All the four
Explanation:
Pair 1 is correct.
The United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) has declared 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. This initiative recognises the vital contribution of women farmers to global food systems. Women play a major role in food security, nutrition, agricultural sustainability, and poverty reduction, especially in developing countries. The declaration also seeks to draw attention to the challenges faced by women farmers, such as limited access to land, credit, technology, education, and decision-making.
Pair 2 is correct.
The United Nations has proclaimed 2027 as the International Year of Sustainable and Resilient Tourism. This was done through a UN General Assembly resolution adopted on 26 February 2024. The objective is to promote tourism that is environmentally sustainable, socially inclusive, and economically resilient. The initiative highlights tourism as a tool for poverty eradication, job creation, and economic diversification, with special emphasis on the participation of women, youth, older persons, and persons with disabilities.
Pair 3 is correct.
The UN General Assembly declared 2025 as the International Year of Peace and Trust. This initiative encourages countries to resolve conflicts through dialogue, diplomacy, and negotiation rather than confrontation. It underlines the importance of peace and mutual trust among nations as essential values for sustainable development, human rights, and global security.
Notably, 2025 has been declared an international year for multiple themes, including:
International Year of Peace and Trust
International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation
International Year of Quantum Science and Technology
International Year of Cooperatives
Pair 4 is correct.
In 2024, the UN General Assembly proclaimed 2029 as the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defence. This decision was taken to coincide with the close and safe flyby of asteroid 99942 Apophis. On 13 April 2029, Apophis will pass at a distance of around 32,000 kilometres from Earth, which is within the orbit of geostationary satellites, but it poses no danger to the planet.
This rare event offers a unique opportunity to raise global awareness about asteroid threats, improve scientific research, and strengthen international cooperation in planetary defence. The asteroid is expected to be visible to billions of people with the naked eye under clear night skies.
Answer: (d) All the four
