PPSC Past Papers & Solved MCQs

The correct answer is Belém, Brazil. COP30, the 30th United Nations Climate Change Conference, was held in the city of Belém, the capital of the state of Pará in northern Brazil. It marked the first time the Amazon region hosted a major global climate summit.

Why Belém, Brazil Was Chosen for COP30

• Symbolism of the Amazon: Belém serves as the gateway to the Amazon rainforest, the world\'s largest tropical forest and a critical carbon sink. Hosting COP30 there placed the protection of forests and indigenous communities at the heart of climate negotiations.
• Brazil\'s Climate Leadership: Under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, Brazil has pledged to end deforestation in the Amazon and restore its environmental credentials. Hosting the summit in Belém reinforced this commitment and showcased the Amazon\'s role in global climate stability.
• Logistics and Significance: COP30 brought tens of thousands of delegates, activists, and journalists to the Amazon region for the first time, driving massive infrastructure improvements in Belém and drawing global attention to the urgency of protecting tropical ecosystems.
• Past COP Locations (Incorrect Options):
  • Baku, Azerbaijan hosted COP29 in 2024.
  • Dubai, UAE hosted COP28 in 2023.
  • Glasgow, UK hosted COP26 in 2021.

Therefore, COP30 was held in Belém, Brazil.

László Krasznahorkai, the renowned Hungarian novelist and screenwriter, won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature. The Swedish Academy awarded him the prize for his powerful and visionary body of work, which explores themes of human existence, uncertainty, social decline, hope, and the enduring power of art. His writing style is known for philosophical depth, complex sentence structures, and a unique portrayal of human struggles and emotions.

Krasznahorkai gained international recognition through his debut novel Satantango (1985), which was later adapted into an acclaimed film by Hungarian director Béla Tarr. He has also received several prestigious literary awards, including the Man Booker International Prize in 2015. His recognition with the Nobel Prize further established him as one of the most influential contemporary European writers.

The Nobel Prize in Literature is awarded annually by the Swedish Academy to writers whose literary work demonstrates exceptional artistic value and contribution to world literature. László Krasznahorkai became the second Hungarian author to receive this prestigious award after Imre Kertész, who won the prize in 2002. This achievement makes him an important current affairs topic for competitive examinations.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Annie Ernaux received the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, not the 2025 award.
• Jon Fosse was awarded the 2023 Nobel Prize in Literature.
• Han Kang won the 2024 Nobel Prize in Literature, not the 2025 prize.

Correct Answer: Rangelands and Pastoralists.

The United Nations General Assembly declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026). The initiative aims to raise global awareness about the importance of rangelands and the people who depend on them for their livelihoods, while promoting sustainable land management and biodiversity conservation.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Millets: Incorrect. 2023 was declared the International Year of Millets.
• Forests: Incorrect. Although the UN regularly observes the International Day of Forests, 2026 is not designated as the International Year of Forests.
• Sustainable Tourism: Incorrect. 2017 was the International Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, not 2026.

Zohran Mamdani became the first Muslim Mayor of New York City to take the oath of office on the Holy Quran. His election was regarded as a historic milestone, reflecting the city\'s religious and cultural diversity. Mamdani, known for his progressive political views, has focused on issues such as affordable housing, public transportation, workers\' rights, healthcare, and economic equality. His inauguration attracted international attention as it marked a significant moment in the political representation of Muslim Americans in one of the world\'s most influential cities.

The oath-taking on the Quran symbolizes the constitutional principle of religious freedom in the United States, where public officials may choose a religious text—or none at all—when assuming office. Zohran Mamdani\'s achievement has been widely discussed in current affairs because it represents greater diversity and inclusion in American politics. Questions related to prominent political leaders and historic firsts are commonly asked in competitive examinations, making this an important topic for general knowledge and current affairs preparation.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Sadiq Khan is the Mayor of London in the United Kingdom, not New York City.
• Eric Adams served as Mayor of New York City before Zohran Mamdani but is not Muslim and did not take the oath on the Quran.
• Ahmed Talib has not served as Mayor of New York City and is not associated with this historic event.

Operation Rising Lion was a military operation launched by Israel against Iran in June 2025. The operation targeted Iranian nuclear facilities, missile infrastructure, military installations, and senior military commanders. According to Israeli authorities, the objective was to reduce Iran\'s nuclear and missile capabilities and address what Israel viewed as an immediate security threat. The operation marked a significant escalation in tensions between the two countries and attracted widespread international attention, with many governments calling for restraint to prevent a broader regional conflict.

The operation was followed by Iranian retaliatory missile and drone attacks against Israel, resulting in several days of military exchanges. International organizations and world leaders expressed concern over the possibility of further escalation in the Middle East and urged diplomatic efforts to restore stability. Due to its geopolitical significance, Operation Rising Lion became an important topic in current affairs and is frequently included in competitive examinations focusing on international relations and global events.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Iraq is incorrect because Operation Rising Lion was not directed against Iraq.
• Syria is incorrect because, although Israel has conducted military operations in Syria in the past, Operation Rising Lion specifically targeted Iran.
• Yemen is incorrect because the operation was unrelated to military actions against Yemen.

The correct answer is Two-thirds Majority. In Pakistan, a constitutional amendment requires a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the National Assembly, ensuring broad political consensus for any change to the fundamental law of the land.

Constitutional Amendment Process in Pakistan

• Constitutional Provision (Article 239): The procedure for amending the Constitution is laid out in Article 239. It stipulates that a bill to amend the Constitution must be passed by at least two-thirds of the total membership of the National Assembly. A simple or absolute majority is insufficient.
• What is a Two-thirds Majority?: The National Assembly has a total of 336 seats. Two-thirds of 336 equals 224 votes. The amendment bill must receive at least 224 votes in favour to pass. This high threshold prevents any single party from unilaterally altering the Constitution without substantial support from other parties.
• Senate Approval: After passage in the National Assembly, the bill must also be passed by a two-thirds majority of the total membership of the Senate (at least 65 out of 96 senators). This bicameral super-majority requirement underscores the gravity of constitutional changes.
• Comparison with Other Majorities:
  • Simple Majority: A majority of members present and voting (more yes than no) — used for ordinary legislation and routine motions, not for constitutional amendments.
  • Absolute Majority: A majority of the total membership (at least 169 in the National Assembly) — needed for some specific procedures like a no-confidence motion, but still not enough for a constitutional amendment.
  • Three-fourths Majority: Not required for the initial passage of constitutional amendments in Pakistan; this threshold is sometimes used in other countries or for other purposes like overriding a presidential veto.
• Why a Super-majority is Necessary: The Constitution is the supreme document of the state. Requiring a two-thirds majority protects it from hasty or partisan changes, ensuring that amendments reflect a national consensus rather than temporary political dominance. This principle upholds the sanctity and stability of Pakistan\'s constitutional framework.

Thus, a two-thirds majority is required to pass a constitutional amendment in the National Assembly.

The correct answer is Abu Dhabi. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan is the ruler of Abu Dhabi, the capital and largest emirate of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). By long‑standing convention, the President of the UAE is always the ruler of Abu Dhabi.

Why the President Comes from Abu Dhabi

• Federal Structure of the UAE: The UAE is a federation of seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah. Since the country’s foundation in 1971, the rulers of Abu Dhabi have held the office of President, while the rulers of Dubai have typically served as Vice President and Prime Minister.
• Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan: He became the President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi in May 2022, following the death of his brother, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed. The Al Nahyan family has ruled Abu Dhabi for centuries and continues to lead the emirate and the federal presidency.
• Abu Dhabi’s Dominance: Abu Dhabi is the largest emirate by area and holds the majority of the UAE’s oil reserves. Its political, economic, and military weight within the federation naturally places its ruler as the head of state.
• Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
  • Bahrain: Bahrain is a separate sovereign country in the Gulf and not an emirate of the UAE at all.
  • Dubai: Dubai is the second‑largest emirate and its ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, serves as Vice President and Prime Minister, but not President.
  • Sharjah: Sharjah is another emirate with its own ruling family (the Al Qasimi family) and does not hold the federal presidency.

Therefore, the current UAE President, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, belongs to Abu Dhabi.

PRSC-EO1 is Pakistan\'s first indigenous electro-optical Earth observation satellite, developed by the Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) in collaboration with Chinese partners. The satellite was successfully launched on 17 January 2025 from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center, China, using a Chinese launch vehicle. PRSC-EO1 is designed to capture high-resolution optical images of the Earth\'s surface for civilian and strategic applications. Its data supports urban planning, agriculture, disaster management, environmental monitoring, water resource management, infrastructure development, and national mapping. The satellite represents a significant milestone in Pakistan\'s space program by enhancing the country\'s indigenous Earth observation and remote sensing capabilities.

The launch of PRSC-EO1 strengthened Pakistan\'s ability to independently monitor natural resources and respond to natural disasters such as floods, landslides, and earthquakes through timely satellite imagery. It also reflects the growing cooperation between Pakistan and China in space technology and scientific research. The mission contributes to improved decision-making in government planning, climate studies, food security, and sustainable development. As one of Pakistan\'s major scientific achievements in 2025, the successful launch of PRSC-EO1 is an important current affairs topic and is frequently included in competitive examinations.

Why the other options are incorrect:

• Kennedy Space Center, USA is incorrect because PRSC-EO1 was not launched from the United States.
• Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan is incorrect because this launch facility was not used for the PRSC-EO1 mission.
• Satish Dhawan Space Centre, India is incorrect because Pakistan\'s PRSC-EO1 was launched from China, not India.