UPSC Prelims 2004 Q79: Current Affairs – Notable Personalities
World's longest - ruling head of Government is from
- (a) Switzerland
- (b) Cuba
- (c) Zimbabwe
- (d) New Zealand
Answer: (b) Cuba
Explanation
World's longest-ruling head of government
| Leader | Country and tenure |
|---|---|
| Fidel Castro | Cuba — head of government since 1959 (Prime Minister then President) |
| Robert Mugabe | Zimbabwe — head of government from 1980 |
| Switzerland | Rotating presidency |
| New Zealand | Prime Ministers change often |
The longest-ruling head of government in 2004 was Fidel Castro of Cuba, in power since 1959.
Answer: (b) Cuba.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Switzerland has a rotating presidency.
- (b) CORRECT. Fidel Castro had ruled Cuba since 1959.
- (c) Incorrect. Mugabe has ruled since 1980, a shorter period.
- (d) Incorrect. New Zealand's Prime Ministers change regularly.
Key point
Castro ruled Cuba from 1959 to 2008; Mugabe ruled from 1980 to 2017.
Remember
Fidel Castro was the world's longest-ruling head of government in 2004.
Common mistakes
- Choosing Zimbabwe because Mugabe was long in office.
- Forgetting that Castro took power in 1959.
- Mixing head of state with head of government.
Exam tip
Cuba: the 1959 revolution brought Castro to power for decades.
Sources
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Fidel Castro
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — Cuba