Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1-10)

Q1. On 27 April 2026, India and New Zealand were set to sign a Free Trade Agreement (FTA). What is a primary expected benefit for Indian exports under this deal?
A) Complete duty-free access for all Indian exports to New Zealand
B) 50% tariff reduction only on agricultural goods
C) Exclusive access to New Zealand’s dairy market
D) Joint currency mechanism for trade settlements
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The India-New Zealand FTA aims to boost trade and investment with provisions for 100% duty-free access on a significant portion of Indian exports, strengthening bilateral ties and India’s Indo-Pacific economic engagement.

Q2. The 11th edition of Raisina Dialogue 2026 was held in New Delhi. What is its significance for India’s global role?
A) It is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics, technology, and strategic affairs hosted by the Observer Research Foundation in partnership with the Ministry of External Affairs
B) It focuses exclusively on climate change negotiations
C) It is a bilateral summit with the United States
D) It is an annual military exercise
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The Raisina Dialogue serves as a major platform for global leaders to discuss geopolitics, technology, and economic challenges, highlighting India’s role as a convenor in a multipolar world.

Q3. Which ongoing global conflict was highlighted in BRICS Chair’s summary (India as Chair in 2026) with “deep concern” due to lack of consensus?
A) Russia-Ukraine war
B) Conflict in West Asia
C) South China Sea disputes
D) Horn of Africa tensions
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India, as BRICS Chair, noted deep concern over the West Asia conflict amid broader geopolitical shifts.

Geopolitics (Questions 1–10)

Q1. On 26 April 2026, Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon killed 14 people and injured 37 amid accusations of ceasefire violations by both Israel and Hezbollah. What specific action did Israel take regarding southern Lebanon towns?
A) Imposed a naval blockade
B) Issued forced evacuation orders for seven towns north of the Litani River
C) Announced full military withdrawal
D) Signed a new bilateral peace treaty
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports confirmed evacuation warnings for towns north of the Litani River, escalating tensions in the 2026 Lebanon war ceasefire context.

Q2. Which country’s Tuareg rebels reached an agreement on 26 April 2026 allowing the Russian African Corps to withdraw from Kidal amid the Mali War?
A) Mali
B) Niger
C) Burkina Faso
D) Sudan
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This development occurred in the ongoing Mali conflicts involving rebel groups and external forces.

Q3. A drone attack on 26 April 2026 targeted a UNHCR aid truck in which Sudanese region as part of the Darfur campaign?
A) Khartoum
B) North Darfur
C) South Kordofan
D) Blue Nile
Correct Answer: B.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-10)

1. On 25 April 2026, US President Donald Trump announced the cancellation of a diplomatic trip to Pakistan for Iran peace talks. What was the primary reason cited?
A) Security concerns following a shooting incident
B) Iran’s Foreign Minister leaving Islamabad prematurely
C) Israel resuming strikes in Lebanon
D) Collapse of ceasefire negotiations in the Strait of Hormuz
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports indicated that Iran’s top diplomat Abbas Araghchi departed before the US delegation arrived, leading Trump to cancel the trip and assert that the US “holds all the cards.” This reflects ongoing tensions in US-Iran dynamics amid the naval blockade and Hormuz issues.

2. What significant security event disrupted the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on 25 April 2026?
A) Reports of a shooting at the Washington Hilton
B) A bomb threat
C) A protest outside the venue
D) A cyber attack on communications
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: A security scare involving gunfire reports forced evacuation of officials, including President Trump, VP JD Vance, and others. Secret Service responded swiftly; the incident raised concerns about rising political violence.

3. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reached Pakistan on 24-25 April 2026 for bilateral consultations primarily related to:
A) Trade agreements with China-Pakistan Economic Corridor
B) Nuclear deal revival (JCPOA)
C) US-Iran ceasefire and regional developments
D) Border security with Afghanistan
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The visit focused on discussing the US-Iran ceasefire, ongoing Middle East tensions, and related diplomatic moves, coinciding with planned US envoy visits (Witkoff and Kushner).

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)

1. What significant diplomatic move did Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announce on 24 April 2026 amid ongoing ceasefire talks with the US?
A) Resignation from his post
B) A three-nation tour to Pakistan, Russia, and Oman
C) Immediate closure of the Strait of Hormuz
D) Bilateral talks directly with Israel
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Araghchi’s visit was part of efforts to revive stalled US-Iran peace talks, with US envoys heading to Pakistan. This highlights shuttle diplomacy in the 2026 Iran war context.

2. The US deployed the USS George H. W. Bush to the Middle East on 24 April 2026, marking the first time since which historical event that three American aircraft carriers operated simultaneously in the region?
A) Build-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion
B) Gulf War 1991
C) 2011 Libya intervention
D) 2022 Ukraine crisis
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This deployment underscores heightened US military posture amid Iran tensions and Hormuz concerns.

3. In the Russo-Ukrainian war, what incident was reported in Odesa, Ukraine on 24 April 2026?
A) Major ground offensive by Ukraine
B) Russian drone strike killing two people
C) Successful Ukrainian counter-attack
D) Peace treaty signing
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The strike on residential buildings injured others, reflecting ongoing conflict dynamics.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)

Q1. What significant action did Iran take on 23 April 2026 regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Fully reopened the strait without conditions
B) Imposed and collected tolls on transiting ships for the first time
C) Signed a permanent peace deal with the US
D) Allowed unrestricted US naval passage
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Iran announced it had collected the first revenue from tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting control amid the ongoing crisis and US blockade. This has implications for global energy security and oil prices.

Q2. In the context of the 2026 Iran-US tensions, what did US President Donald Trump order the Navy to do regarding Iranian vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Open fire on any such vessels
B) Ignore the activity
C) Negotiate directly with Iran
D) Withdraw all US forces from the region
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump directed the US Navy to open fire on Iranian vessels observed laying mines, following reports of mine-laying operations and amid the naval blockade.

Q3. What development occurred in the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on 23 April 2026?
A) It was permanently terminated
B) Hezbollah fully disarmed
C) US President Trump announced its extension by three weeks
D) Israel launched a full-scale invasion
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump stated that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire for three additional weeks following high-level talks. However, isolated incidents, including the killing of a Lebanese journalist, continued to raise concerns.