Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

1. The 11th Raisina Dialogue 2026 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What is its official theme?
A) Karya – Tradition and Modernity
B) Sanskaar – Assertion, Accommodation and Advancement
C) Viksit Bharat 2047
D) Global South Leadership
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Organised by MEA & ORF, the theme focuses on contested frontiers, global commons, climate, technology, and trade disruptions. Over 2,700 participants from 110 countries attended. 

2. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a suo moto statement in Parliament on 9 March 2026 regarding the West Asia conflict. Which of the following best reflects India’s stated position?
A) India favours peace, return to dialogue, de-escalation, restraint, and respect for sovereignty
B) India supports military intervention by any party
C) India will evacuate all citizens immediately
D) India will impose sanctions on involved nations
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised civilian safety and priority for the Indian community in the region. 

3. Which advanced US missile defence system was deployed in West Asia in March 2026 to counter Iranian ballistic missiles?
A) Patriot
B) THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)
C) Aegis
D) Iron Dome
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: THAAD uses hit-to-kill technology, intercepts at 150-200 km altitude, and integrates with Patriot and Aegis systems. 

Geopolitics & World News Impacting India (Questions 1-12)

Q1. Who was named Iran’s new Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
(A) Ali Larijani
(B) Mojtaba Khamenei
(C) Ebrahim Raisi
(D) Hassan Rouhani
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Assembly of Experts (clerical body) selected 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader killed in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes, to succeed his father amid the ongoing West Asia war.

Q2. On 8 March 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on how many oil facilities in and near Tehran?
(A) Three
(B) Four
(C) Five
(D) Ten
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The strikes destroyed fuel dumps, triggered massive fires choking Tehran in smoke and killed four people (including truck drivers).

Q3. Which Indian-flagged ships and cargo volume are primarily stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the Iran conflict (as per 8 March 2026 reports)?
(A) 5% of tankers; 2 million barrels
(B) 20% of tankers; 10 million barrels
(C) 10% of tankers; over 6 million barrels (SCI ships)
(D) None – all cleared
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Government sources confirmed ~10% Indian-flagged vessels and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) ships carrying nearly 6 million barrels are affected; thousands of Indian seafarers onboard.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On 7 March 2026, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” He described Iran as:
A) The rising power of West Asia
B) The loser of the Middle East that had surrendered to its neighbours
C) A strategic partner against terrorism
D) The victim of Israeli aggression
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump’s exact words called Iran the “loser of the Middle East” amid ongoing US-Israel airstrikes on Tehran.

Q2. The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine on 4 March 2026 off Sri Lanka’s coast. How many Iranian personnel were killed?
A) 32
B) 50
C) 83
D) 120
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: 83 killed; 32 sailors rescued. The incident occurred while the ship was returning from Visakhapatnam International Fleet Review.

Q3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue on 7 March 2026, defended the docking of an Iranian warship in Kochi as:
A) A strategic military alliance
B) A routine port call
C) Compliance with US sanctions
D) A humanitarian gesture
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised India’s approach “from a point of humanity” despite US criticism following the IRIS Dena sinking.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1–12)

Q1. On 6 March 2026, security curbs in Kashmir entered their 5th day following protests against the killing of which Iranian leader amid the ongoing West Asia conflict?
(A) President Ebrahim Raisi
(B) Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
(C) Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian
(D) IRGC Commander
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Protests erupted in Kashmir against the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei during the US-Israel conflict with Iran; this triggered heightened security measures.

Q2. Which incident involving an Iranian vessel occurred off Sri Lanka’s coast on 6 March 2026, prompting India to launch search-and-rescue operations?
(A) US submarine torpedoed and sank an Iranian warship; a second Iranian ship headed towards Sri Lanka
(B) Iranian ship hijacked by pirates
(C) Iranian ship collided with Indian Navy vessel
(D) Iranian ship captured by Israel
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The US sank one Iranian warship; a second vessel was reportedly en route and could be targeted, leading to Indian Navy SAR operations near Sri Lanka.

Q3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on 6 March 2026 with which world leader to discuss shared concerns over the West Asia crisis and the need for dialogue?
(A) US President Donald Trump
(B) French President Emmanuel Macron
(C) Russian President Vladimir Putin
(D) Chinese President Xi Jinping
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: PM Modi spoke to French President Macron on evolving West Asia tensions and stressed return to diplomacy.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On 5 March 2026, India condoled the death of which Iranian leader?
A) President Masoud Pezeshkian
B) Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
C) Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi
D) IRGC Commander Hossein Salami
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri signed the condolence book at the Iranian Embassy in New Delhi.

Q2. Which Iranian warship was sunk by a US submarine near Sri Lanka on 5 March 2026 while returning from an Indian naval event?
A) IRIS Makran
B) IRIS Jamaran
C) IRIS Dena
D) IRIS Sahand
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The vessel was returning from India; India rejected reports of its ports being used by the US in the Iran conflict.

Q3. What stand did India reiterate on 5 March 2026 regarding the political crisis in Myanmar?
A) Support for UN-led intervention
B) Support for a Myanmar-led and Myanmar-owned peace process
C) Support for ASEAN-led mediation only
D) Neutrality with no public statement
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This reflects India’s consistent policy on neighbourhood stability (GS2 IR).