Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On March 16, 2026, which country launched drone attacks on the United Arab Emirates, killing a Palestinian man in Abu Dhabi and forcing the temporary closure of a major airport?
A) Israel
B) Iran
C) USA
D) Hezbollah
Answer: B. Iran
Explanation: Iran conducted drone strikes on UAE targets amid the ongoing 2026 Iran war, leading to the closure of Dubai International Airport. This highlights escalating regional tensions.
Q2. The Israeli Air Force completely destroyed which Iranian facility in central Tehran on March 16, 2026, citing its use for space warfare against Israeli satellites?
A) Natanz Nuclear Facility
B) Kharg Island Oil Terminal
C) Iranian Space Research Center
D) Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant
Answer: C. Iranian Space Research Center
Explanation: The strike targeted potential space-based threats, part of intensified Israel-Iran conflict.
Q3. Which senior commander of Kata’ib Hezbollah was killed in an airstrike in Baghdad on March 16, 2026?
A) Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis
B) Abu Ali al-Askari
C) Qasem Soleimani
D) Hassan Nasrallah
Answer: B. Abu Ali al-Askari
Explanation: The targeted killing occurred amid broader attacks on Iran-aligned groups in Iraq.
Q4. On March 16, 2026, the U.S. embassy in Baghdad faced attacks by:
A) Rocket launchers
B) Ballistic missiles
C) Ground militants
D) Two suicide drones
Answer: D. Two suicide drones
Explanation: This caused a powerful explosion; a nearby hotel in the Green Zone was also struck by a drone.
Q5. Which NATO allies explicitly ruled out sending warships to the Strait of Hormuz on March 16, 2026, despite a request from U.S. President Donald Trump?
A) Germany, Italy and Spain
B) France and UK
C) Canada and Poland
D) Turkey and Greece
Answer: A. Germany, Italy and Spain
Explanation: Australia also refused. The blockade by Iran has spiked global oil prices above $100 per barrel.
Q6. The 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis has primarily affected global:
A) Grain trade
B) Energy supplies
C) Semiconductor exports
D) Pharmaceutical supply chains
Answer: B. Energy supplies
Explanation: Iran’s blockade has disrupted oil trade, forcing discussions on alternative routes similar to the Black Sea Grain Initiative.
Q7. On March 16, 2026, the Israeli military’s 91st Division launched a ground operation in southern Lebanon to expand a buffer zone against:
A) Hamas
B) Houthis
C) Hezbollah
D) Islamic State
Answer: C. Hezbollah
Explanation: At least seven people, including children, were injured in related rocket/drone attacks on northern Israel.
Q8. Which country carried out an airstrike on a drug rehabilitation centre in Kabul on March 16, 2026, killing over 400 people?
A) Iran
B) Pakistan
C) USA
D) Russia
Answer: B. Pakistan
Explanation: Part of the 2026 Afghanistan–Pakistan conflict.
Q9. The European Union imposed sanctions on March 16, 2026, against individuals and entities linked to suppression of protests in:
A) Iran
B) Russia
C) Ukraine
D) Afghanistan
Answer: A. Iran
Explanation: 16 individuals and three entities were targeted.
Q10. India reported cancellation of how many flights by its airlines due to the West Asia conflict (as stated in Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2026)?
A) 1,187
B) 4,335
C) 2,500
D) 6,000
Answer: B. 4,335
Explanation: Foreign carriers cancelled 1,187; the conflict has severely impacted Indian aviation and energy imports.
Q11. The ongoing Iran war has most visibly stressed India’s imports of:
A) Crude oil only
B) Coal
C) LPG (cooking gas)
D) Fertilizers exclusively
Answer: C. LPG (cooking gas)
Explanation: Geopolitical risks have exacerbated shortages and black-marketing concerns raised in Parliament.
Q12. Which Iranian oil terminal was referenced in Indian media on March 16, 2026, in the context of the war?
A) Bandar Abbas
B) Assaluyeh
C) Chabahar
D) Kharg Island
Answer: D. Kharg Island
Explanation: Key oil export hub affected by the conflict.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13-22)
Q13. Biennial Rajya Sabha elections to fill how many seats across 10 states were held on March 16, 2026?
A) 37
B) 40
C) 45
D) 55
Answer: A. 37
Explanation: Polling and counting occurred on the same day; 26 candidates elected unopposed, with contests in Bihar, Odisha and Haryana.
Q14. In the March 16, 2026 Rajya Sabha polls in Bihar, how many INDIA Bloc MLAs were reported ‘missing’ during voting?
A) 1
B) 3
C) 5
D) 7
Answer: B. 3
Explanation: Cross-voting incidents were also reported in Bihar and Odisha.
Q15. The Election Commission removed which two senior officials in West Bengal on March 16, 2026, following the announcement of Assembly poll schedule?
A) Chief Electoral Officer and DGP
B) Health Secretary and Transport Secretary
C) Finance Secretary and Education Secretary
D) Chief Secretary and Home Secretary
Answer: D. Chief Secretary and Home Secretary
Explanation: Nandini Chakravorty (Chief Secretary) and the Home Secretary were removed.
Q16. On March 16, 2026, the Supreme Court directed the government to:
A) Increase defence budget
B) Ban single-use plastics nationwide
C) Diversify agriculture and encourage pulses cultivation
D) Implement UCC immediately
Answer: C. Diversify agriculture and encourage pulses cultivation
Explanation: To address nutritional security and reduce import dependence.
Q17. A Rajya Sabha MP urged Parliament on March 16, 2026, to enact legislation on:
A) Uniform Civil Code
B) End-of-life care for terminally ill patients
C) Electoral bonds revival
D) Farm loan waiver
Answer: B. End-of-life care for terminally ill patients
Explanation: Despite repeated Supreme Court nudges and Law Commission reports over two decades.
Q18. Trinamool Congress staged a day-long walkout in Rajya Sabha on March 16, 2026, protesting:
A) LPG shortage and black-marketing
B) Farm laws
C) CAA rules
D) Digital Personal Data Protection Act
Answer: A. LPG shortage and black-marketing
Explanation: Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also raised the issue.
Q19. Under a new UPSC rule highlighted on March 16, 2026, Supreme Court nod is mandatory for delay in choosing:
A) Election Commissioners
B) CBI Director
C) State Directors General of Police (DGPs)
D) CAG
Answer: C. State Directors General of Police (DGPs)
Explanation: To ensure timely appointments.
Q20. Leaders paid tributes on March 16, 2026, to Kanshi Ram on his:
A) Death anniversary
B) Election victory day
C) Foundation day of BSP
D) Birth anniversary
Answer: D. Birth anniversary
Q21. The Supreme Court on March 16, 2026, quashed criminal proceedings against Ashoka University professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad over social media posts on:
A) ‘Operation Sindoor’
B) CAA
C) Farm protests
D) Article 370
Answer: A. ‘Operation Sindoor’
Explanation: Haryana had refused prosecution sanction.
Q22. Nominations for which awards for 2027 began on March 16, 2026?
A) Bharat Ratna
B) Padma Awards
C) Jnanpith Award
D) Gallantry Awards
Answer: B. Padma Awards
Sports (Questions 23-25)
Q23. Union Home Minister Amit Shah urged long-term planning for India’s sporting infrastructure till:
A) 2028 Olympics
B) 2030-2036 major events (including possible Olympics bid)
C) 2027 Asian Games
D) 2030 Commonwealth Games
Answer: B. 2030-2036 major events (including possible Olympics bid)
Q24. In the Indian Super League (ISL) match played on March 16, 2026, FC Goa faced:
A) Mumbai City FC
B) Bengaluru FC
C) Kerala Blasters
D) Punjab FC
Answer: D. Punjab FC
Q25. Ricky Ponting highlighted an “overlooked” factor in India’s repeated T20 World Cup success during commentary around March 16, 2026:
A) Team culture and depth
B) Spin bowling
C) Batting power
D) Fielding
Answer: A. Team culture and depth
Explanation: (Context of ongoing cricket discourse).
Arts, Culture, Education & Other Current Affairs (Questions 26-30)
Q26. Veena exponent Jayanthi Kumaresh was announced to receive the Sangita Kalanidhi award at the Music Academy’s:
A) 99th Conference
B) 100th Conference
C) 125th Conference
D) Golden Jubilee
Answer: B. 100th Conference
Q27. A massive fire at Srirama Chandra Bhanja (SCB) Medical College and Hospital in Cuttack, Odisha, on March 16, 2026, killed how many patients?
A) 11
B) 13
C) 15
D) 8
Answer: A. 11
Explanation: Caused by electrical short circuit in ICU; 10 others injured.
Q28. ISRO scientists warned on March 16, 2026, that ice patches on melting glaciers pose a:
A) Lesser threat than previously thought
B) No additional threat
C) Greater threat than previously thought
D) Threat only in Himalayas
Answer: C. Greater threat than previously thought
Q29. The Supreme Court refused to intervene in a plea by journalist Ravi Nair against summons from Ahmedabad Crime Branch over a Washington Post article on India’s $3.9 billion plan for:
A) A Modi ally post U.S. charges
B) Defence procurement
C) Railway projects
D) Nuclear deal
Answer: A. A Modi ally post U.S. charges
Q30. India’s navigation satellite system (NavIC) suffered a major setback with failure of atomic clock on one of its operational IRNSS satellites, as reported in headlines on March 16, 2026.
A) True (one of four failed)
B) False (all operational)
C) Only GPS affected
D) No setback reported
Answer: A. True (one of four failed)
