Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-10)
Q1. What is ‘Project Freedom’ announced by the US in relation to the Strait of Hormuz (around early May 2026)?
A) A trade agreement with Iran
B) US-led effort to escort/guide ships from non-conflict countries through the Strait amid Iran tensions
C) A military alliance against China
D) Humanitarian aid to Gaza
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: President Trump announced US assistance to free/escort stranded ships in the Strait of Hormuz as a “humanitarian gesture” amid ongoing Iran-related tensions and ceasefire concerns. Iran has protested it as a violation.
Q2. Which country issued warnings regarding the US escort mission in the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Iran
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Russia
D) China
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iran warned that the US mission violates the ceasefire and escalates tensions.
Q3. What significant US military decision was reported regarding Europe around this period?
A) Increase in troop deployment to NATO
B) New bases in Ukraine
C) Withdrawal of about 5,000 troops from Germany
D) Joint exercises with France only
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This signals shifts in US posture in Europe amid NATO rifts over the Iran situation.
Q4. What tragic health incident was reported on an Atlantic cruise ship?
A) COVID-19 outbreak
B) Malaria cluster
C) Norovirus food poisoning
D) Suspected hantavirus outbreak leaving 3 dead
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Officials investigated delays in medical evacuations.
Q5. Rudy Giuliani, former New York Mayor and Trump associate, was reported in critical condition in hospital. In which state?
A) New York
B) California
C) Florida
D) Texas
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Reports confirmed his hospitalization in Florida.
Q6. Which low-cost US airline abruptly ceased operations around early May 2026 after bailout failure?
A) JetBlue
B) Spirit Airlines
C) Frontier
D) Allegiant
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This stranded thousands and raised concerns for the travel sector.
Q7. What major sporting event saw Cherie DeVaux become the first woman trainer to win?
A) The Kentucky Derby
B) Wimbledon
C) Super Bowl
D) Tour de France
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Golden Tempo won at long odds.
Q8. Which country suspended all cooperation with the European Parliament citing “anti-Azerbaijani” policies?
A) Turkey
B) Armenia
C) Azerbaijan
D) Georgia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This reflects ongoing tensions with the EU.
Q9. What global food security report highlighted persistent acute food insecurity in 2026?
A) Global Hunger Index
B) World Bank Poverty Report
C) FAO State of Food Security
D) Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Released around this period, it noted high malnutrition levels.
Q10. India is marking 10 years of Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with which country in 2026?
A) Japan
B) France
C) Australia
D) Vietnam
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Vietnamese leader To Lam’s visit highlights this milestone.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 11-20)
Q11. The Supreme Court declined to intervene in a plea by which party regarding deployment of vote-counting personnel in West Bengal?
A) BJP
B) Trinamool Congress (TMC)
C) Congress
D) CPM
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Court called certain assumptions a “fallacy.”
Q12. What action did Punjab Police take against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak?
A) Arrest in a corruption case
B) Granted security enhancement
C) Booked
D) Appointed to a committee
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Pathak recently defected to BJP.
Q13. The Union Ministry of Home Affairs and Manipur government held first talks under the new government with which groups?
A) Naga insurgent groups
B) Naxal groups
C) ULFA factions
D) Kuki-Zo insurgent groups (under SoO)
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Amid fresh unrest.
Q14. On 2 May 2026, NDMA conducted a nationwide test of which system?
A) Earthquake early warning
B) Cell Broadcast Alert System
C) Tsunami siren network
D) Flood SMS alerts only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Flash alerts were sent to mobiles for disaster warning.
Q15. The Election Commission ordered repolling in how many booths in West Bengal?
A) 15
B) 5
C) 50
D) 100
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Due to reported malpractices.
Q16. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla reconstituted Parliamentary Committees for which period?
A) 2025-26
B) 2026-27
C) 2027-28
D) Permanent basis
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: To strengthen oversight.
Q17. The Government notified new rules to streamline which processes?
A) GST registration
B) PAN linking
C) Voter ID issuance
D) Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026 (OCI and applications)
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: With a digital focus.
Q18. Karnataka launched India’s first digital grievance redressal system for which workers?
A) Gig workers
B) Construction
C) Farmers
D) Teachers
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: A pioneering move.
Q19. India recorded its highest-ever monthly GST collection in April 2026. What was the figure?
A) Rs 1.8 lakh crore
B) Rs 2.43 lakh crore
C) Rs 2.0 lakh crore
D) Rs 3.0 lakh crore
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reflecting strong compliance and economic activity.
Q20. What infrastructure milestone was noted in Gujarat?
A) First bullet train section
B) New airport inauguration
C) India’s first barrier-less multi-lane free flow tolling system
D) Metro expansion
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: A significant ease-of-living reform.
Economy, Environment & Other (Questions 21-25)
Q21. To meet peak summer power demand and El Nino effects, India plans to rely more on:
A) Augmented solar capacity and coal-based thermal plants
B) Only nuclear power
C) Imported LNG exclusively
D) Hydropower only
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Record peak demand reached 256 GW+.
Q22. The Ministry of Coal signed first agreements with provisions for:
A) Solar integration
B) Underground Coal Gasification
C) Export bans
D) Private mining only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: For cleaner coal utilization.
Q23. RBI reported what percentage of ?2000 notes returned to the system?
A) 85%
B) 75%
C) 98.47%
D) 99.9%
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Major milestone in demonetization withdrawal process.
Q24. What initiative promoting traditional Indian textiles was globally launched?
A) Silk Mission
B) Padma Doree
C) Cotton Connect
D) Handloom 2.0
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focus on artisans and sustainability.
Q25. India ranks in the World Press Freedom Index 2026 at:
A) 157
B) 101
C) 50
D) 180
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Out of 180 countries.
Sports, Arts, Education & Miscellaneous (Questions 26-30)
Q26. Which cricketer was appointed Brand Ambassador for F1 program in India?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Shreyas Iyer
C) Rohit Sharma
D) Jasprit Bumrah
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Recent appointment.
Q27. Ashutosh Gowariker was appointed Festival Director for which edition of IFFI?
A) 55th
B) 50th
C) 60th
D) 57th
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Prominent filmmaker.
Q28. Anupinder Singh Grewal was appointed President of:
A) NCLAT
B) Supreme Court
C) NCLT (5-year tenure)
D) High Court
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: National Company Law Tribunal.
Q29. Which traditional Indian physical activities found mention in a new NCERT Physical Education textbook?
A) Yoga and Kabaddi only
B) Gatka and Mallakhamb
C) Chess and Carrom
D) Cricket and Hockey
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: In Class IX book (recent update).
Q30. What is the primary focus of India’s ‘Padma Doree’ initiative?
A) Space technology
B) Sports infrastructure
C) Digital education
D) Traditional textile crafts, artisans, and global branding
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Aligns with cultural diplomacy and Vocal for Local.
