Author: Mauvin Sequeira

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-8)

1. On 18 April 2026, Iranian Revolutionary Guard gunboats fired upon a tanker in the Strait of Hormuz. Which Indian-flagged vessel carrying 2 million barrels of Iraqi oil was among those forced to reverse course?
A) A super tanker reported by TankerTrackers.com
B) INS Vikrant
C) MT New Diamond
D) MV X-Press Pearl
Answer: A.

2. India conveyed “deep concern” to Tehran on 18 April 2026 regarding the firing incident involving how many Indian-flagged ships in the Strait of Hormuz?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Five
Answer: B.

3. Iran reversed its earlier pledge and reimposed restrictions on the Strait of Hormuz on 18 April 2026 following statements by which country that the move would not end its blockade?
A) Russia
B) Saudi Arabia
C) China
D) United States
Answer: D.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (Questions 1-8)

Q1. India officially welcomed the 10-day ceasefire agreement between:
A) Iran and USA
B) Israel and Iran
C) Israel and Lebanon
D) Lebanon and Syria
Answer: C.
Explanation: The ceasefire took effect around 16-17 April 2026; MEA spokesperson confirmed India’s support.

Q2. On 17 April 2026, Iran announced the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for commercial vessels for the remaining period of the ceasefire. The first vessels to pass through were:
A) Chinese container ships
B) Indian-flagged tankers
C) Three Iranian oil tankers carrying five million barrels of crude
D) US naval vessels
Answer: C.
Explanation: This followed the partial lifting of the US blockade in the region.

Q3. India-Zambia critical minerals negotiations (copper and cobalt) stalled primarily due to:
A) Environmental clearance issues in India
B) India’s withdrawal from the project
C) Chinese intervention
D) Zambia’s refusal to provide long-term mining rights assurances
Answer: D.
Explanation: Zambia is a key producer in the Copperbelt region; India had allocated 9,000 sq km for exploration.

Indian Polity (15 Questions)

1. Which Constitutional Amendment Bill was introduced in the Lok Sabha on April 16, 2026, during the special session of Parliament?
A) Constitution (130th Amendment) Bill
B) Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill
C) Constitution (132nd Amendment) Bill
D) Constitution (133rd Amendment) Bill
Answer: B.
Explanation: The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, was introduced to facilitate the increase in Lok Sabha seats and enable implementation of the women’s reservation law.

2. What is the proposed increase in the strength of the Lok Sabha as per the bills introduced on April 16, 2026?
A) From 543 to 700
B) From 543 to 816
C) From 543 to 850
D) From 543 to 900
Answer: C.
Explanation: The bills seek to raise the number of Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 850 to accommodate the 33% women’s quota through delimitation.

3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on April 16, 2026, that no State will be discriminated against in the delimitation exercise linked to which law?
A) Women’s Reservation Law
B) Delimitation Commission Act
C) Census Act
D) Representation of the People Act
Answer: A.
Explanation: PM Modi asserted that no State — big or small, north or south, east or west — will be discriminated against in delimitation for implementing the women quota law.

Geopolitics & World News-India (Questions 1-10)

Q1. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with US President Donald Trump on 15 April 2026 primarily discussing:
A) Climate change only
B) Iran war developments and expanding India-US trade
C) WTO reforms
D) SAARC revival
Correct Answer: B) Iran war developments and expanding India-US trade
Explanation: The call focused on the ongoing Middle East crisis and bilateral economic cooperation.

Q2. The US naval blockade of Iranian ports (entering its third day on 15 April 2026) involves enforcement by:
A) Over 10,000 US troops, warships and aircraft
B) Only economic sanctions
C) UN peacekeeping forces
D) NATO allies exclusively
Correct Answer: A) Over 10,000 US troops, warships and aircraft
Explanation: US Central Command confirmed the scale of the operation following collapsed ceasefire talks.

Q3. Despite the US blockade, what continued to happen in the Strait of Hormuz on 15 April 2026?
A) Complete closure of shipping
B) US-sanctioned tankers passed through
C) All oil exports halted
D) Chinese navy intervention
Correct Answer: B) US-sanctioned tankers passed through
Explanation: Reports confirmed tanker movement despite the blockade, impacting global energy markets.