Author: Mauvin Sequeira

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-10)

1. On 23 March 2026, which country announced a five-day postponement of strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure citing “productive talks”?
A) Israel
B) United States
C) Russia
D) Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: U.S. President Donald Trump announced the pause; India is closely monitoring developments (MEA statement, 24 March 2026).

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of which high-level body on 23-24 March 2026 to review India’s preparedness amid the West Asia conflict?
A) Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
B) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
C) National Security Advisory Board
D) Empowered Group of Ministers on Energy
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: CCS meeting focused on energy security, petroleum, power, and fertiliser supply amid Strait of Hormuz tensions.

3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on 23 March 2026, stressed greater cooperation with Russia in which multilateral forums amid the evolving multipolar order and Gulf crisis?
A) QUAD and AUKUS
B) BRICS, SCO, G20 and UN
C) G7 and NATO
D) BIMSTEC and SAARC
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Jaishankar highlighted bilateral and multilateral ties through BRICS, SCO, G20 and UN.

Geopolitics & International Relations (Q1-10)

Q1. On 23 March 2026, which country threatened to “completely close” the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. targeted its power plants amid the ongoing West Asia conflict?
A) Israel?
B) Iran?
C) Saudi Arabia?
D) Qatar
Correct: B) Iran
Explanation: Iran’s Parliament Speaker and officials issued the warning following Trump’s ultimatum on Hormuz navigation; ~40-90% of India’s fuel imports pass through the strait.

Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level CCS meeting on 23 March 2026 to review risks to which sectors due to West Asia tensions?
A)?Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
B) Defence exports only
C) IT & pharma?
D) Textile & gems
Correct: A) Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
Explanation: Focus was on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and distribution amid Iran-Israel escalation.

Q3. PM Modi became India’s longest-serving head of government on/around 23 March 2026 by surpassing whose record of 8,931 days?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru?
B) Pawan Kumar Chamling?
C) Manmohan Singh?
D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Correct: B) Pawan Kumar Chamling
Explanation: BJP leaders praised Modi’s governance milestone.

Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1–11)

Q1. On 21–22 March 2026, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless a key maritime chokepoint is fully reopened within 48 hours. Which chokepoint?
A) Bab-el-Mandeb
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Malacca Strait
D) Suez Canal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Trump specifically demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz (through which ~20% of global oil passes) after Iran closed it in response to US-Israeli strikes. Oil prices surged; India’s energy imports heavily impacted.

Q2. Iran responded to Trump’s threat by vowing retaliation against which categories of infrastructure?
A) Only Israeli military bases
B) Only Chinese BRI projects
C) US & Israel-linked energy, IT & desalination plants
D) NATO headquarters
Correct: C.
Explanation: Tehran explicitly mentioned energy/IT infrastructure and desalination plants in the region.

Q3. Which Indian action on 21 March 2026 was directly linked to the West Asia crisis?
A) Appointment of new ambassador to China
B) PM Modi’s call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian, who sought India’s BRICS role to halt hostilities
C) Withdrawal of troops from Maldives
D) Signing of QUAD 3.0
Correct: B.