Author: Mauvin Sequeira

Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-11)

Q1. On 21 March 2026, which Iranian nuclear facility was struck by Israeli and U.S. jets, as confirmed by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran?
A) Fordow
B) Natanz
C) Bushehr
D) Arak
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israeli & U.S. jets targeted Natanz; part of ongoing 2026 Iran war escalation.

Q2. In the Iranian ballistic missile attack on 21 March 2026 in Arad, Israel, how many people were injured (including seven seriously) and what was declared?
A) 45 injured; no declaration
B) 120 injured; state of emergency
C) 88 injured; mass casualty incident
D) 60 injured; curfew imposed
Correct: C.
Explanation: 88 injured, 9 buildings damaged; mass casualty incident declared.

Q3. What specific ultimatum did U.S. President Donald Trump issue to Iran on 21 March 2026 regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
A) 24-hour ceasefire demand
B) 48-hour ultimatum to fully open the Strait or face obliteration of energy infrastructure
C) Immediate sanctions lift
D) Joint naval patrol proposal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Trump warned of obliterating all Iranian power stations if not reopened within 48 hours.

Geopolitics & West Asia Crisis (Questions 1-10)

Q1. Which of the following correctly describes the recent development in the West Asia conflict on 20 March 2026?
A) Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field while Iranian retaliation hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub
B) Iran announced unilateral ceasefire
C) US withdrew all forces from Gulf
D) China mediated direct talks between parties
Correct: A.
Explanation: Reports confirm attacks on South Pars (world’s largest gas field shared with Qatar) and Ras Laffan (provides ~40% of India’s LNG imports and 20% global supply), pushing oil above $114/barrel.

Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic talks on 20 March 2026 with which two leaders regarding de-escalation in West Asia and safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz?
A) Saudi King & UAE President
B) Turkish President & Egyptian President
C) Sultan of Oman & Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim
D) Russian President & Chinese President
Correct: C.
Explanation: Modi emphasised peace, stability and free navigation through Hormuz.

Q3. Due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, India’s FTA negotiations with which blocs/entities faced delay as per Commerce Ministry statement on 20 March 2026?
A) UK and EU only
B) GCC countries and Israel
C) ASEAN and Japan
D) RCEP partners
Correct: B.
Explanation: Conflict disrupted talks; UK FTA may start May 2026, EU by Nov 2026.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1–12)

Q1. On 19 March 2026, Iranian Shahed drones struck two oil refineries in which country, causing large fires according to the Kuwait National Petroleum Company?
A) Saudi Arabia?
B) Kuwait?
C) Qatar?
D) UAE
Answer: B.
Explanation: Direct strike on Kuwait refineries escalated the 2026 Iran war and spiked global Brent crude prices beyond $119/barrel.

Q2. Which of the following occurred in Iranian airspace on 19 March 2026 during the ongoing conflict?
A) Israeli F-35 shot down?
B) U.S. Air Force F-35 hit by surface-to-air missile & emergency landing?
C) Chinese drone downed?
D) Russian Su-57 crashed
Answer: B.
Explanation: U.S. CENTCOM confirmed the incident; pilot safe at regional base.

Q3. U.S. forces destroyed a surface-to-surface missile assembly factory belonging to IRGC on 19 March 2026 in which Iranian city?
A) Tehran?
B) Karaj?
C) Isfahan?
D) Shiraz
Answer: A.
Explanation: Targeted strike reported by U.S. Central Command.

Geopolitics & World News (IR) – (Questions 1-9)

Q1. In the ongoing 2026 Iran war, which Iranian official was assassinated by Israel in a Tehran airstrike on/around 18 March 2026?
A) Ali Larijani
B) Esmaeil Khatib (Intelligence Minister)
C) President of Iran
D) Foreign Minister
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israel targeted Iranian intelligence leadership amid escalations; part of broader strikes on energy sites like South Pars. Key for GS2 IR – proxy conflicts & energy security.

Q2. Iran launched a missile attack on which facility in Qatar causing extensive damage to the world’s largest LNG export site?
A) South Pars
B) Ras Laffan Industrial City
C) Ras Tanura
D) Strait of Hormuz terminal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Led to Qatar declaring Iranian officials persona non grata. Highlights force majeure invocations by Gulf nations & global oil/LNG shocks affecting India’s LPG imports.

Q3. India’s LPG consumption slumped by what percentage in early March 2026 due to West Asia war disruptions?
A) 5%
B) 26%
C) 17.7%
D) 40%
Correct: C.
Explanation: Fell to 1.147 MT; direct impact of Hormuz tensions & force majeure. Relevant for GS3 Economy & Environment (energy security).