Category: Current Affairs

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)

1. What significant diplomatic move did Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi announce on 24 April 2026 amid ongoing ceasefire talks with the US?
A) Resignation from his post
B) A three-nation tour to Pakistan, Russia, and Oman
C) Immediate closure of the Strait of Hormuz
D) Bilateral talks directly with Israel
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Araghchi’s visit was part of efforts to revive stalled US-Iran peace talks, with US envoys heading to Pakistan. This highlights shuttle diplomacy in the 2026 Iran war context.

2. The US deployed the USS George H. W. Bush to the Middle East on 24 April 2026, marking the first time since which historical event that three American aircraft carriers operated simultaneously in the region?
A) Build-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion
B) Gulf War 1991
C) 2011 Libya intervention
D) 2022 Ukraine crisis
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This deployment underscores heightened US military posture amid Iran tensions and Hormuz concerns.

3. In the Russo-Ukrainian war, what incident was reported in Odesa, Ukraine on 24 April 2026?
A) Major ground offensive by Ukraine
B) Russian drone strike killing two people
C) Successful Ukrainian counter-attack
D) Peace treaty signing
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The strike on residential buildings injured others, reflecting ongoing conflict dynamics.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)

Q1. What significant action did Iran take on 23 April 2026 regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Fully reopened the strait without conditions
B) Imposed and collected tolls on transiting ships for the first time
C) Signed a permanent peace deal with the US
D) Allowed unrestricted US naval passage
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Iran announced it had collected the first revenue from tolls on ships passing through the Strait of Hormuz, asserting control amid the ongoing crisis and US blockade. This has implications for global energy security and oil prices.

Q2. In the context of the 2026 Iran-US tensions, what did US President Donald Trump order the Navy to do regarding Iranian vessels laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Open fire on any such vessels
B) Ignore the activity
C) Negotiate directly with Iran
D) Withdraw all US forces from the region
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump directed the US Navy to open fire on Iranian vessels observed laying mines, following reports of mine-laying operations and amid the naval blockade.

Q3. What development occurred in the Israel-Lebanon ceasefire on 23 April 2026?
A) It was permanently terminated
B) Hezbollah fully disarmed
C) US President Trump announced its extension by three weeks
D) Israel launched a full-scale invasion
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump stated that Israel and Lebanon agreed to extend the ceasefire for three additional weeks following high-level talks. However, isolated incidents, including the killing of a Lebanese journalist, continued to raise concerns.

Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On April 22, 2026, Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy took action in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing 2026 Iran war. What specific action was reported involving vessels?
A) Sinking three oil tankers
B) Seizing two vessels, with a third disabled off Iran’s coast
C) Escorting all ships through the strait safely
D) Imposing a complete naval blockade on Qatar
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Iran’s IRGC Navy seized two vessels (one India-bound) and disabled a third after attempts to cross the Strait of Hormuz. This escalated tensions despite the US ceasefire extension and ongoing blockade. The strait is critical for global oil supply (about 20% of world oil trade).

Q2. US President Donald Trump announced an indefinite extension of the ceasefire with Iran on or around April 21-22, 2026. What was the primary stated reason?
A) Complete Iranian surrender
B) Withdrawal of US forces from the region
C) To allow more time for diplomacy and Iranian proposal submission
D) UN Security Council resolution
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump extended the ceasefire indefinitely to give diplomacy a chance, even as talks stalled and the US maintained its blockade of Iranian ports. Iran viewed the blockade as an “act of war.”

Q3. The 2026 Iran war has led to significant disruption in global energy markets. Which strategic waterway’s status remained a major flashpoint on April 22, 2026?
A) Strait of Hormuz
B) Suez Canal
C) Malacca Strait
D) Panama Canal
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iran’s actions in the Strait of Hormuz (seizures and attacks on ships) complicated efforts to reopen the waterway, causing the largest oil supply shock on record by daily output lost.

Indian Polity (Questions 1-11)

Q1. National Civil Services Day is observed every year on 21 April to commemorate which historical event?
A) Birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
B) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s 1947 address to probationers of the first batch of Indian Administrative Service calling civil servants the “steel frame of India”
C) Formation of the All India Services under the Government of India Act 1935
D) Launch of the Civil Services Examination by UPSC in 1979
Answer: B.
Explanation: 21 April marks the day Sardar Patel addressed the first batch of IAS probationers in 1947, emphasising the role of civil servants as the “steel frame of India”.

Q2. The Rajya Sabha reconstituted its Panel of Vice-Chairpersons effective from which date in 2026 to ensure smooth functioning of the House?
A) 1 April 2026
B) 15 April 2026
C) 21 April 2026
D) 1 May 2026
Answer: B.
Explanation: The panel of six MPs from different parties was reconstituted effective 15 April 2026 by Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan.

Q3. In a recent directive, the Supreme Court asked a panel to formulate a plan for making prisons accessible to which group?
A) Women prisoners
B) Foreign nationals
C) Juvenile offenders
D) Persons with disabilities
Answer: D.
Explanation: The Supreme Court directed formulation of a plan for disabled-friendly prisons.

Geopolitics and International Relations (Questions 1-9)

Q1. Which country’s President visited India in April 2026, during which four MoUs were signed on shipbuilding skills, MSME cooperation, sports & culture, and economic security dialogue?
A) Japan
B) South Korea
C) Germany
D) Australia
Answer: B.
Explanation: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit elevated bilateral ties, aiming to double trade and launch a ‘digital bridge’. This reflects India’s multi-alignment strategy in the Indo-Pacific.

Q2. India expressed deep concern over attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raising the issue with which country?
A) Israel
B) Iran
C) Saudi Arabia
D) USA
Answer: B.
Explanation: Ongoing West Asia tensions, including US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel and threats of Hormuz closure, directly impact India’s energy imports (2.5–2.7 million barrels/day via the strait).

Q3. The US extended its sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases through which date in 2026, helping India maintain discounted crude imports amid West Asia disruptions?
A) 30 April 2026
B) 31 March 2026
C) 16 May 2026
D) 15 June 2026
Answer: C.
Explanation: General License 134B allows continued imports from entities like Rosneft, stabilizing prices as Russian oil formed ~44% of India’s imports in March 2026.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)

1. On 19 April 2026, which country’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced the resumption of international passenger flights from Mashhad Airport starting the next day?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran
C) Oman
D) United Arab Emirates
Answer: B.
Explanation: Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, via state TV and IRNA, confirmed international flights would resume from Mashhad Airport (northeast Iran) on 20 April 2026 amid regional tensions.

2. What was the primary trigger for India summoning the Iranian envoy on or around 19 April 2026?
A) Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
B) Disruption of flights from Mashhad Airport
C) Firing by Iranian IRGC gunboats on two Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
D) Sanctions on Indian oil imports
Answer: C.
Explanation: Indian-flagged ships (including Sanmar Herald) came under fire while attempting to cross the strait; India expressed “deep concern” and summoned the envoy. No crew injuries were reported.

3. The Strait of Hormuz, site of the recent attack on Indian vessels, connects which two bodies of water?
A) Red Sea and Arabian Sea
B) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
C) Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
D) Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
Answer: B.
Explanation: It is a critical chokepoint for global oil trade; recent incidents highlight its strategic importance for India’s energy security.

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.