Category: Current Affairs

Indian Polity & Judiciary (1–9)

Q1. On 16 February 2026, the Supreme Court referred a batch of petitions to a Constitution Bench concerning which provision of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023?
A) Section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act (original)
B) Section 44(3) of DPDP Act (amending RTI)
C) Section 23 of DPDP Act
D) Section 12 of RTI Act
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Section 44(3) imposes a blanket exemption on disclosure of “personal information” under RTI, even in larger public interest, which petitioners argue dismantles the right to know and transparency.

Q2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 16 February 2026 cleared the ?92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, citing its:
A) Purely economic benefits
B) Complete absence of ecological concerns
C) Strategic importance and adequate safeguards in EC conditions
D) Only tourism potential
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: NGT disposed of challenges, directed strict compliance with 2022 EC conditions (coral reefs, leatherback turtles, ICRZ), and noted a High-Powered Committee had addressed earlier issues.

Q3. Which project did the Union Cabinet/CCEA approve on/around 16 February 2026 as India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel?
A) Under Ganga near Patna
B) 33.7 km twin-tube under Brahmaputra (Gohpur–Numaligarh, Assam)
C) Under Hooghly in Kolkata
D) Under Godavari in Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Cost ? ?18,662 crore; 15.79 km twin-tube section; reduces travel time from ~6 hours to 20 minutes; fully funded by Centre.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)

Q1. According to the Geopolitics Markets Brief on February 15, 2026, what is the probability of US strikes on Iran by June 30?
A) 30%
B) 44%
C) 50%
D) 68%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The brief highlighted US-Iran tensions with a 44% probability and high trading volume.

Q2. Which Venezuelan leader’s capture influenced leadership markets, boosting Delcy Rodríguez to 68% as per February 15 reports?
A) Hugo Chavez
B) Diosdado Cabello
C) Juan Guaido
D) Nicolas Maduro
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Post-Maduro capture, markets shifted toward Rodríguez amid oil discussions.

Q3. At the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, what dominated US lawmakers’ talks with allies?
A) Climate change
B) Greenland sovereignty
C) Ukraine aid
D) Trade tariffs
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump’s threats to seize Greenland strained US-Europe ties.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)

Q1 On February 14, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference. What was the key message he conveyed regarding U.S.-Europe relations?
A) The end of the transatlantic alliance
B) The U.S. and Europe belong together despite tensions
C) Withdrawal from NATO
D) Increased tariffs on European goods
Answer: B. The U.S. and Europe belong together despite tensions
Explanation: Rubio reassured European allies that the Trump administration supports the transatlantic partnership, countering recent frictions like the Greenland dispute.

Q2 Which country deployed a second aircraft carrier to West Asia amid tensions with Iran on February 14, 2026?
A) Russia
B) China
C) United States
D) India
Answer: C. United States
Explanation: President Trump confirmed the deployment as part of potential military action against Iran if diplomatic talks fail.

Q3 What priority issues did Bangladesh’s incoming BNP government highlight regarding India on February 14, 2026?
A) Border killings, Ganga waters treaty, and Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India
B) Trade tariffs
C) Military alliances
D) Nuclear cooperation
Answer: A. Border killings, Ganga waters treaty, and Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India
Explanation: BNP sources emphasized these as key deliverables for improving bilateral relations post-election victory.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-5)

1. At the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to become what?
A) A military superpower
B) A geopolitical power
C) An economic union
D) A cultural hub
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Macron emphasized Europe’s need to assert itself as a geopolitical power, including reassessing its nuclear deterrent against Russia.

2. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, en route to the Munich Security Conference, described the current global situation as entering a what?
A) Time of alliances
B) Period of economic recovery
C) New era in geopolitics
D) Phase of isolationism
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Rubio warned allies of changes due to a “new era in geopolitics,” requiring reassessment of roles.

3. During the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized U.S. President Trump’s approach to what?
A) Transatlantic alliance
B) Climate change
C) Trade tariffs
D) Immigration policy
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Merz appealed for a stronger Europe to confront Russia while working with the U.S., amid Trump’s threats on NATO and Greenland.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-8)

Q1. Which U.S. President met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on February 12, 2026, to discuss potential strikes on Iran’s nuclear and missile facilities?
A) Joe Biden
B) Donald Trump
C) Barack Obama
D) George W. Bush
Correct Answer: B. Donald Trump
Explanation: The meeting focused on Iran’s ballistic missile program, with Netanyahu pushing for U.S. action amid threats of regional war.

Q2. On February 12, 2026, NATO announced the launch of which mission to counter Russian and Chinese ambitions in the Arctic?
A) Arctic Shield
B) Northern Guard
C) Arctic Sentry
D) Polar Defense
Correct Answer: C. Arctic Sentry
Explanation: The mission responds to geopolitical competition in the high North, including Trump’s threat to annex Greenland.

Q3. Which country’s acting president toured an oil facility with the U.S. Energy Secretary on February 12, 2026, signaling warming ties post-Maduro ouster?
A) Iran
B) Russia
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Venezuela
Correct Answer: D. Venezuela
Explanation: Delcy Rodriguez and the U.S. official visited amid efforts to stabilize oil production in Venezuela.

Geopolitics

Q1. Which country did the U.S. affirm its commitment to in response to rising European security concerns on February 10, 2026?
A) Russia
B) Ukraine
C) NATO allies
D) Iran
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Reports highlighted the U.S. affirming commitment to NATO amid high regional tensions with Iran and Russia.

Q2. What initiative was highlighted as a U.S.-led effort to secure global silicon supply chains on February 10, 2026?
A) Pax Americana
B) Pax Silica
C) Silicon Alliance
D) Tech Shield
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Pax Silica aims to cut reliance on China in tech competition, involving several countries but excluding the EU and Canada.

Q3. On February 10, 2026, what was reported about Iran’s nuclear facility in Isfahan?
A) It was opened for inspections
B) It was dismantled
C) All access points were sealed
D) It received international funding
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Iran sealed the facility, preparing for potential U.S. attacks amid ongoing nuclear diplomacy.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-8)

Q1. What was the key development in US-Iran relations on February 9, 2026?
A) US imposed new sanctions on Iran
B) Iran agreed to dilute enriched uranium in exchange for sanctions relief
C) US conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets
D) Iran launched a new missile test
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Iranian officials signaled willingness to reduce uranium enrichment from 60% to 20% for full sanctions relief, amid indirect talks.

Q2. Which country did Iranian Supreme National Security Council Secretary Ali Larijani visit on February 10, following discussions on nuclear concessions?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Qatar
C) Oman
D) UAE
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Larijani visited Oman to discuss regional developments, often used as a US interlocutor.

Q3. What did US Vice President JD Vance state regarding Iran’s uranium enrichment on February 9?
A) US would allow unlimited enrichment
B) US supports Iran’s nuclear program
C) Enrichment must cease immediately
D) Trump would decide on limits and red lines
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Vance indicated Trump would set policy on enrichment levels in negotiations.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-8)

Q1. Which country rejected a U.S. military build-up while expressing readiness for nuclear-focused talks on February 8, 2026?
A) Russia
B) Iran
C) Syria
D) Ukraine
Correct Answer: B. Iran
Explanation: Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian called for U.S. respect amid preparations for nuclear negotiations, rejecting regional military escalation amid ongoing tensions.

Q2. What major agreement was signed between Syria and Saudi Arabia on February 8, 2026?
A) Defense pact
B) Nuclear cooperation
C) Mega strategic agreements worth $5.3 billion
D) Trade embargo lift
Correct Answer: C. Mega strategic agreements worth $5.3 billion
Explanation: The agreements cover key sectors like aviation and aim to reintegrate Syria into the international network following years of isolation.

Q3. What significant U.S. policy shift was highlighted in an opinion piece on February 8, 2026, regarding USAID?
A) Increased funding
B) Dissolution under Trump
C) Expansion to Asia
D) Merger with UN agencies
Correct Answer: B. Dissolution under Trump
Explanation: The closure of USAID symbolized a shift toward “America first” policies, eroding U.S. global moral leadership.

Geopolitics

Q1. On February 7, 2026, indirect talks between the US and Iran concluded in which country, amid discussions on nuclear issues?
A) Oman
B) Qatar
C) UAE
D) Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iranian state media reported the conclusion of nuclear negotiations with the US in Oman, marking a potential step in easing tensions.

Q2. Which terrorist group claimed responsibility for the suicide bombing at a mosque in Islamabad on February 7, 2026, that killed at least 31 people?
A) Al-Qaeda
B) Islamic State
C) Taliban
D) Lashkar-e-Taiba
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Islamic State claimed the attack, which targeted a Shia mosque, escalating security concerns in Pakistan.

Q3. On February 7, 2026, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the US had set a deadline for Ukraine and Russia to reach an agreement to end the war. What is that deadline?
A) June 2026
B) July 2026
C) September 2026
D) December 2026
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Zelenskyy revealed the US-imposed June deadline amid ongoing diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict.