Category: Current Affairs

Geopolitics & World Affairs (10 Questions)

Q1. What did Iranian state media claim on 29 May 2026 regarding a US aircraft?
A) It was involved in a joint exercise
B) It was shot down near Jam, Bushehr province
C) It delivered humanitarian aid
D) It conducted a flyover in Tehran
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Iranian state TV claimed Iran shot down a US aircraft near Jam in Bushehr province amid the 2026 Iran war tensions. The US Central Command denied the claim.

Q2. In the Russo-Ukrainian war context on 29 May 2026, what incident involving a Russian drone occurred in Romania?
A) It was intercepted over Bucharest
B) It was gifted as part of peace talks
C) It entered Romanian airspace and crashed into an apartment building in Galati
D) It successfully targeted a Ukrainian base from Romania
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: A Russian drone violated non-combatant airspace and crashed into a Gala?i apartment building, causing a fire and injuring two people.

Q3. What major order did Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issue on 29 May 2026 concerning Gaza?
A) Complete withdrawal of forces
B) To seize 70% of the Gaza Strip
C) Humanitarian ceasefire for 30 days
D) Joint patrol with Palestinian authorities
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Netanyahu ordered the Israeli army to seize 70% of the besieged territory, raising fears of worsening humanitarian crisis.

Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-8)

Q1. On 28 May 2026, what major escalation was reported involving the US and Iran?
A) US diplomatic breakthrough in nuclear talks
B) US strikes on southern Iran targets near Bandar Abbas, with Trump threatening Oman
C) Joint US-Iran naval exercise in the Gulf
D) Iran joining Abraham Accords
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports highlighted US military strikes on Iranian targets amid ongoing tensions and diplomatic talks, with Trump issuing strong statements. This reflects volatile Middle East geopolitics relevant for UPSC GS-2.

Q2. What development was noted regarding Israel-Lebanon on 28 May 2026?
A) Ceasefire agreement signed
B) Hezbollah fully disarmed
C) Israel intensified attacks on southern Lebanon and expanded evacuation orders
D) UN peacekeeping force withdrawal
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Escalation in conflict with increased strikes and evacuation orders highlights ongoing regional instability.

Q3. Which external actor was reported training Colombian mercenaries for involvement in Sudan conflict (May 2026 context)?
A) Russia
B) UAE
C) China
D) Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports on UAE-linked activities supporting RSF in Sudan underscore proxy dynamics in African conflicts.

Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1-10)

Q1. At the 11th Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in New Delhi, India and the US signed a bilateral framework on cooperation in which sector?
A) Defence manufacturing
B) Critical minerals and rare earths
C) Space technology
D) Cybersecurity
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The deal aims to diversify supply chains amid concerns over China’s dominance and export controls on strategic metals.

Q2. Which new Hamas military chief was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza on or around 26-27 May 2026?
A) Yahya Sinwar
B) Mohammed Odeh
C) Ismail Haniyeh
D) Khaled Meshaal
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Odeh was the newly appointed Al-Qassam Brigades commander and a key figure linked to the October 7 attacks; this was the second such elimination in about 11 days.

Q3. Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on 27 May 2026 reportedly killed at least how many people amid ongoing ceasefire tensions?
A) 31
B) 50
C) 55
D) 75
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Strikes targeted areas despite an existing ceasefire, with intensified ground operations reported.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)

1. Who hosted the Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on 26 May 2026?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
C) US Secretary of State Marco Rubio
D) Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: EAM S. Jaishankar hosted the meeting with US Secretary Marco Rubio, Australian FM Penny Wong, and Japanese FM Toshimitsu Motegi. The ministers also called on PM Modi.

2. What key bilateral agreement did India and the US sign during the Quad-related engagements in May 2026?
A) Defence technology pact
B) Free Trade Agreement
C) Framework for supply, mining, and processing of critical minerals and rare earths
D) Climate Change Accord
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in critical minerals supply chains.

3. Which US official visited the Taj Mahal in Agra and Amber Fort in Jaipur on 25 May 2026 ahead of the Quad meeting?
A) President Donald Trump
B) Secretary of State Marco Rubio
C) Vice President
D) Defence Secretary
Correct Answer: B.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

1. On 25 May 2026, what did US President Donald Trump state regarding negotiations with Iran amid the ongoing ceasefire?
A) Immediate lifting of the Hormuz blockade
B) US will not ‘rush into a deal’ with Iran; blockade to remain
C) Full withdrawal of US forces from the region
D) Acceptance of Iran’s 14-point proposal unconditionally
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump emphasized a “great and meaningful” deal or none at all, maintaining pressure on Iran while negotiations continued via mediators like Pakistan.

2. Which country’s military chief and PM visited Beijing on 25 May 2026 for mediation talks related to the 2026 Iran war?
A) Pakistan
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Turkey
D) Egypt
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Pakistani leaders engaged China as part of broader mediation efforts in the Iran conflict.

3. What significant maritime development occurred on 25 May 2026 involving the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Complete closure of the strait
B) A Japanese-owned tanker (Idemitsu Maru) successfully transited post-war resumption
C) Indian Navy assumed full patrol duties
D) UNSC resolution banning all oil shipments
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This marked one of the first successful transits since heightened tensions, highlighting easing but fragile maritime security.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On May 24, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held bilateral talks in New Delhi with India’s External Affairs Minister. Who is the Indian counterpart?
A) Piyush Goyal
B) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
C) Rajnath Singh
D) Nirmala Sitharaman
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Rubio and Jaishankar discussed resetting bilateral ties, trade deal progress, and Quad cooperation. Jaishankar emphasized India’s “India First” approach and diversified energy supplies.

Q2. What major development did US President Donald Trump announce regarding Iran around May 23-24, 2026?
A) Complete US withdrawal from the Middle East
B) An agreement with Iran “largely negotiated” including opening the Strait of Hormuz
C) New sanctions on Pakistan
D) Military alliance with Israel against Iran
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This relates to efforts to end the 2026 Iran war and secure maritime transit amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis.

Q3. The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026, in New Delhi. Which countries participate?
A) US, India, Japan, Australia
B) US, India, China, Russia
C) India, Japan, South Korea, Australia
D) US, UK, India, France
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Rubio’s visit includes this meeting to renew Quad engagement in the Indo-Pacific.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On 23 May 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India to address tensions arising from which US policy?
A) High tariffs on Indian exports
B) Arms embargo on Taiwan
C) Withdrawal from Indo-Pacific alliances
D) Ban on H-1B visas
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Rubio aimed to reassure India amid President Trump’s aggressive trade policies, including high tariffs linked to Russian oil purchases and broader US-India trade frictions.

Q2. What significant diplomatic elevation occurred during the visit of Cyprus President to India around 22-23 May 2026?
A) EU Accession Support Agreement
B) Defence Pact against Turkey
C) Comprehensive Strategic Partnership
D) Energy Corridor Deal
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: India and Cyprus elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership, focusing on convergence in regional issues and bilateral cooperation.

Q3. India’s BRICS Presidency in 2026 emphasizes which key global governance reform?
A) UN Security Council expansion
B) WTO Dispute Settlement revival
C) IMF Quota reforms only
D) NATO expansion guidelines
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: As BRICS chair, India pushes for UN reforms and multipolarity amid global shifts.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-10)

Q1. On 22 May 2026, which country’s Army Chief visited Tehran to mediate in the ongoing US-Iran ceasefire talks?
A) Qatar
B) Pakistan
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Turkey
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Pakistan Army field marshal Asim Munir visited Tehran amid efforts by Pakistan and Qatar to broker a deal between the US and Iran. This highlights Pakistan’s role in Middle East diplomacy.

Q2. What was the primary obstacle mentioned by Iranian officials in US-Iran peace talks on 22 May 2026?
A) Excessive US demands
B) Naval blockade of Iran
C) Strait of Hormuz transit rights
D) Uranium enrichment limits
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi cited “excessive demands” by the US as the main hurdle, while Iran refused to hand over highly enriched uranium.

Q3. Which US official announced additional troops to Poland on or around 22 May 2026?
A) Tulsi Gabbard
B) Marco Rubio
C) Donald Trump
D) Secretary of Defense
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: President Trump announced sending an additional 5,000 troops to Poland following the election of Karol Nawrocki, whom he had endorsed.

Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-11)

Q1. On 21 May 2026, which country announced the establishment of a controlled maritime zone in the Strait of Hormuz requiring authorization from the newly created Persian Gulf Strait Authority?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran
C) Israel
D) UAE
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This move amid regional tensions impacts global oil transit, relevant for India’s energy security as a major importer.

Q2. What did Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko state regarding involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war on 21 May 2026?
A) Belarus will not join the current war and is ready to meet Zelenskyy
B) Belarus will actively support Russia militarily
C) Belarus has declared neutrality
D) Belarus seeks NATO membership
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This reflects shifting dynamics in Eastern Europe.

Q3. Which US naval asset arrived in the Southern Caribbean prompting Cuba’s promise of “fierce resistance” around 21 May 2026?
A) USS Gerald R. Ford
B) USS Abraham Lincoln
C) USS Nimitz
D) USS George H.W. Bush
Correct Answer: C.