Geopolitics (Questions 1-8)
Q1. On February 1, 2026, oil prices fell by 3% due to reports of de-escalation between which two countries?
A) US and Russia
B) US and Iran
C) China and India
D) Saudi Arabia and Yemen
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reports of US-Iran talks signaled reduced tensions, leading to a drop in oil prices from multi-month highs.
Q2. According to geopolitical analysis on February 1, 2026, China’s foreign policy is characterized by what strategic paradox?
A) Seeking direct confrontation while advancing interests
B) Isolating from multipolar alliances
C) Expanding military power without economic tools
D) Avoiding confrontation while shaping global governance
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: China advances its interests without appearing expansionist, using economic tools over hard power.
Q3. Emerging markets face increased credit risks in 2026 due to geopolitical tensions, including US actions in which Latin American country?
A) Brazil
B) Mexico
C) Venezuela
D) Argentina
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The US removal of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro could ripple through Latin America.
Q4. On February 1, 2026, prediction markets showed a 62% probability of US strikes on which country by June 30?
A) Russia
B) Iran
C) China
D) North Korea
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: US-Iran escalation markets dominated trading volumes amid ongoing tensions.
Q5. India’s Budget 2026-27 foreign aid allocations reflect geopolitical priorities, with the highest grant going to which neighbor?
A) Bangladesh
B) Nepal
C) Bhutan
D) Maldives
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Bhutan received the largest aid, underscoring strategic value against China.
Q6. US-Europe tensions over which territory led to threats of new tariffs starting February 1, 2026?
A) Greenland
B) Taiwan
C) Hong Kong
D) Crimea
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump’s insistence on acquiring Greenland sparked tariff threats on European goods.
Q7.Iran’s top security official stated on February 1, 2026, that progress was being made toward negotiations with which country?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) United States
C) Israel
D) Russia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Ali Larijani noted advancements in US-Iran talks despite tensions.
Q8. Saudi stocks fell the most since April 2025 on February 1 due to geopolitical worries involving potential US attacks on which country?
A) Yemen
B) Syria
C) Iraq
D) Iran
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Fears of US strikes on Iran and regional exposure caused the drop.
World News India (Questions 9-15)
Q9. On February 1, 2026, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the Union Budget on a Sunday, marking what historic first for India?
A) First digital-only budget
B) First Sunday budget presentation
C) First budget with no tax changes
D) First budget under a coalition government
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This was the first time India’s Union Budget was presented on a Sunday.
Q10. In Budget 2026-27, India’s fiscal deficit target for FY27 was set at what percentage of GDP?
A) 3.8%
B) 4.9%
C) 5.1%
D) 4.3%
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Revised FY26 target is 4.4%, with FY27 at 4.3%.
Q11.Which state received over ?1 lakh crore from the Union Budget 2026-27, including funds for growth hubs in Mumbai, Pune, and Nagpur?
A) Tamil Nadu
B) Kerala
C) Maharashtra
D) West Bengal
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Maharashtra got ?98,306 crore through tax devolution.
Q12. Which CM expressed disappointment over Budget 2026-27, stating it ignored the state’s interests ahead of polls?
A) M.K. Stalin (Tamil Nadu)
B) Mamata Banerjee (West Bengal)
C) Arvind Kejriwal (Delhi)
D) Yogi Adityanath (Uttar Pradesh)
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Stalin called it totally disappointing for Tamil Nadu.
Q13. In Budget 2026-27, capex was hiked to what record amount for FY27?
A) ?10.5 lakh crore
B) ?12.2 lakh crore
C) ?15 lakh crore
D) ?8.9 lakh crore
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Represents 4.4% of GDP, the highest ever.
Q14. Budget 2026-27 announced India’s push for local manufacturing in how many strategic sectors?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 10
D) 6
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Includes semiconductors, data centres, textiles, and rare earths.
Q15. Which state’s CM noted that Budget 2026-27 disappointed despite poll eve, with only rare earth corridor as a gain?
A) Kerala
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Bengal
D) Haryana
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Key demands like AIIMS and high-speed rail were unfulfilled.
Indian Polity (Questions 16-21)
Q16. The 16th Finance Commission raised Kerala’s tax share in Budget 2026-27, but the state was disappointed over unmet demands like what?
A) AIIMS
B) ?21,000 crore fiscal package
C) High-speed rail corridor
D) All of the above
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Kerala gained from rare earth corridor but key wishes were ignored.
Q17. In Budget 2026-27, States’ share in taxes was retained at what percentage for 2026-31?
A) 41%
B) 50%
C) 45%
D) 35%
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Sparked criticism from opposition; some states sought 50%.
Q18. Budget 2026-27 proposed a new Income Tax Act effective from when?
A) April 1, 2026
B) January 1, 2027
C) April 1, 2027
D) Immediate effect
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Revenue-neutral, simplifies sections and removes ambiguities.
Q19. Which scheme under Budget 2026-27 got ?95,692 crore for rural employment?
A) MGNREGA
B) VB-G RAM G
C) PMAY
D) NRLM
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin).
Q20. Budget 2026-27’s three ‘Kartavya’ agendas focus on what?
A) Manufacturing and logistics
B) Infrastructure, defence, and exports
C) Tax reforms and fiscal deficit
D) Poor, underprivileged, and disadvantaged
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Guides policy for Viksit Bharat.
Q21. In Budget 2026-27, PROIs’ equity investment limit in listed Indian companies was increased to what?
A) 5%
B) 10%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Through portfolio investment scheme.
Sports (Questions 22-24)
Q22. On February 1, 2026, which team won against the Heat in an NBA game?
A) Bulls
B) Lakers
C) Warriors
D) Knicks
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Full game highlights from Bulls at Heat.
Q23. In the 2026 NHL Stadium Series on February 1, which teams played at Raymond James Stadium?
A) Oilers vs. Flames
B) Maple Leafs vs. Canadiens
C) Rangers vs. Islanders
D) Bruins vs. Lightning
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Boston Bruins vs. Tampa Bay Lightning outdoor game.
Q24. On February 1, 2026, which Ligue 1 team defeated Lille 1-0?
A) PSG
B) Monaco
C) Lyon
D) Marseille
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Noah Nartey scored the winner for Lyon.
Arts (Question 25)
Q25. The second edition of Infosys Foundation’s Kala Dhwani festival, celebrating India’s folk and tribal arts, ran till February 1, 2026, in which city?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Bengaluru
D) Kolkata
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Featured traditions from five regions at Palace Grounds.
Education (Question 26)
Q26. In Budget 2026-27, the Education Ministry’s allocation increased by 8.27% to what amount?
A) Rs 1.28 lakh crore
B) Rs 1.39 lakh crore
C) Rs 1.50 lakh crore
D) Rs 1.10 lakh crore
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Includes Rs 83,561 crore for schools and Rs 55,724 crore for higher education.
Literature (Question 27)
Q27. The bestselling hardcover fiction on February 1, 2026, was “The Correspondent” by which author?
A) Virginia Evans
B) Lily Meyer
C) Kate Quinn
D) Mary Kubica
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: A story of a lifelong letter writer reckoning with a painful past.
