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.
Q4. What did Iran’s officials declare as a ‘red line’ during U.S.-Israel talks on February 12, 2026?
A) Nuclear program
B) Ballistic missile program
C) Oil exports
D) Regional alliances
Correct Answer: B. Ballistic missile program
Explanation: Iran warned that restrictions on its missiles would be rejected, potentially triggering conflict.
Q5.On February 12, 2026, which report described a ‘New World Disorder’ with surging humanitarian needs and collapsing global support?
A) IRC Emergency Watchlist
B) Munich Security Report
C) NATO Annual Review
D) UN Global Outlook
Correct Answer: A. IRC Emergency Watchlist
Explanation: The International Rescue Committee’s report highlighted crises in healthcare, transportation, and more.
Q6. Which U.S. administration action on February 12, 2026, repealed a key scientific finding on greenhouse gas emissions?
A) Biden
B) Trump
C) Obama
D) Bush
Correct Answer: B. Trump
Explanation: The move ended federal emission standards for vehicles, reversing climate regulations.
Q7. What did Russian President Putin reportedly consider as ‘next moves’ in a February 12, 2026, Atlantic Council report?
A) Alliance with China
B) Peace talks with Ukraine
C) Economic reforms
D) Attacks on NATO territories
Correct Answer: D. Attacks on NATO territories
Explanation: The report outlined five scenarios of Russian aggression to fracture NATO and reincorporate imperial territories.
Q8. On February 12, 2026, which global shipping industry decision was reported despite carbon price delays?
A) Abandon green investments
B) Halt international trade
C) Increase fossil fuel use
D) Stick with green investments
Correct Answer: D. Stick with green investments
Explanation: The industry persists with sustainability amid geopolitical energy shifts.
World News India (Questions 9-16)
Q9. What was India’s retail inflation rate in January 2026, as reported on February 12, 2026?
A) 2.75%
B) 2.5%
C) 3.5%
D) 4.2%
Correct Answer: A. 2.75%
Explanation: The new CPI series showed an uptick due to food and precious metal prices, returning to RBI’s target band.
Q10. Which nationwide event occurred on February 12, 2026, protesting new labor codes and the India-US trade deal?
A) Farmers’ March
B) General Election
C) Bharat Bandh
D) Independence Day Parade
Correct Answer: C. Bharat Bandh
Explanation: Called by trade unions and farmers, it disrupted services in states like Odisha and Assam against anti-worker policies.
Q11. On February 12, 2026, the Defence Acquisition Council approved the purchase of how many Rafale fighter jets?
A) 50
B) 114
C) 200
D) 36
Correct Answer: B. 114
Explanation: The deal with France includes 18 fly-away aircraft ahead of President Macron’s visit.
Q12. What benefit did India secure for garments under the US trade pact, as announced on February 12, 2026?
A) Zero tariffs
B) Import bans
C) Export subsidies
D) Concessional duty using US yarn
Correct Answer: D. Concessional duty using US yarn
Explanation: Similar to Bangladesh’s benefits, as stated by Minister Piyush Goyal.
Q13. Which BJP MP filed a notice on February 12, 2026, to cancel Rahul Gandhi’s Lok Sabha membership?
A) Nishikant Dubey
B) Amit Shah
C) Smriti Irani
D) Narendra Modi
Correct Answer: A. Nishikant Dubey
Explanation: The motion demanded debarment from elections for life amid parliamentary debates.
Q14. In the T20 World Cup 2026, which team did India defeat by 93 runs on February 12, 2026?
A) Pakistan
B) Namibia
C) Australia
D) England
Correct Answer: B. Namibia
Explanation: Ishan Kishan and Hardik Pandya scored half-centuries in the group stage match.
Q15. What did the MHA direct on February 12, 2026, regarding the National Song and Anthem?
A) Ban Vande Mataram
B) Replace the Anthem
C) Sing Vande Mataram first
D) Shorten both
Correct Answer: C. Sing Vande Mataram first
Explanation: All six stanzas of Vande Mataram to precede Jana Gana Mana, drawing CPI(M) criticism.
Q16. Which state’s government revised its Maoist surrender policy on February 12, 2026?
A) Maharashtra
B) Odisha
C) Kerala
D) Uttar Pradesh
Correct Answer: B. Odisha
Explanation: The second revision in under three months amid internal security concerns.
Indian Polity (Questions 17-21)
Q17. On February 12, 2026, 118 opposition MPs submitted a notice for what action against Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla?
A) Removal
B) Promotion
C) Award
D) Extension
Correct Answer: A. Removal
Explanation: Cited partisan conduct and denial of opportunities for opposition voices.
Q18. What did the CPI(M) criticize about the MHA order on the National Song on February 12, 2026?
A) It promotes Anthem
B) It violates Constitution
C) It shortens Vande Mataram
D) It bans singing
Correct Answer: B. It violates Constitution
Explanation: Precedence to Vande Mataram over Jana Gana Mana doesn’t reflect constitutional spirit.
Q19. Which coalition called the Bharat Bandh on February 12, 2026?
A) NDA
B) INDIA Alliance
C) Central Trade Unions and SKM
D) BJP Youth Wing
Correct Answer: C. Central Trade Unions and SKM
Explanation: Protested labor codes, farm policies, and economic reforms.
Q20. Which policy did unions protest during the February 12, 2026, strike?
A) Farm laws repeal
B) New labor codes
C) GST reduction
D) Fuel price cut
Correct Answer: B. New labor codes
Explanation: Claimed they undermine worker rights; supported by SKM.
Q21. What did the AIMPLB object to on February 12, 2026?
A) Mandatory Vande Mataram recitation
B) New Anthem
C) School curriculum changes
D) Election reforms
Correct Answer: A. Mandatory Vande Mataram recitation
Explanation: Demanded withdrawal of the notification for all verses at functions.
Sports (Questions 22-24)
Q22. Who won the women’s snowboard halfpipe gold at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 12?
A) Chloe Kim
B) Jaelin Kauf
C) Jessie Diggins
D) Gaon Choi
Correct Answer: D. Gaon Choi
Explanation: The South Korean upset defending champion Chloe Kim in Livigno.
Q23. Which U.S. skier earned bronze in cross-country at the 2026 Winter Olympics on February 12?
A) Chloe Kim
B) Jessie Diggins
C) Jaelin Kauf
D) Maggie Rulli
Correct Answer: B. Jessie Diggins
Explanation: She overcame challenges to medal amid Team USA highlights.
Q24. What partnership was extended in NASCAR on February 12, 2026?
A) With Pepsi
B) With Monster Energy
C) With Red Bull
D) With Coca-Cola; BodyArmor as official drink
Correct Answer: D. With Coca-Cola; BodyArmor as official drink
Explanation: Expands into sports hydration category.
Arts (Questions 25-26)
Q25. Which new gallery opened in San Francisco on February 12, 2026, focusing on Pan-African art?
A) AOCA
B) SFMOMA
C) Getty Center
D) LACMA
Correct Answer: A. AOCA
Explanation: Art of Contemporary Africa, the city’s first such dedicated space.
Q26. What event spotlighted Black artists in West Palm Beach on February 12, 2026?
A) Art Basel
B) Black Art Matters
C) Coachella
D) Burning Man
Correct Answer: B. Black Art Matters
Explanation: Weekly showcases during Black History Month at CityZen Garden.
Education (Question 27)
Q27. What did a February 12, 2026, Senate HELP Committee hearing focus on in U.S. education?
A) Teacher salaries
B) College admissions
C) Fraud in child care programs
D) School uniforms
Correct Answer: C. Fraud in child care programs
Explanation: Discussed access, affordability, and federal funding importance amid oversight concerns.
Literature (Question 28)
Q28. Which debut book released on February 12, 2026, explores inheritance and family histories?
A) Clutch by Emily Nemens
B) It’s Not Her by Mary Kubica
C) Salvation by C. William Langsfeld
D) Love Me Tomorrow by Emiko Jean
Correct Answer: A, Clutch by Emily Nemens
Explanation: A literary novel with themes of ambition and buried secrets, featuring baseball elements.
