Geopolitics & World News: (Questions 1-10)
1. On 13 April 2026, US President Donald Trump announced a naval blockade of which strategic waterway following the collapse of high-level peace talks with Iran in Islamabad?
A) Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Malacca Strait
D) Bosporus Strait
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The blockade was imposed after talks mediated by Pakistan failed over Iran’s uranium enrichment and vessel traffic regulation in the Strait of Hormuz (which carries ~20% of global oil trade). Iran called it “piracy” and threatened retaliation.
2. The failed US-Iran peace talks in Islamabad (13 April 2026) were the first direct high-level negotiations since which historic event?
A) 1979 Iranian Revolution
B) 1995 Dayton Accords
C) 2003 Iraq War
D) 2015 JCPOA signing
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Core disputes included Iran’s refusal to fully dismantle enrichment for sanctions relief and disagreement on including Lebanon in any ceasefire.
3. India responded to the West Asia crisis (Strait of Hormuz blockade) by boosting supply of which LPG cylinder size and accelerating PNG rollout?
A) 14.2-kg domestic cylinders
B) 5-kg cylinders
C) 19-kg commercial cylinders
D) 47.5-kg industrial cylinders
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The move aims to manage fuel availability amid disruptions from the US-Iran conflict.
4. China issued a strong warning to the US regarding the naval blockade, stating full support for which country?
A) Israel
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Iran
D) Pakistan
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Beijing urged dialogue while global oil markets reacted sharply.
5. Which long-time far-right leader suffered a landslide electoral defeat in Hungary on/around 13 April 2026, ending his era?
A) Viktor Orban
B) Marine Le Pen
C) Jair Bolsonaro
D) Benjamin Netanyahu
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Hungarians celebrated the victory of opposition leader Peter Magyar’s party.
6. US allies including the UK and Australia publicly rejected Trump’s Hormuz blockade, instead emphasising which principle?
A) Freedom of navigation
B) Sanctions enforcement
C) Nuclear non-proliferation
D) Energy independence
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: They distanced themselves from the escalating conflict.
7. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi (reported 13 April) to discuss the West Asia crisis and its impact on:
A) Defence exports
B) Economic stability
C) Space cooperation
D) Climate finance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The meeting focused on the economic fallout from the Iran-related disruptions.
8. Trump criticised Pope Leo XIV over the pontiff’s comments on the Iran conflict and immigration; the US President refused to issue:
A) A joint statement
B) Sanctions on the Vatican
C) An apology
D) Trade concessions
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump stated he did not owe the Pope an apology.
9. Post-blockade, global oil prices surged due to the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, which handles approximately what percentage of global maritime petroleum trade?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 30%
D) 40%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This has direct implications for India’s energy security.
10. The US imposed the Hormuz blockade under which administration’s policy shift after the collapse of talks?
A) Trump administration
B) Biden administration
C) Harris administration
D) Obama administration
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: President Trump directly announced the measure on 13 April 2026.
Indian Polity & Governance: (Questions 11-18)
11. Who released the latest version of the Constitution of India in the Sindhi language (both Devanagari and Persian scripts) on/around 13 April 2026?
A) President
B) Vice-President
C) Prime Minister
D) Chief Justice of India
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Sindhi was included in the Eighth Schedule via the 21st Constitutional Amendment (1967).
12. Allahabad High Court judge Justice Yashwant Varma resigned amid proceedings for removal by:
A) Impeachment motion in Parliament
B) Supreme Court suo motu action
C) President on advice of CJI
D) Governor’s order
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Removal of a High Court judge requires a special majority parliamentary resolution on grounds of misbehaviour or incapacity.
13. The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA) India Region Zone VII Conference concluded on 13 April 2026 in:
A) New Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Goa
D) Hyderabad
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: CPA promotes parliamentary democracy across Commonwealth nations.
14. After Special Intensive Revision (SIR) Phase II of electoral rolls, the consolidated voters’ list of 9 States and 3 UTs was trimmed by:
A) 5.2%
B) 10.2%
C) 15.2%
D) 20.2%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Uttar Pradesh recorded the highest absolute deletions (2.04 crore).
15. The government informed the Supreme Court about safeguards under the Forest Rights Act (FRA) for construction of PMAY-G houses on forest land for which tribal community in Madhya Pradesh?
A) Baiga
B) Korku
C) Gond
D) Sahariya
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The case highlights the balance between housing rights and forest conservation.
16. Discussions on the Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam amendments centre on implementing women’s reservation in Lok Sabha and State Assemblies without waiting for:
A) Census-based delimitation
B) State ratification
C) Supreme Court clearance
D) Election Commission notification
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: PM Modi sought cross-party support for the 2029 rollout.
17. RBI’s discussion paper on digital payment safeguards proposes a 1-hour delay for transactions above ?10,000 to:
A) All beneficiaries
B) New beneficiaries
C) International transfers
D) UPI Lite wallets
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Aim is to curb surging frauds (losses projected >?1.2 lakh crore in 2026).
India News & Current Affairs: (Questions 19-24)
18. UPI completed how many years of operations on 13 April 2026?
A) 5 years
B) 8 years
C) 10 years
D) 12 years
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Launched in 2016 by NPCI, it now handles 81% of India’s retail digital payments.
19. Counterfeit versions of which cancer immunotherapy drug (Pembrolizumab, brand Keytruda by Merck) were exposed in Indian hospital supply chains?
A) Opdivo
B) Keytruda
C) Avastin
D) Herceptin
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: High cost and limited access have fuelled the counterfeit market amid rising cancer cases.
20. Amid the LPG crisis triggered by West Asia disruptions, improved cookstoves (ICS) were highlighted as an alternative with thermal efficiency of up to:
A) 38–45%
B) 10–15%
C) 60–65%
D) 80–85%
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: They reduce fuel use by up to two-thirds compared to traditional biomass stoves.
21. The RBI proposed replacing parametric scoring with an absolute asset threshold of ?1 lakh crore for classifying NBFCs in the Upper Layer (UL).
A) True (new criterion)
B) False (remains parametric)
C) Only for government-owned NBFCs
D) Threshold lowered to ?50,000 crore
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Government-owned entities will now be included in UL classification.
Sports: (Questions 23-26)
22. In the IPL 2026 match on 13 April 2026 at Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, which team defeated Rajasthan Royals by 57 runs?
A) Mumbai Indians
B) Sunrisers Hyderabad
C) Kolkata Knight Riders
D) Chennai Super Kings
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: SRH scored 216/6; RR were bowled out for 159.
23. SRH debutant bowler Sakib Hussain credited his dream performance in the 13 April 2026 IPL match to guidance from which former Indian fast bowler?
A) Jasprit Bumrah
B) Varun Aaron
C) Mohammed Shami
D) Bhuvneshwar Kumar
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Hussain highlighted Aaron’s role in his bowling improvement.
24. Boxer Amit Panghal was reinstated/selected back into the India squad for which upcoming major event (reported 13 April 2026)?
A) Asian Games
B) Olympics (OLY squad)
C) Commonwealth Games
D) World Boxing Championships
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: He returned to the national Olympic preparation squad.
Arts, Literature & Others: (Questions 26-30)
25. Legendary playback singer Asha Bhosle (1933–2026) passed away; renowned sand artist Sudarsan Pattnaik created a 20-feet-long tribute sculpture of a veena at:
A) Juhu Beach, Mumbai
B) Chowpatty Beach, Mumbai
C) Marina Beach, Chennai
D) Puri Beach, Odisha
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The sand art was a heartfelt homage following her demise.
26. Pakistan’s Geo TV faced a PEMRA notice for airing tributes to Asha Bhosle but defended it by stating:
A) “Art has no borders”
B) “Cultural exchange is mandatory”
C) “Only Indian content banned”
D) “Tribute was accidental”
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The channel emphasised shared cultural heritage.
27. The Vice-President’s release of the Sindhi Constitution underscores India’s commitment to promoting languages in the Eighth Schedule. How many scripts were used for this version?
A) One (Devanagari only)
B) Two (Devanagari and Persian)
C) Three (including Roman)
D) Only Persian
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This facilitates access for Sindhi-speaking communities in India and the diaspora.
28. RBI’s fraud-curb proposal includes a “kill switch” and secondary approval for high-value transactions above:
A) Rs 5,000
B) Rs 50,000
C) Rs 1 lakh
D) Rs 5 lakh
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: These layered safeguards target the sharp rise in digital payment scams.
