Geopolitics & World News India (Questions 1–12)
Q1. India co-sponsored a UNSC resolution on 13 March 2026 condemning “egregious” attacks by Iran against which entities?
A) GCC nations and Jordan
B) Israel and USA
C) Russia and China
D) Turkey and Pakistan
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: India joined the resolution in the UN Security Council, reflecting its balanced West Asia policy amid the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict.
Q2. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held his fourth phone call since the West Asia crisis began with Iranian FM Seyed Abbas Araghchi on 12 March 2026 (reported 13 March). What key issue was discussed besides bilateral and BRICS matters?
A) Joint military exercises
B) Safe passage for 28 Indian merchant vessels near the Strait of Hormuz
C) Oil price hike compensation
D) Extradition of fugitives
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India is working to secure passage for its vessels stalled due to Iranian restrictions on the Strait.
Q3. US President Donald Trump told G7 leaders (in a 10 March call, reported 13 March) that Iran is “about to surrender” after Operation “Epic Fury”. He described the situation by saying:
A) “Nobody knows who is the leader, so there is no one that can announce surrender”
B) “Iran has already signed a peace treaty”
C) “Israel has withdrawn from Lebanon”
D) “China is mediating”
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump boasted about eliminating a “cancer” threatening everyone (Axios report).
Q4. A US KC-135 refuelling aircraft crashed in western Iraq on 12 March 2026 (reported 13 March). How many US service members were confirmed killed?
A) Four (out of six crew)
B) Two
C) All six
D) None
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: US Central Command confirmed four deaths; rescue ongoing for the rest; not due to hostile/fire.
Q5. Sri Lanka handed over bodies of how many Iranian sailors (killed in an attack off its coast) to Iran’s embassy on 13 March 2026?
A) 45
B) 28
C) 12
D) 60
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Ordered by Chief Magistrate on 11 March; bodies from Galle National Hospital.
Q6. The ongoing Iran conflict has disrupted the Strait of Hormuz, through which what percentage of India’s LPG imports pass?
A) 40–50%
B) 85–90%
C) 10–15%
D) 100%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India is the world’s second-largest LPG importer (31 million metric tonnes annual consumption; 67% imported).
Q7. PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian (reported around 13 March) and called for:
A) Military support to Israel
B) Immediate sanctions on Iran
C) Dialogue and diplomacy amid the West Asia war
D) Closure of Hormuz
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Focus on de-escalation and safe shipping lanes for Indian interests.
Q8. A minor drone crash was reported in which Dubai area on 13 March 2026 with no injuries?
A) Al Bada’a
B) Burj Khalifa
C) Palm Jumeirah
D) Dubai Marina
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Part of heightened Gulf tensions linked to Iran’s stepped-up attacks.
Q9. Which new Iranian Supreme Leader’s election and US reward offer (up to $10 million) dominated global headlines on 13 March?
A) Ebrahim Raisi
B) Mojtaba Khamenei
C) Hassan Rouhani
D) Ali Khamenei
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Son of late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei; US Rewards for Justice programme appeal.
Q10. India’s position in the US-Iran war is described as “tricky” because of its simultaneous strong trade ties with:
A) Pakistan and Afghanistan
B) Only USA and Israel
C) Russia and China
D) Israel, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Balancing multi-alignment and energy security (Foreign Policy analysis).
Q11. Iran has selectively allowed passage through the Strait of Hormuz for ships from which two countries (including Indian-flagged LPG carriers)?
A) India and Turkey
B) USA and Israel
C) Saudi Arabia and UAE
D) Russia and China
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Two Indian LPG carriers and one Turkish ship permitted (Reuters sources).
Q12. Bomb threats were received on 13 March 2026 by Maharashtra legislature and three other places. This was in the context of:
A) Cricket World Cup
B) Heightened security amid West Asia tensions
C) Election results
D) Holi celebrations
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Part of domestic fallout from regional instability.
Indian Polity & Parliament (Questions 13–19)
Q13. On 13 March 2026, Lok Sabha passed which two financial bills via voice vote?
A) Supplementary Demand for Grants (?2.81 lakh crore) and Appropriation Bill 2026
B) Union Budget 2026-27
C) Finance Bill only
D) GST Amendment Bill
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Authorised additional expenditure from Consolidated Fund; House adjourned till 16 March after two protests-led adjournments.
Q14. INDIA bloc MPs (193 total) submitted the first-ever formal notice in Parliament on 13 March 2026 seeking removal of:
A) RBI Governor
B) CAG
C) Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
D) CJI
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Under Article 324(5); seven charges including partisan conduct and mass disenfranchisement.
Q15. Opposition protests in Lok Sabha on 13 March 2026 were primarily over:
A) Farm laws repeal
B) LPG cylinder shortage due to West Asia war
C) Article 370
D) CAA rules
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Sloganeering led to adjournments; AAP’s Sanjay Singh gave Rule 267 notice.
Q16. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced a ?1 lakh crore fund in Parliament on 13 March 2026 to provide fiscal headroom against global headwinds. It is called:
A) Economic Stabilisation Fund
B) Contingency Fund
C) Disaster Relief Fund
D) Green Energy Fund
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Part of Supplementary Demand for Grants; includes allocations for fertilizers, defence, food subsidies etc.
Q17. The Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill was introduced in Lok Sabha on 13 March 2026 by which minister?
A) Law Minister
B) Home Minister
C) Social Justice Minister Virendra Kumar
D) Women & Child Minister
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Seeks precise definition of “transgender” (socio-cultural + physiological) with graded punishments.
Q18. Supreme Court on 13 March 2026 expressed apprehension that compulsory paid menstrual pain leave could:
A) Damage young women’s careers and equal opportunities
B) Increase gender parity
C) Reduce absenteeism
D) Boost productivity
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: CJI Surya Kant-led bench observations.
Q19. Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance on 13 March 2026 of illegal sand mining threatening the habitat of critically endangered gharials in:
A) Gir Forest
B) Sundarbans
C) Kaziranga
D) National Chambal Sanctuary
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Eco-sensitive zone at Rajasthan-MP-UP trijunction.
Economy, Sports, Education & Others (Questions 20–28)
Q20. Retail inflation (CPI) rose to what level in February 2026 (data released 13 March)?
A) 3.21%
B) 5.5%
C) 2.0%
D) 7.8%
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: MoSPI data; Oil Minister Hardeep Puri assured no shortage of petrol/diesel/kerosene/ATF.
Q21. Ministry of Petroleum stated on 13 March 2026 that domestic LPG production increased by what percentage since 5 March?
A) 10%
B) 30%
C) 50%
D) No increase
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: 25,000 distributors reported no dry-outs; 1.5 crore households on PNG.
Q22. BCCI’s annual Naman Awards (to be held 15 March) will confer Cricketer of the Year 2026 on:
A) Jasprit Bumrah
B) Rohit Sharma
C) Virat Kohli
D) Shubman Gill
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Despite T20 WC selection debate; Rahul Dravid to receive Lifetime Achievement.
Q23. India outclassed Wales on 13 March 2026 to seal a berth in which World Cup?
A) Hockey World Cup
B) Cricket World Cup
C) Football World Cup
D) Kabaddi World Cup
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Field hockey qualifier victory (school assembly headlines).
Q24. IPL 2026 first-phase opener (announced 13 March) will be between:
A) PBKS vs GT
B) CSK vs MI
C) KKR vs RCB
D) RCB and SRH
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Official announcement amid T20 WC aftermath.
Q25. NCERT released a new Class 9 English textbook on 13 March 2026 titled:
A) Bharat Gaurav
B) Kaveri
C) English for UPSC
D) Global English
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focus on Indian ethos.
Q26. Over 1,000 Indian students received MD degrees at the 25th International Medical Doctors Graduation Ceremony (reported 13 March) in:
A) Davao (Philippines)
B) USA
C) UK
D) Australia
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Education news highlight.
Q27. V.K. Sasikala announced the name of her new political party on 13 March 2026 as:
A) MGR Kazhagam
B) AIADMK-2
C) All India Puratchi Thalaivar Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam (AIPTMMK)
D) Jayalalithaa Front
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Symbol “coconut grove”; to align with like-minded parties for Assembly polls.
Q28. India Giving Day observed on 13 March 2026 focuses on transforming education through organisations like Agastya that provide:
A) Hands-on science, arts, ecology and design-thinking labs for government school children
B) Only digital devices
C) Foreign scholarships
D) Competitive exam coaching
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Nationwide teacher and student transformation drive.
