Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On 17 May 2026, which country reported a drone strike targeting the Barakah nuclear power plant in the Al Dhafra region, causing a fire but no injuries or radiation leak?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) United Arab Emirates
C) Israel
D) Iran
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: UAE air defences intercepted three drones, one hitting the perimeter of the Barakah plant amid the ongoing 2026 Iran war tensions.
Q2. What conditions did the US reportedly outline for a nuclear deal with Iran around mid-May 2026?
A) Allowing only one nuclear facility to remain operational
B) Complete dismantling of all nuclear facilities
C) Iran to join NATO
D) Immediate regime change
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This was part of five conditions in 2025–2026 Iran–US negotiations.
Q3. During PM Narendra Modi’s visit to the Netherlands on 17 May 2026, what upgrade was given to India-Netherlands bilateral ties?
A) Comprehensive Economic Partnership
B) Strategic Partnership
C) Defence Alliance
D) Full Military Alliance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Both sides adopted an ambitious roadmap covering key sectors including water management (PM Modi visited Afsluitdijk Dam).
Q4. Which prestigious Swedish honour was conferred upon PM Narendra Modi on 17 May 2026?
A) Nobel Peace Prize
B) Order of Merit
C) Royal Order of the Polar Star
D) Victoria Cross
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: It is Sweden’s highest honour awarded to a Head of Government. This was PM Modi’s 31st international honour.
Q5. Saudi Arabia intercepted three drones launched from which country on 17 May 2026 amid regional tensions?
A) Yemen
B) Lebanon
C) Syria
D) Iraq
Correct Answer: D.
Q6. President Donald Trump’s cryptic post with an AI image captioned ‘It was the calm before the storm’ on or around 17 May 2026 renewed fears of what?
A) Trade war with China
B) Renewed strikes on Iran
C) Invasion of Taiwan
D) Domestic election issues
Correct Answer: B.
Q7. Israeli airstrikes on 17 May 2026 killed people in which Lebanese locations?
A) Jwaya, Tayr Debba, and Tayr Felsay
B) Beirut and Tripoli
C) Gaza border areas
D) Damascus suburbs
Correct Answer: A.
Q8. PM Modi’s Europe tour (Netherlands & Sweden) in May 2026 primarily focused on strengthening ties in:
A) Defence only
B) Climate change exclusively
C) Economic ties, innovation, technology, and water management
D) Cultural exchanges
Correct Answer: C.
Q9. In the context of the 2026 Iran war, the UAE Defence Ministry confirmed interception of how many drones on 17 May?
A) One
B) Two
C) Three
D) Five
Correct Answer: C.
Q10. Reports on 17 May 2026 indicated US and Israel preparing possible renewal of major military strikes against Iran if:
A) Iran joins BRICS
B) No deal is reached / ceasefire broken
C) Oil prices fall
D) Russia intervenes
Correct Answer: B.
Q11. Trump advisors expressed fears regarding a potential Chinese invasion of Taiwan within the next:
A) 1 year
B) 5 years
C) 10 years
D) 20 years
Correct Answer: B.
Q12. Which Indian PM action in Sweden was linked to thanks for support after the Pahalgam attack?
A) Signing a new trade deal
B) Joint military exercise
C) Announcing military aid
D) Receiving the Polar Star honour and public statement
Correct Answer: D.
World News & India’s Foreign Policy (Questions 13-15)
Q13. PM Modi was on a five-nation tour that included stops in which two European countries prominently featured on 17 May 2026?
A) France and Germany
B) Netherlands and Sweden
C) UK and Italy
D) Spain and Portugal
Correct Answer: B.
Q14. The India-UAE energy pact mentioned in reports around this period involves UAE storing how many million barrels in India’s strategic reserves?
A) 10
B) 20
C) 30
D) 50
Correct Answer: C.
Q15. Tensions in Kolkata on or around 16-17 May 2026 were linked to protests over:
A) CAA implementation
B) Restrictions on roadside namaz
C) Metro fare hike
D) Water shortage
Correct Answer: B.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 16-21)
Q16. Which index or report was discussed in current affairs around 17 May 2026 highlighting performance of states like Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi in logistics?
A) Ease of Doing Business
B) SDG Index
C) NITI Aayog Health Index
D) LEADS index
Correct Answer: D.
Q17. Tamil Nadu CM urged PM Modi to scrap which duty amid textile industry crisis?
A) Cotton import duty (11%)
B) GST on garments
C) Export duty on textiles
D) Fuel subsidy
Correct Answer: A.
Q18. Government initiatives around mid-May 2026 for women-led businesses included collateral-free loans up to:
A) ?1 crore
B) ?5 crore
C) ?10 crore
D) ?50 crore
Correct Answer: C.
Q19. IN-SPACe facilitated nine Indian space companies to which event in Italy?
A) Paris Air Show
B) Space Meetings Veneto 2026
C) Dubai Expo
D) Singapore Airshow
Correct Answer: B.
Q20. The Southwest Monsoon arrived early in the Andaman Islands with Kerala onset expected around:
A) 1 June
B) 15 May
C) 26 May
D) 10 June
Correct Answer: C. 26 May
Q21. Which state/UT was placed in the ‘exemplar’ category in the LEADS index?
A) Delhi
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Mizoram
D) Gujarat
Correct Answer: A.
Sports, Arts, Education, Literature & Misc. (Questions 22-23)
Q22. Israel’s Noam Bettan achieved what position at the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna despite controversies?
A) Winner
B) Second place
C) Last place
D) Disqualified
Correct Answer: B.
Q23. National Mall prayer event on 17 May 2026 was organised in preparation for which US milestone?
A) 250th Independence anniversary (1776-2026)
B) Presidential elections
C) Climate summit
D) UN General Assembly
Correct Answer: A.
