Geopolitics & World News (IR) – (Questions 1-9)
Q1. In the ongoing 2026 Iran war, which Iranian official was assassinated by Israel in a Tehran airstrike on/around 18 March 2026?
A) Ali Larijani
B) Esmaeil Khatib (Intelligence Minister)
C) President of Iran
D) Foreign Minister
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israel targeted Iranian intelligence leadership amid escalations; part of broader strikes on energy sites like South Pars. Key for GS2 IR – proxy conflicts & energy security.
Q2. Iran launched a missile attack on which facility in Qatar causing extensive damage to the world’s largest LNG export site?
A) South Pars
B) Ras Laffan Industrial City
C) Ras Tanura
D) Strait of Hormuz terminal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Led to Qatar declaring Iranian officials persona non grata. Highlights force majeure invocations by Gulf nations & global oil/LNG shocks affecting India’s LPG imports.
Q3. India’s LPG consumption slumped by what percentage in early March 2026 due to West Asia war disruptions?
A) 5%
B) 26%
C) 17.7%
D) 40%
Correct: C.
Explanation: Fell to 1.147 MT; direct impact of Hormuz tensions & force majeure. Relevant for GS3 Economy & Environment (energy security).
Q4. Which country announced humanitarian assistance to Iran and West Asia nations amid US-Israel strikes?
A) China
B) Russia
C) Saudi Arabia
D) USA
Correct: A.
Explanation: Beijing urged de-escalation while supporting partner Iran. Tests India’s balancing act in West Asia reset (GS2 IR).
Q5. US President Trump stated that America “does not need” help from which allies in the Iran conflict?
A) Only NATO
B) NATO, Japan, Australia, South Korea
C) BRICS nations
D) Gulf Cooperation Council
Correct: B.
Explanation: Followed calls to reopen Strait of Hormuz; a US official also resigned citing no imminent Iranian threat. Key for multilateralism debates.
Q6. India rejected the 2026 USCIRF report recommending it as a “Country of Particular Concern” for what reason?
A) Economic sanctions
B) Trade disputes
C) Bias & selective targeting, ignoring attacks on Hindus abroad
D) Climate issues
Correct: C.
Explanation: USCIRF monitors religious freedom under US law; non-binding but diplomatically sensitive (GS2 IR & Polity).
Q7. West Asia conflict impacted which Indian sector, as highlighted on 18 March 2026?
A) IT exports
B) Automobile
C) Textile exports
D) Medical tourism
Correct: D.
Explanation: Headline in The Hindu; also linked to India’s “more sinned against than sinning” reset narrative.
Q8. Israel struck which major Iranian energy asset in the Persian Gulf?
A) Ras Laffan
B) South Pars natural gas field & refineries
C) Ras Tanura
D) Abadan
Correct: B.
Explanation: Retaliatory action; Saudi intercepted related drones. Central to global energy price spikes.
Q9. PM Modi extended Eid greetings to the Crown Prince of which country while condoling fire tragedies in Indore & Delhi?
A) Kuwait
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Iran
D) Qatar
Correct: A.
Explanation: Thanked for support to Indian community; ex gratia announced (GS2 Polity & IR).
Indian Polity & Governance – Questions 10-18
Q10. Lok Sabha passed a unanimous resolution on 18 March 2026 to:
A) Increase MP salary
B) Revoke suspension of eight Opposition MPs
C) Pass new farm laws
D) Dissolve a committee
Correct: B.
Explanation: Speaker Om Birla cautioned against fake/AI-generated posters in House; emphasised dignity. Direct GS2 Polity.
Q11. Supreme Court ruled that adoptive mothers are entitled to 12 weeks’ paid maternity leave:
A) Only if child <3 months
B) Without paternity leave push
C) Only for government employees
D) Regardless of child’s age
Correct: D.
Explanation: Struck down restrictive provisions in Code on Social Security; called maternity/paternity a human right (GS2 Governance & Social Justice).
Q12. Union Government urged States/UTs to accord “deemed approval” within 24 hours for:
A) Highway projects
B) Solar parks
C) Pending/new city gas distribution (CGD) pipelines
D) EV stations
Correct: C.
Explanation: Also waive road charges; MoPNG briefing. Boosts energy infrastructure (GS3 Economy).
Q13. Cabinet approved Rs 33,660 crore scheme for development of:
A) 50 smart cities
B) 100 industrial clusters (Bhartiya Audyogik Vikas Yojna)
C) 200 airports
D) 75 medical colleges
Correct: B.
Explanation: Major push for manufacturing self-reliance.
Q14. ECI deployed over 1,000 Central observers for Assembly polls in which states (announced/reviewed 18 March)?
A) Assam, Kerala, Puducherry, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal + bypolls
B) Only UP & Bihar
C) Only Maharashtra
D) Gujarat & Rajasthan
Correct: A.
Explanation: Specific numbers per state; also transfers in Kerala/WB (Model Code enforcement – GS2 Polity).
Q15. Parliamentary Standing Committee on Finance rebuked which bodies for poor financial planning/under-spending?
A) Ministry of Planning & Niti Aayog
B) RBI & SEBI
C) Ministry of Defence
D) MEA
Correct: A.
Explanation: Called for realistic budgeting (GS2 Governance).
Q16. Odisha Congress suspended three MLAs for:
A) Corruption
B) Cross-voting in Rajya Sabha polls (BJP swept seats)
C) Anti-party statements
D) Absenteeism
Correct: B.
Explanation: Clean sweep by BJP; classic anti-defection context.
Q17. Centre is looking to empower more ministries to:
A) Issue passports
B) Approve FDI
C) Regulate crypto
D) Block social media content
Correct: D.
Explanation: Governance issue on free speech vs regulation (GS2).
Q18. Parliamentary panel recommended mental health support & ‘seva bhav’ training for:
A) Judges
B) Overworked bureaucrats
C) MPs
D) Police
Correct: B.
Explanation: Highlighted workload stress (GS2 Governance).
Environment, Economy, Education, Arts & Literature – Questions 19-25
Q19. Zoological Survey of India discovered how many new species in Tamil Nadu’s Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary?
A) 3
B) 5
C) 9
D) 25
Correct: C.
Explanation: In Western Ghats hotspot; 977 species recorded total. Bio-indicators & biodiversity conservation (GS3 Environment).
Q20. J&K CM Omar Abdullah inaugurated Asia’s largest tulip garden in Srinagar; it features how many varieties?
A) 10
B) 70–75 (1.8 million bulbs)
C) 200
D) 5
Correct: B.
Explanation: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden; boosts spring tourism & floriculture (GS1 Culture & GS3 Economy).
Q21. Sahitya Akademi announced 2025 awards in 24 languages; prize money per winner?
A) Rs50,000
B) Rs5 lakh
C) Rs2 lakh
D) Rs1 lakh
Correct: D.
Explanation: Recognises poetry, novels etc. (e.g., Navtej Sarna in English); promotes linguistic diversity (GS1 Art & Culture).
Q22. Uttar Pradesh is considering classifying rising honey bee (Apis dorsata) attacks as:
A) Minor offence
B) Wildlife offence only
C) State-notified disaster
D) Pollution issue
Correct: C.
Explanation: Defensive behaviour of rock bees; ecological role in pollination noted.
Q23. CSIR-NCL developed indigenous technology for clean fuel alternative to LPG amid shortages:
A) Biodiesel
B) Dimethyl Ether (DME)
C) Hydrogen
D) Ethanol
Correct: B.
Explanation: Low-emission synthetic fuel from methanol; supports Atmanirbhar energy.
Q24. “Why the affiliation system is outdated” and UGC-like powers under ‘Shiksha Adhishthan’ relate to reforms in:
A) Defence
B) Panchayati Raj
C) Higher education governance
D) Banking
Correct: C.
Explanation: Governance debate in education sector (GS2).
Q25. ASI approved excavation at 8 sites in Tamil Nadu after pressure from:
A) PMO
B) Tamil Nadu CM Stalin
C) Supreme Court
D) UNESCO
Correct: B.
Explanation: Historical/cultural significance (GS1).
Sports, Misc. Current Affairs & Others – (Questions 26-30)
Q26. Novak Djokovic pulled out of which tennis tournament due to shoulder injury (reported 18 March)?
A) Australian Open
B) Miami Open
C) Wimbledon
D) French Open
Correct: B.
Explanation: Sports current affairs for UPSC GS1/GS3.
Q27. In IPL 2026 updates, who was named temporary captain for SRH with Cummins injured?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Hardik Pandya
C) Ishan Kishan
D) Rohit Sharma
Correct: C.
Explanation: Early-season blow; several overseas stars missing matches.
Q28. India leads global production in:
A) Rice
B) Tea
C) Wheat
D) Coconut
Correct: D.
Explanation: PIB highlight; economic/agri fact.
Q29. Sonam Wangchuk, released from NSA detention, opened door to compromise on demands related to:
A) Manipur
B) Ladakh
C) Jharkhand
D) Goa
Correct: B.
Explanation: Climate activist & governance issue (GS2).
Q30. Centre empowered more ministries & introduced changes to which bill (Transgender Rights Amendment)?
A) 2019 Transgender Persons Act
B) Citizenship
C) Forest Rights
D) RTE
Correct: A.
Explanation: Key social legislation update.
