Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)
1. On 19 April 2026, which country’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced the resumption of international passenger flights from Mashhad Airport starting the next day?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran
C) Oman
D) United Arab Emirates
Answer: B.
Explanation: Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation, via state TV and IRNA, confirmed international flights would resume from Mashhad Airport (northeast Iran) on 20 April 2026 amid regional tensions.
2. What was the primary trigger for India summoning the Iranian envoy on or around 19 April 2026?
A) Closure of the Strait of Hormuz
B) Disruption of flights from Mashhad Airport
C) Firing by Iranian IRGC gunboats on two Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz
D) Sanctions on Indian oil imports
Answer: C.
Explanation: Indian-flagged ships (including Sanmar Herald) came under fire while attempting to cross the strait; India expressed “deep concern” and summoned the envoy. No crew injuries were reported.
3. The Strait of Hormuz, site of the recent attack on Indian vessels, connects which two bodies of water?
A) Red Sea and Arabian Sea
B) Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
C) Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
D) Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea
Answer: B.
Explanation: It is a critical chokepoint for global oil trade; recent incidents highlight its strategic importance for India’s energy security.
4. Which force was reportedly responsible for firing on the Indian-flagged vessels in the Strait of Hormuz incident reported on 19 April 2026?
A) Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) gunboats
B) Iranian regular Navy
C) US Navy
D) Omani Coast Guard
Answer: A.
Explanation: UK Maritime Trade Operations and Indian sources confirmed IRGC involvement; vessels turned back after the attack.
5. In the context of the 19 April 2026 developments, what did India convey to Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz attacks?
A) Acceptance of Iran’s blockade
B) Request for joint naval patrols
C) Deep concern and a formal diplomatic protest
D) Offer of mediation with the US
Answer: C.
Explanation: The External Affairs Ministry summoned the Iranian ambassador and conveyed India’s position through the Foreign Secretary.
6. Which of the following best describes the geopolitical significance of the Strait of Hormuz incident for India (19 April 2026 context)?
A) It has no impact on Indian shipping
B) It threatens India’s energy imports as the strait carries ~20% of global oil trade
C) It only affects European shipping routes
D) It strengthens India-Iran bilateral trade
Answer: B.
7. The recent Iranian actions in the Strait of Hormuz (reported 19 April 2026) occurred against the backdrop of which broader regional tension?
A) Israel-Hamas ceasefire
B) Saudi-Iran peace agreement
C) India-Pakistan border dispute
D) Ongoing US-Iran tensions and maritime security issues
Answer: D.
8. Which airport in Iran was scheduled to resume international operations on 20 April 2026 as per announcements on 19 April?
A) Mashhad
B) Tehran Imam Khomeini
C) Shiraz
D) Isfahan
Answer: A.
9. India’s response to the Strait of Hormuz incident (19 April 2026) primarily involved:
A) Military deployment in the Gulf
B) Diplomatic engagement – summoning the Iranian envoy
C) Imposition of sanctions on Iran
D) Withdrawal of all Indian vessels from the region
Answer: B.
10. The 2026 Strait of Hormuz developments underscore the vulnerability of which Indian strategic interest?
A) Food security imports
B) Cultural exchanges
C) Space cooperation with Iran
D) Energy security and sea lanes of communication
Answer: D.
World News Involving India (Questions 11-15)
11. Two Indian-flagged vessels attacked in the Strait of Hormuz (news on 19 April 2026) were identified as:
A) Desh Garima and Bhagya Laxmi
B) Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav (among others reported)
C) CMA CGM Everglade and MSC vessel
D) Only one vessel was Indian-flagged
Answer: B. Sanmar Herald and Jag Arnav (among others reported)
Explanation: Multiple reports confirmed two Indian-flagged ships came under fire and turned back.
12. India’s diplomatic action following the 19 April 2026 Hormuz incident was directed at which country’s envoy in New Delhi?
A) Iran
B) Oman
C) Saudi Arabia
D) USA
Answer: A.
13. The firing on Indian vessels in the Strait of Hormuz (reported 19 April 2026) occurred despite:
A) Prior clearance/permission for one of the vessels
B) A complete blockade announced by India
C) US naval escort
D) No radio warnings at all
Answer: A.
14. Which global maritime monitoring body recorded the incidents of vessels being hit in the Strait of Hormuz around 18-19 April 2026?
A) International Maritime Organization
B) United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO)
C) NATO Maritime Command
D) Indian Navy’s Information Fusion Centre
Answer: B.
15. The Strait of Hormuz crisis directly impacts India’s trade with which region most severely?
A) Europe
B) Africa
C) Southeast Asia
D) Gulf/Middle East (oil imports)
Answer: D.
Indian Polity (Questions 16-23)
16. On 19 April 2026, which CPI MP wrote to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar alleging Model Code of Conduct (MCC) violation by PM Narendra Modi?
A) P. Sandosh Kumar
B) Manoj Kumar Jha
C) M.A. Baby
D) Jairam Ramesh
Answer: A.
Explanation: The letter dated 19 April 2026 cited the PM’s national address as “political in nature” with partisan assertions during MCC enforcement in five states.
17. The MCC violation complaint against PM Modi’s address (19 April 2026) primarily related to:
A) Announcement of a new welfare scheme
B) Criticism of the opposition over the failure of the women’s reservation bill
C) Foreign policy statement on Iran
D) Economic survey release
Answer: B.
18. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, 2026, which failed in the Lok Sabha recently, sought to:
A) Amend the Representation of the People Act for electronic voting
B) Introduce caste census
C) Abolish Article 370 provisions
D) Operationalise 33% women’s reservation through delimitation and expansion of Lok Sabha seats
Answer: D.
19. PM Modi’s national address (context of 19 April 2026 MCC complaint) was delivered via which public broadcaster?
A) All India Radio only
B) Doordarshan (DD)
C) Private news channels
D) YouTube live only
Answer: B.
20. The Model Code of Conduct (MCC) is enforced by which constitutional body?
A) Election Commission of India (ECI)
B) Supreme Court
C) Ministry of Home Affairs
D) Parliament
Answer: A.
21. Opposition parties alleged that PM Modi’s 18 April 2026 address violated MCC because:
A) It criticised foreign policy
B) It announced a new budget
C) It was broadcast on state media during active election periods in multiple states
D) It was delivered outside India
Answer: C.
22. The women’s reservation bill’s operationalisation was linked to which constitutional exercise that became a flashpoint in April 2026?
A) Delimitation based on the next census
B) National Population Register
C) GST Council reforms
D) Electoral bonds scheme
Answer: A.
23. Which states were explicitly referenced in the context of MCC enforcement during the April 2026 controversy over PM’s address?
A) Only Kerala
B) Only Uttar Pradesh
C) Tamil Nadu and West Bengal
D) Only Gujarat
Answer: C.
Sports (Questions 24-28)
24. In the IPL 2026 match on 19 April 2026, which team defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 54 runs?
A) Kolkata Knight Riders
B) Punjab Kings (PBKS)
C) Sunrisers Hyderabad
D) Delhi Capitals
Answer: B.
Explanation: PBKS scored 254/7; LSG managed 200/5.
25. Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly’s performance in the 19 April 2026 IPL match for PBKS was notable for:
A) Slow batting
B) Taking five wickets each
C) Fielding brilliance only
D) Breaking historical opening partnership records
Answer: D.
26. On 19 April 2026, Kolkata Knight Riders secured a win by how many wickets in their IPL match?
A) 4 wickets
B) 6 wickets
C) By 10 runs
D) By 1 run
Answer: A.
27. Which IPL 2026 match on 19 April 2026 saw a high-scoring contest where the winning team posted 254/7?
A) PBKS vs LSG
B) SRH vs CSK
C) RCB vs DC
D) GT vs RR
Answer: A.
28. Jofra Archer’s notable feat in IPL 2026 (around mid-April) included taking a wicket with the:
A) Powerplay only
B) Last ball only
C) First ball of the innings
D) Death overs exclusively
Answer: C.
Other Relevant Current Affairs (Disaster, Arts, Education, Literature – Questions 29-30)
29. A massive explosion occurred on 19 April 2026 at a firecracker factory in which location in Tamil Nadu?
A) Kattanarpatti, Virudhunagar district
B) Sivakasi
C) Coimbatore
D) Chennai
Answer: A.
Explanation: The blast at Vanaja Fireworks Unit killed at least 16-23 workers (reports vary) and injured several others; the unit was reportedly operating without permission on a Sunday.
30. The 19 April 2026 firecracker factory blast in Tamil Nadu highlighted concerns related to:
A) Industrial safety regulations and illegal operations in the fireworks sector
B) Agricultural reforms
C) Digital education initiatives
D) Literary festival security
Answer: A.
