Geopolitics and International Relations (Questions 1-9)
Q1. Which country’s President visited India in April 2026, during which four MoUs were signed on shipbuilding skills, MSME cooperation, sports & culture, and economic security dialogue?
A) Japan
B) South Korea
C) Germany
D) Australia
Answer: B.
Explanation: South Korean President Lee Jae-myung’s state visit elevated bilateral ties, aiming to double trade and launch a ‘digital bridge’. This reflects India’s multi-alignment strategy in the Indo-Pacific.
Q2. India expressed deep concern over attacks on merchant vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, with Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri raising the issue with which country?
A) Israel
B) Iran
C) Saudi Arabia
D) USA
Answer: B.
Explanation: Ongoing West Asia tensions, including US seizure of an Iranian-flagged vessel and threats of Hormuz closure, directly impact India’s energy imports (2.5–2.7 million barrels/day via the strait).
Q3. The US extended its sanctions waiver for Russian oil purchases through which date in 2026, helping India maintain discounted crude imports amid West Asia disruptions?
A) 30 April 2026
B) 31 March 2026
C) 16 May 2026
D) 15 June 2026
Answer: C.
Explanation: General License 134B allows continued imports from entities like Rosneft, stabilizing prices as Russian oil formed ~44% of India’s imports in March 2026.
Q4. During Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan’s two-day visit to Sri Lanka (first bilateral VP visit), India extended OCI card eligibility to which generation of Indian-origin Tamils?
A) Fourth
B) Fifth
C) Sixth
D) Seventh
Answer: C.
Explanation: The move strengthens people-to-people ties; other outcomes included Phase III housing handover and Sri Lanka joining the India-led International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA).
Q5. An Inter-Ministerial Briefing was held on 20 April 2026 to discuss implications of West Asia developments (including Hormuz tensions) for India’s:
A) Defence exports
B) Energy security and maritime trade
C) Space programme
D) Digital payments
Answer: B.
Explanation: Ministries of Petroleum, External Affairs, and Ports briefed the media on ripple effects on LPG/ oil imports and Indian tankers.
Q6. Iran dismissed US President Trump’s claims of imminent war and stated that talks with the US delegation were:
A) Far from final
B) Finalised and successful
C) Cancelled permanently
D) Limited to nuclear issues only
Answer: A.
Explanation: Tensions escalated after US vessel seizure and Hormuz blockade threats, but diplomatic channels remain open.
Q7. India and South Korea signed an MoU under KOICA for workforce mapping and joint training in which sector?
A) Information Technology
B) Renewable Energy
C) Shipbuilding and maritime skills
D) Pharmaceuticals
Answer: C.
Explanation: This supports India’s maritime ambitions and addresses bilateral trade deficit.
Q8. Daily LPG demand in India dropped below 50 lakh cylinders on 20 April 2026 primarily due to:
A) Winter season end
B) Summer onset and supply stabilisation
C) Export restrictions
D) Government subsidy cuts
Answer: B.
Explanation: This reflects easing energy pressure amid global supply chain adjustments linked to West Asia developments.
Q9. Armed Forces are exploring biogas and solar energy to reduce fuel dependence amid the ongoing:
A) Red Sea crisis
B) West Asia (US-Iran-Israel) crisis
C) Ukraine conflict
D) South China Sea tensions
Answer: B.
Explanation: The move enhances operational resilience as India imports significant oil via the Strait of Hormuz.
Indian Polity and Governance (Questions 10-17)
Q10. The Union Cabinet extended Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) till:
A) March 2028
B) March 2027
C) March 2029
D) March 2030
Answer: A.
Explanation: With a revised outlay of ?83,977 crore, the scheme focuses on all-weather roads connecting habitations to markets, schools, and hospitals (60:40/90:10 funding pattern).
Q11. The River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme under the Ministry of Jal Shakti was approved for continuation from:
A) 2025-26 to 2029-30
B) 2026-27 to 2030-31
C) 2027-28 to 2031-32
D) 2024-25 to 2028-29
Answer: D.
Explanation: Implemented by CWC, Brahmaputra Board, and NWDA using GIS/LiDAR for integrated planning in key basins including Brahmaputra and Teesta.
Q12. Lok Sabha Speaker highlighted that productivity during the seventh session of the 18th Lok Sabha was approximately:
A) 75 percent
B) 93 percent
C) 85 percent
D) 68 percent
Answer: B.
Explanation: This reflects effective legislative functioning amid ongoing sessions.
Q13. Left parties approached the Election Commission alleging Model Code of Conduct violation by PM Narendra Modi in his recent:
A) Republic Day address
B) Budget speech
C) Address to the nation
D) Independence Day speech
Answer: C.
Explanation: The address was delivered when MCC was in force in five states.
Q14. The Constitution (131st Amendment) Bill, Delimitation Bill, and UT Laws (Amendment) Bill (using 2011 Census data) were introduced but faced defeat in a special session due to protests by:
A) Northern states
B) Southern and opposition parties
C) Northeastern states
D) Union Territories
Answer: B.
Explanation: Concerns centred on seat readjustment and women’s reservation implementation.
Q15. Meghalaya Cabinet approved an ordinance making Khasi and Garo official state languages (repealing the 2005 Act), allowing their use in:
A) Only inter-district communication
B) Official works and assembly debates
C) Private sector only
D) School education exclusively
Answer: B.
Explanation: English remains for inter-district use; promotes regional linguistic federalism.
Q16. The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool (BMI Pool) was launched with a ?12,980 crore sovereign guarantee to cover risks for:
A) Only aircraft
B) Digital assets
C) Road transport only
D) Indian vessels and cargo (hull, war risks)
Answer: D.
Explanation: Aims at self-reliance in maritime insurance amid global disruptions.
Q17. The National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) receives 2% of royalty contributions to fund exploration, with renewed focus on:
A) Onshore coal only
B) Riverbed sand
C) Forest minerals
D) Offshore seabed critical minerals
Answer: D.
Explanation: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat in rare earths and lithium for green energy/defence.
Sports (Questions 18-19)
Q18. BCCI’s chief selector Ajit Agarkar is set to receive a contract extension until:
A) December 2026
B) June 2027
C) March 2028
D) September 2026
Answer: B.
Explanation: Ensures continuity in selection ahead of major tournaments.
Q19.Chennai Super Kings batter Ayush Mhatre was ruled out of IPL 2026 for approximately three weeks due to:
A) Suspension
B) Team strategy
C) Personal reasons
D) Injury
Answer: D.
Explanation: Impacts team combinations in the ongoing IPL season.
Arts, Education, Literature & Culture (Questions 20-24)
Q20. AICTE launched the 3rd edition of the VAANI scheme (2026-27) with ?4 crore outlay to promote teaching of technical subjects in how many Eighth Schedule languages?
A) 8
B) 15
C) 22
D) 12
Answer: C.
Explanation: Covers 200 events in domains like AI and Quantum Technology; each institution gets ?2 lakh.
Q21. NITI Aayog launched the “Divya Bharat” anthology containing 3,000 entries on tourism destinations, festivals, and handicrafts to support which campaign?
A) Incredible India
B) Dekho Apna Desh
C) Swachh Bharat
D) Make in India
Answer: B.
Explanation: Promotes cultural tourism under a seasonal framework.
Q22. The Char Dham Yatra began in April 2026, coinciding with the flagging off of the Surya Devbhoomi Challenge 2.0 in:
A) Kedarnath
B) Badrinath, Uttarakhand
C) Amarnath
D) Vaishno Devi
Answer: B.
Explanation: The 113-km high-altitude event boosts border area tourism under the Vibrant Village Programme.
Q23. CBSE’s third language rule shift prioritises Sanskrit and regional languages over which two foreign languages?
A) Spanish and Chinese
B) Arabic and Persian
C) Japanese and Korean
D) French and German
Answer: D.
Explanation: Promotes indigenous languages in school curriculum.
Q24. Bollywood actress Sayani Gupta was named Harvard South Asian Association’s Person of the Year 2026 for contributions to:
A) Film and representation
B) Sports
C) Politics
D) Business
Answer: A.
Explanation: Recognises South Asian influence in arts and culture.
Other Relevant Current Affairs (Questions 25-29)
Q25. Anthropic launched Project Glasswing in 2026 using its Claude model for cybersecurity in collaboration with major tech firms; the project focuses on detecting:
A) Only phishing emails
B) Zero-day vulnerabilities
C) Social media threats
D) Hardware failures
Answer: B.
Explanation: Involves open-sourcing tools; major firms like AWS, Google participated. Relevant to India’s digital security push.
Q26. The CPI(Maoist) is reportedly nearing collapse following the surrender of successor Thippiri Tirupati in early 2026 and the earlier killing of leader Nambala Keshava Rao in:
A) 2023
B) 2024
C) May 2025
D) January 2026
Answer: C.
Explanation: Central committee reduced to two members; Operation Kagar contributed to surrenders and arrests.
Q27. India’s retail inflation (CPI) stood at 3.4% in March 2026 while wholesale inflation (WPI) reached a 38-month high of 3.88%, primarily driven by:
A) Domestic demand surge
B) Fuel costs and rupee depreciation from external shocks
C) Agricultural surplus
D) Service sector boom
Answer: B.
Explanation: Linked to West Asia conflicts; highlights imported inflation risks.
Q28. The Union Cabinet approved continuation of the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust (NMEDT) to focus on critical minerals for:
A) Export promotion
B) Green economy, defence, and electronics
C) Traditional mining only
D) Coal exports
Answer: B.
Explanation: Funded by 2% royalty contributions; offshore exploration emphasised.
Q29. Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings on Akshaya Tritiya and Bhagvan Parshuram Jayanti, highlighting which GS paper area?
A) GS-1 Culture
B) GS-2 Polity
C) GS-3 Economy
D) GS-4 Ethics
Answer: A.
Explanation: Festivals of cultural and religious significance.
