Geopolitics & West Asia Crisis (Questions 1-10)
Q1. Which of the following correctly describes the recent development in the West Asia conflict on 20 March 2026?
A) Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field while Iranian retaliation hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub
B) Iran announced unilateral ceasefire
C) US withdrew all forces from Gulf
D) China mediated direct talks between parties
Correct: A.
Explanation: Reports confirm attacks on South Pars (world’s largest gas field shared with Qatar) and Ras Laffan (provides ~40% of India’s LNG imports and 20% global supply), pushing oil above $114/barrel.
Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic talks on 20 March 2026 with which two leaders regarding de-escalation in West Asia and safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz?
A) Saudi King & UAE President
B) Turkish President & Egyptian President
C) Sultan of Oman & Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim
D) Russian President & Chinese President
Correct: C.
Explanation: Modi emphasised peace, stability and free navigation through Hormuz.
Q3. Due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, India’s FTA negotiations with which blocs/entities faced delay as per Commerce Ministry statement on 20 March 2026?
A) UK and EU only
B) GCC countries and Israel
C) ASEAN and Japan
D) RCEP partners
Correct: B.
Explanation: Conflict disrupted talks; UK FTA may start May 2026, EU by Nov 2026.
Q4. As per MEA update on 20 March 2026, approximately how many Indians were still in Iran amid the conflict?
A) 1,000
B) 100
C) 10,000
D) 50,000
Correct: A.
Explanation: Additionally, 23,000 Gulf students missed CBSE exams.
Q5. Who was appointed as India’s next Ambassador to China on 20 March 2026?
A) Pradeep Kumar Rawat
B) T.S. Tirumurti
C) Vikram Doraiswami
D) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
Correct: C.
Explanation: Replacing Pradeep Kumar Rawat.
Q6. What is Ras Laffan primarily known as?
A) Iranian oil refinery
B) Qatar’s largest LNG export hub
C) Saudi petrochemical complex
D) UAE free trade zone
Correct: B.
Explanation: Supplies significant share of India’s LNG; attacks threaten global supply.
Q7. Iran’s Sejjil missile, in news due to regional tensions, is characterised by:
A) Liquid fuel, short range
B) Anti-ship ballistic only
C) Hypersonic glide vehicle only
D) Solid-fuel, two-stage, ~2,000 km range with mid-course manoeuvrability
Correct: D.
Explanation: Makes interception difficult.
Q8. In geopolitics context, Cuba’s strategic importance stems from its location at the convergence of:
A) Pacific & Indian Ocean
B) Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea & Atlantic Ocean
C) Red Sea & Mediterranean
D) Arctic & Bering Strait
Correct: B.
Explanation: Key for maritime routes & historically significant (e.g., Missile Crisis).
Q9. Which scheme with ?497 crore corpus was announced on 20 March 2026 to support MSME exporters hit by West Asia disruptions?
A) EPM-Export Boost
B) SEZ Rescue
C) Atmanirbhar Trade
D) RELIEF (Resilience & Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation)
Correct: D.
Explanation: Implemented by ECGC; 100% risk cover for past & future shipments to 10 West Asian countries till June 2026; 50% freight reimbursement (?50 lakh cap for MSMEs).
Q10. The Lok Sabha on 20 March 2026 extended the tenure of the JPC examining ‘One Nation, One Election’ proposal till:
A) Monsoon Session 2026
B) Winter Session 2026
C) Budget Session 2027
D) Indefinitely
Correct: A.
Explanation: Ad-hoc JPC with 2:1 LS:RS ratio.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 11-18)
Q11. Despite Centre’s delay in notifying allocations, how many States/UTs set aside funds for the new rural employment programme under Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025?
A) 10
B) At least 24
C) All 28 States only
D) None
Correct: B.
Explanation: States to bear 40% cost (relaxed for NE/hilly).
Q12. On 20 March 2026, a 9-judge Supreme Court bench reserved verdict on whether educational institutions and hospitals qualify as ‘industry’ under which Act?
A) Factories Act
B) Companies Act
C) Industrial Disputes Act
D) Labour Code 2020
Correct: C.
Explanation: Ambit of “industry”.
Q13. Several anti-establishment X (Twitter) accounts were withheld in India under which section of IT Act on 20 March 2026?
A) 66A
B) 354
C) 79
D) 69A
Correct: D.
Explanation: Blocking orders issued.
Q14. India BioEconomy Report (IBER) 2026, unveiled at BIRAC 14th Foundation Day, pegs India’s bioeconomy size at:
A) $100 billion
B) $195.3 billion (18% growth, 4.8% of GDP)
C) $300 billion
D) $150 billion
Correct: B.
Explanation: BioIndustrial largest segment ($90.2 bn); target $1 tn by 2047.
Q15. As per World Happiness Report 2026 released/updated around 20 March, India’s rank improved to:
A) 99th
B) 147th
C) 116th (from 118th)
D) 1st in South Asia
Correct: C.
Explanation: Finland remains No.1 (9th time); Afghanistan last; notes social media impact on youth.
Q16. Indian stock markets crashed over 3% on 20 March 2026 primarily due to:
A) RBI rate hike
B) Oil spiking to $114/barrel amid West Asia crisis
C) FII outflow only
D) Budget announcement
Correct: B.
Explanation: Also rupee at ?92.89.
Q17. Project Insight (PI) by Income Tax Department uses AI for:
A) Increasing tax slabs
B) Export tracking
C) GST automation only
D) 360 taxpayer profiling & voluntary compliance via NUDGE
Correct: D.
Explanation: INTRAC creates profiles; addresses ethics/privacy.
Q18. Jal Jeevan Mission coverage stands at 81% but faces challenges of unsustainable sources; deadline extended to:
A) 2028
B) 2025
C) 2030
D) No extension
Correct: A.
Explanation: Sujalam Bharat for source mapping; many taps dry within 12 months.
Economy, S&T & Schemes (Questions 18-24)
Q19. NITI Aayog released a report on 20 March 2026 aiming to boost India’s sports equipment export share from 0.5% to:
A) 2%
B) 11% (target $8.1 bn exports by 2031)
C) 25%
D) 5%
Correct: B.
Explanation: Focus on new clusters, ?7,500 cr investment.
Q20. In tennis news on 20 March 2026, top-seeded Florent Bax defeated Indian player Sasikumar Mukund in quarterfinals of which tournament?
A) Australian Open
B) Wimbledon qualifier
C) MSLTA $25K ITF Men’s Tournament
D) Davis Cup
Correct: C.
Explanation: Highlighted in Indian sports wrap.
Q21. Agriculture Ministry announced Banana Cluster Project in which GI-tagged district of Maharashtra (Banana City)?
A) Nashik
B) Nagpur
C) Pune
D) Jalgaon
Correct: D.
Explanation: Under MIDH & AIF for processing & infrastructure.
Q22. Tamil Nadu government sealed 42 illegal resorts inside which tiger reserve (part of Nilgiri Biosphere) on 20 March 2026?
A) Mudumalai
B) Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve
C) Periyar
D) Bandipur
Correct: B.
Explanation: Madras HC informed.
Q23. India and Indonesia are partnering to restore which 9th-century UNESCO Hindu temple complex using anastylosis?
A) Angkor Wat
B) Borobudur
C) Prambanan Temple Complex (Yogyakarta)
D) My Son
Correct: C.
Explanation: Includes Sewu & Plosan; strengthens Act East cultural ties.
Q24. Government is considering expansion of PM Poshan Scheme to include:
A) Only higher secondary
B) Higher classes + breakfast provision for better nutrition & attendance
C) Adult education only
D) No expansion
Correct: B.
Explanation: Links nutrition & education.
Q25. Small Hydro Power Development Scheme targets additional capacity of 1,500 MW during 2026-31 with budget of:
A) Rs 1,000 cr
B) Rs 10,000 cr
C) Rs 5,000 cr
D) Rs 2,584.6 cr
Correct: D.
Explanation: Focus on NE & border areas (1-25 MW plants).
Q26. City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks, regulated by PNGRB, primarily help in:
A) Reducing pollution & import dependence via PNG/CNG
B) Increasing LPG imports
C) Coal gasification only
D) Hydrocarbon exploration
Correct: B.
Explanation: Part of clean energy transition.
Q27. According to State of Working India Report 2026, graduates constitute what % of unemployed youth (20-29 yrs) in 2023?
A) 30%
B) 10%
C) 67% (up from 46% in 2017)
D) 90%
Correct: C.
Explanation: Highlights education-job mismatch.
Q28. India’s appointment of new Ambassador to China and FTA delays reflect priority on:
A) Neighbourhood First only
B) Balancing Indo-Pacific & West Asia diplomacy
C) Isolation policy
D) SAARC revival
Correct: B.
Explanation: Multiple moves show proactive foreign policy. (Conceptual link)
Q29. The Consumer Justice Report 2026 highlighted Supreme Court using Article 142 to allow High Court appeals because many district commissions are:
A) Overstaffed
B) Abolished
C) Digital only
D) Non-functional due to 40% vacancies
Correct: D.
Explanation: Pending cases up 21%.
Q30. Forbes 2026 Billionaires list (mentioned in context) places India at which position globally in number of billionaires?
A) 1st
B) 3rd
C) 5th
D) 10th
Correct: B.
Explanation: Highlighted in Indian economic news round-up.
