Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On May 20, 2026, which country’s interior minister visited Tehran to facilitate exchanges between Iran and the US regarding ceasefire negotiations in the 2026 Iran war?
A) Qatar
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Pakistan
D) UAE
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Pakistani Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi visited Tehran as a mediator. Iran reviewed a new US proposal amid ongoing 2025–2026 negotiations.
Q2. What significant maritime development occurred in the Strait of Hormuz on May 20, 2026, related to the Iran conflict?
A) Complete closure of the strait
B) Two Chinese supertankers exited carrying 4 million barrels of crude
C) US Navy seized all Iranian tankers
D) India deployed naval escorts for all vessels
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This marked easing of tensions post-ceasefire talks, with a South Korean tanker also transiting safely.
Q3. President Trump delayed an imminent US strike on Iran on or around May 19-20, 2026, at the request of which leaders?
A) Israeli and Egyptian
B) Qatari, Saudi, and UAE
C) Russian and Chinese
D) Turkish and Jordanian
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Diplomatic intervention from Gulf states led to postponement, though military options remained open.
Q4. PM Narendra Modi concluded his five-nation European tour with a visit to which country on May 19-20, 2026?
A) Sweden
B) Norway
C) Italy
D) Netherlands
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Modi met PM Giorgia Meloni and President Sergio Mattarella in Rome, discussing IMEC, trade, defence, and elevating ties.
Q5. During PM Modi’s Italy visit, what key economic corridor was a major discussion point with Italy?
A) India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
B) Belt and Road Initiative
C) Chabahar-Zahedan Railway
D) INSTC
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Focus on boosting connectivity and cooperation.
Q6. India and Sweden elevated bilateral ties to a full Strategic Partnership during PM Modi’s visit in May 2026, endorsing a Joint Action Plan for which period?
A) 2025-2027
B) 2027-2032
C) 2026-2030
D) 2024-2028
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Pillars include emerging tech, AI corridor, green transition, defence, and trade (target: double bilateral trade).
Q7. Which new initiative was launched as part of India-Sweden Strategic Partnership?
A) India-Sweden Defence Corridor
B) India-Sweden Technology & AI Corridor
C) Joint Space Mission
D) Green Hydrogen Alliance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focus on AI, 6G, quantum, critical minerals, etc.
Q8. In the ongoing 2026 Lebanon war context (May 20), Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in southern Lebanon, killing people in which locations?
A) Beirut and Tripoli
B) Gaza border
C) Damascus suburbs
D) Ad-Doueir, Tibnin, Burj el-Shamali, Shebaa
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Part of continued operations amid ceasefire tensions.
Q9. Somaliland announced plans (around May 2026) to open an embassy in which city, becoming the eighth nation to do so?
A) Washington DC
B) Jerusalem
C) Beijing
D) New Delhi
Correct Answer: B.
Q10. Which US official warned that military action against Iran remains on the table even after delay?
A) Vice President JD Vance
B) President Trump
C) Secretary of State
D) Defence Secretary
Correct Answer: A.
Q11. In May 2026 geopolitics, what major development involved Chinese tankers in the Persian Gulf?
A) First entry post-war
B) Blockade by US
C) Exit after two months stay since Feb 28 war start
D) Joint Iran-China exercise
Correct Answer: C.
Q12. Pakistan’s role in Iran-US talks (May 20) involved facilitation through which ministry/official?
A) Foreign Minister
B) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi
C) Defence Minister
D) PM Shehbaz Sharif directly
Correct Answer: B.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13-20)
Q13. The Ministry of Home Affairs notified which rules in early May 2026 (relevant on May 20), introducing e-OCI and tightening norms for minors?
A) CAA Rules 2026
B) Citizenship (Amendment) Rules, 2026
C) Foreigners (Amendment) Rules
D) Passport Rules 2026
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Fully digital OCI applications, e-OCI cards, and prohibition on minors holding dual passports while having Indian passport.
Q14. Under the new Citizenship (Amendment) Rules 2026, OCI applications must now be submitted:
A) Only physically
B) Through local FRRO
C) Exclusively online via OCI portal
D) Via Indian embassies only
Correct Answer: C.
Q15. The Central Information Commission ruled in May 2026 that BCCI is not a “public authority” under which Act?
A) Prevention of Corruption Act
B) Sports Code
C) Companies Act
D) RTI Act, 2005
Correct Answer: D.
Q16. The defeat of which Constitutional Amendment Bill in Lok Sabha sparked debates on Indian federalism (May 2026 context)?
A) 130th
B) 131st
C) 132nd
D) 127th
Correct Answer: B.
Q17. New rules under Citizenship Amendment 2026 mandate that a minor holding an Indian passport cannot hold:
A) Passport of any other country
B) Any visa
C) OCI card
D) Voter ID
Correct Answer: A.
Q18. PM Modi was awarded which Swedish honour during the bilateral engagement?
A) Nobel Peace Prize (nomination)
B) Royal Order of the Polar Star
C) Order of the Lion
D) King’s Medal
Correct Answer: B.
Q19. Which body defeated the 131st Amendment Bill leading to federalism debates?
A) Rajya Sabha
B) Lok Sabha
C) Supreme Court
D) President
Correct Answer: B.
Q20. The new OCI framework allows issuance of:
A) Only physical cards
B) Only digital passports
C) Physical or electronic (e-OCI) registration
D) Smart cards only
Correct Answer: C.
Sports, Arts, Education, Literature & Others (Questions 21-30)
Q21. In IPL 2026 (around May 20), which team defeated Lucknow Super Giants by 7 wickets?
A) Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR)
B) Rajasthan Royals (RR)
C) Mumbai Indians (MI)
D) Chennai Super kings(CSK)
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Riyan Parag highlighted team performance and addressed criticism.
Q22. Which Indian cricketer (One8 brand) launched “SeamXVIII Signature” shoes inspired by cricket seam on or around May 20, 2026?
A) Rohit Sharma
B) MS Dhoni
C) Virat Kohli
D) Jasprit Bumrah
Correct Answer: C.
Q23. In broader sports news, Unai Emery was noted for winning multiple major European finals. Which competition is referenced?
A) Europa League
B) UEFA Champions League
C) La Liga
D) Premier League
Correct Answer: A.
Q24. Which former US Congressman and LGBTQ+ trailblazer passed away around this period?
A) Barney Frank (at 86)
B) John McCain
C) Ruth Bader Ginsburg
D) Ted Kennedy
Correct Answer: A.
Q25. A major study on human genomes analysed evolution over the last:
A) 100 years
B) 1 million years
C) 500 years
D) 10,000 years
Correct Answer: D.
Q26. Ministry of Rural Development initiative for women-led enterprises: SHE-MARTs stands for:
A) Self Help Entrepreneurs–Marketing Avenues for Rural Transformation
B) Skill Enhancement for Market Access
C) Solar Hybrid Energy Marts
D) Self Help Export Mechanism
Correct Answer: A.
Q27. JPC on ‘One Nation, One Election’ estimated savings of nearly:
A) Rs 7 lakh crore
B) Rs 1 lakh crore
C) Rs 50,000 crore
D) No savings
Correct Answer: A.
Q28. Which literary/historical event or discussion was noted around mid-May (general affairs)?
A) No literary news
B) Only modern fiction launches
C) Chola copper plates or similar heritage
D) Nobel Prize announcement
Correct Answer: C.
Q29. Heatwave alerts and monsoon expectations pointed to arrival around:
A) Late May
B) July
C) Never
D) October
Correct Answer: A.
Q30. World Bee Day is observed on:
A) 8 March
B) 5 June
C) 22 April
D) 20 May
Correct Answer: D.
