Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On 21 February 2026, the Indian government stated it is studying the implications of a new U.S. global tariff measure. What is the temporary import surcharge rate now applicable to Indian goods entering the U.S.?
A) 18%
B) 15%
C) 10%
D) 5%
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Following the U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down earlier country-specific tariffs, President Trump imposed a temporary 10% ad valorem surcharge effective 24 February 2026 for 150 days. India’s rate dropped from the previous 18% level under the interim trade agreement.
Q2. Which U.S.-led initiative for resilient supply chains in electronics, AI, and critical minerals did India formally join, as reported on 21 February 2026?
A) Quad Critical Minerals Forum
B) Pax Silica
C) Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)
D) Minerals Security Partnership
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India became a signatory to the Pax Silica initiative (along with Australia, Japan, South Korea, UAE, UK etc.) to counter non-market practices and diversify supply chains.
Q3. India assumed the Chairmanship of which multilateral naval forum for the 2026-28 term during the 9th Conclave of Navy Chiefs held in Visakhapatnam?
A) MILAN
B) ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus
C) Quad Maritime Dialogue
D) Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS)
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi took over as Chairman of IONS from the Royal Thai Navy.
Q4. During bilateral talks on/around 21 February 2026, India and Brazil set a new bilateral trade target of:
A) $10 billion
B) $15 billion
C) $20 billion
D) $25 billion
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Prime Minister Modi and President Lula da Silva agreed to push bilateral trade beyond $20 billion in the next five years, focusing on critical minerals and security cooperation.
Q5. Which country’s new government is moving towards restoring visa facilities for Indian nationals, as confirmed by diplomatic sources on 21 February 2026?
A) Nepal
B) Sri Lanka
C) Maldives
D) Bangladesh
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Following the BNP-led government’s victory, Bangladesh is restoring visa services halted in December 2025.
Q6. On 21 February 2026, India and Israel signed an MoU for:
A) Agricultural technology cooperation
B) Defence industrial cooperation
C) Space technology collaboration
D) Climate change research
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The MoU was signed in Tel Aviv to deepen defence ties through joint programmes, seminars and technology sharing.
Q7. French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to India (17-19 February 2026) included the joint inauguration of:
A) India-France Year of Innovation 2026
B) India-France Year of Tourism 2026
C) India-France Cultural Exchange Year
D) India-France Space Cooperation Year
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Macron and PM Modi jointly inaugurated the India-France Year of Innovation 2026 in Mumbai.
Q8. What was the theme of the Artificial Intelligence Impact Summit 2026 attended by global leaders including President Macron?
A) AI for Governance
B) AI Ethics and Regulation
C) AI for the Global South
D) AI and Defence
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: India used the summit to position itself as a moral voice for smaller developing countries in AI governance.
Q9. Ukrainian forces struck which Russian facility using FP-5 Flamingo cruise missiles around mid-February 2026 (reported in context of ongoing conflict on 21 Feb)?
A) Votkinsk Machine Building Plant
B) Rostov-on-Don airbase
C) Sevastopol shipyard
D) Kursk nuclear plant
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Long-range strike on the Votkinsk plant in Udmurtia.
Q10. On 21 February 2026, U.S. President Trump announced an increase in the new global tariff rate to:
A) 10%
B) 12%
C) 15%
D) 20%
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump hiked the rate from the initial 10% to 15% under emergency powers after the Supreme Court setback.
Q11. Which country’s Buddhist monks issued a 10-point ultimatum to the government on/around 21 February 2026 over perceived undermining of Buddhism?
A) Myanmar
B) Thailand
C) Sri Lanka
D) Cambodia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Monks in Sri Lanka criticised the government and President Anura Kumara Dissanayake.
Q12. India leads the Indian Ocean Naval Symposium (IONS) for which period following the February 2026 conclave?
A) 2025-27
B) 2026-28
C) 2027-29
D) 2024-26
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: 2026-2028 term.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13-20)
Q13. Union Home Minister Amit Shah declared on 21 February 2026 (CRPF Raising Day, Guwahati) that Left-Wing Extremism (Maoism) would be eliminated from India by:
A) 31 December 2026
B) 15 August 2026
C) 31 March 2026
D) 26 January 2027
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: “We will rid the country of the Maoist problem by March 31.”
Q14. Amit Shah launched which programme’s second phase in Nathanpur village, Cachar district, Assam on/around 21 February 2026?
A) Border Area Development Programme
B) Vibrant Villages Programme–II
C) Smart Villages Mission
D) Aspirational Blocks Programme
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: VVP-II with ?6,839 crore outlay up to FY 2028-29, covering 1,954 border villages.
Q15. NITI Aayog released a major report titled “Revitalizing Apprenticeship Ecosystem” on 21 February 2026. How many actionable recommendations does it contain?
A) 10
B) 15
C) 20
D) 25
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: 20 recommendations across five key areas including policy reforms and industry engagement.
Q16. The Union Commerce Minister launched how many new interventions under the Export Promotion Mission on/around 21 February 2026?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 9
D) 12
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Seven interventions under dual framework Niryat Protsahan & Niryat Disha.
Q17. From 1 April 2026, NHAI will discontinue cash payments at all National Highway toll plazas. This move promotes:
A) FASTag only
B) Aadhaar-linked payments
C) RFID + FASTag hybrid
D) Digital-only transactions
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Complete shift to non-cash (digital) transactions.
Q18. A private member’s Bill introduced in Parliament seeks to amend the Constitution for:
A) Greater diversity in judiciary & regional Supreme Court benches
B) Judicial appointments via NJAC revival
C) Fixed tenure for CJI
D) All-India Judicial Service
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The bill aims at judicial diversity (addressing gender, caste, regional gaps) and regional SC benches.
Q19. The Ministry of Skill Development faced criticism from the Public Accounts Committee for slow implementation of which World Bank-assisted scheme (extended beyond March 2023)?
A) PMKVY
B) SANKALP
C) STRIVE
D) NSDC Core Scheme
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP).
Q20. Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan released a book titled ‘The Sage who Reimagined Hinduism’ on Sree Narayana Guru. Who is the author?
A) Gurcharan Das
B) Ramachandra Guha
C) Sanjaya Baru
D) Shashi Tharoor
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Authored by Dr Shashi Tharoor.
Sports (Questions 21-23)
Q21. On 21 February 2026, India’s women’s cricket team defeated Australia by 17 runs in the third T20I to win the series:
A) 2-1
B) 3-0
C) 1-1 (super over)
D) 3-1
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Series clinched 2-1; Smriti Mandhana scored 82.
Q22. India lost to which team in the FIH Pro League match played/ reported on 21 February 2026 in Hobart?
A) Australia
B) Netherlands
C) Spain
D) Germany
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: India vs Spain in the Hobart leg.
Q23. Padma awardee Pankaj Advani won which title on/around 21 February 2026 in Bengaluru?
A) World Billiards Championship
B) Liber Win Champions Cup 2026
C) Asian Snooker Open
D) National 6-Red Snooker
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Defeated Kamal Chawla 6-3 in the final.
Arts, Education, Literature & Other Current Affairs – (Questions 24-29)
Q24. International Mother Language Day is observed every year on:
A) 21 February
B) 8 September
C) 21 March
D) 5 June
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999; commemorates the 1952 Bengali Language Movement martyrs in Dhaka.
Q25. The 2026 theme of International Mother Language Day is:
A) Multilingual Education for All
B) Youth voices on multilingual education
C) Linguistic Diversity in Digital Age
D) Indigenous Languages Matter
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focuses on the role of young people in shaping multilingual education.
Q26. DRDO successfully conducted the qualification test for which component of the Gaganyaan mission on/around 21 February 2026?
A) Crew Module heat shield
B) Service Module propulsion
C) Drogue Parachute
D) Crew Escape System
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Drogue parachute test at TBRL, Chandigarh (in collaboration with VSSC/ISRO).
Q27. Tata Group and OpenAI announced partnership for India’s first large-scale AI data centre under which initiative?
A) Project Indus
B) Stargate
C) Bharat AI Mission
D) National AI Grid
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: TCS HyperVault (up to 1 GW capacity); OpenAI as first customer.
Q28. The National Centre of Excellence for Skilling in Aeronautics and Defence announced by PM Modi is to be set up at:
A) Kanpur
B) Bengaluru
C) Hyderabad
D) Pune
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Location: Kanpur.
Q29. NITI Aayog’s Apprenticeship report highlights Gujarat’s share in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) engagements in FY 2024-25 as:
A) 12.5%
B) 18.7%
C) 24.18%
D) 30%
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Highest among states, underscoring regional disparities.
