Current Affairs 21 March, 2026 Quiz
Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-11)
Q1. On 21 March 2026, which Iranian nuclear facility was struck by Israeli and U.S. jets, as confirmed by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran?
A) Fordow
B) Natanz
C) Bushehr
D) Arak
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israeli & U.S. jets targeted Natanz; part of ongoing 2026 Iran war escalation.
Q2. In the Iranian ballistic missile attack on 21 March 2026 in Arad, Israel, how many people were injured (including seven seriously) and what was declared?
A) 45 injured; no declaration
B) 120 injured; state of emergency
C) 88 injured; mass casualty incident
D) 60 injured; curfew imposed
Correct: C.
Explanation: 88 injured, 9 buildings damaged; mass casualty incident declared.
Q3. What specific ultimatum did U.S. President Donald Trump issue to Iran on 21 March 2026 regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
A) 24-hour ceasefire demand
B) 48-hour ultimatum to fully open the Strait or face obliteration of energy infrastructure
C) Immediate sanctions lift
D) Joint naval patrol proposal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Trump warned of obliterating all Iranian power stations if not reopened within 48 hours.
Q4. How many countries issued a joint statement on 21 March 2026 urging Iran to cease attacks and reopen the Strait of Hormuz?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 22
D) 10
Correct: C.
Explanation: 22 countries issued the statement amid the crisis.
Q5. Iran fired two intermediate-range ballistic missiles on 21 March 2026 targeting which U.S.-UK base in the Indian Ocean?
A) Guam
B) Okinawa
C) Bahrain
D) Diego Garcia
Correct: D.
Explanation: One failed in-flight, the other intercepted by U.S. warship (SM-3); furthest attempted Iranian strike.
Q6. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for attacks on how many American military bases over the 24 hours ending 21 March 2026?
A) 15
B) 21
C) 40
D) 10
Correct: B.
Explanation: Also, a drone strike killed one officer at Iraqi intelligence HQ in Baghdad.
Q7. On 21 March 2026, PM Narendra Modi spoke with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and conveyed greetings for which festivals while condemning infrastructure attacks?
A) Diwali & Eid
B) Id and Nowruz
C) Christmas & Holi
D) Navratri & Ramadan
Correct: B.
Explanation: Stressed freedom of navigation and open shipping lanes.
Q8. Israel conducted airstrikes on Tehran on the Persian New Year (Nowruz) coinciding with 21 March 2026 events; what did Iran’s Supreme Leader call the war response?
A) “Dizzying blow” in resistance economy year
B) “Decisive victory”
C) “Temporary setback”
D) “NATO failure”
Correct: A.
Explanation: Message released marking Nowruz.
Q0. Britain condemned Iran’s attack on Diego Garcia on 21 March 2026; what distance did reports highlight (approx.)?
A) 1,000 km
B) 6,000 km
C) 2,000 km
D) 4,000 km
Correct: D.
Explanation: Demonstrates Iran’s longer-range missile capability.
Q10. Trump assailed NATO allies on 21 March 2026 as “cowards” for not helping secure which route?
A) Suez Canal
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Malacca Strait
D) Panama Canal
Correct: B.
Explanation: U.S. deploying more Marines & warships amid crisis.
Q11. Which country’s AFC Women’s Asian Cup final victory (1-0 over host Australia) was reported around 21 March 2026?
A) Japan
B) China
C) South Korea
D) India
Correct: A.
Explanation: Continental sports highlight in global news.
Indian Polity, Governance & Economy (Questions 12-21)
Q12. The Central Armed Police Forces (General Administration) Bill, 2026 (to be tabled soon) mandates what % of IG posts for IPS deputation?
A) 25%
B) 50%
C) 75%
D) 100%
Correct: B.
Explanation: Also >67% ADG, all Special DG & DG posts; codifies deputation, reverses aspects of SC 2025 order for Centre-State coordination.
Q13. India’s eight core sectors growth in February 2026 (released around 21 March) slowed to what % – a three-month low?
A) 4.1%
B) 6.8%
C) 2.3%
D) 1.9%
Correct: C.
Explanation: Pre-West Asia crisis slowdown; crude oil, gas, refinery contracting.
Q14. Government allowed further 20% allocation of commercial LPG (total 50%) on/around 21 March 2026 with priority to which sectors amid shortage?
A) Only households
B) Hotels, food processing/dairy, subsidised canteens
C) Only industries
D) Export units only
Correct: B.
Explanation: Response to West Asia disruptions and reports from Patna etc.
Q15. Finance Minister launched PRARAMBH 2026 campaign on/around 21 March for smooth rollout of which new Act effective 1 April 2026?
A) GST Amendment
B) Income Tax Act 2025
C) Labour Code
D) Companies Act
Correct: B.
Explanation: Features AI chatbot ‘Kar Saathi’, Website 2.0, multilingual outreach for taxpayer awareness.
Q16. RBI conducted 3-day VRR auction on 21 March 2026 injecting how much liquidity?
A) ?10,000 cr
B) ?15,000 cr
C) ?25,101 cr
D) ?50,000 cr
Correct: C.
Explanation: To ease banking system liquidity.
Q17. Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu presented ?54,928 crore budget for FY27 on/around 21 March; blamed Centre for scrapping which grant causing >?8,000 cr annual loss?
A) GST Compensation
B) Farm Loan Waiver
C) Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG)
D) MGNREGA funds
Correct: C.
Explanation: Key state economic news.
Q18. DGFT launched RELIEF scheme in March 2026 (highlighted 21 March) to support exporters impacted by which conflict?
A) West Asia (Iran war)
B) Ukraine-Russia
C) South China Sea
D) Red Sea
Correct: A.
Explanation: Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation.
Q19. World Athletics allotted 2028 World Indoor Championships to which Indian city (announcement context around March)?
A) Delhi
B) Bhubaneswar
C) Mumbai
D) Bengaluru
Correct: B.
Explanation: Boost to Indian sports infrastructure.
Q20. National Dental Commission (NDC) replaced DCI effective 19 March 2026 (news on 21 March); it has how many boards?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 3
D) 5
Correct: C.
Explanation: Focus on quality, transparency, affordable oral healthcare.
Q21. CAPF Bill 2026 aims to provide statutory framework replacing what for five forces (CRPF, BSF etc.)?
A) Only executive orders
B) International treaties
C) State laws
D) Patchwork of separate rules & instructions
Correct: D.
Explanation: Unified administration, recruitment, promotions etc.
Sports, Arts, Education, Literature & Misc. CA (Questions 22-29)
Q22. Indian shuttler Tanvi Sharma reached semifinal of which tournament (reported 21 March context)?
A) All England
B) Orleans Masters Badminton (Women’s Singles)
C) China Open
D) Thomas Cup
Correct: B.
Explanation: Defeated Japanese player; domestic sports highlight.
Q23. Which new education alignment topic was discussed in UPSC-relevant CA on 21 March – India hosting 55% global GCCs needing GAAP/IFRS skills?
A) Medical
B) Engineering only
C) Indian Accounting Education with Global GAAP
D) Law
Correct: C.
Explanation: Employability gap for commerce graduates.
Q24. Personal vs Professional Ethics example in news: HDFC Bank part-time Chairman Atanu Chakraborty resigned over misalignment with what?
A) Shareholder demands
B) Personal values
C) RBI norms
D) SEBI rules
Correct: B.
Explanation: Highlighted in ethics CA.
Q25. On 21 March 2026, anti-war protests occurred in London, Berlin & St. John’s against which war?
A) Ukraine
B) Sudan
C) Yemen
D) 2026 Iran war
Correct: D.
Explanation: Global reaction segment.
Q26. Cuba reported nationwide power outage on 21 March – the third major blackout of the month due to what?
A) Cyberattack
B) Sanctions only
C) Total electrical grid collapse
D) Floods
Correct: C.
Explanation: Disaster news with global energy angle.
Q27. 2026 South Australian state election: Which party won landslide?
A) Liberal
B) Greens
C) Labor
D) One Nation
Correct: C.
Explanation: One Nation second in first-preference.
Q28. Airport in news (21 March CA): Which greenfield airport in Andhra Pradesh for coastal connectivity?
A) Jewar
B) Bhogapuram
C) Navi Mumbai
D) Dholera
Correct: B.
Explanation: Infrastructure update.
Q29. Liberties Clause (Deviation Clause) re-emerged in maritime news on 21 March due to risks from which crisis?
A) West Asia/Iran-Strait of Hormuz
B) Red Sea
C) Black Sea
D) Pacific
Correct: A.
Explanation: Allows route alteration in Bills of Lading; impacts 90% sea trade.