Current Affairs 23 March, 2026 Quiz
Geopolitics & International Relations (Q1-10)
Q1. On 23 March 2026, which country threatened to “completely close” the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. targeted its power plants amid the ongoing West Asia conflict?
A) Israel
B) Iran
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Qatar
Correct: B) Iran
Explanation: Iran’s Parliament Speaker and officials issued the warning following Trump’s ultimatum on Hormuz navigation; ~40-90% of India’s fuel imports pass through the strait.
Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level CCS meeting on 23 March 2026 to review risks to which sectors due to West Asia tensions?
A)?Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
B) Defence exports only
C) IT & pharma
D) Textile & gems
Correct: A) Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
Explanation: Focus was on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and distribution amid Iran-Israel escalation.
Q3. PM Modi became India’s longest-serving head of government on/around 23 March 2026 by surpassing whose record of 8,931 days?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru
B) Pawan Kumar Chamling
C) Manmohan Singh
D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Correct: B) Pawan Kumar Chamling
Explanation: BJP leaders praised Modi’s governance milestone.
Q4. In his address at TV9’s “What India Thinks Today” Summit on 23 March 2026, PM Modi emphasised India’s approach to the West Asia conflict as:
A) Military intervention
B)?Sanctions on all parties
C) Dialogue and diplomacy
D) Neutral isolation
Correct: C) Dialogue and diplomacy
Explanation: He advocated peaceful resolution while reviewing domestic preparedness.
Q5. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on 23 March 2026, pushed for scaling India-Russia bilateral trade to what target by 2030?
A) $50 billion
B) $100 billion
C) $200 billion
D) $75 billion
Correct: B) $100 billion
Explanation: Focus on new deals and transformation of ties beyond defence.
Q6. Iranian missiles reportedly struck which Israeli site (home to nuclear reactor) on/around 23 March 2026, causing injuries?
A) Jerusalem Western Wall
B) Haifa refinery
C) Tel Aviv port
D) Dimona
Correct: D) Dimona
Explanation: Part of escalation; civilian & key sites targeted per reports.
Q7. U.S. Ambassador to India Sergio Gor visited Sri Lanka on 23 March 2026 in his first trip as Special Envoy for South Asia amid:
A) Indo-Pacific alliance only
B) SAARC revival
C) West Asia war & Indian Ocean developments
D) Trade deal finalisation
Correct: C) West Asia war & Indian Ocean developments
Explanation: Described as “quiet strategic signal”; Delhi closely watching.
Q8. India’s dual dependence on West Asia highlighted on 23 March 2026 relates to:
A) Urea production (feedstock & finished imports)
B) Only crude imports
C) Only labour remittances
D) Tourism
Correct: A) Urea production (feedstock & finished imports)
Explanation: Gas supply risks from conflict noted in editorials.
Q9. On 23 March 2026, the LPG shipment ‘Pyxis Pioneer’ arrived at which port to bolster India’s energy reserves?
A) Paradip
B) New Mangalore
C) Kandla
D) Vizag
Correct: B) New Mangalore
Explanation: Critical amid fourth week of West Asia conflict.
Q10. World Happiness Report 2026 (noted 23 March) saw Finland retain top spot while India recorded:
A) Sharp decline
B) Last position
C) No change
D) Marginal improvement
Correct: D) Marginal improvement
Explanation: Global ranking update highlighted in school-assembly briefs.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 11-18)
Q11. Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan stated on 23 March 2026 that in upcoming Assembly polls the BJP would:
A) Form government
B) Draw a blank
C) Ally with Left
D) Win 20 seats
Correct: B) Draw a blank
Explanation: Defections from Left won’t help BJP or Congress (called BJP’s ‘B team’).
Q12. TVK president Vijay announced on 23 March 2026 that his party would contest alone in how many Puducherry Assembly seats (polls April 9)?
A) 15
B) 25
C) 10
D) All 30
Correct: D) All 30
Explanation: Going solo in the election.
Q13. ECI mandated “Assured Minimum Facilities” at all polling stations ahead of which elections (noted 23 March 2026)?
A) Assembly & bye-elections
B) Only Lok Sabha
C) Panchayat only
D) None
Correct: A) Assembly & bye-elections
Explanation: New standards for voter convenience.
Q14. A parliamentary committee sought details on operationalising which wings of Lokpal (over a decade after law enactment)?
A) Only advisory
B) Only financial audit
C) Inquiry and prosecution
D) International
Correct: C) Inquiry and prosecution
Explanation: Key governance push.
Q15. Supreme Court directed States/UTs on 23 March 2026 to furnish updated prison details, focusing on:
A) Only new constructions
B) Overcrowding
C) Only staff vacancies
D) Food quality
Correct: B) Overcrowding
Explanation: Deadline by May 18.
Q16. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk returned to Leh on/around 23 March 2026 after revocation of NSA detention and called for:
A) Violent protests
B) International intervention
C) Boycott of talks
D) Relief to detainees & peaceful engagement
Correct: D) Relief to detainees & peaceful engagement
Explanation: Ladakh movement to remain peaceful.
Q17. Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar urged universities on 23 March 2026 to adopt:
A) Only traditional syllabi
B) Scientific syllabi for employability
C) Only online mode
D) No changes
Correct: B) Scientific syllabi for employability
Explanation: For Viksit Bharat goals.
Q18. Parliamentary panel recommended greater inclusivity, fee rationalisation & curriculum modernisation for:
A) Kendriya Vidyalayas
B) IITs only
C) Sainik Schools
D) Private universities
Correct: C) Sainik Schools
Explanation: Address high fees urgently (MoD).
Sports (Questions 19-23)
Q19. Indian squash player Anahat Singh on 23 March 2026 defended her title at JSW Indian Open by defeating whom in the final (3-1)?
A) Hana Moataz
B) Sarah-Jane Perry
C) Nicol David
D) Joshna Chinappa
Correct: A) Hana Moataz
Explanation: Thrilling Mumbai final.
Q20. India seamer Akash Deep was ruled out for at least eight weeks (23 March 2026) due to:
A) Knee injury
B) Stress reaction in lower back
C) Shoulder
D) Ankle
Correct: B) Stress reaction in lower back
Explanation: Misses IPL & doubtful for Afghanistan Test; impacts KKR.
Q21. In ISL on 23 March 2026, East Bengal thrashed Mohammedan SC by:
A) 3-0
B) 4-2
C) 2-1
D) 7-0
Correct: D) 7-0
Explanation: Dominant Kolkata derby result.
Q22. Veteran Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth reached his first semifinal in 16 months at which tournament (23 March 2026)?
A) All England
B) Thomas Cup
C) India Open
D) Swiss Open
Correct: D) Swiss Open
Explanation: Strong return to form.
Q23. Indian archers (recurve & compound) advanced to pre-quarterfinals on opening day of Asia Cup Stage-1 in:
A) Jakarta
B) Bangkok
C) New Delhi
D) Tokyo
Correct: B) Bangkok
Explanation: Multiple Indians progressed.
Education, Arts, Misc Current Affairs & Others (Questions 24-32)
Q24. IP University launched a new M.Tech course in which emerging field for 2026 intake (23 March 2026 news)?
A)?Robotics and AI
B) Blockchain
C) Fashion
D) Archaeology
Correct: A) Robotics and AI
Explanation: To meet industry demand.
Q25. IGNOU released B.Ed. hall tickets for 2026 session and India Post GDS document verification concluded on:
A) 20 March
B) 25 March
C) 23 March
D) 1 April
Correct: C) 23 March
Explanation: Key education update.
Q26. 23 March is observed as:
A) World Health Day
B) Earth Day
C) International Yoga Day
D) World Meteorological Day
Correct: D) World Meteorological Day
Explanation: Marks WMO establishment (1950); 2026 theme “Closing the Early Warning Gap”.
Q27. Bullet train project milestone on 23 March 2026: Key tunnel boring machines arrived in Mumbai for:
A) Mumbai-Ahmedabad
B) Delhi-Mumbai
C) Chennai-Bengaluru
D) Varanasi-Howrah
Correct: A) Mumbai-Ahmedabad
Explanation: Major infrastructure step.
Q28. Central government withdrew temporary domestic airfare caps effective:
A) 20 March
B) 1 April
C) 23 March
D) Never
Correct: C) 23 March
Explanation: Post-stabilisation of operations.
Q29. Ministry of Mines launched 7th tranche auction of how many critical & strategic mineral blocks on 23 March 2026?
A) 5
B) 19
C) 30
D) 10
Correct: B) 19
Explanation: Boost to self-reliance.
Q30. Supreme Court judge Justice Ujjal Bhuyan remarked on 22/23 March 2026 context about judiciary avoiding being:
A) Only critic or cheerleader (neither eternal critic nor cheerleader)
B) Only executive arm
C) Political
D) Inactive
Correct: A) Only critic or cheerleader (neither eternal critic nor cheerleader)
Explanation: Highlighted “more loyal than the king” syndrome & bail issues.