Geopolitics (Questions 1-9)
1. On 24 February 2026, which event marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting a joint statement from the Presidents of the European Council, Commission and Parliament pledging €90 billion support for 2026-27?
A) Start of Minsk Agreement talks
B) Fourth anniversary of the invasion
C) Signing of NATO-Ukraine accession protocol
D) Ceasefire announcement in Donbas
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Russia’s invasion began on 24 February 2022. The EU leaders’ joint statement on 24 Feb 2026 stressed that “borders cannot be changed by force” and reaffirmed transatlantic solidarity with Ukraine.
2. As reported on 24 February 2026, US President Donald Trump was weighing what option against Iran if nuclear talks in Geneva collapsed?
A) Complete diplomatic isolation only
B) Unilateral tariff hike on oil
C) Preliminary limited military strikes
D) Immediate withdrawal from JCPOA remnants
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Amid US naval buildup and envoy-led talks, Trump rejected reports of his top general opposing action and indicated limited strikes were under consideration.
3. The Indian Embassy in which country issued an advisory on 24 February 2026 asking nationals to leave immediately and provided emergency helplines amid rising regional tensions?
A) Israel
B) Syria
C) Lebanon
D) Iran
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Escalating US-Iran tensions and military posturing prompted the advisory for Indian nationals in Iran.
4. A Parliamentary Standing Committee on External Affairs on 23-24 February 2026 questioned the timing of PM Narendra Modi’s visit to Israel primarily because of:
A) Upcoming state elections
B) Escalating West Asian tensions and US military build-up
C) Delay in defence deal finalisation
D) Domestic farmer protests
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The visit is PM Modi’s first in nine years (since 2017) and comes after the 2023 terror attack in Israel and two years of Gaza conflict (over 70,000 deaths reported).
5. The WHO released its 63rd situation report on the multi-country outbreak of mpox on 24 February 2026. What does this indicate about the global health scenario?
A) Eradication achieved
B) Vaccine stockpile depletion only
C) Ongoing epidemiological monitoring with new case clusters
D) Complete containment in Africa
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The report provides updated global epidemiological data on the continuing mpox outbreak.
6. PM Narendra Modi is scheduled to hold talks with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu and call on President Isaac Herzog during his state visit on which dates in 2026?
A) 22-23 February
B) 25-26 February
C) 28 February-1 March
D) 15-16 March
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The visit aims to review the strategic partnership in defence, S&T, agriculture, water management and trade.
7. On 24 February 2026, the US State Department pulled non-essential personnel from which city amid fears of conflict escalation with Iran?
A) Beirut
B) Tel Aviv
C) Baghdad
D) Damascus
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Heightened tensions following US military movements in the region.
8. Which country’s new Prime Minister, Rob Jetten, was congratulated by PM Modi on 24 February 2026?
A) Belgium
B) Denmark
C) Luxembourg
D) Netherlands
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Official communication from PMO highlighted bilateral ties.
9. Bangladesh President Mohammed Shahabuddin levelled allegations on 24 February 2026 against the interim government led by whom?
A) Sheikh Hasina
B) Muhammad Yunus
C) Khaleda Zia
D) Army Chief
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Accusations of violating constitutional protocol and undermining the President’s position.
Indian Polity (Questions 10- 18)
10. The Union Cabinet on 24 February 2026 approved the alteration of the official name of which state to “Keralam”?
A) Kerala
B) Karnataka
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Telangana
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The change reflects the state’s preferred local pronunciation and cultural identity.
11. The Cabinet also approved the extension of the North-South corridor of which metro rail project from GIFT City to Shahpur?
A) Ahmedabad Metro
B) Gujarat Metro Rail Corporation Limited (GMRC)
C) Mumbai Metro
D) Hyderabad Metro
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The extension will enhance urban connectivity in Gujarat.
12. The Ministry of Home Affairs released India’s first integrated National Counter Terrorism Policy named:
A) SAMADHAN
B) PRAHAAR
C) SURAKSHA
D) NIRBHAYA
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: PRAHAAR (2026) adopts a seven-pillar whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach focusing on prevention, response, intelligence-led action and human rights safeguards.
13. The President of India unveiled the bust of which freedom fighter at Rashtrapati Bhavan on 24 February 2026 as part of efforts to shed the “colonial mindset”?
A) Sardar Patel
B) Maulana Azad
C) C. Rajagopalachari
D) Subhas Chandra Bose
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Symbolic step towards decolonising national institutions.
14. In Supreme Court proceedings reported on 24 February 2026, WhatsApp clarified that it does not share user data with:
A) Government agencies without due process
B) Law enforcement in any country
C) Third-party advertisers
D) Other Meta platforms
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Statement made before a three-judge bench headed by CJI Surya Kant.
15. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) denied reports of a crash and clarified that a recent incident involving the LCA Tejas was:
A) Mid-air collision
B) Minor technical incident on ground
C) Runway overshoot leading to major damage
D) Bird-hit during takeoff
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The aircraft remained at a frontline air base with no crash.
16. Which state government announced a ban on the sale of meat and fish near educational institutions, religious places and crowded locations to curb “violent tendencies” among children?
A) Bihar
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Madhya Pradesh
D) Rajasthan
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Directive issued by Deputy CM Vijay Kumar Sinha to municipal bodies.
17. Debate on the independence of the Election Commission of India intensified on 24 February 2026 with references to which constitutional article that vests superintendence, direction and control of elections?
A) Article 356
B) Article 324
C) Article 370
D) Article 32
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Ongoing concerns over appointments, financial autonomy and voter roll revisions.
18. On 24 February 2026, the National Monetisation Pipeline 2.0 (NMP 2.0) prepared by NITI Aayog outlined a potential monetisation value of operational public assets worth:
A) 8.5 lakh crore Rupees
B) 25 lakh crore Rupees
C) 16.72 lakh crore Rupees
D) 12 lakh crore Rupees
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Focus on brownfield assets across highways, power, railways, ports and coal sectors.
Sports (Questions 19-21)
19. In the Men’s T20 World Cup Super Eight match played on 23 February 2026 (reported 24th) at Wankhede Stadium, which team posted 254/6 – the second-highest total in T20 World Cup history – and won by 107 runs against Zimbabwe?
A) India
B) West Indies
C) Australia
D) England
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Powered by Shimron Hetmyer (85 off 34) and Rovman Powell (59 off 35).
20. Tennis legend Serena Williams’ longtime coach Rick Macci fuelled speculation on 24 February 2026 about her potential:
A) Coaching role at WTA
B) Comeback from retirement
C) Retirement ceremony
D) Commentator assignment
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Growing buzz around a possible return.
21. The US Olympic men’s hockey team faced backlash on 24 February 2026 after members were seen laughing during a phone call with President Trump following their gold medal win. The women’s team had earlier:
A) Accepted SOTU invitation
B) Boycotted the call
C) Declined the State of the Union invitation
D) Won silver only
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The women’s team declined the invitation, adding to the controversy.
Education (Questions 22-25)
22. The new NCERT Class 8 Social Science textbook (reported 24 Feb 2026) includes a section on “corruption in the judiciary” in the chapter titled:
A) Fundamental Rights
B) Electoral Process
C) Federal Structure
D) The role of the judiciary in our society
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Part of updated curriculum on democratic institutions.
23. Ashoka University announced a full tuition waiver scholarship for the top 50 scorers of which national exam 2026?
A) NEET
B) JEE Main
C) CUET
D) CLAT
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Initiative to attract top engineering talent to liberal arts.
24. A unique cultural event at Delhi University that blended traditional devotional singing with contemporary club music formats gained widespread attention on 24 February 2026. It is popularly referred to as:
A) Sufi Night
B) Carnatic Rap
C) Qawwali Fusion
D) Bhajan Clubbing
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Highlighted as innovative cultural fusion.
25. Which 16th-century Portuguese-era structure in Vasai, Maharashtra, received the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards for Cultural Heritage Conservation (Merit Award) for its community-funded restoration completed in 2023-24?
A) Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
B) Our Lady of Grace Cathedral, Vasai
C) St. Francis Church, Kochi
D) Church of St. Cajetan, Old Goa
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Restoration involved technical excellence in stone masonry, roof and façade with strong community participation.
Other Current Affairs (Questions 26-28)
26. Doctors in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, suspected which neurotoxin (TTX) in seafood consumed at Vizhinjam, leading to multiple hospitalisations and two deaths (reported 24 Feb 2026)?
A) Botulinum toxin
B) Tetrodotoxin (TTX)
C) Saxitoxin
D) Ciguatoxin
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Rapid onset symptoms pointed to pufferfish-related toxin.
27. Two people died and several were hospitalised in Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh, due to suspected:
A) Milk contamination
B) Water contamination
C) Pesticide exposure
D) Air pollution
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Officials launched an investigation into the milk supply chain.
28. On 24 February 2026, Indian equity benchmarks witnessed a sharp decline with the Sensex plunging more than 1,000 points (exactly 1,068.74 pts) primarily due to heavy selling in:
A) Banking stocks
B) IT stocks amid AI disruption fears and trade uncertainties
C) FMCG stocks
D) Auto stocks
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Sensex closed at 82,225.92 and Nifty at 25,424.65.
