Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On May 24, 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held bilateral talks in New Delhi with India’s External Affairs Minister. Who is the Indian counterpart?
A) Piyush Goyal
B) Subrahmanyam Jaishankar
C) Rajnath Singh
D) Nirmala Sitharaman
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Rubio and Jaishankar discussed resetting bilateral ties, trade deal progress, and Quad cooperation. Jaishankar emphasized India’s “India First” approach and diversified energy supplies.
Q2. What major development did US President Donald Trump announce regarding Iran around May 23-24, 2026?
A) Complete US withdrawal from the Middle East
B) An agreement with Iran “largely negotiated” including opening the Strait of Hormuz
C) New sanctions on Pakistan
D) Military alliance with Israel against Iran
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This relates to efforts to end the 2026 Iran war and secure maritime transit amid the Strait of Hormuz crisis.
Q3. The Quad Foreign Ministers’ Meeting is scheduled for May 26, 2026, in New Delhi. Which countries participate?
A) US, India, Japan, Australia
B) US, India, China, Russia
C) India, Japan, South Korea, Australia
D) US, UK, India, France
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Rubio’s visit includes this meeting to renew Quad engagement in the Indo-Pacific.
Q4. During Rubio’s visit, what did he invite PM Narendra Modi to do?
A) Visit the UN General Assembly
B) Attend a G7 summit
C) Visit the White House
D) Join a BRICS meeting
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Aimed at improving strained ties.
Q5. Jaishankar highlighted India’s approach on regional issues including relations with which set of countries?
A) Only Western allies
B) SAARC nations only
C) Exclusively BRICS partners
D) US, Iran, Israel, Russia, and Gulf nations
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Stressing diversified energy and balanced foreign policy.
Q6. Rubio described US-India ties as:
A) At their lowest point
B) Having “not lost any momentum” and set for upward trajectory
C) Focused solely on trade
D) Primarily military
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Despite past tensions over trade and immigration.
Q7. What confidence-building step involving Iran, US, and Pakistan was reported in early May 2026 context?
A) US evacuation of Iranian sailors handed over via Pakistan
B) Joint naval exercises
C) Trade embargo lift
D) Nuclear disarmament pact
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Related to Strait of Hormuz incidents.
Q8. India advised citizens to avoid non-essential travel to which African regions due to Ebola?
A) South Africa only
B) Nigeria, Kenya, Ethiopia
C) Egypt, Libya, Sudan
D) Congo, Uganda, South Sudan
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Amid ongoing outbreak concerns.
Q9. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated a complex in Shirdi, Maharashtra, emphasizing:
A) Import substitution only
B) “A nation that makes its own weapons writes its destiny”
C) Private sector exclusion
D) Nuclear focus exclusively
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: For NIBE Group’s defence manufacturing (artillery, missiles, etc.).
Q10. Rubio’s India visit aimed at addressing trust deficit primarily caused by:
A) Climate disagreements
B) Border disputes
C) Trump’s aggressive trade and immigration policies
D) Cultural exchanges
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Rubio worked in “repair mode.”
Q11. In the context of 2026 Iran war, what US naval operation was mentioned for the Strait of Hormuz?
A) Project Freedom
B) Operation Atalanta
C) Exercise Malabar
D) Operation Desert Storm
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: To secure neutral shipping.
Q12. Jaishankar called for early finalization of what with the US?
A) A visa-free regime
B) A military alliance
C) A comprehensive trade deal
D) A space cooperation treaty
Correct Answer: C. A comprehensive trade deal
Explanation: Described as beneficial and sustainable.
Indian Polity – (Questions 13-20)
Q13. On May 24, 2026, who won the Falta Assembly seat repoll in West Bengal by over 1.09 lakh votes?
A) TMC candidate
B) BJP’s Debangshu Panda
C) CPI(M) candidate
D) Congress candidate
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Breached TMC stronghold after repoll ordered due to irregularities.
Q14. Rahul Gandhi demanded resignation of which Union Minister over NEET-UG 2026 paper leak row?
A) Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan
B) Home Minister
C) Finance Minister
D) Defence Minister
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Congress’s continued pressure.
Q15. Supreme Court took suo motu cognizance of which case on May 23-24, 2026?
A) Alleged dowry death of Twisha Sharma in Noida
B) Electoral bonds
C) Farm laws
D) CAA rules
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Amid evidence tampering allegations.
Q16. West Bengal CM (new context) plans a new recruitment policy in the next Budget session to address:
A) Police reforms exclusively
B) Only teacher vacancies
C) Past recruitment scams under previous regime
D) Judicial appointments
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: To restore credibility.
Q17. Assam is expected to table which bill soon (around late May 2026 context):
A) Anti-defection amendment
B) Uniform Civil Code (UCC) Bill
C) Farm loan waiver
D) Language imposition bill
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: On May 26.
Q18. Praveen Sood received extension as:
A) CBI Director
B) ED Director
C) IB Chief
D) RAW Chief
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: One-year extension.
Q19. Tamil Nadu political developments included DMK condemning statements on:
A) Cauvery water rights by Karnataka Dy CM
B) NEET
C) GST
D) Defence
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Interstate water dispute flare-up.
Q20. Mamata Banerjee called for INDIA Bloc meeting to:
A) Discuss only economic issues
B) Support central government
C) Unite against BJP post-assembly polls
D) Boycott elections
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: After TMC’s defeat.
Sports – (Questions 21-25)
Q21. IPL 2026 league stage matches on May 24 included:
A) MI vs RR
B) CSK vs RCB
C) SRH vs PBKS
D) GT vs LSG
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Key late league fixtures.
Q22. Blue Tigresses (Indian women’s football) squad announced for:
A) SAFF Women’s Championship 2026 in Goa
B) Asian Cup
C) Olympics qualifier
D) FIFA World Cup
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Starting May 25.
Q23. In national athletics, Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.09s in 100m at which event (May 24 context)?
A) Olympics trials
B) Asian Games
C) 29th National Senior Athletics Championships in Ranchi
D) World Championships
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Highlighting Indian sprint talent.
Q24. French Open (Roland Garros) 2026 was ongoing with players like:
A) Football transfer news
B) Only Indian focus
C) IPL overlap exclusive
D) Marta Kostyuk addressing crowd post-win
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Tennis Grand Slam action.
Q25. RCB topped IPL 2026 league table with strong net run rate under captain:
A) Virat Kohli
B) Rajat Patidar
C) Hardik Pandya
D) Rohit Sharma
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Aiming for back-to-back titles.
Arts, Education, Literature & Others – (Questions 26-30)
Q26. NITI Aayog’s recent report (relevant context) focuses on:
A) Sports infrastructure
B) Only higher education
C) Defence R&D
D) School Education System reforms and quality enhancement
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Temporal analysis for Viksit Bharat.
Q27. Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) Chairperson appointed in 2026:
A) Shashi Shekhar Vempati
B) Prasoon Joshi
C) Aamir Khan
D) Gulzar
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: For three years.
Q28. Which festival or cultural event aligns with ongoing May celebrations in various calendars (relevant 2026 context)?
A) None
B) Only Diwali
C) Eid exclusively
D) Multiple regional harvest/arts events
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Broader cultural calendar.
Q29. Supreme Court/education focus includes concerns over:
A) NEET-UG paper leak probe
B) Only IIT admissions
C) Sports scholarships
D) Literature awards
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Major polity-education overlap.
Q30. Literature/Education current affairs often cover GI tags, manuscripts, or reports like:
A) Political memoirs exclusively
B) Only sports biographies
C) Gyan Bharatam Mission or UNESCO tentative lists (ongoing relevance)
D) None
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Art & Culture current affairs for UPSC.
