Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-10)
Q1. On 26 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day State Visit to Israel. Which of the following was not among the key outcomes announced in the joint press conference with PM Benjamin Netanyahu?
A) Pursuit of a Free Trade Agreement
B) Collaboration on defence technology and AI/cybersecurity
C) Israel allowing 50,000 additional Indian workers in construction & caregiving
D) India’s immediate recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: India reiterated historical support for a two-state solution but did not announce immediate recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital. Over a dozen bilateral agreements were signed focusing on trade, defence, AI, and “horizon scanning” technologies.
Q2. During the joint statement on 26 February 2026, both India and Israel:
A) Condemned only the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and remained silent on Kashmir
B) Lauded US President Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan and referenced both the 7 Oct 2023 attack and the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
C) Announced immediate joint military exercises in the West Bank
D) Agreed to suspend the IMEC corridor project
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The joint statement explicitly referenced the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas attack and the April 2025 Pahalgam civilian attack while welcoming Trump’s Gaza Peace Initiative.
Q3. Where and on what date did the third round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations take place on 26 February 2026?
A) Vienna, 25 Feb
B) Geneva, 26 Feb
C) Muscat, 27 Feb
D) New York, 24 Feb
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The third round occurred in Geneva on 26 February 2026; Oman-mediated talks showed “significant progress” and technical discussions were scheduled for Vienna the following week.
Q4. US negotiators in the 26 Feb 2026 Geneva talks reportedly demanded that Iran:
A) Retain full enrichment capacity under IAEA safeguards only
B) Join the Abraham Accords immediately
C) Accept only token enrichment for medical purposes with no sanctions relief
D) Dismantle Fordow, Natanz and Esfahan facilities, ship out all enriched uranium and accept a permanent deal without sunset clauses
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Multiple US sources confirmed these maximalist demands; Iran indicated it would not destroy facilities or ship out HEU.
Q5. At the UN Human Rights Council on 26 February 2026, India responded to Pakistan and OIC’s claims on Jammu & Kashmir by:
A) Calling Pakistan’s position “la la land” and highlighting J&K’s development versus Pakistan’s economic crisis
B) Accepting the need for a plebiscite
C) Proposing third-party mediation
D) Announcing suspension of Indus Waters Treaty
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: India strongly rebutted the propaganda and contrasted J&K’s progress with Pakistan’s situation.
Q6. Global military expenditure trends highlighted on 26 February 2026 (IISS Military Balance 2026 report) showed:
A) Decline in Europe and Asia
B) Continued rise amid geopolitical tensions, with significant increases in Europe and parts of Asia
C) US spending reduced by over 20%
D) Russia’s spending halved
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The report noted moderated but persistent growth driven by security concerns.
Q7. OPEC+ was scheduled to meet on 27 February 2026 (following 26 Feb discussions) and appeared likely to:
A) Cut output by 500,000 bpd
B) Increase output by 137,000 bpd in April amid geopolitical volatility
C) Suspend all quotas
D) Exit the alliance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Geopolitical friction affecting one-third of output gave cover for a modest increase after a three-month pause.
Q8. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first major international trip announced/commenced around 26 February 2026 included:
A) Only China
B) Solely the United States
C) Russia and Iran
D) India, Australia and Japan to strengthen trade ties
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The 10-day trip focused on trade relationships with middle powers.
Q9. India issued a travel advisory on 26 February 2026 for which South Korean location after an Indian influencer’s reported detention?
A) Jeju Island
B) Seoul
C) Busan
D) DMZ
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Advisory specifically for Jeju Island.
Q10. Which grouping or corridor was referenced positively in the India-Israel joint statement of 26 February 2026?
A) QUAD only
B) SCO
C) IMEC corridor and I2U2 grouping (contextually linked)
D) BRICS expansion
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Innovation and connectivity initiatives including IMEC were highlighted.
Indian Polity & Governance – (Questions 11-17)
Q11. In its first meeting at the newly inaugurated ‘Seva Teerth’ PMO complex (held prior to or on 26 Feb), the Union Cabinet adopted a resolution that every decision would be guided by:
A) Political expediency
B) A spirit of service to 1.4 billion citizens
C) Fiscal austerity alone
D) Coalition compulsions
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The resolution described the complex as a “pilgrimage of service”.
Q12. On 26 February 2026, the Supreme Court (suo motu) ordered a complete blanket ban on:
A) Reprint and digital dissemination of the Class 8 Social Science textbook containing a chapter on “corruption in the judiciary”
B) All NCERT textbooks
C) CBSE Class 10 board exams
D) Only the cover page of the book
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The three-judge bench called it a “deep-rooted conspiracy” and ordered seizure of circulating copies with compliance reports in two weeks.
Q13. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan’s response on 26 February 2026 to the NCERT textbook controversy was:
A) Defended the chapter
B) Stated there was “no intention to insult the judiciary” and promised action against those responsible
C) Blamed opposition parties
D) Announced immediate withdrawal of all Social Science books
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Minister expressed sadness and assured accountability.
Q14. The Kerala High Court on 26 February 2026 passed an interim order staying the release of:
A) Article 370 movie sequel
B) Brahmastra Part Two
C) Pathaan 2
D) ‘The Kerala Story 2’
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The court observed that CBFC ignored certification guidelines and directed re-examination.
Q15. Exercise ‘Dharma Guardian’ 2026, which commenced recently (context of 26 Feb reports), is a bilateral military exercise between:
A) India and USA
B) India and Israel
C) India and Japan
D) India and Australia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: It is the India-Japan annual joint military exercise held at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand.
Q16. On 26 February 2026, Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing a rally, expressed confidence that BJP would win the upcoming:
A) Maharashtra Assembly polls
B) Presidential election
C) Delhi Municipal polls
D) West Bengal Assembly polls and “drive out every single infiltrator”
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Statement made in Seemanchal region of Bihar.
Q17. Rahul Gandhi on 26 February 2026 criticised police action against Youth Congress members by comparing the government to:
A) China
B) North Korea
C) Russia
D) Pakistan
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: He stated “This is India, not North Korea” and defended the right to peaceful protest.
Sports – (Questions 18-22)
Q18. In the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 Super 8 match played on 26 February 2026 in Chennai, India scored a tournament-record:
A) 198/6
B) 256/4
C) 312/5
D) 180/7
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India posted 256/4 against Zimbabwe, the highest score of the tournament so far.
Q19. India defeated Zimbabwe by how many runs on 26 February 2026 in the T20 World Cup?
A) 45 runs
B) 101 runs
C) 72 runs
D) 19 runs (DLS)
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The 72-run victory revived India’s semi-final hopes.
Q20. Key half-centuries in India’s 26 Feb T20 WC match were scored by:
A) Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma
B) Jasprit Bumrah and Arshdeep Singh
C) Suryakumar Yadav and Rishabh Pant
D) Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Abhishek Sharma and Hardik Pandya provided explosive starts.
Q21. In badminton, on 26 February 2026 at the BWF German Open, Indian shuttler Kidambi Srikanth:
A) Won the title
B) Lost in the second round
C) Reached the final
D) Did not participate
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Srikanth exited early.
Q22. In the Indian Super League (ISL) match on 26 February 2026, which team defeated SC Delhi?
A) FC Goa
B) Mumbai City
C) Bengaluru FC
D) Mohun Bagan
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: FC Goa secured a victory over Delhi.
Education, Arts & Other Current Affairs – (Questions 23-28)
Q23. From the 2026-27 academic session, CBSE plans to introduce a third language (other than the two Indian languages already studied) in Class 6 as part of:
A) NEP 2020 and NCFSE 2023 implementation
B) Only state board reforms
C) International Baccalaureate alignment
D) Digital education only
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: This is a key recommendation being rolled out.
Q24. IGNOU opened admissions for which session on/around 26 February 2026 (last date 28 Feb)?
A) July 2026
B) January 2026
C) April 2026
D) October 2025
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: UG, PG and certificate programmes for January 2026 session.
Q25. Which of the following emerging technologies was prominently featured in both India-Israel agreements and broader UPSC-relevant current affairs discussions on 26 February 2026?
A) Quantum computing only
B) Blockchain for voting
C) Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies (alongside AI)
D) 6G spectrum auction
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: CCU and AI featured in bilateral and domestic low-carbon strategy talks.
Q26. The International Climate Initiative (IKI) project mentioned in 26 Feb current affairs relates to:
A) Only nuclear energy
B) Climate finance and adaptation support to India
C) Space debris removal
D) Deep-sea mining
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Part of India’s international climate cooperation.
Q27. The Employees’ State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) on/around 26 February 2026 commenced celebrations of:
A) 50th year
B) Golden Jubilee of Ayushman Bharat linkage
C) 100th year
D) 75th Year of Service
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: 75th anniversary events at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Q28. Which vitamin was featured in a dedicated current-affairs note on 26 February 2026 (health & nutrition relevance for UPSC)?
A) Vitamin D
B) Vitamin B3
C) Vitamin C
D) Vitamin K2
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Specific health and deficiency-related update in daily CA compilations.
