Geopolitics and World News (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On February 28, 2026, which countries launched joint military strikes on Iran, leading to the reported death of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
A) US and UK
B) US and Israel
C) Israel and Saudi Arabia
D) US and Qatar
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The US and Israel conducted airstrikes on Iranian targets, including leadership sites, as confirmed by multiple sources like CNN and Reuters.
Q2. What was the name of the US military operation launched against Iran on February 28, 2026?
A) Operation Epic Fury
B) Operation Desert Storm
C) Operation Enduring Freedom
D) Operation Infinite Justice
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The Pentagon named the strikes “Operation Epic Fury,” targeting Iranian officials and military sites.
Q3. In response to the US-Israeli strikes, Iran launched retaliatory attacks on US military bases in how many Middle Eastern countries?
A) 5
B) 8
C) 3
D) 10
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iran targeted US bases in Israel, Jordan, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Qatar.
Q4. Which US President announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader and called for regime change following the strikes on February 28, 2026?
A) Joe Biden
B) Donald Trump
C) Kamala Harris
D) JD Vance
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: President Donald Trump stated on social media that Khamenei’s death provided the “greatest chance” for Iranians to reclaim their country.
Q5. Which country confirmed the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in state-run media after the February 28, 2026 strikes?
A) Israel
B) UAE
C) Iran
D) Russia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Iranian state media, including IRNA, confirmed Khamenei’s death, escalating regional tensions.
Q6. What was a key target of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, besides leadership?
A) Oil refineries
B) Ballistic missile and air defense sites
C) Civilian airports
D) Religious sites
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Israel bombarded Iranian ballistic missile and air defense sites, as reported by the New York Post.
Q7. Which global leader called the US-Israeli strikes on Iran “unprovoked aggression” on February 28, 2026?
A) China’s Xi Jinping
B) India’s Narendra Modi
C) France’s Emmanuel Macron
D) Russia’s Vladimir Putin
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Russia condemned the strikes as unprovoked, according to Spectrum News.
Q8. Following the strikes on Iran, which Middle Eastern country’s airspace was shuttered, severely impacting global air travel?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) At least eight countries including Iran and Israel
C) Turkey
D) Egypt
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Al Jazeera reported that at least eight countries, including Iran, Israel, Jordan, and Qatar, closed their airspace.
Q9. What was the primary objective of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, as stated by President Trump?
A) Economic sanctions enforcement
B) Oil supply control
C) Eliminating threats from the Iranian regime
D) Humanitarian aid delivery
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Trump stated the strikes aimed to “eliminate imminent threats from the Iranian regime.”
Q10. Which news outlet provided live coverage of the US-Israeli strikes on Iran, detailing the death toll in UAE rising to 3?
A) BBC
B) Fox News
C) Al Jazeera
D) CNN
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: CNN’s live updates included rising death tolls from Iranian retaliatory attacks.
Q11. In the aftermath of the strikes, which city saw pro-US and pro-Israel demonstrations with dancing in the streets?
A) Tehran
B) Los Angeles
C) Dubai
D) Jerusalem
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles hosted huge celebratory demonstrations, as per Matt Finn’s report.
Q12. What was Iran’s Foreign Minister’s response to the strikes, urging regional states?
A) To prevent use of their territories against Tehran
B) To join the attacks
C) To impose sanctions on the US
D) To close borders
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iran’s FM urged regional states to avoid allowing their territories to be used against Iran.
World News India and Indian Polity (Questions 13-22)
Q13. On February 28, 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a nationwide campaign for what health initiative in Ajmer, Rajasthan?
A) COVID-19 booster shots
B) HPV vaccination for 14-year-old girls
C) Polio eradication
D) Tuberculosis screening
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The campaign targets cervical cancer prevention through HPV vaccination for young girls.
Q14. What advisory did the Indian government issue to its nationals in West Asia following the US-Israeli strikes on Iran?
A) Exercise utmost caution and remain vigilant
B) Immediate evacuation
C) Travel ban
D) Mandatory registration
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The advisory urged caution due to the prevailing security situation in the region.
Q15. Which Indian political party criticized PM Modi’s visit to Israel on February 28, 2026, calling it a “political endorsement of military escalation”?
A) BJP
B) AAP
C) Congress
D) Shiv Sena
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Congress termed the visit “shameful” and “ill-timed.”
Q16. According to the new GDP series released on February 28, 2026, what was India’s estimated growth for FY26?
A) 6.5%
B) 7.2%
C) 9.2%
D) 7.6%
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The new series upgraded FY26 growth to 7.6%, revising previous years downward.
Q17. What recommendation did the SIU make regarding Home Affairs employees in South Africa on February 28, 2026?
A) Salary increase
B) Vetting all employees
C) Mass resignation
D) New recruitment drive
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The SIU recommended vetting to combat organized corruption in the visa system.
Q18. Which Indian airport was announced to be renamed on February 28, 2026?
A) Mumbai International
B) Bangalore Kempegowda
C) Delhi Indira Gandhi
D) Pakyong Airport in Sikkim
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang announced the renaming of Pakyong Airport.
Q19. What was the theme of National Science Day 2026 in India?
A) Women in Science: Catalysing Viksit Bharat
B) Science for All
C) Innovation in AI
D) Climate Change Solutions
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The theme highlights women-led scientific progress for a developed India.
Q20. Which Indian airlines canceled flights to West Asia on February 28, 2026, due to the Iran conflict?
A) Air India and IndiGo
B) SpiceJet and Vistara
C) GoAir and Jet Airways
D) Only Air India
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Air India and IndiGo canceled flights amid airspace closures.
Q21. What new policy was launched by the Indian government for DBT under PMGKAY on February 28, 2026?
A) Cash transfers
B) Food stamps
C) CBDC-based Digital Food Currency pilot
D) Direct grain delivery
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The pilot uses Central Bank Digital Currency for food subsidies in Puducherry.
Q22. Which union minister launched the Rail Tech Policy on February 28, 2026?
A) Nitin Gadkari
B) Ashwini Vaishnaw
C) Piyush Goyal
D) Amit Shah
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Ashwini Vaishnaw announced the policy and digitization of the Railway Claims Tribunal.
Sports (Questions 23-26)
Q23. Which NBA team ended a 3-game losing streak by defeating the Golden State Warriors on February 28, 2026?
A) Miami Heat
B) New Orleans Pelicans
C) Los Angeles Lakers
D) Houston Rockets
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The Lakers blew out the Warriors, despite missing key players like Steph Curry.
Q24. In the Ranji Trophy final on February 28, 2026, which team won its maiden title by defeating Karnataka?
A) Mumbai
B) Jammu & Kashmir
C) Delhi
D) Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: J&K secured a 291-run first-innings lead, leading to a draw and championship win.
Q25. Which player led the Miami Heat with 24 points in their victory over the Houston Rockets on February 28, 2026?
A) Kevin Durant
B) Saddiq Bey
C) Pelle Larsson
D) Bam Adebayo
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Bam Adebayo contributed 24 points, 11 rebounds, and 3 three-pointers.
Q26. In college basketball, which team finished fifth at the Big Ten Indoor Championships on February 28, 2026?
A) Wisconsin Badgers
B) USC Trojans
C) Towson Tigers
D) William & Mary
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The Wisconsin men’s track team tallied 47 points with school records broken.
Arts, Education, Literature, and Other Current Affairs (Questions 27-30)
Q27. What was the theme of the 57th NAACP Image Awards held on February 28, 2026?
A) Celebrating Diversity
B) Black Excellence in Arts and Culture
C) Unity in Adversity
D) Future Leaders
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The awards celebrated Black achievements in film, TV, music, and literature.
Q28. Which country announced a €20 million grant for India under the International Climate Initiative on February 28, 2026?
A) USA
B) Canada
C) Germany
D) UK
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The grant strengthens ecosystem-based climate resilience in India.
Q29. What is the title of James Cahill’s novel reviewed in The New York Times on February 28, 2026?
A) The Violet Hour
B) The Night Is Not For You
C) The Tower and the Ruin
D) Palestine – 1
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The novel contrasts modern art’s artifice with personal lives in the art world.
Q30. On February 28, 2026, which bird species was highlighted in UPSC Prelims Current Affairs due to climate change threats?
A) Peacock
B) Great Indian Bustard
C) Nilgiri Wood Pigeon
D) Sparrow
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Research warns that climate change could limit the habitat of this Western Ghats endemic species.
