Geopolitics (Questions 1-7)
Q1. Which U.S. President threatened to acquire Greenland, leading to tensions with Denmark and NATO allies on January 28, 2026?
A) Joe Biden
B) Donald Trump
C) Barack Obama
D) George Bush
Correct Answer: B. Donald Trump
Explanation: President Trump ruled out force but insisted on U.S. control over Greenland, straining transatlantic relations and prompting Europe to rethink dependencies.
Q2. What was the estimated global economic growth for 2026 according to a Reuters poll of economists?
A) 2.5%
B) 3.0%
C) 3.5%
D) 4.0%
Correct Answer: B. 3.0%
Explanation: Despite geopolitical shifts like U.S. tariffs, economists forecasted 3% growth, unchanged from a year ago, with further shocks as the main risk.
Q3. Which U.S. allies are turning to China for trade deals due to Trump’s tariff threats?
A) Japan and South Korea
B) Canada and Mexico
C) European Union countries
D) Australia and India
Correct Answer: C. European Union countries
Explanation: Trump’s tariffs spurred U.S. allies to diversify trade, with some approaching China and India for deals.
Q4. What did Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney describe as “the end of a pleasant fiction” at Davos 2026?
A) Climate change policies
B) U.S.-Europe alliance
C) NATO’s role in Arctic security
D) Global trade integration
Correct Answer: D. Global trade integration
Explanation: Carney highlighted a “rupture” where middle powers must exercise independent strengths amid U.S. actions like Greenland threats.
Q5.In the Russia-Ukraine war, what did a CSIS report estimate as total casualties by April if fighting continues at the current rate?
A) 1 million
B) 1.5 million
C) 2 million
D) 2.5 million
Correct Answer: C. 2 million
Explanation: The report noted 1.2 million Russian and 500,000 Ukrainian casualties so far, projecting up to 2 million total.
Q6. Which country is providing critical support to Russia’s weapons production, including Oreshnik missiles?
A) North Korea
B) China
C) Iran
D) India
Correct Answer: B. China
Explanation: China supplies technology and equipment, enabling Russia to scale drone and missile production.
Q7.What is the main downside risk to global growth cited by economists in the Reuters poll?
A) Inflation resurgence
B) Supply chain disruptions
C) Climate disasters
D) Further geopolitical shocks
Correct Answer: D. Further geopolitical shocks
Explanation: With interest rate cuts nearing completion, shocks like tariffs and alliances shifts pose the biggest threat.
World News India (Questions 8-13)
Q8. Which agreement was concluded between India and the EU on January 27, 2026?
A) Defense Pact
B) Free Trade Agreement
C) Climate Accord
D) Space Cooperation
Correct Answer: B. Free Trade Agreement
Explanation: Negotiations ended, marking one of the biggest trade deals, boosting economic ties.
Q9. What virus outbreak was declared contained in Kerala, India, prompting airport checks across Asia?
A) COVID-19
B) Ebola
C) Nipah
D) Zika
Correct Answer: C. Nipah
Explanation: Two cases were confirmed, leading to regional vigilance due to its high fatality rate.
Q10. Who among the following died in a plane crash in Baramati, Maharashtra on January 28, 2026?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Ajit Pawar
C) Rahul Gandhi
D) Amit Shah
Correct Answer: B. Ajit Pawar
Explanation: The Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister was killed along with four others while campaigning.
Q11. Which state’s tableau shone at the Republic Day Parade 2026 winners announcement?
A) Uttar Pradesh
B) Punjab
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: D. Maharashtra
Explanation: Maharashtra, J&K, and Kerala tableaux were highlighted, with Indian Navy and Delhi Police topping marching contingents.
Q12. What new initiative is India’s government and RBI planning for ATMs?
A) Cashless ATMs
B) Hybrid ATMs for small notes
C) Biometric-only access
D) Crypto dispensing
Correct Answer: B. Hybrid ATMs for small notes
Explanation: To dispense 10, 20, 50 notes, addressing small denomination shortages.
Q13. Which Indian state reported Nipah virus cases almost every year since 2018?
A) Kerala
B) Maharashtra
C) West Bengal
D) Tamil Nadu
Correct Answer: A. Kerala
Explanation: The outbreak was contained, but it triggered regional health measures.
Indian Polity (Questions 14-18)
Q14. What did the Election Commission of India state about a place in the electoral roll?
A) Absolute right
B) Qualified right
C) Temporary privilege
D) Inherited right
Correct Answer: B. Qualified right
Explanation: Voters must continuously fulfill citizenship conditions under Article 326.
Q15. Which parties are resolving seat-sharing deadlock for upcoming Assembly elections?
A) BJP and Shiv Sena
B) AAP and Congress
C) DMK and Congress
D) TMC and BJP
Correct Answer: C. DMK and Congress
Explanation: A DMK delegation met Rahul Gandhi to finalize offers.
Q16. Who condoled the demise of Ajit Pawar on January 28, 2026?
A) Prime Minister Narendra Modi
B) President Droupadi Murmu
C) Home Minister Amit Shah
D) Congress Leader Sonia Gandhi
Correct Answer: B. President Droupadi Murmu
Explanation: She called it an irreparable loss to Maharashtra politics.
Q17. In which district did the plane carrying Ajit Pawar crash?
A) Pune
B) Mumbai
C) Nagpur
D) Aurangabad
Correct Answer: A. Pune
Explanation: The crash occurred at Baramati airport in Pune district.
Q18. What was Ajit Pawar’s role in Maharashtra politics?
A) Chief Minister
B) Deputy Chief Minister
C) Governor
D) Opposition Leader
Correct Answer: B. Deputy Chief Minister
Explanation: He was a key figure in the sugar belt and Modi’s coalition.
Sports (Questions 19-22)
Q19. Which NBA team defeated the Lakers 129-99 on January 28, 2026?
A) Boston Celtics
B) Miami Heat
C) Golden State Warriors
D) Cleveland Cavaliers
Correct Answer: D. Cleveland Cavaliers
Explanation: Donovan Mitchell scored 25 points in the win.
Q20. Who overpowered Coco Gauff to reach the Australian Open semi-final?
A) Serena Williams
B) Elina Svitolina
C) Naomi Osaka
D) Iga Swiatek
Correct Answer: B. Elina Svitolina
Explanation: Svitolina won in straight sets at the tournament.
Q21. Which college basketball team routed Butler 92-70 for their seventh straight win?
A) Duke
B) St. John’s
C) Kentucky
D) Kansas
Correct Answer: B. St. John’s
Explanation: Ranked No. 25, they never trailed in the Big East game.
Q22. Which NBA team is leading the Eastern Conference as per January 28, 2026 reports?
A) Boston Celtics
B) Milwaukee Bucks
C) New York Knicks
D) Detroit Pistons
Correct Answer: D. Detroit Pistons
Explanation: They are on a tear, proving hard to beat.
Arts (Questions 23-24)
Q23. What play featuring Cynthia Nixon opened, dealing with AI themes?
A) Hamilton
B) Marjorie Prime
C) The Phantom of the Opera
D) Wicked
Correct Answer: B. Marjorie Prime
Explanation: It’s a timeless take on AI, running until Feb. 15.
Q24. Which university celebrated Black History Month with the theme “Celebrating Black Expressionism”?
A) The College of New Jersey
B) Harvard
C) Yale
D) Stanford
Correct Answer: A. The College of New Jersey
Explanation: Events highlight Black contributions in arts and culture.
Education (Questions 25-26)
Q25. What did the U.S. Department of Education find California violated regarding students’ gender transitions?
A) Title IX
B) Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
C) ADA
D) IDEA
Correct Answer: B. Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act
Explanation: Policies hid information from parents, violating family rights.
Q26. What is the Trump administration pushing during National School Choice Week?
A) Abolish Department of Education
B) Mandatory uniforms
C) Increase federal funding
D) Expand school choice
Correct Answer: D. Expand school choice
Explanation: Amid declining scores, it empowers parents via options like vouchers.
Literature (Questions 27-28)
Q27. What is the title of Kelli Stanley’s new mystery novel released in January 2026?
A) The Reckoning
B) To Ride a Rising Storm
C) Enchanting the Fae Queen
D) We Who Have No Gods
Correct Answer: A. The Reckoning
Explanation: One of January’s best new mystery novels.
Q28. Who is described as TikTok’s most influential literary critic in January 2026 publishing news?
A) Oprah Winfrey
B) Jack Edwards
C) Reese Witherspoon
D) Barack Obama
Correct Answer: B. Jack Edwards
Explanation: Highlighted in Lit Hub for shaping book trends.
