Geopolitics and World News (Questions 1-10)
1. Which massive anti-Trump protest movement, described as potentially one of the largest in US history, saw over 3,100 events and an estimated 9+ million participants on 28 March 2026?
A) Black Lives Matter resurgence
B) No Kings rallies
C) Women’s March revival
D) Climate Strike Global
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The “No Kings” protests on 28 March 2026 targeted Trump’s authoritarian style, hardline immigration policies, climate denial, diversity cuts, and the ongoing US-Israel war on Iran. Events spanned US cities, suburbs, rural areas.
2. On 28 March 2026, Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis carried out their first attack on Israel in the current West Asia war. This development is most directly linked to:
A) Escalation of the Russia-Ukraine conflict
B) Widening of the US-Israel war on Iran
C) Saudi-Iran peace deal revival
D) India’s Neighbourhood First policy
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The strike marked a new phase in the month-old Iran war, heightening regional tensions and impacting energy security for countries like India.
3. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a high-level review on 27-28 March 2026 regarding the West Asia crisis. What key Indian assets were reported as being affected by Strait of Hormuz tensions on 28 March?
A) Five India-bound LPG ships anchored north of Dubai-Ras Al Khaimah (two carriers crossing)
B) All Indian naval vessels recalled from the Gulf
C) Complete halt of crude oil imports from Saudi Arabia
D) Suspension of all flights to West Asia
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: BW Tyr (BPCL) and BW Elm (HPCL) were among vessels navigating the volatile Strait amid the Iran war; India is monitoring supply-chain disruptions.
4. On 28 March 2026, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh chaired the first meeting of the Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) on the West Asia crisis. The emphasis was on:
A) Immediate military deployment to the Gulf
B) Swift decision-making and medium-to-long-term preparedness
C) Unilateral sanctions on Iran
D) Withdrawal of Indian diaspora from the region
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The IGoM (including Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri, etc.) focused on fuel, fertiliser security and supply-chain resilience.
5. US President Donald Trump, in a military speech around 27-28 March 2026, declared “Cuba is next” after referencing successes in Venezuela and Iran. This statement reflects:
A) US pivot to Latin America under Trump’s second term
B) De-escalation policy in West Asia
C) Renewed NATO expansion plans
D) India-US 2+2 dialogue outcome
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: It signals potential further US military assertiveness in the Western Hemisphere amid the Iran conflict.
6. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised PM Modi on 28 March 2026 regarding Israel’s actions in the West Bank. The criticism centred on India’s perceived silence on:
A) UAE’s Abraham Accords participation
B) Iran’s nuclear programme
C) Houthis’ Red Sea attacks
D) “Greater Israel” vision ending hopes for a Palestinian state
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Ramesh highlighted India’s balancing act in West Asia foreign policy.
7. On 28 March 2026, India delivered 38,000 metric tonnes of petroleum products (20,000 MT diesel + 18,000 MT petrol) to Sri Lanka. This exemplifies:
A) India’s Neighbourhood First and SAGAR policy
B) Commercial export under WTO rules only
C) Emergency aid due to Cyclone in Sri Lanka
D) Repayment of previous IMF loans
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The delivery underscores India’s continued energy support to neighbours amid global disruptions.
8. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited the UAE on 28 March 2026 for security talks. The meeting occurred against the backdrop of:
A) Ongoing Russia-Ukraine drone attacks
B) West Asia security concerns linked to the Iran war
C) BRICS expansion talks
D) G20 energy transition summit
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The visit highlighted shifting Gulf security dynamics amid the Iran conflict.
9. Protests against the US-Israel war on Iran occurred on 28 March 2026 in which European cities as part of the “No Kings” movement?
A) Only Paris and Rome
B) No European participation reported
C) Exclusively Berlin and Brussels
D) Paris, Rome, London, Amsterdam, Madrid
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Limited but notable international solidarity with US protests.
10. Israeli citizens protested against the war on 28 March 2026 in Tel Aviv and other cities. These demonstrations:
A) Were the first since the war began
B) Were government-organised rallies in support of the war
C) Were weekly protests that started small on 28 February and grew, leading to clashes with police
D) Focused solely on domestic economic issues
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Anti-war sentiment inside Israel has been building.
Indian Polity (Questions 11-15)
11. On 28 March 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi formally inaugurated which infrastructure project, marking Delhi-NCR’s second international airport?
A) Jewar (Noida International Airport)
B) Navi Mumbai International Airport
C) Bhogapuram Green Airport
D) Kannur International Airport Phase-II
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The inauguration boosts regional connectivity and aligns with UDAN and National Infrastructure Pipeline goals.
12. The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) on 28 March 2026 announced candidates for the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. How many constituencies were covered and from which seats will CM M.K. Stalin and Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin contest?
A) 125 constituencies; Stalin from Madurai
B) 234 constituencies; both from Chennai Central
C) 164 constituencies; Stalin from Kolathur, Udhayanidhi from Chepauk-Tiruvallikeni
D) All 234; both from new seats
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: This reflects ongoing Dravidian political dynamics ahead of polls.
13. On 28 March 2026, the Election Commission published the second supplementary voter list for which state?
A) West Bengal
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Uttar Pradesh
D) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Part of the ongoing electoral roll revision process.
14. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced on 28 March 2026 the birth of a Great Indian Bustard (GIB) chick in Gujarat’s Kutch after a decade. This was achieved through:
A) Natural breeding in the wild without intervention
B) The “jumpstart” conservation approach involving inter-State egg transport (770 km)
C) Captive breeding in a zoo in Rajasthan
D) Cloning technology pilot project
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: First inter-State jumpstart initiative; only three female GIBs were left in Kutch grasslands.
15. Former Raymond Group chairman, Padma Bhushan awardee and ex-Sheriff of Bombay, Vijaypat Singhania passed away on 28 March 2026 at the age of:
A) 87
B) 75
C) 92
D) 68
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The industrialist and aviator’s demise was widely noted.
Sports (Questions 16-20)
16. The IPL 2026 season opened on 28 March 2026 with which match at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru?
A) KKR vs PBKS
B) CSK vs MI
C) RCB vs SRH
D) DC vs RR
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Ishan Kishan captained SRH; Kohli and Padikkal starred for RCB.
17. In the Hero Indian Open golf tournament (DLF Golf & Country Club, Gurugram) after three rounds on 28 March 2026, who held a four-stroke lead?
A) Om Prakash Chouhan (India)
B) Eugenio Chacarra (Spain)
C) Shiv Kapur (India)
D) Anirban Lahiri (India)
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Chacarra was on course to defend his title.
18. At the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 in Raipur, which host-state athlete won the first gold for Chhattisgarh in weightlifting?
A) Nikita (women’s 77 kg)
B) Ruba Tadu (Arunachal Pradesh)
C) Dimpi Sonowal (Assam)
D) Lalu Taku (Arunachal Pradesh)
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Nikita ended Chhattisgarh’s gold drought.
19. In the same Tribal Games, which state’s women dominated swimming with multiple golds including the 4×100 medley relay?
A) Assam
B) Karnataka
C) Odisha
D) Chhattisgarh
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Odisha women excelled; Karnataka topped overall swimming medals.
20. Which Indian shooter came closest to qualifying for the skeet final at the ISSF World Cup (Tangier) on 28 March 2026?
A) Maheshwari Chauhan
B) Yashasvi Rathore
C) Parampal Singh Guron
D) Darshana Rathore
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trap events were scheduled later.
Current Affairs (Questions 21–25)
21. Parliament had earlier approved the Finance Bill 2026 and the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Amendment Bill 2026. On 28 March 2026, the government also reduced Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on diesel to:
A) ?10/litre on both
B) Zero (petrol to ?3/litre)
C) Complete removal on petrol only
D) No change
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Move to ease OMC under-recoveries amid Brent crude at ~$111/barrel due to West Asia crisis.
22. The Informal Group of Ministers (IGoM) chaired by Rajnath Singh on the West Asia crisis included which key ministers (select correct combination)?
A) Only Finance and Petroleum
B) Only Defence and External Affairs
C) Nirmala Sitharaman, Hardeep Singh Puri, JP Nadda, Manohar Lal, Kiren Rijiju
D) All state Chief Ministers
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Focus on coordinated national response.
23. On 28 March 2026, India did not agree to the incorporation of the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement into the WTO framework. Who made this statement?
A) Piyush Goyal
B) Nirmala Sitharaman
C) Rajnath Singh
D) S. Jaishankar
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: India’s consistent stance on WTO plurilateral agreements.
24. Which policy principle was invoked in UPSC-relevant discussions on 28 March 2026 regarding the West Asia crisis and India’s energy security?
A) Look East Policy
B) Gujral Doctrine only
C) Panchsheel
D) Act East Policy
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Relevance in current foreign policy analysis.
25. No plans for a nationwide lockdown were announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Rajya Sabha in response to the West Asia crisis. The statement was made on:
A) Only in Lok Sabha
B) 27 March 2026
C) 28 March 2026
D) Never made
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Government emphasised proactive measures instead.
Additional Current Affairs (Questions 26–30)
26. The birth of the Great Indian Bustard chick is significant for UPSC because it demonstrates success of:
A) Ex-situ conservation and inter-State collaboration under the Wildlife Protection Act
B) Pure in-situ habitat restoration
C) International CITES funding only
D) Private sector zoo breeding
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Critical for critically endangered species recovery.
27. Delhi Congress announced monitoring of polling booths during the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls on 28 March 2026 to prevent:
A) Voter list deletion in rural areas
B) Addition of fake voters
C) Only EVM tampering
D) Disenfranchisement of genuine voters
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Part of pre-election vigilance.
28. Former Nepal PM KP Sharma Oli and ex-Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak were arrested on 28 March 2026 in connection with:
A) Negligent killings during September 2025 Gen Z protests
B) Corruption charges only
C) Border dispute with India
D) Trade agreement violations
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Impacts India-Nepal bilateral relations.
29. North Korea’s Kim Jong Un inspected a new solid-fuel rocket engine on/around 28-29 March 2026 as part of a five-year defence plan. The engine’s max thrust was reported as:
A) 2,500 kilonewtons
B) 1,000 kilonewtons
C) Liquid-fuel only
D) No new engine tested
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Signals continued military modernisation.
30. Russia launched 273 drones targeting Ukraine on 28 March 2026, causing deaths and damage to:
A) Only military bases
B) Gas facilities, ports, residential buildings and a maternity hospital in Odesa region
C) Chernobyl exclusion zone
D) No drone attacks reported
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict escalation.
