Geopolitics (Questions 1-8)
1. What action did the European Union take against Iran on January 29, 2026, according to world headlines?
A) Lifted sanctions
B) Signed a trade deal
C) Imposed new sanctions
D) Withdrew from nuclear talks
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: EU foreign ministers imposed new sanctions on Iran, citing threats from the Trump administration.
2. On January 29, 2026, Russia launched attacks on which country, killing civilians?
A) Poland
B) Ukraine
C) Belarus
D) Georgia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Russia launched drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, killing a couple in Kev.
3. What did President Trump warn Iran about on January 29, 2026?
A) Economic aid
B) Trade partnership
C) Diplomatic alliance
D) Possible military action
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Trump escalated pressure on Iran, warning of U.S. military action if leaders refuse a new nuclear deal.
4. Which country’s military operation in Venezuela was defended by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on January 29, 2026?
A) Russia
B) China
C) United States
D) Brazil
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Rubio defended the Trump administration’s military operation in Venezuela during a hearing.
5. On January 29, 2026, what did Trump threaten countries supplying oil to?
A) Cuba
B) Iran
C) Venezuela
D) Syria
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump threatened tariffs on countries supplying oil to Cuba.
6. According to January 29, 2026 reports, what is unfolding in Eurasia due to receding Russian and Iranian influence?
A) Economic boom
B) Geopolitical realignment
C) Military alliance
D) Cultural revival
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: A profound geopolitical realignment is unfolding as Russia’s grip loosens in the South Caucasus and Central Asia.
7. What agreement did the U.S. sign with El Salvador on January 29, 2026?
A) Reciprocal trade
B) Defense pact
C) Immigration reform
D) Environmental accord
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signed the U.S.-El Salvador Agreement on Reciprocal Trade.
8. On January 29, 2026, why did gold prices jump 30% in January?
A) Stock market crash
B) Geopolitics and Fed hold
C) Crypto boom
D) Oil surplus
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Gold jumped due to Iran tensions and the Fed keeping rates unchanged.
World News India (Questions 9-16)
9. What major trade deal did India sign with the EU on January 29, 2026?
A) Free Trade Agreement
B) Defense Pact
C) Climate Accord
D) Tech Collaboration
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The EU-India FTA will slash tariffs, described as the “mother of all” deals, zeroing out tariffs on seafood.
10. On January 29, 2026, what virus outbreak did India claim to have contained in West Bengal?
A) COVID-19
B) Ebola
C) Zika
D) Nipah
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Indian authorities contained a Nipah virus outbreak after confirming two cases.
11. What ancient artifact was excavated in Tamil Nadu on January 29, 2026?
A) Bronze statue
B) Iron Age spear
C) Stone tablet
D) Gold coin
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: An eight-foot iron spear dated to 5,300 years ago was found in Thirumalapuram.
12. On January 29, 2026, which U.S. allies were reported to turn to India for trade deals?
A) European countries
B) African nations
C) Latin American states
D) Middle Eastern allies
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Alienated by Trump, U.S. allies are rethinking alliances and looking to China and India.
13. What did an Indian national get indicted for in the U.S. on January 29, 2026?
A) Cyber fraud
B) Drug trafficking
C) Smuggling illegal aliens
D) Espionage
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Shivam Lnu was indicted for smuggling Indian nationals across the Canadian border.
14. On January 29, 2026, what did PM Modi urge Indian manufacturers to do regarding the EU trade deal?
A) Reduce exports
B) Capitalize on opportunities
C) Impose tariffs
D) Limit imports
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Modi called on manufacturers to seize new market opportunities from the FTA.
15. What health measure did several Asian countries take for travelers from India on January 29, 2026?
A) Vaccine mandate
B) Quarantine waiver
C) Travel ban
D) Tightened screenings
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Countries tightened health screenings due to the Nipah outbreak.
16. On January 29, 2026, what agreement did Israel sign with Kazakhstan?
A) Defense pact
B) Visa-free
C) Trade deal
D) Nuclear accord
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Israel and Kazakhstan signed a visa-free agreement to boost tourism.
Indian Polity (Questions 17-22)
17. What did the Supreme Court do regarding the 2026 UGC Equity Regulations on January 29, 2026?
A) Stayed their implementation
B) Approved them
C) Amended them
D) Rejected them
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The Court stayed the regulations, calling them ‘too sweeping’ and discriminatory.
18. On January 29, 2026, whose last rites were held with state honors in Maharashtra?
A) Sharad Pawar
B) Uddhav Thackeray
C) Ajit Pawar
D) Devendra Fadnavis
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Ajit Pawar, killed in a plane crash, was cremated in Baramati.
19. What did the Economic Survey 2025-26 project for India’s GDP growth in FY27 on January 29, 2026?
A) 5-6%
B) 6.8-7.2%
C) 7.5-8%
D) 8-9%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Survey revised India’s potential growth to 6.8-7.2% for FY27.
20. On January 29, 2026, what percentage of sanitation workers in Central government are from SC, ST, OBC groups?
A) 50%
B) 80%
C) 75%
D) 66%
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: DoPT report showed over 66% from reserved categories.
21. What did the Karnataka government support on January 29, 2026?
A) Hindi as official language
B) Tulu as second official language
C) English mandate
D) Kannada only policy
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Support for Tulu as Karnataka’s second additional official language.
22. On January 29, 2026, what did the Supreme Court agree to hear regarding the Enforcement Directorate?
A) Filing writ petitions
B) Budget allocation
C) Recruitment process
D) Merger with CBI
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The Court will examine if ED can file writ petitions before constitutional courts.
Sports (Questions 23-24)
23. Which women’s basketball team won against Florida on January 29, 2026?
A) UCLA
B) UConn
C) Stanford
D) Texas
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: No. 4 Texas beat Florida 88-68.
24. On January 29, 2026, what happened to Bill Belichick regarding the Pro Football Hall of Fame?
A) Inducted first ballot
B) Lifetime achievement award
C) Not inducted first year
D) Coaching comeback
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Belichick will not enter the Hall in his first year of eligibility.
Arts (Questions 25-26)
25. What new art hub in Brussels is set to open on November 28, 2026, as announced on January 29?
A) Louvre Brussels
B) Kanal-Centre Pompidou
C) Tate Modern Extension
D) Guggenheim Brussels
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Kanal-Centre Pompidou will open with 10 exhibitions.
26. On January 29, 2026, what exhibition did NYU Gallatin Galleries announce?
A) Renaissance Masters
B) Impressionist Revival
C) Abstract Expressionism
D) Digital Twinz: Hip-Hop Futurism
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: An immersive exploration of hip-hop culture running until February 25, 2026.
Education (Questions 27- 28)
27. What proposed rule did the U.S. Department of Education issue on January 29, 2026?
A) Simplify student loan repayment
B) Increase teacher salaries
C) Ban online classes
D) Mandate uniforms
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The rule aims to make higher education affordable and simplify loans.
28. On January 29, 2026, what did Georgia lawmakers consider for high schools?
A) Free lunches
B) Ban on cellphones
C) Shorter school days
D) More holidays
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Expanding a cellphone ban to high schools starting fall 2027.
Literature (Question 29)
29. Which author’s book ‘Departure(s)’ was among January’s best reviewed on January 29, 2026?
A) Val McDermid
B) Jung Chang
C) Julian Barnes
D) Ben Markovits
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Julian Barnes’s Departure(s) featured in the best reviewed books list.
