Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-12)
1. On 5 April 2026, Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi warned of potential radioactive contamination risks following U.S.-Israeli strikes on which Iranian facility?
A) Natanz nuclear site
B) Bushehr nuclear power plant
C) Fordow fuel enrichment plant
D) Arak heavy water reactor
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The strikes occurred near Bushehr on 4 April 2026; Araghchi highlighted risks to Gulf neighbours amid the sixth week of the Iran-Israel-US conflict. This has direct implications for global oil security and India’s energy imports.
2. The United States rescued a downed F-15 airman from Iranian territory on 5 April 2026 with intelligence assistance from which country?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) India
C) Israel
D) UAE
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Israeli intelligence played a key role in the high-risk rescue operation during the ongoing West Asia war.
3. Which global financial agency downgraded India’s FY27 GDP growth forecast to 6% (from 6.8%) citing risks from the escalating Iran-Israel-US conflict?
A) World Bank
B) IMF
C) S&P Global Ratings
D) Fitch Ratings
Correct Answer: C.
4. The FAO Food Price Index rose in March 2026 primarily due to higher energy costs triggered by conflict in which region?
A) South China Sea
B) Middle East (Iran-Israel-US war)
C) Ukraine-Russia
D) Red Sea
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The index tracks monthly changes in prices of cereals, dairy, meat, sugar, and oils (base 2014-16). The Middle East conflict directly impacted energy and food commodity prices.
5. On 5 April 2026, U.S. President Trump issued threats regarding the reopening of which strategic waterway blocked by Iran?
A) Strait of Hormuz
B) Suez Canal
C) Bab-el-Mandeb
D) Panama Canal
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump warned of severe consequences (including strikes on infrastructure) if Iran did not reopen the Strait, a chokepoint for 20% of global oil trade.
6. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in a speech on 5 April 2026, described the current global situation as the start of World War Three in a “new form” due to Western actions in which two regions?
A) Taiwan and Africa
B) South China Sea and Arctic
C) Ukraine and Middle East
D) Balkans and Latin America
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Lavrov accused the West of provoking conflicts to weaken Russia.
7. The United Nations Development Partnership Fund, reviewed by India’s Permanent Mission on 5 April 2026, was established in which year and with what initial contribution?
A) 2015 with $100 million
B) 2022 with $250 million
C) 2020 with $200 million
D) 2017 with $150 million
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: India-led South-South cooperation fund supporting SDGs in LDCs and SIDS through UNOSSC.
8. Which Indian initiative under Mission Karmayogi was highlighted on 5 April 2026 for building future-ready civil services through three Sutras: Technology, Tradition, and Tangible Outcomes?
A) Yuva Sangam
B) Sadhana Saptah
C) iGOT Karmayogi
D) Karmayogi Bharat
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Organised by DoPT, Capacity Building Commission; focuses on leadership and digital governance for Viksit Bharat 2047.
9. The youth exchange programme Yuva Sangam (Phase-VI registrations open on 5 April 2026) is anchored by which ministry and structured around the 5 Ps?
A) Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports
B) Ministry of External Affairs
C) Ministry of Culture
D) Ministry of Education
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Implements Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat under NEP 2020 for experiential learning across paired regions.
10. On 5 April 2026, families of Air India Flight AI171 crash victims (260 killed ten months earlier) demanded release of which data from the black boxes?
A) Flight Data Recorder only
B) Cockpit Voice Recorder and black box data
C) Weather data only
D) Passenger manifest
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: They wrote to PM Modi seeking full transparency.
11. Project Chetak, whose 47th Raising Day was observed in April 2026, is a Border Roads Organisation initiative in which sector?
A) Eastern (Arunachal)
B) Northern (J&K)
C) Western (Rajasthan, Punjab, Gujarat)
D) Southern (Kerala)
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Covers over 4,000 km of roads supporting national security.
12. The Jiyo Parsi Scheme, in news on 5 April 2026 for a Universal Parsi Registration Drive, was launched in which year by the Ministry of Minority Affairs?
A) 2013-14
B) 2015-16
C) 2017-18
D) 2020-21
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Aims to arrest decline in Parsi population through medical and advocacy support.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13-22)
13. PM Narendra Modi, addressing a rally in Cooch Behar on 5 April 2026 ahead of West Bengal elections, termed the gherao of judicial officers as a reflection of which party’s ‘maha jungle raj’?
A) Congress
B) TMC
C) BJP
D) Left Front
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Direct attack on TMC governance amid state polls.
14. Tamil Nadu CM and DMK president M.K. Stalin stated on 5 April 2026 that surrendering state rights to the Centre is against which principle?
A) Cooperative federalism
B) Fiscal federalism
C) Democratic principles
D) Judicial federalism
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Strong assertion of state autonomy ahead of Tamil Nadu assembly elections.
15. TVK chief Vijay filed revised nominations on 5 April 2026 for which two Tamil Nadu constituencies for his electoral debut?
A) Chennai South and Madurai
B) Perambur and Tiruchi East
C) Coimbatore and Salem
D) Erode and Tirunelveli
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Corrections made for discrepancies in nomination papers.
16. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, on 5 April 2026, described his party’s unity efforts in Assam as similar to the work of which musician?
A) Zubeen Garg
B) A.R. Rahman
C) Shankar Mahadevan
D) Ilaiyaraaja
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Ahead of Assam assembly elections.
17. On 5 April 2026, Rahul Gandhi flagged functional problems in the Centre’s One Stop Centres (OSCs) meant for support to whom?
A) Senior citizens
B) Farmers
C) Women
D) Transgender persons
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Claimed the Modi government is not listening to implementation issues.
18. Congress attacked PM Modi’s proposal to increase Lok Sabha and assembly seats, calling it a ‘Weapon of Mass Distraction’ that would primarily benefit which states?
A) Southern states
B) Larger northern states
C) Northeastern states
D) Western states
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Delimitation concerns raised on 5 April 2026.
19. CJI Surya Kant stated on 5 April 2026 that judicial infrastructure is essential and has been recognised by state governments across which political spectrum?
A) Only NDA-ruled states
B) Only southern states
C) Only opposition-ruled states
D) All spectra
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Highlighted need for better court infrastructure.
20. The Uttar Pradesh Board announced on 5 April 2026 a special campaign (till 15 April) for use of authorised books in schools under which board?
A) CBSE
B) UP Board
C) ICSE
D) State Open School
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: To ensure quality education materials.
21. The National Book Trust organised the Doon Book Festival (4-8 April 2026) in Dehradun, where children’s storytelling and workshops on theatre and Aipan Art were held on 5 April. Who inaugurated key sessions?
A) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami
B) PM Modi
C) Education Minister
D) Governor of Uttarakhand
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Uttarakhand CM interacted with students and distributed books.
22. The Sikkim Arts and Literature Festival 2026 was announced to be held from 26-28 April at which venue?
A) Gangtok Ridge Park
B) Pelling
C) Namchi
D) Ravangla
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Focus on arts and literature promotion.
Sports, Economy & Environment (Questions 23-30)
23. In IPL 2026 Match 11 on 5 April 2026 at Bengaluru, which team defeated Sunrisers Hyderabad by 5 wickets (with 1 ball remaining)?
A) Royal Challengers Bengaluru
B) Lucknow Super Giants
C) Chennai Super Kings
D) Kolkata Knight Riders
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: LSG chased down the target successfully.
24. Amul reported crossing ?1 lakh crore turnover in FY 2025-26 (announced 5 April 2026) with what growth rate?
A) 8%
B) 11%
C) 15%
D) 7%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Significant milestone for India’s largest dairy cooperative.
25. The Odisha government made e-KYC mandatory for domestic LPG cylinder connections with effect from 5 April 2026, as stated by Minister K.C. Patra. This is aimed at curbing what?
A) Black marketing
B) Subsidy leakages
C) Both A and B
D) None
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Enhances transparency in subsidy delivery.
26. Barnawapara Wildlife Sanctuary (featured in current affairs 5 April 2026) is located in which district of Chhattisgarh?
A) Raipur
B) Mahasamund
C) Bilaspur
D) Durg
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: 245 sq km sanctuary with teak-sal forests and rich fauna including reintroduced blackbucks.
27. The critically endangered Bengal Florican (Schedule I, WPA 1972) is a grassland indicator species found mainly in which ecosystem?
A) Gangetic-Brahmaputra alluvial grasslands
B) Himalayan alpine meadows
C) Thar desert
D) Western Ghats shola forests
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Less than 1,000 individuals worldwide; major threat from habitat loss.
28. Appemidi Mango, granted GI tag in 2009 and threatened by climate change, is native to which Karnataka districts?
A) Dakshina Kannada and Udupi
B) Mysuru and Mandya
C) Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga
D) Belagavi and Bagalkot
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Known as “king of raw mangoes” for pickling; requires in-situ conservation.
29. The Coal Gasification Incentive Scheme (?8,500 crore outlay) targets gasification of how much coal by 2030?
A) 50 MT
B) 100 MT
C) 150 MT
D) 200 MT
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Promotes clean coal technology for energy security and reduced imports.
30. On 5 April 2026, security forces launched a cordon-and-search operation in Samba district of J&K following reports of movement of how many suspicious individuals?
A) Two
B) One
C) Five
D) Three
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Routine counter-terror operation in the region.
