Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)
Q1. On 7 March 2026, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” He described Iran as:
A) The rising power of West Asia
B) The loser of the Middle East that had surrendered to its neighbours
C) A strategic partner against terrorism
D) The victim of Israeli aggression
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump’s exact words called Iran the “loser of the Middle East” amid ongoing US-Israel airstrikes on Tehran.
Q2. The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine on 4 March 2026 off Sri Lanka’s coast. How many Iranian personnel were killed?
A) 32
B) 50
C) 83
D) 120
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: 83 killed; 32 sailors rescued. The incident occurred while the ship was returning from Visakhapatnam International Fleet Review.
Q3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue on 7 March 2026, defended the docking of an Iranian warship in Kochi as:
A) A strategic military alliance
B) A routine port call
C) Compliance with US sanctions
D) A humanitarian gesture
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised India’s approach “from a point of humanity” despite US criticism following the IRIS Dena sinking.
Q4. On 7 March 2026, India announced it would continue importing Russian oil despite the Iran war. The US had granted India a temporary waiver on:
A) 15 March
B) 1 March
C) 5 March
D) No waiver was granted
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The waiver allowed purchase of stranded Russian crude amid West Asian disruptions; India stated it does not need US permission.
Q5. Which chokepoint’s blockade due to the Iran conflict threatens 40-50% of India’s crude oil imports?
A) Strait of Hormuz
B) Malacca Strait
C) Bab el-Mandeb
D) Suez Canal
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: India sources 49-55% crude and 70% gas from West Asia; Hormuz blockade has pushed Brent crude above $100/barrel.
Q6. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, on 7 March 2026, apologised to Gulf neighbours and announced suspension of attacks on neighbouring countries unless:
A) Israel withdraws from Gaza
B) Attacked first
C) US lifts sanctions
D) Russia provides more drones
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The statement aimed at regional de-escalation after miscommunication-led strikes.
Q7. India’s Navy conducted Search & Rescue (SAR) operations for survivors of the IRIS Dena sinking using which ships?
A) INS Vikrant & INS Kolkata
B) INS Mumbai & INS Chennai
C) INS Vikramaditya & INS Arihant
D) INS Tarangini & INS Ikshak
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Coordinated with Sri Lanka under UNCLOS SAR conventions.
Q8. The ongoing West Asia conflict has left how many tonnes of Indian Basmati rice stuck at ports?
A) 100,000
B) 400,000
C) 1 million
D) 50,000
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Freight and insurance costs have surged, affecting exports and food inflation.
Q9. What percentage of India’s remittances come from the Gulf region?
A) 38%
B) 19%
C) 50%
D) 25%
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Over 9 million Indian expatriates; any evacuation would strain diplomatic resources.
Q10. Russia is reportedly providing Iran with real-time intelligence on US assets. This has turned the conflict into:
A) A purely bilateral US-Iran war
B) An internal Iranian civil war
C) A wider proxy battle involving great powers
D) A NATO-led operation
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: US officials confirmed Moscow’s role, complicating de-escalation.
Q11. The Raisina Dialogue 2026 is organised by:
A) Ministry of Defence only
B) Indian Council of World Affairs
C) NITI Aayog
D) Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and Ministry of External Affairs
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: India’s flagship geopolitical conference; Jaishankar addressed West Asia issues here on 7 March.
Q12. India’s post-conflict role in West Asia is likely to focus on:
A) Military intervention
B) Reconstruction projects (e.g., IRCON, ONGC in Iran) and diplomatic mediation
C) Imposing sanctions
D) Withdrawing all diplomatic missions
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Long-standing partnerships like Zahedan railway and Farzad-B gas field position India as a key reconstruction partner.
Indian Polity & Governance – Questions 13-18
Q13. Karnataka’s 2026-27 Budget announced a proposed ban on social media for children below:
A) 13 years
B) 18 years
C) 16 years
D) 10 years
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: To protect against cyberbullying, addiction and mental health issues; Andhra Pradesh plans a similar ban under 13.
Q14. Governors in India are appointed by the President under which Constitutional Article?
A) Article 155
B) Article 153
C) Article 156
D) Article 72
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: They hold office during the pleasure of the President (Article 156); recent reshuffles were in news.
Q15. The Essential Commodities Act, 1955, was invoked in the context of the Iran war primarily to:
A) Control food grain prices
B) Prevent hoarding and fix prices of petroleum products
C) Regulate social media
D) Ban exports
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: To manage energy crisis and price shocks from West Asia.
Q16. Which state government first proposed age-verification regulations for social media platforms in its 2026-27 Budget?
A) Maharashtra
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Karnataka
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Linked to IT Act 2000, DPDP Act 2023 and global precedents (Australia, France, UK).
Q17. The Supreme Court in B.P. Singhal vs Union of India (2010) held that removal of a Governor cannot be:
A) Arbitrary
B) On political grounds alone
C) Without state consultation
D) After five years
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Reinforces federal balance and political neutrality of Governors.
Q18. The first-ever Khelo India Tribal Games (KITG) 2026 will be held in:
A) Jharkhand
B) Chhattisgarh (Raipur, Jagdalpur, Sarguja)
C) Odisha
D) Madhya Pradesh
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: From 25 March to 6 April 2026; 7 medal + 2 demonstration sports; mascot Morveer.
Sports – (Questions 19-22)
Q19. In the ITF W35 Kalaburagi tournament (7 March 2026), who reached back-to-back singles finals and also won the doubles title?
A) Ankita Raina
B) Karman Kaur Thandi
C) Rutuja Bhosale
D) Vaishnavi Adkar
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Vaishnavi Adkar (India No. 2) defeated top seed Jasmijn Gimbrere 6-3, 6-2 in semis and won doubles 6-2, 6-2.
Q20. In National Shooting Selection Trials 3 (Group A, 10m Air Rifle Men), who topped the finals with 252.5?
A) Divyansh Singh Panwar
B) Anish Bhanwala
C) Vijayveer Sidhu
D) Saurabh Chaudhary
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Divyansh Singh Panwar secured first place.
Q21. Who won the women’s 10m Air Rifle finals (National Selection Trials 3) on 7 March 2026?
A) Mehuli Ghosh
B) Khyati Chaudhary (via shoot-off)
C) Mahit Sandhu
D) Apurvi Chandela
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Khyati Chaudhary edged out Mahit Sandhu in shoot-off.
Q22. The 20th Ramesh Desai Nationals U12 Tennis (Boys’ Singles Final) was won by:
A) Thanush BC
B) Tejas Ravi
C) Riaan Nandankar
D) Mannan Ashok Agarwal
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Defeated Thanush BC 6-1, 6-4.
Arts, Culture, Education & Literature – (Questions 23-26)
Q23. Version 2.0 of the Indian Culture Portal was launched in March 2026 by the Ministry of Culture. Its AI-powered chatbot is named:
A) Bharti
B) Sanskriti
C) Gyan
D) Heritage
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Integrated with Bhashini (22 Indian languages); features 3D walkthroughs and 46 curated categories including Folktales & Classical Dances.
Q24. NITI Aayog signed a Statement of Intent with UNICEF India on 7 March 2026 for:
A) Digital education
B) Nutrition and health in Aspirational Districts & Blocks
C) Literature promotion
D) Sports infrastructure
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Focuses on Anganwadi strengthening, ICDS uptake and IMPAct4Nutrition platform.
Q25. The Indian Culture Portal v2.0 functions as a:
A) Static website only
B) Mobile app only
C) Progressive Web App (PWA) with immersive 360° tours
D) Blockchain platform
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Offers React-based frontend, Drupal backend and cross-device access.
Q26. Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 promotes:
A) Urban sports only
B) Tribal youth talent through indigenous & modern sports
C) International Olympians
D) Chess exclusively
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Integrates mallakhamb, kabaddi (demonstration) with athletics, football etc.
Other Relevant Current Affairs – (Questions 27 – 29)
Q27. India submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2026. The Kunming-Montreal Framework target for protected areas is:
A) 30% land and sea by 2030
B) 20% by 2030
C) 50% by 2050
D) 10% by 2025
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: India is aligning its NBSAP with this global biodiversity framework.
Q28. BEL signed an MoU with Bellatrix Aerospace for development of:
A) Hypersonic missiles
B) Very Low Earth Orbit (VLEO) satellites
C) Nuclear submarines
D) Quantum computers
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Uses electric propulsion to counter drag; ideal for high-resolution imaging and low latency.
Q29. India aims for 100 GW nuclear capacity by 2047 through its Three-Stage Nuclear Programme. Stage III utilises:
A) Natural uranium in PHWRs
B) Imported enriched uranium
C) Plutonium in Fast Breeders only
D) Thorium-based reactors producing U-233
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Leverages India’s vast thorium reserves in monazite sands of Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Odisha.
