Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1–12)
1. On 8 April 2026, what major development occurred in the US-Iran conflict?
A) Iran launched full-scale attack on US bases
B) US and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire with Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz
C) UNSC imposed fresh sanctions on Iran
D) Israel and Iran signed a permanent peace treaty
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Following Trump’s deadline and threats, Pakistan-brokered talks led to a two-week ceasefire. Iran agreed to reopen the Strait of Hormuz for safe passage under coordination with its armed forces. Relevant for UPSC GS-2 (IR) and security.
2. Who led the US delegation for the first round of US-Iran negotiations scheduled in Islamabad after the ceasefire announcement?
A) Vice President JD Vance, along with Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff
B) Secretary of State Marco Rubio
C) National Security Advisor
D) President Donald Trump personally
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Negotiations were set to begin on Friday in Islamabad, Pakistan. Highlights Pakistan’s mediation role and India’s neighbourhood dynamics.
3. What did US President Donald Trump announce on 8 April 2026 regarding countries supplying weapons to Iran?
A) Immediate military action
B) 50% tariffs on any and all goods from such countries with no exemptions
C) Sanctions relief only for allies
D) Free trade agreement suspension
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Posted on Truth Social; directly linked to ongoing ceasefire and sanctions relief talks. Tests understanding of economic statecraft in IR.
4. Despite the US-Iran ceasefire, which country continued heavy airstrikes on Beirut and southern Lebanon on 8 April 2026?
A) United States
B) Iran
C) Saudi Arabia
D) Israel
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Israel maintained that the ceasefire excluded Lebanon; Iran called it a violation. Key for GS-2 Middle East geopolitics.
5. After the ceasefire announcement, which action by Iran regarding the Strait of Hormuz was confirmed?
A) Safe passage allowed via coordination with Iranian armed forces and designated routes
B) Permanent closure
C) Toll-free passage for all tankers
D) Only Chinese and Russian ships allowed
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s statement; critical for global energy security and India’s oil imports.
6. How did the US-Iran ceasefire immediately impact global oil prices on 8 April 2026?
A) Prices surged above $150/barrel
B) Prices remained stable at $120/barrel
C) No change observed
D) Prices plunged more than 16%, falling below $100/barrel
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Relief from Hormuz crisis; Morgan Stanley also cut India’s FY27 GDP forecast citing West Asia risks.
7. Which country’s intervention was publicly credited by both US and Iran for brokering the ceasefire?
A) China
B) Pakistan
C) Turkey
D) Qatar
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Significant for India’s foreign policy analysis vis-à-vis Pakistan’s growing diplomatic visibility.
8. On 8 April 2026, Iran launched retaliatory strikes on which Gulf countries following alleged attacks on its islands?
A) Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE
B) Only Israel
C) Only Oman
D) No strikes were reported
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Even after ceasefire announcement, highlighting fragility of the truce (GS-2 current affairs).
9. What was the stated Indian foreign policy angle discussed in media on 8 April 2026 regarding the US-Iran deal?
A) India was the chief mediator
B) Pakistan gained diplomatic visibility while India stayed out of direct mediation
C) India imposed sanctions on Iran
D) India joined the US military coalition
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Reflects debate on India’s strategic autonomy and neighbourhood policy.
10. Which infrastructure linking Saudi Arabia and Bahrain was affected due to regional tensions around 8 April 2026?
A) King Fahd Causeway
B) Suez Canal
C) Strait of Malacca
D) Bab el-Mandeb
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Part of broader West Asian crisis impact.
11. What warning did Iran issue immediately after accepting the ceasefire?
A) Withdrawal from NPT
B) Complete disarmament
C) “Hands remain on the trigger”
D) Alliance with NATO
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Supreme National Security Council statement underscoring fragile peace.
12. Morgan Stanley’s 8 April 2026 GDP forecast cut for India’s FY27 was primarily attributed to:
A) Domestic election uncertainty
B) Geopolitical risks in West Asia and rising energy costs
C) Monsoon failure
D) Rupee appreciation
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Baseline crude at $95/barrel; stress scenario $150/barrel would further reduce growth.
Indian Polity & Governance (Questions 13–20)
13. On 8 April 2026, the meeting between TMC delegation and Election Commission ended acrimoniously because:
A) CEC Gyanesh Kumar allegedly asked them to “get lost”
B) ECI agreed to all TMC demands
C) No meeting took place
D) Only junior officials attended
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: TMC raised concerns over poll officials’ links with BJP; ECI countered that delegation was “shouting”. Key for GS-2 electoral reforms.
14. During the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in West Bengal (reported 8 April 2026), approximately how many names were deleted?
A) 10 lakh
B) 91 lakh
C) 2 crore
D) No deletions reported
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Mainly in Murshidabad, North 24 Parganas, Malda; appeals possible but ineligible for immediate polls. Highlights voter list accuracy issues.
15. A 9-judge Constitution Bench of the Supreme Court on/around 8 April 2026 began reviewing which landmark 2018 judgment?
A) Sabarimala women entry verdict
B) Article 370 abrogation
C) Triple Talaq
D) Aadhaar validity
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Balancing religious freedom vs. fundamental rights (GS-2 Polity & Judiciary).
16. Which state government on 8 April 2026 declared cancer a “notifiable disease” to strengthen surveillance?
A) Karnataka
B) Tamil Nadu
C) Telangana
D) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Mandatory reporting by all hospitals/labs within one month; linked to National Cancer Registry.
17. What is the significance of the first-ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) launched by NSO (reported 8 April 2026)?
A) Covers only manufacturing
B) Uses GSTN data for services sector (IT, healthcare, hospitality) which contributes >50% of GDP
C) Focuses only on MSMEs
D) Replaces Economic Census
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: First official database for policymaking in services sector (GS-3 Economy).
18. Stage One Forest Clearance under Forest Conservation Act, 1980 was granted on 8 April 2026 for diversion of forest land for which project?
A) Sri Jagannath International Airport, Puri, Odisha (27 ha)
B) Bullet train
C) Delhi-Mumbai Expressway
D) No clearances granted
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Requires compensatory afforestation and NPV payment to CAMPA (Environment vs. Infrastructure).
19. The Kozhikode-Wayanad Twin-Tube Tunnel project (8.73 km) faces criticism for passing through which ecologically sensitive region?
A) Andaman Islands
B) Sundarbans
C) Western Ghats near Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve
D) Thar Desert
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Kerala HC allowed progress with safeguards; SC declined stay (sustainable development debate).
20. Which senior Supreme Court advocate and key figure in the 2018 Section 377 verdict took oath as India’s first openly queer Rajya Sabha MP (reported around 8 April 2026)?
A) Mukul Rohatgi
B) Fali Nariman
C) Harish Salve
D) Menaka Guruswamy
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Landmark for representation and diversity in Parliament.
Science, Technology, Environment & Miscellaneous (Questions 21–25)
21. On 8 April 2026, India’s first indigenously developed 500 MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor (PFBR) attained criticality at:
A) Kalpakkam
B) Tarapur
C) Kakrapar
D) Rawatbhata
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Marks start of Stage-2 of India’s Three-Stage Nuclear Programme (U-238 to Pu-239); second country after Russia.
22. Gaganyaan astronauts (Gaganyatris) began high-altitude training under “Mission Mitra” at which location on/around 8 April 2026?
A) Hyderabad
B) ISRO Bengaluru
C) Leh-Ladakh (3,500 m) for hypoxia and extreme conditions
D) Sriharikota
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Collaboration between ISRO, IAF Institute of Aerospace Medicine and private firm; critical for human spaceflight preparedness.
23. Which achievement by 28-year-old Divya Singh from Gorakhpur was highlighted on 8 April 2026?
A) Space mission
B) First woman Everest summiteer
C) Gold in Olympics
D) First Indian woman to reach Everest Base Camp on a bicycle
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: 14-day expedition from Kathmandu carrying bicycle in difficult terrain.
24. Payal Nag, a quadruple amputee archer from Odisha, achieved what historic feat (reported 8 April 2026)?
A) First in the world to win an international Para Archery gold (World Series Final, Bangkok)
B) Won Olympic gold
C) Became first Indian in wheelchair basketball
D) No achievement reported
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Defeated Sheetal Devi using custom prosthetic; trained at SMVDSB Archery Academy.
25. The Indian U-20 Women’s football team on 8 April 2026 defeated which team 3-1 in the AFC U-20 Women’s Asian Cup?
A) Chinese Taipei (Group C)
B) Japan
C) Australia
D) South Korea
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Goals by Bhumika Devi Khumukcham and Sibani Devi Nongmeikapam (2).
Sports & Other Current Affairs (Questions 26–30)
26. India’s U-14 boys team was grouped with which top seed in the Asia-Oceania World Junior Tennis Championship (reported 8 April 2026)?
A) China
B) Japan
C) Korea
D) Australia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Also with Australia and Pakistan; event in Kuching, Malaysia.
27. Which bank’s licence was cancelled by RBI effective 6 April 2026 (reported 8 April)?
A) Shirpur Merchants’ Co-operative Bank
B) SBI
C) HDFC
D) Yes Bank
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Depositors covered up to ?5 lakh by DICGC.
28. The Ministry of Ayush organised Yoga Mahotsav–2026 in Lonar, Maharashtra on 7 April 2026 as countdown to:
A) World Health Day
B) Republic Day
C) Independence Day
D) 12th International Day of Yoga
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Largest Trikonasana gathering entered Asia Book of Records; focus on geriatric health and NCDs.
29. ICAR constituted a Special Task Force on 8 April 2026 primarily to address:
A) Export bans
B) Only dairy farming
C) Agricultural resilience amid global geopolitical shifts and food security
D) Pesticide regulation
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Includes Mera Gaon Mera Gaurav intensification and soil health campaigns.
30. The Supreme Court on/around 8 April 2026 is reviewing the 2018 Sabarimala verdict in the context of:
A) Religious freedom vs. fundamental rights of women
B) Only temple management
C) Economic rights
D) Criminal procedure
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: 9-judge bench hearing; landmark constitutional issue for GS-2.
