Geopolitics & World News Impacting India (Questions 1-12)
Q1. Who was named Iran’s new Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
(A) Ali Larijani
(B) Mojtaba Khamenei
(C) Ebrahim Raisi
(D) Hassan Rouhani
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Assembly of Experts (clerical body) selected 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader killed in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes, to succeed his father amid the ongoing West Asia war.
Q2. On 8 March 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on how many oil facilities in and near Tehran?
(A) Three
(B) Four
(C) Five
(D) Ten
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The strikes destroyed fuel dumps, triggered massive fires choking Tehran in smoke and killed four people (including truck drivers).
Q3. Which Indian-flagged ships and cargo volume are primarily stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the Iran conflict (as per 8 March 2026 reports)?
(A) 5% of tankers; 2 million barrels
(B) 20% of tankers; 10 million barrels
(C) 10% of tankers; over 6 million barrels (SCI ships)
(D) None – all cleared
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Government sources confirmed ~10% Indian-flagged vessels and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) ships carrying nearly 6 million barrels are affected; thousands of Indian seafarers onboard.
Q4. India is considering deploying Navy ships to escort vessels in the Persian Gulf. When is the decision expected (8 March 2026)?
(A) Immediately
(B) Within two days
(C) After one week
(D) Only if Hormuz is closed
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: A senior official stated the decision would be taken in two days; Navy has prior experience under Operation Sankalp.
Q5. What percentage of India’s current crude oil imports avoids the Strait of Hormuz amid the 2026 Iran crisis?
(A) 30%
(B) 50%
(C) 70%
(D) 90%
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Alternative supplies arranged; no rise in retail fuel prices reported.
Q6. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian made what promise regarding neighbours on 8 March 2026?
(A) To attack Gulf states
(B) To seek Chinese mediation
(C) To close the Strait of Hormuz
(D) Not to attack neighbours in the Persian Gulf
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The assurance may help stranded ships move across the Strait of Hormuz.
Q7. The Israeli military warned it would pursue every person seeking to appoint a successor to which late Iranian leader?
(A) President Pezeshkian
(B) Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
(C) Foreign Minister
(D) IRGC Chief
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Warning issued to the clerical Assembly of Experts on 8 March 2026.
Q8. Which country released 22 rescued Iranian sailors on 8 March 2026 from a hospital in Galle?
(A) India
(B) Saudi Arabia
(C) UAE
(D) Sri Lanka
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Sailors from sunk Iranian warship IRIS Dena (hit by U.S. submarine on 4 March).
Q9. How many confirmed U.S. service member deaths from Iranian attacks were reported by 8 March 2026?
(A) Three
(B) Five
(C) Seven
(D) Ten
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Seventh death confirmed from earlier Saudi Arabia base attack; CENTCOM statement.
Q10. Iran carried out strikes on which Gulf states on 8 March 2026 (desalination plants/airports damaged)?
(A) Only UAE
(B) Bahrain & Saudi Arabia
(C) Qatar & Oman
(D) None
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Airstrikes/drones hit infrastructure; civilian casualties reported.
Q11. What is the current global risk ranking of “geoeconomic confrontation” (trade/sanctions as weapons) as per recent WEF context tied to 2026 Iran crisis?
(A) Top threat
(B) Fifth
(C) Tenth
(D) Not ranked
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: WEF survey highlighted it as the most pressing global stability risk amid Iran oil disruptions.
Q12. Which Indian ministry issued SOPs for ports to handle Persian Gulf cargo disruptions on 8 March 2026?
(A) Ministry of External Affairs
(B) Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
(C) Ministry of Petroleum
(D) NITI Aayog
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: SOPs include ad-hoc berthing and priority for perishables.
Indian Polity & Governance (Q13-22)
Q13. On 8 March 2026, PM Narendra Modi inaugurated two new corridors of which metro system?
(A) Mumbai Metro
(B) Hyderabad Metro
(C) Bengaluru Metro
(D) Delhi Metro
Correct Answer: D. Delhi Metro
Explanation: Also laid foundation stones for three more lines; projects worth ?33,500 crore including GPRA redevelopment (?15,200 crore).
Q14. PM Modi vowed to defeat the “arrogant politics” of which party after alleged “insult” to President Droupadi Murmu?
(A) Congress
(B) DMK
(C) Trinamool Congress (TMC)
(D) AAP
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Row over protocol lapses during President’s West Bengal visit.
Q15. The Centre sought a report from which state’s Chief Secretary on 8 March 2026 for Blue Book protocol violations during President Murmu’s visit?
(A) West Bengal
(B) Maharashtra
(C) Tamil Nadu
(D) Kerala
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan’s letter on venue/route lapses.
Q16. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is scheduled to brief Parliament on the West Asia situation on which date (following 8 March 2026 reports)?
(A) 8 March
(B) 10 March
(C) 9 March
(D) 15 March
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Statement in Lok Sabha amid Opposition criticism.
Q17. The Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) on ‘One Nation, One Election’ is set to meet on which date?
(A) 8 March
(B) 9 March
(C) 15 March
(D) April
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: At Parliament House Annexe; examines related Constitution Amendment Bills.
Q18. The second phase of the 2026 Budget Session of Parliament begins on which date?
(A) 7 March
(B) 8 March
(C) 9 March
(D) 15 March
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Opposition to move resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla.
Q19. Who resigned as West Bengal Governor on 8 March 2026?
(A) C.V. Ananda Bose
(B) Jagdeep Dhankhar
(C) Arif Mohammed Khan
(D) Ramesh Bais
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Called it a “conscious decision”; will return to vote in Bengal.
Q20. Whose son officially joined JD(U) on 8 March 2026 at Patna headquarters?
(A) Nitish Kumar’s son Nishant Kumar
(B) Lalu Prasad Yadav’s son
(C) Mamata Banerjee’s nephew
(D) Sharad Pawar’s grandson
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: 50-year-old Nishant Kumar joined; quoted intent to continue developmental works.
Q21. Which resolution is likely to dominate the first week of Parliament’s second Budget session (post 8 March)?
(A) No-confidence motion
(B) Opposition resolution seeking removal of Speaker Om Birla
(C) Farm loan waiver
(D) CAA repeal
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Alongside West Asia and price rise debates.
Q22. Mamata Banerjee’s sit-in protest (third day on 8 March 2026) was against deletions in which list?
(A) Post-SIR voter list
(B) Aadhaar list
(C) Ration card list
(D) PAN list
Correct Answer: A. Post-SIR voter list
Explanation: Alleged arbitrary deletions ahead of West Bengal Assembly polls.
Sports & Other Current Affairs (Q23-29)
Q23. India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on 8 March 2026 against which team and by how many runs?
(A) Australia by 50 runs
(B) New Zealand by 96 runs
(C) England by 20 runs
(D) Pakistan by 7 wickets
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: India 255/5 beat New Zealand 159 All Out at Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad. Record third title and first successful defence on home soil; highest score in a T20 WC final.
Q24. Who was the Player of the Match or standout performer with 89 runs in the T20 WC 2026 final?
(A) Suryakumar Yadav
(B) Jasprit Bumrah
(C) Sanju Samson
(D) Rohit Sharma
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Opened with explosive 89 off 46 balls.
Q25. Lakshya Sen lost the All England Open 2026 men’s singles final to which player?
(A) Viktor Axelsen
(B) Kunlavut Vitidsarn
(C) Lee Zii Jia
(D) Lin Chun-Yi
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Score: 15-21, 20-22; Lakshya’s second All England final loss (after 2022); Lin became first from Chinese Taipei to win the title.
Q26. India defeated which team in the Hockey World Cup qualifiers on 8 March 2026?
(A) Australia
(B) Uruguay
(C) Germany
(D) Pakistan
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Crucial win in qualifiers; Salima Tete’s side eyeing 2026 World Cup spot.
Q27. NEET UG 2026 registration process ended on which date at 9 PM?
(A) 3 March
(B) 6 March
(C) 8 March
(D) 15 March
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Last day for applications via neet.nta.nic.in.
Q28. Which 35-year-old rapper-turned-politician’s party swept Nepal’s general election results declared on 8 March 2026?
(A) K.P. Sharma Oli
(B) Sher Bahadur Deuba
(C) Pushpa Kamal Dahal
(D) Balendra Shah
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Defeated four-time PM Oli by ~50,000 votes; RSP set to form government.
Q29. Total value of projects (Metro + GPRA) inaugurated/foundation laid by PM Modi on 8 March 2026 in Delhi?
(A) ?10,000 crore
(B) ?33,500 crore
(C) ?50,000 crore
(D) ?15,200 crore only
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Includes ?15,200 crore GPRA redevelopment; enhances urban connectivity.
