Current Affairs 9 March, 2026 Quiz
Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)
1. The 11th Raisina Dialogue 2026 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What is its official theme?
A) Karya – Tradition and Modernity
B) Sanskaar – Assertion, Accommodation and Advancement
C) Viksit Bharat 2047
D) Global South Leadership
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Organised by MEA & ORF, the theme focuses on contested frontiers, global commons, climate, technology, and trade disruptions. Over 2,700 participants from 110 countries attended.
2. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a suo moto statement in Parliament on 9 March 2026 regarding the West Asia conflict. Which of the following best reflects India’s stated position?
A) India favours peace, return to dialogue, de-escalation, restraint, and respect for sovereignty
B) India supports military intervention by any party
C) India will evacuate all citizens immediately
D) India will impose sanctions on involved nations
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised civilian safety and priority for the Indian community in the region.
3. Which advanced US missile defence system was deployed in West Asia in March 2026 to counter Iranian ballistic missiles?
A) Patriot
B) THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)
C) Aegis
D) Iron Dome
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: THAAD uses hit-to-kill technology, intercepts at 150-200 km altitude, and integrates with Patriot and Aegis systems.
4. The Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) was used in combat for the first time in March 2026. Which country deployed it and against whom?
A) Israel against Hezbollah
B) Iran against Saudi Arabia
C) USA against Iran
D) Russia against Ukraine
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Developed by Lockheed Martin for the US Army, it replaces ATACMS with 499 km range and launches from HIMARS/MLRS.
5. The Kurdish issue gained renewed international attention amid the March 2026 West Asia crisis. Which statement is correct about the Kurds?
A) They are the world’s largest ethnic group without a sovereign state (30-40 million)
B) They have a sovereign state called Kurdistan
C) They speak a Semitic language
D) They played no role in fighting ISIS
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Spread across Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria; Sunni-majority with tribal structure; key anti-ISIS fighters.
6. Crude oil prices crossed which milestone on 9 March 2026 due to West Asia disruptions?
A) $90 per barrel
B) $100 per barrel
C) $114 per barrel (highest since 2022)
D) $80 per barrel
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Brent and WTI surged sharply, impacting India’s import bill and inflation.
7. An IndiGo Delhi-Manchester flight was forced to return after 14 hours on 9 March 2026. The primary reason was:
A) Technical snag
B) Airspace restrictions and permit issues over the Gulf/Eritrea due to West Asia conflict
C) Pilot illness
D) Passenger protest
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Boeing 787 diverted via Africa but faced ATC confusion.
8. In the context of West Asia, what does the acronym THAAD stand for?
A) Tactical High-Altitude Air Defence
B) Terminal High Altitude Area Defense
C) Theatre High-Altitude Attack Drone
D) Terminal Homeland Air Defence
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Mobile system using kinetic interceptors.
9. Which of the following is NOT a pillar/theme of the 11th Raisina Dialogue 2026?
A) Contested Frontiers
B) Repairing the Commons
C) Trade in Time of Tariffs
D) Nuclear Disarmament
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The five pillars included climate (11th Hour) and technology (Tomorrow Land).
10. Iran threatened to confiscate property of its diaspora who celebrated the death of which leader in March 2026?
A) Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
B) Israeli PM
C) US President
D) Saudi Crown Prince
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Following US-Israeli strikes.
11. The Kurds primarily inhabit which four countries?
A) Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Iraq, Syria
B) Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon
C) Turkey, Iraq, Iran, Syria
D) Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Demand for independent Kurdistan.
12. What was India’s priority in the West Asia crisis as stated by EAM Jaishankar?
A) Military alliance with Israel
B) Wellbeing and security of the Indian community
C) Oil import contracts
D) UNSC permanent seat demand
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Along with de-escalation and dialogue.
Indian Polity – (Questions 13-22)
13. On 9 March 2026, the Opposition moved a resolution in Lok Sabha seeking removal of:
A) Vice-President
B) Chief Justice of India
C) Speaker Om Birla
D) President
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Notice by three Congress MPs; House adjourned amid uproar over West Asia discussion.
14. The INDIA bloc decided to move an impeachment motion against:
A) Speaker Om Birla
B) RBI Governor
C) CAG
D) Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Raised by TMC’s Satabdi Roy at Kharge-led meeting.
15. BJP appointed central observers for Rajya Sabha polls in which three states on 9 March 2026?
A) Bihar, Haryana, Odisha
B) UP, MP, Rajasthan
C) Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
D) Punjab, J&K, Himachal
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Observers: Vijay Sharma & Harsh Malhotra (Bihar), Harsh Sanghvi (Haryana), Chandrashekhar Bawankule (Odisha).
16. The “Blue Book” controversy on 9 March 2026 involved violation of protocol during President Droupadi Murmu’s visit to:
A) Kerala
B) Bagdogra Airport, West Bengal
C) Gujarat
D) Odisha
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and ministers absent; Blue Book mandates CM presence.
17. Which Article of the Constitution deals with the appointment of Governors?
A) 72
B) 148
C) 324
D) 155
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: President appoints on advice of Union Council of Ministers. (Linked to recent appointments/transfers)
18. The second phase of the Budget Session 2026 began on 9 March with chaos over discussion on:
A) Farm laws
B) UCC
C) West Asia conflict
D) Electoral bonds
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Both Houses adjourned multiple times.
19. Impeachment of CEC requires:
A) Simple majority in Lok Sabha
B) Only Rajya Sabha resolution
C) Special majority in both Houses (as per Article 124 procedure for judges, applied analogously)
D) Presidential ordinance
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: INDIA bloc planning motion under constitutional provisions.
20. Rajya Sabha elections 2026 are scheduled from:
A) March to November 2026
B) Only in April
C) December 2026
D) January 2027
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Routine six-year cycle; 72 seats.
21. The Supreme Court on 9 March 2026 impleaded the Unnao rape survivor in a petition filed by:
A) NHRC
B) ED
C) State Police
D) CBI
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Challenging bail to accused former BJP MLA.
22. Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls was challenged in Supreme Court in the context of:
A) Bihar
B) West Bengal
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Maharashtra
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Deletion of names from rolls.
Sports – (Questions 23-25)
23. India won the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 final on 9 March against:
A) Australia
B) England
C) New Zealand
D) Pakistan
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: At Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad; first team to win three titles and back-to-back (2024 & 2026).
24. Who was Player of the Match in the T20 World Cup 2026 final?
A) Sanju Samson
B) Jasprit Bumrah
C) Suryakumar Yadav
D) Rohit Sharma
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Sanju Samson was Player of the Tournament.
25. The 2026 T20 World Cup featured the highest number of teams in history. How many?
A) 16
B) 20
C) 12
D) 10
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Record participation.
Environment, Science & Tech, Education & Other Current Affairs – (Questions 26-30)
26. According to India’s 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity (submitted 9 March 2026), what is India’s current forest and tree cover percentage?
A) 21.71%
B) 25.17% (827,357 sq km)
C) 33%
D) 29.77%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Only 2 of 23 National Biodiversity Targets on track; progress on tiger, lion, rhino; first snow leopard assessment.
27. LaBL 2.0 initiative launched by TERI focuses on:
A) Decentralised renewable energy & solar DRE for rural livelihoods
B) Missile technology
C) Electoral reforms
D) Sports infrastructure
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Lighting a Billion Lives 2.0 – builds on 2008 version.
28. The AI-powered G-SPIDER robot deployed in Thiruvananthapuram is used for:
A) Border surveillance
B) Disaster rescue
C) Agricultural spraying
D) Canal and drain cleaning under Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban 2.0
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Eliminates manual scavenging.
29. As per the March 2026 report on gender disparity in Indian research:
A) Women constitute 43% of STEM graduates but only 18% of R&D workforce
B) Women are 60% in R&D
C) Private sector funds >70% research
D) No age cut-offs in fellowships
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Initiatives like ANRF, Vigyan Jyoti, GATI, KIRAN address the “leaky pipeline”.
30. 2026 has been declared by the UN as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. In India, women constitute what percentage of the rural workforce?
A) 40%
B) 80%
C) 25%
D) 60%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: They perform 70% farm tasks but own only 13.9% land; schemes: DAY-NRLM, Namo Drone Didi, Lakhpati Didi.