Q1. In which year was Paolo Maldini born?
A. 1966
B. 1968
C. 1970
D. 1972
Answer: B. 1968
Q2. What is the name of Paolo Maldini’s father, who was also a famous footballer and captain for AC Milan?
A. Cesare Maldini
B. Franco Baresi
C. Alessandro Costacurta
D. Mauro Tassotti
Answer: A. Cesare Maldini
Q3. At what age did Paolo Maldini join AC Milan’s youth academy?
A. 8
B. 10
C. 12
D. 14
Answer: B. 10
Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-10)
Q1. On 26 February 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his two-day State Visit to Israel. Which of the following was not among the key outcomes announced in the joint press conference with PM Benjamin Netanyahu?
A) Pursuit of a Free Trade Agreement
B) Collaboration on defence technology and AI/cybersecurity
C) Israel allowing 50,000 additional Indian workers in construction & caregiving
D) India’s immediate recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: India reiterated historical support for a two-state solution but did not announce immediate recognition of a sovereign Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as capital. Over a dozen bilateral agreements were signed focusing on trade, defence, AI, and “horizon scanning” technologies.
Q2. During the joint statement on 26 February 2026, both India and Israel:
A) Condemned only the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack and remained silent on Kashmir
B) Lauded US President Trump’s Gaza ceasefire plan and referenced both the 7 Oct 2023 attack and the April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack
C) Announced immediate joint military exercises in the West Bank
D) Agreed to suspend the IMEC corridor project
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The joint statement explicitly referenced the 7 Oct 2023 Hamas attack and the April 2025 Pahalgam civilian attack while welcoming Trump’s Gaza Peace Initiative.
Q3. Where and on what date did the third round of US-Iran nuclear negotiations take place on 26 February 2026?
A) Vienna, 25 Feb
B) Geneva, 26 Feb
C) Muscat, 27 Feb
D) New York, 24 Feb
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The third round occurred in Geneva on 26 February 2026; Oman-mediated talks showed “significant progress” and technical discussions were scheduled for Vienna the following week.
Q1. In which English town and on what exact date was Bobby Charlton born?
A. Manchester, 11 October 1938
B. Ashington, 11 October 1937
C. Leeds, 21 October 1937
D. London, 11 October 1940
Answer: B. Ashington, 11 October 1937
Q2. What was the occupation of Bobby Charlton’s father, and which famous footballer was his older brother?
A. Teacher; George Best
B. Factory worker; Denis Law
C. Coal miner; Jack Charlton
D. Miner; Nobby Stiles
Answer: C. Coal miner; Jack Charlton
Q3. In what year did Bobby Charlton first sign amateur forms with Manchester United after being spotted by a scout?
A. 1951
B. 1953
C. 1956
D. 1958
Answer: B. 1953
Q1. In which French suburb was Thierry Henry born on 17 August 1977?
A. Les Ulis
B. Bondy
C. Marseille
D. Lyon
Answer: A. Les Ulis
Q2. Which club gave Thierry Henry his professional debut in Ligue 1 on 31 August 1994?
A. Olympique Lyonnais
B. Paris Saint-Germain
C. AS Monaco
D. AJ Auxerre
Answer: C. AS Monaco
Q3. For how much was Thierry Henry transferred from Juventus to Arsenal in August 1999?
A. 8 million pounds
B. 11 million pounds
C. 15 million pounds
D. 20 million pounds
Answer: B. 11 million pounds
Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-10)
1. On 25 January 2026, what specific tariff threat did US President Donald Trump issue against Canada?
A) 25% on all imports
B) 100% on goods imported from Canada if it proceeds with a trade deal with China
C) 50% on agricultural products only
D) Complete ban on Canadian oil
Answer: A.
Explanation: Trump posted on social media warning Canada against acting as a “drop-off port” for Chinese goods, threatening 25% tariffs to protect US interests.
2. The US National Defence Strategy (NDS) 2026, highlighted around 25 January 2026, adopts what approach towards China in the Indo-Pacific?
A) Direct military confrontation
B) Deter through strength, not confrontation
C) Complete disengagement
D) Alliance with Russia against China
Answer: B.
Explanation: The Trump administration’s NDS prioritises US dominance in the Western hemisphere and deters China via strength while avoiding direct confrontation — a noted policy shift.
3. What provocative action did Iran take on 25 January 2026 amid rising US naval movements in the region?
A) Launched missile tests
B) Signed a new nuclear deal
C) Unveiled a mural in Enghelab Square warning of retaliation if the US conducts a military strike
D) Closed the Strait of Hormuz
Answer: C.
Explanation: The mural appeared as the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier group moved towards the region.
Q1. On what date and in which city was Sandor Peter Kocsis born?
A. 15 March 1930 in Debrecen, Hungary
B. 21 September 1929 in Budapest, Hungary
C. 10 October 1928 in Barcelona, Spain
D. 5 June 1932 in Vienna, Austria
Answer: B. 21 September 1929 in Budapest, Hungary
Q2. What nickname was Sandor Kocsis given for his extraordinary heading ability and aerial prowess?
A. The Hungarian Cannon
B. The Golden Boot
C. The Man with the Golden Head
D. The Budapest Bomber
Answer: C. The Man with the Golden Head
Q3. In which position did Sandor Kocsis primarily play throughout his career?
A. Central midfielder
B. Goalkeeper
C. Striker
D. Right-back
Answer: C. Striker
Q1. In which year and place was Andres Iniesta born?
A. 11 May 1984, Fuentealbilla, Spain
B. 11 May 1985, Madrid, Spain
C. 11 May 1983, Barcelona, Spain
D. 11 May 1984, Albacete city, Spain
Answer: A. 11 May 1984, Fuentealbilla, Spain
Q2. At what age did Iniesta leave his hometown to join FC Barcelona’s La Masia youth academy?
A. 10
B. 12
C. 14
D. 16
Answer: B. 12
Q3. What was Iniesta’s first competitive appearance for Barcelona’s senior team?
A. 29 October 2002, UEFA Champions League vs Club Brugge
B. 21 December 2002, La Liga vs Mallorca
C. 2004 La Liga opener vs Racing Santander
D. 2005 Copa del Rey vs Gramenet
Answer: A. 29 October 2002, UEFA Champions League vs Club Brugge
Geopolitics (Questions 1-9)
1. On 24 February 2026, which event marked the fourth anniversary of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, prompting a joint statement from the Presidents of the European Council, Commission and Parliament pledging €90 billion support for 2026-27?
A) Start of Minsk Agreement talks
B) Fourth anniversary of the invasion
C) Signing of NATO-Ukraine accession protocol
D) Ceasefire announcement in Donbas
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Russia’s invasion began on 24 February 2022. The EU leaders’ joint statement on 24 Feb 2026 stressed that “borders cannot be changed by force” and reaffirmed transatlantic solidarity with Ukraine.
2. As reported on 24 February 2026, US President Donald Trump was weighing what option against Iran if nuclear talks in Geneva collapsed?
A) Complete diplomatic isolation only
B) Unilateral tariff hike on oil
C) Preliminary limited military strikes
D) Immediate withdrawal from JCPOA remnants
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Amid US naval buildup and envoy-led talks, Trump rejected reports of his top general opposing action and indicated limited strikes were under consideration.
3. The Indian Embassy in which country issued an advisory on 24 February 2026 asking nationals to leave immediately and provided emergency helplines amid rising regional tensions?
A) Israel
B) Syria
C) Lebanon
D) Iran
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Escalating US-Iran tensions and military posturing prompted the advisory for Indian nationals in Iran.
Q1. In which city and on what exact date was Xavi Hernández born?
A. Barcelona, Spain – 25 January 1979
B. Terrassa, Spain – 25 January 1980
C. Madrid, Spain – 25 January 1981
D. Valencia, Spain – 25 January 1978
Answer: B. Terrassa, Spain – 25 January 1980
Q2. At what age did Xavi join FC Barcelona’s famous La Masia youth academy?
A. 8
B. 10
C. 11
D. 16
Answer: C. 11
Q3. On what date and in which competition did Xavi make his first-team debut for Barcelona?
A. 3 October 1998, La Liga vs Valencia
B. 5 May 1998, Copa Catalunya vs Lleida
C. 18 August 1998, Supercopa de España vs Mallorca
D. 16 March 2002, La Liga vs Real Madrid
Answer: B. 5 May 1998, Copa Catalunya vs Lleida
Q1. On what date and in which city was Lev Ivanovich Yashin born?
A. 22 October 1929, Moscow, Soviet Union
B. 15 November 1930, Leningrad, Soviet Union
C. 10 September 1928, Kiev, Soviet Union
D. 5 May 1932, Tbilisi, Soviet Union
Answer: A. 22 October 1929, Moscow, Soviet Union
Q2. Lev Yashin passed away on what date and at what age?
A. 25 February 1989, aged 59
B. 15 April 1991, aged 61
C. 20 March 1990, aged 60
D. 10 December 1992, aged 63
Answer: C. 20 March 1990, aged 60
Q3. Which nickname did Lev Yashin earn during the 1958 World Cup because of his all-black kit and extraordinary reach?
A. The Black Spider
B. The Iron Wall
C. The Flying Dutchman
D. The Eagle of Moscow
Answer: A. The Black Spider