Q1. What was Ellsworth Vines’ full name?
A. Henry Edward Vines Jr.
B. Henry Ellsworth Vines Jr.
C. Ellsworth Henry Vines Sr.
D. William Ellsworth Vines Jr.
Answer: B. Henry Ellsworth Vines Jr.
Q2. In which year was Ellsworth Vines born?
A. 1911
B. 1913
C. 1914
D. 1905
Answer: A. 1911
Q3. Where was Ellsworth Vines born?
A. New York, New York
B. Los Angeles, California
C. Pasadena, Texas
D. Chicago, Illinois
Answer: B. Los Angeles, California
Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1–12)
Q1. On 19 March 2026, Iranian Shahed drones struck two oil refineries in which country, causing large fires according to the Kuwait National Petroleum Company?
A) Saudi Arabia?
B) Kuwait?
C) Qatar?
D) UAE
Answer: B.
Explanation: Direct strike on Kuwait refineries escalated the 2026 Iran war and spiked global Brent crude prices beyond $119/barrel.
Q2. Which of the following occurred in Iranian airspace on 19 March 2026 during the ongoing conflict?
A) Israeli F-35 shot down?
B) U.S. Air Force F-35 hit by surface-to-air missile & emergency landing?
C) Chinese drone downed?
D) Russian Su-57 crashed
Answer: B.
Explanation: U.S. CENTCOM confirmed the incident; pilot safe at regional base.
Q3. U.S. forces destroyed a surface-to-surface missile assembly factory belonging to IRGC on 19 March 2026 in which Iranian city?
A) Tehran?
B) Karaj?
C) Isfahan?
D) Shiraz
Answer: A.
Explanation: Targeted strike reported by U.S. Central Command.
Q1. What is Don Budge best known for in tennis history?
A. Winning the most Wimbledon titles
B. Being the first player to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam
C. Inventing the two-handed backhand
D. Winning the Davis Cup as captain
Answer: B. Being the first player to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam
Q2. In which year did Don Budge achieve the calendar-year Grand Slam?
A. 1936
B. 1937
C. 1938
D. 1939
Answer: C. 1938
Q3. Which of the following tournaments did Don Budge NOT win in 1938 to complete his Grand Slam?
A. Australian Championships
B. French Championships
C. Wimbledon
D. Italian Open
Answer: D. Italian Open
Q1. What is Jim Courier’s full birth name?
A. James Patrick Courier
B. James Spencer Courier
C. Jim Steven Courier
D. James Michael Courier
Answer: B. James Spencer Courier
Q2. On what date was Jim Courier born?
A. August 17, 1970
B. July 4, 1969
C. September 12, 1971
D. June 15, 1968
Answer: A. August 17, 1970
Q3. In which U.S. state was Jim Courier born?
A. California
B. Florida
C. New York
D. Texas
Answer: B. Florida
Geopolitics & World News (IR) – (Questions 1-9)
Q1. In the ongoing 2026 Iran war, which Iranian official was assassinated by Israel in a Tehran airstrike on/around 18 March 2026?
A) Ali Larijani
B) Esmaeil Khatib (Intelligence Minister)
C) President of Iran
D) Foreign Minister
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israel targeted Iranian intelligence leadership amid escalations; part of broader strikes on energy sites like South Pars. Key for GS2 IR – proxy conflicts & energy security.
Q2. Iran launched a missile attack on which facility in Qatar causing extensive damage to the world’s largest LNG export site?
A) South Pars
B) Ras Laffan Industrial City
C) Ras Tanura
D) Strait of Hormuz terminal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Led to Qatar declaring Iranian officials persona non grata. Highlights force majeure invocations by Gulf nations & global oil/LNG shocks affecting India’s LPG imports.
Q3. India’s LPG consumption slumped by what percentage in early March 2026 due to West Asia war disruptions?
A) 5%
B) 26%
C) 17.7%
D) 40%
Correct: C.
Explanation: Fell to 1.147 MT; direct impact of Hormuz tensions & force majeure. Relevant for GS3 Economy & Environment (energy security).
Q1. What is John Newcombe’s full name?
A. John David Newcombe
B. John Michael Newcomb
C. James David Newcombe
D. John Anthony Newcombe
Answer: A. John David Newcombe
Q2. In what year was John Newcombe born?
A. 1942
B. 1944
C. 1946
D. 1948
Answer: B. 1944
Q3. Where was John Newcombe born?
A. Melbourne, Australia
B. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
C. Brisbane, Australia
D. Perth, Australia
Answer: B. Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Q1. What was Jack Kramer’s full name?
A. John Albert Kramer
B. Jack Albert Kramer
C. James Andrew Kramer
D. Joseph Arthur Kramer
Answer: A. John Albert Kramer
Q2. On what date was Jack Kramer born?
A. July 15, 1920
B. August 1, 1921
C. September 12, 1922
D. June 10, 1919
Answer: B. August 1, 1921
Q3. In which city was Jack Kramer born?
A. Las Vegas, Nevada
B. Los Angeles, California
C. New York, New York
D. Chicago, Illinois
Answer: A. Las Vegas, Nevada
Geopolitics & World News-India: (Questions 1-10)
1. The Indian Navy on 17 March 2026 deployed warships to escort Indian-flagged merchant vessels through which vulnerable waterway following tensions in West Asia?
A) Strait of Malacca
B) Gulf of Oman (after crossing Strait of Hormuz)
C) Bab el-Mandeb Strait
D) Suez Canal
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Warships escorted vessels including INS Shivalik, Nanda Devi and Jag Laadki to ensure safe transit amid US-Iran-Israel conflict spillover. This demonstrates India’s proactive maritime security role under Operation Sankalp-like frameworks.
2. Which statement accurately reflects India’s position on the ongoing West Asia conflict as conveyed by Israel’s Ambassador to India on 17 March 2026?
A) India supports perpetual military action against Iran
B) India has mediated a ceasefire
C) Israel does not seek perpetual war with Iran and keeps diplomatic options open
D) Pakistan is backing Iran militarily
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Ambassador Reuven Azar clarified Israel’s stance post the February 2026 strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, highlighting diplomacy if Iran changes course.
3. On 17 March 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged the U.S. to address which specific issue while criticising a US Commission report?
A) Attacks on Indian diplomatic missions
B) Extradition of fugitives
C) Trade tariff disputes
D) Vandalism against Hindu temples in the U.S.
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted distortions in the US Commission on International Religious Freedom report and called for focus on temple attacks in the US.
Q1. What is Jannik Sinner’s date of birth?
A. July 15, 2000
B. August 16, 2001
C. September 20, 2002
D. October 5, 1999
Answer: B. August 16, 2001
Q2. In which Italian region was Jannik Sinner born?
A. Sicily
B. Tuscany
C. South Tyrol
D. Lazio
Answer: C. South Tyrol
Q3. What is Jannik Sinner’s height?
A. 6 ft 0 in (183 cm)
B. 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
C. 6 ft 1 in (185 cm)
D. 6 ft 5 in (196 cm)
Answer: B. 6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Q1. Where was Carlos Alcaraz born?
A. Madrid, Spain
B. Barcelona, Spain
C. El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
D. Valencia, Spain
Answer: C. El Palmar, Murcia, Spain
Q2. On what date was Carlos Alcaraz born?
A. May 5, 2003
B. June 15, 2002
C. April 20, 2004
D. July 10, 2001
Answer: A. May 5, 2003
Q3. At what age did Carlos Alcaraz start playing tennis?
A. 6 years old
B. 4 years old
C. 8 years old
D. 3 years old
Answer: B. 4 years old