Tag: UPSC

Q1. On 9 January 2026, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee led protests against raids by which agency on the premises linked to political consultancy firm I-PAC?
A) Enforcement Directorate (ED)
B) CBI
C) Income Tax Department
D) NIA
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: The ED conducted searches on I-PAC offices and related premises, prompting protests amid allegations of political targeting ahead of elections.

Q2. India rejected comments by which US official regarding the failure of a bilateral trade deal on 9 January 2026?
A) President Donald Trump
B) Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick
C) Secretary of State
D) Treasury Secretary
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The MEA called Lutnick’s claim that PM Modi did not call President Trump “inaccurate,” amid ongoing trade tensions.

Q3. Amid US tariff threats on countries buying Russian oil, India faced potential economic impact estimated at how much additional import bill in early 2026 assessments?
A) $5-7 billion
B) $9-11 billion
C) $15-20 billion
D) $25-30 billion
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Shifting from discounted Russian crude due to sanctions risks could raise India’s oil import costs significantly.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (10 Questions)

Q1. On 8 January 2026, reports emerged that India’s finance ministry plans to scrap restrictions on which country’s firms bidding for government contracts?
A) Russia
B) United States
C) China
D) Pakistan
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The restrictions, imposed five years ago amid border tensions, are being lifted to revive commercial ties with China.

Q2. U.S. President Donald Trump backed a Bill on 8 January 2026 mandating up to 500% tariffs on countries buying which commodity from Russia?
A) Natural Gas
B) Oil
C) Wheat
D) Arms
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This puts pressure on India, a major buyer of discounted Russian oil, amid ongoing energy security concerns.

Q3. Which international event in India will feature European Union leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa as chief guests in January 2026?
A) Vibrant Gujarat Summit
B) G20 Summit
C) Republic Day Celebrations
D) Pravasi Bharatiya Divas
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: They will attend India’s Republic Day on 26 January 2026, highlighting strengthened India-EU ties.

Q1. On January 7, 2026, the US forces seized oil tankers linked to which country as part of efforts to control its oil industry?
A) Iran
B) Russia
C) Venezuela
D) Yemen
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: US forces seized multiple Venezuela-linked tankers, amid escalating operations under the Trump administration.

Q2. Which leader’s capture or related operations were debated in Washington on January 7, 2026?
A) Nicolas Maduro
B) Vladimir Putin
C) Xi Jinping
D) Kim Jong-un
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Debates continued over the US operation involving Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Q3. The Trump administration reiterated interest in acquiring which territory on or around January 7, 2026?
A) Puerto Rico
B) Greenland
C) Alaska
D) Hawaii
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Discussions on acquiring Greenland continued, with military options mentioned as possible.

Geopolitics & World News (Questions 1-9)

Q1. On 6 January 2026, which event marked the fifth anniversary of the US Capitol attack?
A) Inauguration of President Trump
B) January 6, 2021 Capitol riot
C) US midterm elections
D) Impeachment trial of former officials
Answer: B.
Explanation: 6 January 2026 commemorated the fifth anniversary of the 2021 Capitol riot by Trump supporters attempting to overturn the 2020 election results.

Q2. Nicolas Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores appeared in a US court on 6 January 2026 for what charges?
A) Election fraud
B) Corruption in oil deals
C) Human rights violations
D) Drug and weapons charges
Answer: D.
Explanation: They pleaded not guilty to narco-terrorism, drug trafficking, and weapons charges following their capture by US forces.

Q3. President Trump’s administration on 6 January 2026 launched a website blaming whom for the January 6, 2021 events?
A) Democratic lawmakers
B) Foreign interference
C) Capitol Police
D) Media outlets
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The White House site claimed Capitol Police turned a peaceful demonstration into chaos, rewriting the narrative of the 2021 riot.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (11 Questions)

Q1. President Donald Trump threatened higher tariffs on which country regarding its purchases of Russian oil?
A) China
B) India
C) Brazil
D) Germany
Correct Answer: B. India
Explanation: Trump warned India of potential tariff hikes if it does not curb Russian oil imports, escalating trade pressures.

Q2. In the context of the US action in Venezuela on 5 January 2026, which leader congratulated President Trump on the operation?
A) Vladimir Putin
B) Xi Jinping
C) Benjamin Netanyahu
D) Emmanuel Macron
Correct Answer: C. Benjamin Netanyahu
Explanation: Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu praised the US for the “perfect operation” to restore freedom in Venezuela.

Q3. On 5 January 2026, China’s top diplomat accused the US of acting like a “world judge” in response to which event?
A) Sanctions on Iran
B) Capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela
C) Trade deal with India
D) Military aid to Ukraine
Correct Answer: B. Capture of Nicolas Maduro in Venezuela
Explanation: China criticized the US seizure of Maduro, emphasizing sovereignty under international law.

Geopolitics (7 Questions)

Q1. Which country condemned the US actions in Venezuela as an “act of aggression” on January 4, 2026?
A) Brazil
B) Mexico
C) Belarus
D) Colombia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko categorically condemned the US intervention.

Q2. President Donald Trump stated on January 4, 2026, that the US would temporarily run Venezuela to access its resources. What is Venezuela primarily known for having the world’s largest reserves of?
A) Natural gas
B) Oil
C) Gold
D) Lithium
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Venezuela holds the world’s largest proven oil reserves, a key factor in the geopolitical tensions.

Q3. Which international body was scheduled to meet to discuss the US strikes on Venezuela around January 4-5, 2026?
A) NATO
B) G20
C) Organization of American States
D) UN Security Council
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: The UN Security Council planned discussions, with criticism expected from Russia and China.

Geopolitics and World News (10 Questions)

Q1. On January 3, 2026, the United States conducted military operations in Venezuela, resulting in which of the following?
A) Election oversight
B) Capture of President Nicolas Maduro
C) Humanitarian aid delivery
D) Trade negotiations
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: US forces captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife during airstrikes on military installations in Caracas, as announced by President Donald Trump.

Q2. Who became the acting President of Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro on January 3, 2026?
A) Edmundo Gonzalez
B) Cilia Flores
C) Delcy Rodriguez
D) Juan Guaido
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Vice President Delcy Rodriguez assumed the role of acting President after Maduro was flown out of the country.

Q3. Which country reported the death of 32 of its personnel in the US military operations in Venezuela on January 3, 2026?
A) Russia
B) China
C) Iran
D) Cuba
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Cuba stated that 32 Cubans serving in Venezuela were killed during the US strikes.

Geopolitics & World News Involving India (7 Questions)

1. On January 2, 2026, India urged which neighboring country to expedite the release of 167 Indian fishermen and civilian prisoners?
A) Bangladesh
B) Sri Lanka
C) Pakistan
D) Maldives
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The Ministry of External Affairs requested Pakistan to release those who had completed their sentences and provide consular access to others believed to be Indian.

2. A devastating fire and explosion at a bar in which Swiss resort on January 1, 2026, killed at least 46 people?
A) Zermatt
B) Crans-Montana
C) St. Moritz
D) Davos
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The incident in Crans-Montana, suspected to be caused by pyrotechnics during New Year’s celebrations, drew international attention.

3. Reports on January 2, 2026, highlighted that India surpassed which country to become the world’s 4th-largest economy?
A) Germany
B) Japan
C) United Kingdom
D) France
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: This milestone reflects India’s rapid economic growth and shifting global rankings.

Geopolitics and World News Involving India (10 Questions)

1. On January 1, 2026, India and Pakistan exchanged lists of their nuclear installations under which bilateral agreement?
A) Shimla Agreement
B) Lahore Declaration
C) Agreement on the Prohibition of Attack against Nuclear Installations and Facilities
D) Tashkent Agreement
Answer: C.
Explanation: This annual exchange on New Year’s Day is a confidence-building measure under the 1988 agreement, prohibiting attacks on each other’s nuclear facilities.

2. Which country officially adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, becoming the 21st member of the eurozone?
A) Croatia
B) Bulgaria
C) Romania
D) Sweden
Answer: B.
Explanation: Bulgaria replaced the lev with the euro, marking a significant step in its EU integration.

3. Israeli President Isaac Herzog offered assistance to which country following a deadly fire at a ski resort bar on January 1, 2026?
A) France
B) Austria
C) Switzerland
D) Italy
Answer: C.
Explanation: The fire in Crans-Montana, Switzerland, killed at least 46 people, suspected to be caused by pyrotechnics during New Year celebrations.