Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-10)

1. On 23 March 2026, which country announced a five-day postponement of strikes on Iran’s power plants and energy infrastructure citing “productive talks”?
A) Israel
B) United States
C) Russia
D) Saudi Arabia
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: U.S. President Donald Trump announced the pause; India is closely monitoring developments (MEA statement, 24 March 2026).

2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of which high-level body on 23-24 March 2026 to review India’s preparedness amid the West Asia conflict?
A) Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS)
B) Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs
C) National Security Advisory Board
D) Empowered Group of Ministers on Energy
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: CCS meeting focused on energy security, petroleum, power, and fertiliser supply amid Strait of Hormuz tensions.

3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, on 23 March 2026, stressed greater cooperation with Russia in which multilateral forums amid the evolving multipolar order and Gulf crisis?
A) QUAD and AUKUS
B) BRICS, SCO, G20 and UN
C) G7 and NATO
D) BIMSTEC and SAARC
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Jaishankar highlighted bilateral and multilateral ties through BRICS, SCO, G20 and UN.

Geopolitics & International Relations (Q1-10)

Q1. On 23 March 2026, which country threatened to “completely close” the Strait of Hormuz if the U.S. targeted its power plants amid the ongoing West Asia conflict?
A) Israel?
B) Iran?
C) Saudi Arabia?
D) Qatar
Correct: B) Iran
Explanation: Iran’s Parliament Speaker and officials issued the warning following Trump’s ultimatum on Hormuz navigation; ~40-90% of India’s fuel imports pass through the strait.

Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a high-level CCS meeting on 23 March 2026 to review risks to which sectors due to West Asia tensions?
A)?Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
B) Defence exports only
C) IT & pharma?
D) Textile & gems
Correct: A) Oil, gas & fertiliser supplies
Explanation: Focus was on ensuring uninterrupted supply, stable logistics and distribution amid Iran-Israel escalation.

Q3. PM Modi became India’s longest-serving head of government on/around 23 March 2026 by surpassing whose record of 8,931 days?
A) Jawaharlal Nehru?
B) Pawan Kumar Chamling?
C) Manmohan Singh?
D) Atal Bihari Vajpayee
Correct: B) Pawan Kumar Chamling
Explanation: BJP leaders praised Modi’s governance milestone.

Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1–11)

Q1. On 21–22 March 2026, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social threatening to “obliterate” Iran’s power plants unless a key maritime chokepoint is fully reopened within 48 hours. Which chokepoint?
A) Bab-el-Mandeb
B) Strait of Hormuz
C) Malacca Strait
D) Suez Canal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Trump specifically demanded Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz (through which ~20% of global oil passes) after Iran closed it in response to US-Israeli strikes. Oil prices surged; India’s energy imports heavily impacted.

Q2. Iran responded to Trump’s threat by vowing retaliation against which categories of infrastructure?
A) Only Israeli military bases
B) Only Chinese BRI projects
C) US & Israel-linked energy, IT & desalination plants
D) NATO headquarters
Correct: C.
Explanation: Tehran explicitly mentioned energy/IT infrastructure and desalination plants in the region.

Q3. Which Indian action on 21 March 2026 was directly linked to the West Asia crisis?
A) Appointment of new ambassador to China
B) PM Modi’s call with Iran President Masoud Pezeshkian, who sought India’s BRICS role to halt hostilities
C) Withdrawal of troops from Maldives
D) Signing of QUAD 3.0
Correct: B.

Geopolitics & World Affairs (Questions 1-11)

Q1. On 21 March 2026, which Iranian nuclear facility was struck by Israeli and U.S. jets, as confirmed by the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran?
A) Fordow
B) Natanz
C) Bushehr
D) Arak
Correct: B.
Explanation: Israeli & U.S. jets targeted Natanz; part of ongoing 2026 Iran war escalation.

Q2. In the Iranian ballistic missile attack on 21 March 2026 in Arad, Israel, how many people were injured (including seven seriously) and what was declared?
A) 45 injured; no declaration
B) 120 injured; state of emergency
C) 88 injured; mass casualty incident
D) 60 injured; curfew imposed
Correct: C.
Explanation: 88 injured, 9 buildings damaged; mass casualty incident declared.

Q3. What specific ultimatum did U.S. President Donald Trump issue to Iran on 21 March 2026 regarding the Strait of Hormuz?
A) 24-hour ceasefire demand
B) 48-hour ultimatum to fully open the Strait or face obliteration of energy infrastructure
C) Immediate sanctions lift
D) Joint naval patrol proposal
Correct: B.
Explanation: Trump warned of obliterating all Iranian power stations if not reopened within 48 hours.

Geopolitics & West Asia Crisis (Questions 1-10)

Q1. Which of the following correctly describes the recent development in the West Asia conflict on 20 March 2026?
A) Israeli strikes targeted Iran’s South Pars gas field while Iranian retaliation hit Qatar’s Ras Laffan LNG hub
B) Iran announced unilateral ceasefire
C) US withdrew all forces from Gulf
D) China mediated direct talks between parties
Correct: A.
Explanation: Reports confirm attacks on South Pars (world’s largest gas field shared with Qatar) and Ras Laffan (provides ~40% of India’s LNG imports and 20% global supply), pushing oil above $114/barrel.

Q2. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic talks on 20 March 2026 with which two leaders regarding de-escalation in West Asia and safe navigation in Strait of Hormuz?
A) Saudi King & UAE President
B) Turkish President & Egyptian President
C) Sultan of Oman & Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim
D) Russian President & Chinese President
Correct: C.
Explanation: Modi emphasised peace, stability and free navigation through Hormuz.

Q3. Due to the ongoing West Asia crisis, India’s FTA negotiations with which blocs/entities faced delay as per Commerce Ministry statement on 20 March 2026?
A) UK and EU only
B) GCC countries and Israel
C) ASEAN and Japan
D) RCEP partners
Correct: B.
Explanation: Conflict disrupted talks; UK FTA may start May 2026, EU by Nov 2026.