Geopolitics & World News (Q1–10)

Q1. On 17 February 2026, who led the US delegation for the second round of indirect nuclear talks with Iranian officials in Geneva?
A) Mike Pompeo and John Bolton
B) Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff
C) Antony Blinken and Jake Sullivan
D) Marco Rubio and Mike Waltz
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: President Trump’s trusted envoys—son-in-law Jared Kushner and real-estate developer Steve Witkoff—held the talks focusing on Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes. Iran’s Foreign Minister termed the discussions as making “good progress”.

Q2. On the same day in Geneva, the US delegation also engaged which two parties for Ukraine peace negotiations?
A) China and North Korea
B) Germany and Poland
C) Russian and Ukrainian leaders
D) Turkey and Qatar
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: After the Iran track, Kushner and Witkoff sat with Russian and Ukrainian delegations in a separate trilateral format to broker a peace deal.

Q3. Who was sworn in as Prime Minister of Bangladesh on 17 February 2026, five days after parliamentary elections?
A) Sheikh Hasina
B) Muhammad Yunus
C) Tarique Rahman
D) Khaleda Zia
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: BNP Chairman Tarique Rahman took oath along with a 49-member council of ministers administered by President Mohammed Shahabuddin in Dhaka.

Indian Polity & Judiciary (1–9)

Q1. On 16 February 2026, the Supreme Court referred a batch of petitions to a Constitution Bench concerning which provision of the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023?
A) Section 8(1)(j) of RTI Act (original)
B) Section 44(3) of DPDP Act (amending RTI)
C) Section 23 of DPDP Act
D) Section 12 of RTI Act
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Section 44(3) imposes a blanket exemption on disclosure of “personal information” under RTI, even in larger public interest, which petitioners argue dismantles the right to know and transparency.

Q2. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on 16 February 2026 cleared the ?92,000 crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project, citing its:
A) Purely economic benefits
B) Complete absence of ecological concerns
C) Strategic importance and adequate safeguards in EC conditions
D) Only tourism potential
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: NGT disposed of challenges, directed strict compliance with 2022 EC conditions (coral reefs, leatherback turtles, ICRZ), and noted a High-Powered Committee had addressed earlier issues.

Q3. Which project did the Union Cabinet/CCEA approve on/around 16 February 2026 as India’s first underwater road-cum-rail tunnel?
A) Under Ganga near Patna
B) 33.7 km twin-tube under Brahmaputra (Gohpur–Numaligarh, Assam)
C) Under Hooghly in Kolkata
D) Under Godavari in Andhra Pradesh
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Cost ? ?18,662 crore; 15.79 km twin-tube section; reduces travel time from ~6 hours to 20 minutes; fully funded by Centre.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)

Q1. According to the Geopolitics Markets Brief on February 15, 2026, what is the probability of US strikes on Iran by June 30?
A) 30%
B) 44%
C) 50%
D) 68%
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The brief highlighted US-Iran tensions with a 44% probability and high trading volume.

Q2. Which Venezuelan leader’s capture influenced leadership markets, boosting Delcy Rodríguez to 68% as per February 15 reports?
A) Hugo Chavez
B) Diosdado Cabello
C) Juan Guaido
D) Nicolas Maduro
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Post-Maduro capture, markets shifted toward Rodríguez amid oil discussions.

Q3. At the Munich Security Conference on February 15, 2026, what dominated US lawmakers’ talks with allies?
A) Climate change
B) Greenland sovereignty
C) Ukraine aid
D) Trade tariffs
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump’s threats to seize Greenland strained US-Europe ties.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-10)

Q1 On February 14, 2026, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the Munich Security Conference. What was the key message he conveyed regarding U.S.-Europe relations?
A) The end of the transatlantic alliance
B) The U.S. and Europe belong together despite tensions
C) Withdrawal from NATO
D) Increased tariffs on European goods
Answer: B. The U.S. and Europe belong together despite tensions
Explanation: Rubio reassured European allies that the Trump administration supports the transatlantic partnership, countering recent frictions like the Greenland dispute.

Q2 Which country deployed a second aircraft carrier to West Asia amid tensions with Iran on February 14, 2026?
A) Russia
B) China
C) United States
D) India
Answer: C. United States
Explanation: President Trump confirmed the deployment as part of potential military action against Iran if diplomatic talks fail.

Q3 What priority issues did Bangladesh’s incoming BNP government highlight regarding India on February 14, 2026?
A) Border killings, Ganga waters treaty, and Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India
B) Trade tariffs
C) Military alliances
D) Nuclear cooperation
Answer: A. Border killings, Ganga waters treaty, and Sheikh Hasina’s presence in India
Explanation: BNP sources emphasized these as key deliverables for improving bilateral relations post-election victory.

Geopolitics (Questions 1-5)

1. At the Munich Security Conference on February 13, 2026, French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to become what?
A) A military superpower
B) A geopolitical power
C) An economic union
D) A cultural hub
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Macron emphasized Europe’s need to assert itself as a geopolitical power, including reassessing its nuclear deterrent against Russia.

2. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, en route to the Munich Security Conference, described the current global situation as entering a what?
A) Time of alliances
B) Period of economic recovery
C) New era in geopolitics
D) Phase of isolationism
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Rubio warned allies of changes due to a “new era in geopolitics,” requiring reassessment of roles.

3. During the Munich Security Conference, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz criticized U.S. President Trump’s approach to what?
A) Transatlantic alliance
B) Climate change
C) Trade tariffs
D) Immigration policy
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Merz appealed for a stronger Europe to confront Russia while working with the U.S., amid Trump’s threats on NATO and Greenland.