Geopolitics & International Relations (Questions 1- 12)

Q1. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar stated in Parliament on 10 March 2026 that India will continue:
A) Military support to Israel
B) Conversations with Iran
C) Complete trade embargo with Iran
D) Evacuation of all Indian nationals from Gulf
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised continued diplomatic engagement with Iran while prioritising safety of Indian diaspora in West Asia amid the ongoing Israel-Iran-US conflict.

Q2. Which new leader was elected as Iran’s Supreme Leader on 10 March 2026 following the reported death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
A) Mojtaba Khamenei
B) Hassan Rouhani
C) Ebrahim Raisi
D) Ali Larijani
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Mojtaba Khamenei (son of late Khamenei) became the third Supreme Leader – the first hereditary succession in the Islamic Republic.

Q3. U.S. President Donald Trump on 10 March 2026 said the Israel-Iran war would end:
A) Within 48 hours
B) Never
C) Only after complete regime change
D) Pretty quickly / very soon
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Trump repeatedly signalled the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign had achieved its main objectives and the conflict could conclude soon, leading to oil price correction.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

1. The 11th Raisina Dialogue 2026 was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. What is its official theme?
A) Karya – Tradition and Modernity
B) Sanskaar – Assertion, Accommodation and Advancement
C) Viksit Bharat 2047
D) Global South Leadership
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Organised by MEA & ORF, the theme focuses on contested frontiers, global commons, climate, technology, and trade disruptions. Over 2,700 participants from 110 countries attended. 

2. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar made a suo moto statement in Parliament on 9 March 2026 regarding the West Asia conflict. Which of the following best reflects India’s stated position?
A) India favours peace, return to dialogue, de-escalation, restraint, and respect for sovereignty
B) India supports military intervention by any party
C) India will evacuate all citizens immediately
D) India will impose sanctions on involved nations
Correct Answer: A.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised civilian safety and priority for the Indian community in the region. 

3. Which advanced US missile defence system was deployed in West Asia in March 2026 to counter Iranian ballistic missiles?
A) Patriot
B) THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense)
C) Aegis
D) Iron Dome
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: THAAD uses hit-to-kill technology, intercepts at 150-200 km altitude, and integrates with Patriot and Aegis systems. 

Geopolitics & World News Impacting India (Questions 1-12)

Q1. Who was named Iran’s new Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei?
(A) Ali Larijani
(B) Mojtaba Khamenei
(C) Ebrahim Raisi
(D) Hassan Rouhani
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: The Assembly of Experts (clerical body) selected 56-year-old Mojtaba Khamenei, son of the late Supreme Leader killed in earlier U.S.-Israeli strikes, to succeed his father amid the ongoing West Asia war.

Q2. On 8 March 2026, U.S. and Israeli forces conducted strikes on how many oil facilities in and near Tehran?
(A) Three
(B) Four
(C) Five
(D) Ten
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: The strikes destroyed fuel dumps, triggered massive fires choking Tehran in smoke and killed four people (including truck drivers).

Q3. Which Indian-flagged ships and cargo volume are primarily stranded in the Persian Gulf due to the Iran conflict (as per 8 March 2026 reports)?
(A) 5% of tankers; 2 million barrels
(B) 20% of tankers; 10 million barrels
(C) 10% of tankers; over 6 million barrels (SCI ships)
(D) None – all cleared
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: Government sources confirmed ~10% Indian-flagged vessels and Shipping Corporation of India (SCI) ships carrying nearly 6 million barrels are affected; thousands of Indian seafarers onboard.

Geopolitics & World News – (Questions 1-12)

Q1. On 7 March 2026, US President Donald Trump posted on Truth Social: “Today Iran will be hit very hard!” He described Iran as:
A) The rising power of West Asia
B) The loser of the Middle East that had surrendered to its neighbours
C) A strategic partner against terrorism
D) The victim of Israeli aggression
Correct Answer: B.
Explanation: Trump’s exact words called Iran the “loser of the Middle East” amid ongoing US-Israel airstrikes on Tehran.

Q2. The Iranian warship IRIS Dena was sunk by a US submarine on 4 March 2026 off Sri Lanka’s coast. How many Iranian personnel were killed?
A) 32
B) 50
C) 83
D) 120
Correct Answer: C.
Explanation: 83 killed; 32 sailors rescued. The incident occurred while the ship was returning from Visakhapatnam International Fleet Review.

Q3. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, speaking at the Raisina Dialogue on 7 March 2026, defended the docking of an Iranian warship in Kochi as:
A) A strategic military alliance
B) A routine port call
C) Compliance with US sanctions
D) A humanitarian gesture
Correct Answer: D.
Explanation: Jaishankar emphasised India’s approach “from a point of humanity” despite US criticism following the IRIS Dena sinking.