Q.1 Which country recently joined BRICS as a full member in 2025?
Saudi Arabia
Iran
Argentina
Egypt
Explanation - Saudi Arabia officially joined BRICS in 2025 as part of the group's expansion to include emerging economies.
Correct answer is: Saudi Arabia
Q.2 The 'AUKUS' security pact primarily aims to counter the influence of which country?
Russia
China
North Korea
Iran
Explanation - AUKUS is a trilateral pact between Australia, the UK, and the US aimed at countering China's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
Correct answer is: China
Q.3 Which strait is considered a critical chokepoint for global oil transportation?
Strait of Gibraltar
Malacca Strait
Hormuz Strait
Sunda Strait
Explanation - The Strait of Hormuz is a vital route through which a significant percentage of the world's oil supply passes, making it geopolitically crucial.
Correct answer is: Hormuz Strait
Q.4 The 'Abraham Accords' signed in 2020 aimed to normalize relations between Israel and which countries?
UAE and Bahrain
Saudi Arabia and Qatar
Iran and Iraq
Egypt and Jordan
Explanation - The Abraham Accords were signed between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain to establish diplomatic relations and cooperation.
Correct answer is: UAE and Bahrain
Q.5 Which country hosted the 2025 G20 summit?
Brazil
India
Italy
Japan
Explanation - Brazil hosted the G20 summit in 2025, emphasizing global economic cooperation and sustainability.
Correct answer is: Brazil
Q.6 The 'Quad' grouping includes India, USA, Japan, and which other country?
Australia
UK
South Korea
France
Explanation - The Quad is a strategic security dialogue between India, USA, Japan, and Australia, focusing on the Indo-Pacific region.
Correct answer is: Australia
Q.7 Which African country recently faced a military coup in 2024 leading to regional instability?
Nigeria
Sudan
Niger
Mali
Explanation - Niger experienced a military coup in 2024, which led to international condemnation and regional instability in West Africa.
Correct answer is: Niger
Q.8 Which country recently mediated peace talks between Russia and Ukraine?
India
Turkey
China
Germany
Explanation - China has been actively involved in mediating peace talks between Russia and Ukraine to de-escalate tensions.
Correct answer is: China
Q.9 The 'Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF)' was launched to counter the influence of which country?
Japan
China
Russia
Iran
Explanation - The IPEF aims to promote economic cooperation among countries in the Indo-Pacific and counter China's economic dominance.
Correct answer is: China
Q.10 Which country is not a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council?
France
Germany
Russia
China
Explanation - Germany is a non-permanent member of the UNSC and does not hold a permanent seat like France, Russia, or China.
Correct answer is: Germany
Q.11 Which country withdrew from the 'Paris Climate Agreement' in 2017 and rejoined later?
India
USA
Brazil
Russia
Explanation - The USA withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement under President Trump in 2017 and rejoined under President Biden in 2021.
Correct answer is: USA
Q.12 The 'South China Sea dispute' primarily involves which country's territorial claims?
Japan
Philippines
China
Vietnam
Explanation - China claims most of the South China Sea, which is disputed by several neighboring countries.
Correct answer is: China
Q.13 Which country is leading the 'Belt and Road Initiative'?
India
Japan
China
Russia
Explanation - China's Belt and Road Initiative aims to build infrastructure and increase connectivity across Asia, Europe, and Africa.
Correct answer is: China
Q.14 Which country recently left the European Union, a process commonly referred to as 'Brexit'?
France
Italy
United Kingdom
Germany
Explanation - The UK officially left the European Union on January 31, 2020, in an event known as Brexit.
Correct answer is: United Kingdom
Q.15 The 'IMEC' (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) project is seen as a counter to which Chinese initiative?
Silk Road Project
Belt and Road Initiative
AIIB
RCEP
Explanation - IMEC aims to provide an alternative trade route to counter China's Belt and Road Initiative.
Correct answer is: Belt and Road Initiative
Q.16 Which country hosted the first India-Central Asia summit virtually?
Kazakhstan
India
Uzbekistan
Russia
Explanation - India hosted the first India-Central Asia summit virtually to strengthen regional cooperation and security ties.
Correct answer is: India
Q.17 Which country recently recognized Palestine as a state, boosting its diplomatic relations?
France
Spain
Norway
Germany
Explanation - Norway recently recognized Palestine as a state, emphasizing its support for a two-state solution.
Correct answer is: Norway
Q.18 The 'Red Sea crisis' in 2024 was caused by attacks on ships by which group?
ISIS
Houthis
Taliban
Al-Shabaab
Explanation - The Houthis attacked several ships in the Red Sea, causing a global shipping crisis in 2024.
Correct answer is: Houthis
Q.19 Which Asian country is currently under military rule after a coup in 2021?
Thailand
Myanmar
Laos
Cambodia
Explanation - Myanmar has been under military rule since the coup in February 2021 that ousted the civilian government.
Correct answer is: Myanmar
Q.20 Which two countries recently signed a historic defense agreement under NATO's expansion?
Sweden and Finland
Ukraine and Georgia
Poland and Hungary
Estonia and Latvia
Explanation - Sweden and Finland joined NATO, signing historic defense agreements to enhance collective security in Europe.
Correct answer is: Sweden and Finland
Q.21 Which country's foreign policy is known as the 'Pivot to Asia'?
China
Japan
USA
India
Explanation - The USA's 'Pivot to Asia' strategy focuses on strengthening its presence in the Asia-Pacific region to balance China's rise.
Correct answer is: USA
Q.22 Which region is considered the world's most militarized zone?
South China Sea
Korean Peninsula
Kashmir
Taiwan Strait
Explanation - Kashmir is regarded as one of the world's most militarized regions due to the long-standing conflict between India and Pakistan.
Correct answer is: Kashmir
Q.23 Which country is the largest contributor to UN peacekeeping missions?
USA
India
China
Bangladesh
Explanation - Bangladesh contributes the largest number of troops to UN peacekeeping operations worldwide.
Correct answer is: Bangladesh
Q.24 Which treaty led to the creation of the European Union?
Maastricht Treaty
Lisbon Treaty
Treaty of Rome
Schengen Agreement
Explanation - The Maastricht Treaty, signed in 1992, led to the formation of the European Union.
Correct answer is: Maastricht Treaty