This set covers key appointments of 2026, India's ranks in major global indices and places that were in the news. It is the most fact-dense area of current affairs, so the explanations add the issuing body and context for each item.
How to practise: read each question and tap the option you think is correct. You will see right away whether you got it, along with a short explanation, and your score is tracked at the bottom of the screen. This set has 15 questions.
Topics covered in this set
- Chief of Defence Staff and Army Chief appointments
- First woman Director General of GSI and new Chief Ministers
- Global Gender Gap, World Happiness and Global Hunger indices
- World Press Freedom Index 2026
- Sarnath as a World Heritage Site
- New airports at Jewar and Bhogapuram
UPSC Current Affairs MCQs with answers and explanations
Q1. Who was appointed India's Chief of Defence Staff in May 2026, succeeding General Anil Chauhan?
a) General Upendra Dwivedi
b) Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi
c) N. S. Raja Subramani
d) Air Chief Marshal A. P. Singh
Q2. On 30 June 2026, General Dhiraj Seth took over as the 31st Chief of the Army Staff, succeeding:
a) General Upendra Dwivedi
b) General Manoj Pande
c) General M. M. Naravane
d) General Bipin Rawat
Q3. In July 2026, Varsha Ashok Aglawe became the first woman to head which organisation?
a) Survey of India
b) Indian Meteorological Department
c) Archaeological Survey of India
d) Geological Survey of India
Q4. In April 2026, Samrat Choudhary was sworn in as the Chief Minister of Bihar. What was notable about this?
a) He became Bihar's first Chief Minister from the BJP
b) He became the youngest Chief Minister in India
c) He was appointed under President's rule
d) He was the first Chief Minister elected directly by voters
Q5. Which party's leader, Vijay, was sworn in as Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu in May 2026?
a) Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
b) Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam
c) All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam
d) Pattali Makkal Katchi
Q6. In the Global Gender Gap Index 2026 released by the World Economic Forum in September 2026, India was ranked:
a) 129th
b) 131st
c) 127th
d) 140th
Q7. In the World Happiness Report 2026, released in March 2026, which country was ranked first for the ninth year in a row?
a) Denmark
b) Iceland
c) Finland
d) Switzerland
Q8. In the Global Hunger Index 2026, released in October 2026, India was ranked 100th out of 122 countries. In which severity category was India placed?
a) Low
b) Moderate
c) Alarming
d) Serious
Q9. In the World Press Freedom Index 2026 published by Reporters Without Borders, India was ranked:
a) 157th out of 180 countries
b) 151st out of 180 countries
c) 161st out of 180 countries
d) 142nd out of 180 countries
Q10. The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in July 2026 at the World Heritage Committee session held in:
a) New Delhi, India
b) Paris, France
c) Busan, South Korea
d) Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Q11. With the inscription of Sarnath in July 2026, which of the following is correct?
a) India has 45 World Heritage properties
b) India has 50 World Heritage properties
c) Sarnath is India's first Buddhist World Heritage Site
d) Sarnath was inscribed as a natural site
Q12. Sarnath, inscribed as a World Heritage Site in July 2026, is associated with which event in the Buddha's life?
a) His birth
b) His first sermon
c) His enlightenment
d) His mahaparinirvana
Q13. Noida International Airport at Jewar, whose Phase I was inaugurated in March 2026, is developed by a subsidiary of which company?
a) GMR Group
b) Adani Airport Holdings
c) Fraport AG
d) Zurich Airport International AG
Q14. The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport, inaugurated in August 2026, is located at Bhogapuram in which district?
a) Vizianagaram, Andhra Pradesh
b) Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
c) East Godavari, Andhra Pradesh
d) Ganjam, Odisha
Q15. The Alluri Sitarama Raju International Airport (August 2026) is named after a freedom fighter known for leading which uprising?
a) Santhal Rebellion
b) Munda Ulgulan
c) Rampa Rebellion
d) Kuka Movement
Quick revision notes
- N. S. Raja Subramani became India's third Chief of Defence Staff after General Anil Chauhan's tenure ended on 30 May 2026.
- General Dhiraj Seth became the 31st Chief of the Army Staff on 30 June 2026.
- Varsha Ashok Aglawe became the first woman Director General of the Geological Survey of India in July 2026.
- India's 2026 ranks: Gender Gap 131 of 145, World Happiness 116, Global Hunger 100 of 122, Press Freedom 157 of 180.
- Sarnath became India's 45th World Heritage property at the 48th session in Busan in July 2026.
- Noida International Airport (Jewar) opened in March 2026 and Bhogapuram airport (Vizianagaram) in August 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Who publishes the main global indices asked in Prelims?
The Global Gender Gap Index is published by the World Economic Forum, the World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders and the Global Hunger Index by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe. The World Happiness Report is led by Oxford's Wellbeing Research Centre with Gallup and UN SDSN.
How many World Heritage Sites does India have?
After Sarnath was added in July 2026, India has 45 World Heritage properties: 37 cultural, 7 natural and 1 mixed. Always check the latest count, as new sites can be added every year.
Why is the Chief of Defence Staff post important?
The CDS is the principal military adviser to the Defence Minister and heads the Department of Military Affairs. The post works to improve jointness among the Army, Navy and Air Force.
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