International Relations Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Exercise MAITREE, whose 15th edition began in August 2026, is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: A — Thailand
MAITREE is the India–Thailand Joint Military Exercise; the 15th edition is held at Surat Thani, Thailand, from 18 to 31 August 2026.
Troops from which Indian Army regiment primarily represent India at Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026)?
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Correct answer: D — 9 Gorkha Rifles
The Indian Army contingent of 85 personnel is drawn primarily from 9 Gorkha Rifles.
Where was the previous (14th) edition of the India–Thailand exercise MAITREE held in September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya
The Ministry of Defence said the last edition was conducted at the Foreign Training Node, Umroi, Meghalaya, in September 2025.
What theme has India adopted for the BRICS Energy Track during its 2026 Chairship, as highlighted at the 8th BRICS Youth Energy Summit?
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Correct answer: C — सर्वेषां ऊर्जम् (Energy for All)
Within the Energy Track of India's 2026 BRICS Chairship, India adopted the theme "सर्वेषां ऊर्जम्" (Energy for All).
During his August 2026 visit to Nepal, Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth is to receive which honour?
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Correct answer: B — Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army
In keeping with a tradition between the two armies, the President of Nepal confers the Honorary Rank of General of the Nepali Army on the Indian Army Chief.
Consider the following statements about General Dhiraj Seth's Nepal visit of 17–19 August 2026: 1. The honorary rank is to be conferred by the Prime Minister of Nepal. 2. The Ex-Servicemen Rally during the visit is to be held at Biratnagar. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The honorary rank is conferred by Nepal's President Ram Chandra Paudel, and the Ex-Servicemen Rally is at Pokhara.
Where is General Dhiraj Seth to address student officers of the Army Command and Staff Course during his Nepal visit?
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Correct answer: A — Shivapuri
On 18 August 2026 he is to address student officers of the Army Command and Staff Course at Shivapuri; Tundikhel is where he lays a wreath and Pokhara hosts the ex-servicemen rally.
In which country did US envoy Jared Kushner meet Hamas leaders on 16 August 2026 to push the Gaza road map?
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Correct answer: A — Egypt
Kushner met Hamas leaders in Egypt and also held talks with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.
Consider the following statements about the Gaza road map in August 2026: 1. The US-backed road map for the second phase of the Gaza plan has 15 points. 2. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had accepted the road map before Kushner's meeting with Hamas. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Netanyahu rejected the 15-point road map the week before, while Hamas said it accepted the road map for the second phase.
INS Sudarshini concluded a port call at Ponta Delgada on 16 August 2026 as part of which expedition?
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Correct answer: C — Lokayan 2026
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini made the Ponta Delgada (Azores) port call as part of Lokayan 2026 and then sailed for Lisbon.
The Qatar–India postal remittance service launched on 15 August 2026 credits money directly to which kind of accounts in India?
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Correct answer: A — UPI-enabled bank accounts
Customers in Qatar can send funds through Qatar Post outlets directly to UPI-enabled bank accounts in India.
Which platform of the Universal Postal Union is part of the Qatar–India UPI-powered postal remittance service?
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Correct answer: D — UPU Interconnection Platform (UPU-IP)
The service was developed by Qatar Post, India Post, the UPU Interconnection Platform (UPU-IP) and NPCI International Payments Limited (NIPL).
Where did the eighth edition of the IN–USN Explosive Ordnance Disposal Exercise conclude on 14 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Southern Naval Command, Kochi
The eighth IN–USN EOD Exercise concluded at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
The IN–USN exercise that concluded at Kochi on 14 August 2026 focused on which specialisation?
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Correct answer: D — Explosive ordnance disposal
It was an Explosive Ordnance Disposal exercise covering IED threats, render-safe procedures, mine neutralisation and unmanned underwater systems.
Under which operation did the NCB bring back drug trafficker Virender Singh Basoya from the UAE on 14 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Operation GLOBAL-HUNT
Basoya was brought back under 'Operation GLOBAL-HUNT' after his arrest in the UAE on an INTERPOL Red Notice requested by NCB.
With which regional grouping did India sign Terms of Reference for Preferential Trade Agreement negotiations on 12 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — SACU
India and the Southern African Customs Union (SACU) signed the ToR for PTA negotiations at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi.
Consider the following statements about the India–SACU Terms of Reference signed in August 2026: 1. It is India's first ToR signing with the African region. 2. SACU was described as the oldest customs union in the world. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct, according to Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal; the PTA is envisaged to cover eight chapters.
How many chapters is the proposed India–SACU Preferential Trade Agreement envisaged to cover?
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Correct answer: D — Eight
The PTA is envisaged to cover eight chapters, including trade in goods and market access, rules of origin, customs procedures and trade remedies.
Three Indian Sanchar Mitras were selected in August 2026 as Generation Connect Youth Envoys of which international organisation?
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Correct answer: D — International Telecommunication Union
They were selected as ITU Generation Connect Youth Envoys for 2026–2030, in recognition of their work under DoT's Sanchar Mitra scheme.
What was the theme of International Youth Day 2026, observed on 12 August?
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Correct answer: B — Different Contexts, Common Aspirations
International Youth Day 2026 was observed under the theme 'Different Contexts, Common Aspirations', as noted by the Department of Telecommunications.
Which Indian Railways production unit announced in August 2026 the rollout of its first rake of LHB coaches for Bangladesh Railway?
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Correct answer: C — Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala
Rail Coach Factory, Kapurthala, was to roll out the first 19-coach LHB rake for Bangladesh Railway on 12 August 2026.
How many coaches are in the first LHB rake built by RCF Kapurthala for Bangladesh Railway?
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Correct answer: A — 19
The rake has 19 coaches: 3 AC Sleeper, 3 AC Chair, 11 Non-AC Chair and 2 Power Cars.
What was the value of India–Namibia bilateral merchandise trade in 2025-26, as reported at the fourth Joint Trade Committee in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — USD 592.94 million
Trade rose to USD 592.94 million in 2025-26 from USD 568.40 million in 2024-25; India's exports were USD 349.09 million.
Which body was designated as India's investment focal point at the India–Namibia Joint Trade Committee in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Invest India
Invest India and the Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board were designated as the JTC investment focal points.
Consider the following statements about India–Namibia trade ties, as reported in August 2026: 1. India is Namibia's largest source of pharmaceuticals. 2. India's imports from Namibia exceeded its exports in 2025-26. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither statement is correct. India is Namibia's second-largest pharmaceutical source (16.4% share), and India's exports (USD 349.09 million) exceeded imports (USD 243.85 million).
The Liberian parliamentary delegation's South-South peer learning visit to India in August 2026 was funded through which fund?
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Correct answer: D — IBSA Fund
The visit was funded by India, Brazil and South Africa through the IBSA Fund, administered by the UN Office for South-South Cooperation.
After the Home Ministry notified 11 more ports in August 2026, how many international ports allow entry of e-Visa holders?
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Correct answer: C — 88
The total rose to 88: 37 airports, 38 seaports and 13 land ports.
Of the 11 international ports newly notified for e-Visa entry in August 2026, how many are land ports?
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Correct answer: A — Nine
The 11 new ports comprise 9 land ports and 2 airports.
Consider the following statements about e-Visa entry ports in India as of August 2026: 1. Seaports outnumber airports among the ports allowing e-Visa entry. 2. India processes about 95% of e-Visa applications in under 72 hours. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. There are 38 seaports and 37 airports among the 88 ports, and about 95% of e-Visa applications are processed in under 72 hours.
Which city hosted the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in August 2026, which adopted a declaration named after it?
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Correct answer: B — Bhopal
The XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting was held in Bhopal on 8 August 2026 and adopted the Bhopal Declaration.
What is India's overarching theme for its BRICS Chairship in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability
India's BRICS 2026 theme is 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability'.
Which of the following was NOT among the four BRICS partner countries at the XI BRICS Culture Ministers' Meeting in Bhopal?
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Correct answer: D — Vietnam
The four partner countries present were Belarus, Cuba, Kazakhstan and Thailand.
Consider the following statements about the BRICS culture track under India's 2026 Chairship: 1. One of the Culture Working Group meetings was held in Varanasi. 2. All ten BRICS member countries attended the Bhopal ministerial meeting in person. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. The second Working Group meeting was held in Varanasi in June; Egypt joined the ministerial meeting online.
How is the India–US relationship described in the PMO readout of the Modi–Vance phone call of 8 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership
The two leaders reviewed progress in the India–US Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
Which US leader telephoned PM Narendra Modi on 8 August 2026 to review the India–US partnership?
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Correct answer: C — Vice President J.D. Vance
US Vice President J.D. Vance called PM Modi; the PM also congratulated him on the birth of his son.
Where did the Competition Commission of India host the meeting of Heads of BRICS Competition Authorities on 8 August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Udaipur
The CCI hosted the meeting in Udaipur, Rajasthan, under India's BRICS Chairship.
Who is the Chairperson of the Competition Commission of India, who addressed the BRICS competition heads' meeting in August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Ravneet Kaur
CCI Chairperson Ravneet Kaur delivered the inaugural address at the meeting in Udaipur.
Consider the following statements about the BRICS competition authorities' meeting of August 2026: 1. The joint statement adopted focused on fair competition, including in renewable energy markets. 2. The Xth BRICS International Competition Conference will be held in India in 2027. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Brazil's CADE is preparing to host the Xth BRICS International Competition Conference in Brazil in 2027.
Which city hosted the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting under India's BRICS Chairship in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Jaipur
The 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting concluded in Jaipur, Rajasthan, on 7 August 2026.
The 'Jaipur Consensus' issued by BRICS Trade Ministers in August 2026 relates to studying which mechanism?
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Correct answer: B — A BRICS Invoice Discounting Mechanism
Ministers issued the Jaipur Consensus to study a BRICS Invoice Discounting Mechanism to ease MSME trade finance.
What size of global trade finance gap, affecting smaller enterprises, was cited at the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting?
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Correct answer: D — About USD 2.5 trillion
The MSME instruments respond to a global trade finance gap of about USD 2.5 trillion.
Consider the following statements about the 16th BRICS Trade Ministers' Meeting: 1. It was chaired by Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. 2. It was preceded by the Third Meeting of the BRICS Contact Group on Economic and Trade Issues in New Delhi. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Piyush Goyal chaired the meeting, and the third CGETI meeting was held in New Delhi on 3–4 August 2026.
Where is the international mega science project FAIR (Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research) being built?
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Correct answer: B — Darmstadt, Germany
FAIR is a multipurpose particle accelerator facility being built at Darmstadt, Germany.
Which Indian institute designed the beam catcher equipment for FAIR's super fragment separator, delivered in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — CSIR-CMERI, Durgapur
The beam catcher was designed by CSIR-Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, under Bose Institute's supervision.
Consider the following statements about India's participation in FAIR: 1. India's contribution is funded jointly in a 50:50 ratio by the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Atomic Energy. 2. Bose Institute, Kolkata, is India's shareholder in FAIR GmbH. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. DST and DAE fund India's contribution 50:50, and Bose Institute is the Indian shareholder and nodal institution.
Which hydroelectric project in Bhutan, implemented in partnership with India, was reviewed at the India–Bhutan trans-border rivers meeting in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Punatsangchhu-I
The ministers reviewed progress of the Punatsangchhu-I Hydroelectric Project and discussed its expeditious implementation.
Who led Bhutan's delegation at the high-level meeting on trans-border rivers with India's Jal Shakti Ministry in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lyonpo Gem Tshering
Bhutan's delegation was led by Lyonpo Gem Tshering, Minister for Energy and Natural Resources; India's by C R Paatil.
Production of which Russian regional aircraft was discussed at the 12th India–Russia Working Group on Modernization and Industrial Cooperation in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — SJ-100
Cooperation in UAVs, 3-D printing and production of the Russian regional aircraft SJ-100 was discussed.
The 10th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting in Jaipur culminated ministerial engagement under which BRICS mechanism?
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Correct answer: A — BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR)
The meeting culminated the ministerial engagement under the BRICS Partnership on New Industrial Revolution (PartNIR).
For a BRICS Working Group on which industry were Terms of Reference and an Action Plan adopted at the 10th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting?
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Correct answer: B — Photovoltaic industry
Ministers adopted the Terms of Reference and Action Plan for the BRICS Working Group on the Photovoltaic Industry.
What did India propose at the 10th BRICS Industry Ministers' Meeting to support innovation-led growth?
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Correct answer: C — A BRICS Incubator Network and a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund
India proposed a BRICS Incubator Network and a BRICS Startup Innovation Fund.
How is the India–Israel relationship described in the PMO readout of the Modi–Netanyahu phone call of 6 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Special Strategic Partnership
The two leaders reviewed progress in the India–Israel Special Strategic Partnership.
In which field was the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission recognised as a WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Pharmacovigilance
IPC was recognised as the WHO-SEARN Regional Centre of Excellence in Pharmacovigilance and Technical Centre in Quality.
Where was the 10th Anniversary Meeting of the WHO South-East Asia Regulatory Network (SEARN) held in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Kathmandu
SEARN's 10th Anniversary Meeting was held in Kathmandu, Nepal, on 4–5 August 2026.
Which city hosted the Second Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group under India's BRICS Presidency in August 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Hyderabad
DoPT hosted the Second Meeting of the BRICS Anti-Corruption Working Group in Hyderabad on 4–5 August 2026.
Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS), with which Pawan Hans signed an MoU on electric seaplanes in August 2026, is from which country?
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Correct answer: D — Norway
Pawan Hans signed the non-binding MoU with Noemi Aerospace (Elfly AS) of Norway.
Which city hosted the meeting of Heads of National Statistical Offices of BRICS countries that concluded on 4 August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Lucknow
The two-day BRICS NSO heads' meeting concluded in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, on 4 August 2026.
Which body convened the BRICS-TCA Research Symposium and JMC meeting held in New Delhi on 3–4 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC)
The meeting was convened by NSDC under the guidance of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.
At the India–Uzbekistan Business Forum in August 2026, bilateral trade between the two countries was stated to have crossed approximately how much?
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Correct answer: B — US$1.5 billion
Piyush Goyal said bilateral trade had crossed about US$1.5 billion and called for doubling it in three years.
Consider the following statements about India–Uzbekistan economic ties as discussed on 3 August 2026: 1. Piyush Goyal called for doubling bilateral trade over the next three years. 2. India and Uzbekistan have recently concluded a Bilateral Investment Treaty. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Goyal set a three-year goal to double trade and referred to the recently concluded Bilateral Investment Treaty.
In July 2026 PM Narendra Modi congratulated whom on assuming office as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom?
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Correct answer: A — Andy Burnham
PM Modi received a call from UK PM Andy Burnham on 31 July 2026 and congratulated him on assuming office.
During the Modi–Burnham call of July 2026, cooperation was to be deepened in line with which framework?
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Correct answer: D — India-UK Vision 2035
The leaders agreed to deepen cooperation in priority areas in line with the India-UK Vision 2035.