Australia Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, inaugurated on 26 September 2026, is being held at which Air Force Station?
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Correct answer: C — Jodhpur
Tarang Shakti 2026 is being conducted at Air Force Station Jodhpur from 26 September to 12 October 2026.
What is the theme of Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Power in Partnership
The exercise is themed 'Power in Partnership'.
Which of the following countries is NOT one of the seven participating in Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Japan
The seven participants are Australia, the USA, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh; Japan is not among them.
Consider the following statements about Exercise Tarang Shakti: 1. The first edition of the exercise was held in 2024. 2. The F-35 Lightning II is among the foreign aircraft taking part in the 2026 edition. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The 2026 edition builds on the inaugural 2024 edition, and the foreign aircraft include the F-35 Lightning II.
Which Indian Coast Guard ship sailed from Chennai to Perth on 25 September 2026 for the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission?
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Correct answer: B — ICGS Shaunak
ICG Ship Shaunak sailed from Chennai for Perth with six Sea Riders from the Quad countries.
Consider the following statements about the QUAD-at-Sea Ship Observer Mission of September 2026: 1. The ship sailed from Chennai for Perth, Australia. 2. Sea Riders from all four Quad countries embarked on the ship. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. Six Sea Riders embarked: two each from India and Japan and one each from Australia and the USA.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026, in which the IAF took part, was hosted by the air force of which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
Pitch Black 2026 was hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force, with air forces from more than 20 nations.
Where was Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 held?
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Correct answer: C — Subang, Malaysia
After Pitch Black, the IAF contingent moved directly to Subang, Malaysia, for Udara Shakti 2026 with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
Consider the following statements about the IAF's August 2026 deployments: 1. The IAF deployed Su-30MKI fighters to Exercise Pitch Black 2026. 2. Exercise Udara Shakti 2026 was a trilateral exercise with Australia and Malaysia. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. The IAF deployed Rafale aircraft to Pitch Black, and Udara Shakti was a bilateral exercise with the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
With which Digital Public Infrastructure platform is 'AAERI Verify', launched in August 2026 for students applying to Australian universities, integrated?
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Correct answer: A — DigiLocker
AAERI Verify is integrated with DigiLocker for consent-based verification of student documents.
Exercise Pitch Black 2026, in which the IAF is participating, is being held at which base?
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Correct answer: C — RAAF Base Darwin
Exercise Pitch Black 2026 is being held at RAAF Base Darwin from 20 July to 7 August 2026.
Which fighter aircraft is the IAF contingent operating at Exercise Pitch Black 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Rafale
The IAF contingent operates Rafale fighters, supported by C-17 Globemaster III and IL-78 aircraft.
Which city hosted the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit on 9 July 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Melbourne
The Third India–Australia Annual Summit was held in Melbourne.
The India–Australia Joint Declaration on Defence and Security Cooperation (July 2026) renews which earlier document?
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Correct answer: D — Joint Declaration on Security (2009)
The list of outcomes says the JDDSC renews the existing Joint Declaration on Security of 2009.
Which Australian university received a Letter of Intent at the July 2026 summit to set up a campus in Bengaluru?
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Correct answer: A — Flinders University
A Letter of Intent was handed to Flinders University for a campus in Bengaluru; Victoria University got a Letter of Approval for Gurugram.
Consider the following statements about the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit (July 2026): 1. The two countries established an Annual Defence Ministers' Dialogue. 2. Australia returned three antiquities that originated in Tamil Nadu. 3. Victoria University will set up its Indian campus in Bengaluru. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: Victoria University's campus is approved for Gurugram; Flinders University is the one coming to Bengaluru.
The Administrative Arrangement finalised at the July 2026 Melbourne summit operationalises the India–Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in which year?
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Correct answer: C — 2014
The Arrangement operationalises the India–Australia Civil Nuclear Agreement signed in 2014.
Australian uranium exports to India under the July 2026 arrangement will be under the safeguards of which body?
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Correct answer: A — International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)
The Arrangement enables uranium exports for peaceful purposes under International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) safeguards.
Consider the following statements, as given in PIB's July 2026 backgrounder on India–Australia civil nuclear cooperation: 1. Australia has the largest uranium resources in the world, more than one-third of the global total. 2. India operates 24 nuclear power reactors with an installed capacity of 8.78 GW. 3. India's Nuclear Energy Mission targets 50 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: D — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the Nuclear Energy Mission targets 100 GW by 2047.
India's Traditional Knowledge Digital Library access agreement of July 2026 was signed between CSIR and which Australian body?
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Correct answer: B — IP Australia
CSIR and IP Australia entered into the TKDL access agreement during the 3rd India–Australia Annual Summit.
After the July 2026 agreement with IP Australia, how many patent offices have access to the TKDL database?
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Correct answer: D — 18
With the signing of the Agreement with IP Australia, eighteen patent offices now have access to the database under NDAs.
Consider the following statements about the Traditional Knowledge Digital Library (TKDL): 1. It was established in 2001 by CSIR and the Ministry of AYUSH. 2. It holds information on over 5.2 lakh formulations and practices in five international languages. 3. Hindi is one of the five languages in which TKDL is made available to patent examiners. Which of the statements given above are correct?
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Correct answer: C — 1 and 2 only
Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is wrong: the five languages are English, German, French, Japanese and Spanish.
The Global Skills Challenge 2026, for which Team India was sent off on 21 June 2026, is being held in which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
The GSC 2026 is held in Australia from 23 to 29 June 2026, organised by WorldSkills Australia.
The Global Skills Challenge 2026 serves as a preparatory platform ahead of which edition of the WorldSkills Competition, to be held in Shanghai?
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Correct answer: D — 48th
It is a full-scale simulation ahead of the 48th WorldSkills Competition in Shanghai, China.
Which edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 10th
The 10th edition of the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks was held in New Delhi on 8 May 2026.
Consider the following statements about the India–Australia Defence Policy Talks of May 2026: 1. The Indian delegation was led by the Defence Secretary. 2. The first India–Australia Joint Staff Talks were held alongside the Defence Policy Talks in New Delhi. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. The Indian side was led by Joint Secretary Amitabh Prasad, and both sides only looked forward to holding the first Joint Staff Talks later in the year.
The AFC Women's Asian Cup 2026, in which India lost 0–11 to Japan on 7 March 2026, is being hosted by which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
The tournament is the AFC Women's Asian Cup Australia 2026; India played Japan at Perth Rectangular Stadium.
Who won the women's singles title at the Australian Open 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Elena Rybakina
Elena Rybakina beat Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in the final on 31 January 2026.
Elena Rybakina, the Australian Open 2026 women's champion, represents which country?
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Correct answer: C — Kazakhstan
Rybakina is from Kazakhstan; the runner-up Sabalenka is from Belarus.
With the Australian Open 2026, Elena Rybakina won her second Grand Slam title. Which was her first?
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Correct answer: A — Wimbledon 2022
AP/BBC: Rybakina's first major was Wimbledon 2022; she lost the 2023 Australian Open final to Sabalenka.
At which ground did England win the fourth Ashes Test of 2025-26 inside two days on 27 December 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Melbourne Cricket Ground
ESPNcricinfo and ICC: England won the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by four wickets on the second day.
Before the Melbourne win of December 2025, England's previous Test victory in Australia came at:
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Correct answer: D — Sydney, January 2011
ICC: it was England's first Test victory in Australia since they won the fifth Test in Sydney in January 2011.
Consider the following statements about the fourth Ashes Test of 2025-26: 1. The match finished inside two days. 2. England chased a target of 175 and won by four wickets. 3. The win levelled the five-match series at 2-2. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
ESPNcricinfo and ICC: the Test ended on day two with England chasing 175 to win by four wickets. Australia lead the series 3-1, so statement 3 is wrong.
In November 2025, PM Narendra Modi congratulated which head of government on his wedding with Jodie Haydon?
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Correct answer: D — Anthony Albanese
PM Modi congratulated Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Jodie Haydon on their wedding on 29 November 2025.
Under the ACITI Partnership announced on 22 November 2025, officials of India, Australia and Canada agreed to convene in:
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Correct answer: B — the first quarter of 2026
The joint statement said officials should convene in the first quarter of 2026 to take the initiative forward.
Consider the following statements about the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership: 1. It emphasises green energy innovation and resilient supply chains, including in critical minerals. 2. It will examine the development and mass adoption of artificial intelligence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the trilateral joint statement of 22 November 2025.
In which year was the India–Australia relationship elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership?
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Correct answer: C — 2020
The PMO release noted the elevation of the relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2020.
PM Modi met Australian PM Anthony Albanese on 21 November 2025 on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in:
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Correct answer: D — Johannesburg
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders' Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The proposed India–Australia CECA builds on the India–Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (ECTA). When did ECTA enter into force?
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Correct answer: C — December 2022
The Commerce Ministry said ECTA entered into force in December 2022.
What was India–Australia bilateral merchandise trade in FY 2024–25, as per the Commerce Ministry?
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Correct answer: B — USD 24.1 billion
India–Australia merchandise trade stood at USD 24.1 billion in FY 2024–25.
Who co-chaired the 5th India–Australia Energy Dialogue held in New Delhi on 16 October 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Manohar Lal and Chris Bowen
PIB: the meeting was co-chaired by Manohar Lal, Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs, and Chris Bowen MP, Australia's Minister for Climate Change and Energy.
Which edition of the India–Australia Energy Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 16 October 2025?
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Correct answer: B — 5th
PIB: India and Australia held the 5th Meeting of the India–Australia Energy Dialogue on 16 October 2025 in New Delhi.
Exercise AUSTRAHIND, whose 2025 edition began on 13 October 2025, is a joint military exercise between India and which country?
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Correct answer: A — Australia
PIB: an Indian Army contingent departed for Perth, Australia, to take part in the India–Australia joint military Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025.
Where was Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025 held?
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Correct answer: C — Irwin Barracks, Perth
PIB: the contingent departed for Irwin Barracks, Perth, Australia, for AUSTRAHIND 2025, scheduled from 13 to 26 October 2025.
Consider the following statements about Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2025: 1. It was the third edition of the exercise. 2. The Indian contingent was led by a battalion of the Sikh Regiment. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Neither is correct. PIB: AUSTRAHIND 2025 was the fourth edition, and the Indian contingent of 120 personnel was led by a battalion of the Gorkha Rifles.
Which Australian naval facility in Sydney did Rajnath Singh visit on 10 October 2025?
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Correct answer: D — HMAS Kuttabul
PIB: Rajnath Singh visited the historic and strategic naval facility HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney on 10 October 2025.
In which year was the India–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership established, as recalled by Rajnath Singh in Sydney?
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Correct answer: C — 2020
PIB: Rajnath Singh spoke of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership 2020 as the banner for re-positioning defence relations.
Consider the following statements from Rajnath Singh's address at the India–Australia Defence Industry Business Round Table (October 2025): 1. Australia has identified India as a 'Top Tier Partner', removing certain regulatory barriers to technology sharing. 2. India allows FDI in defence up to 49% under the automatic route. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only 1 is correct. PIB: Rajnath Singh said Australia has identified India as a Top Tier Partner; he said the FDI policy has been liberalised up to 74% (not 49%) under the automatic route.
Where was the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference, attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla in October 2025, held?
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Correct answer: A — Bridgetown, Barbados
PIB: the 68th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference was held in Bridgetown, Barbados, where Om Birla led the Indian Parliamentary Delegation.
In which year did the Government of India gift the Speaker's chair in the Barbados Parliament, to mark Barbados' independence?
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Correct answer: D — 1966
PIB: the historic Speaker's chair was a gift from the Government of India in 1966 to mark Barbados' independence.
Which India–Australia implementing arrangement was signed at the inaugural Defence Ministers' Dialogue in October 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation
PIB (joint statement): ministers welcomed the signing of the Australia–India Implementing Arrangement on Mutual Submarine Rescue Support and Cooperation; the air-to-air refuelling arrangement had been signed in 2024.
Consider the following statements about the Australia–India Defence Ministers' Dialogue (October 2025): 1. It was the inaugural edition, and the ministers agreed to hold it annually. 2. Australia's first defence trade mission to India took place from 7 to 10 October 2025. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. PIB: the October 2025 meeting was the inaugural Australia–India Defence Ministers' Dialogue, with a commitment to an annual dialogue; ministers welcomed Australia's first defence trade mission to India from 7 to 10 October 2025.