Europe Current Affairs Quiz — Last 12 months
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The 24th edition of the bilateral maritime exercise 'Varuna', in which INS Trishul took part in September 2026, is held between India and which country?
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Correct answer: D — France
Varuna is the annual bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the French Navy; INS Trishul took part in the 24th edition.
For the 24th edition of Exercise Varuna (2026), INS Trishul arrived at which French port?
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Correct answer: A — Toulon
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, on 22 September 2026; Marseille is where the crew laid a wreath at the Mazargues War Memorial.
India held the 2nd Joint Working Group on Tourism with which country on 29 September 2026, discussing cine-tourism and destination twinning?
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Correct answer: C — Italy
The 2nd India–Italy JWG on Tourism was co-chaired by Bhuvnesh Kumar and Emanuela Tripi.
COFO, whose 28th session was held in Rome in September–October 2026, is a committee of which organisation?
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Correct answer: B — FAO
COFO is the Committee on Forestry of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
As stated by India at COFO 28, what share of India's geographical area is under forest and tree cover?
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Correct answer: C — 25.17%
India's forest and tree cover is 82.74 million hectares, or 25.17% of its geographical area.
Under the Bonn Challenge, India has committed to restore how much degraded and deforested land by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — 26 million ha
India's Bonn Challenge target is 26 million ha by 2030, of which 21.76 million ha are already under restoration.
Consider the following statements made by India at COFO 28: 1. The FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025 ranks India 3rd in net annual forest area gain. 2. India has 101 Ramsar sites. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: FRA 2025 ranks India 9th in forest area and 3rd in net annual forest area gain, and India has 101 Ramsar sites.
Along with Gaganyaan, which mission did Jitendra Singh cite as creating new opportunities for India–France space partnership in September 2026?
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Correct answer: B — TRISHNA
Jitendra Singh said TRISHNA, Gaganyaan and India's 400+ space start-ups create new opportunities for the India–France partnership.
The year 2026 has been designated as the India–France Year of what?
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Correct answer: B — Innovation
Jitendra Singh said the 2026 India–France Year of Innovation opens new avenues for scientific and technological cooperation.
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.
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon on 22 September 2026 for which bilateral exercise?
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Correct answer: A — VARUNA
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon, France, for the 24th edition of VARUNA with the French Navy.
The September 2026 edition of the India–France naval exercise VARUNA, joined by INS Trishul at Toulon, was which edition?
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Correct answer: D — 24th
INS Trishul arrived at Toulon for the 24th edition of VARUNA.
Which country did Chief of the Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth visit from 16 to 18 September 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Russia
General Dhiraj Seth was on an official visit to Russia from 16 to 18 September 2026.
Which military academy was General Dhiraj Seth scheduled to visit in Saint Petersburg during his Russia visit?
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Correct answer: B — Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy
He was to visit the Mikhailovskaya Military Artillery Academy in Saint Petersburg.
INS Sudarshini, which sailed from Livorno, Italy, on 12 September 2026, is undertaking which voyage?
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Correct answer: D — Lokayan 2026
The sail training ship INS Sudarshini is on the Lokayan 2026 voyage.
INNOPROM India, held for the first time in India from 9 to 11 September 2026, is an industrial exhibition of which country?
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Correct answer: D — Russia
INNOPROM India is Russia's International Industrial Exhibition; PM Modi and President Putin visited it on 11 September 2026.
Before their meeting in New Delhi on 11 September 2026, where had PM Modi and President Putin met earlier in 2026?
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Correct answer: A — Bishkek, at the 26th SCO Summit
The two leaders had met in Bishkek on the sidelines of the 26th SCO Summit on 31 August 2026.
President Putin invited PM Modi to Russia for which edition of the India–Russia Annual Summit?
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Correct answer: D — 24th
Putin invited Modi to visit Russia for the 24th India–Russia Annual Summit; dates are to be fixed through diplomatic channels.
Consider the following about the Modi–Putin meeting of 11 September 2026: 1. It was the first meeting between the two leaders in 2026. 2. The leaders agreed to further strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only statement 2 is correct. It was their second meeting of 2026 — they had met in Bishkek on 31 August — and they agreed to strengthen the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership.
In which city was the first International Space Summit, addressed by PM Modi on 10 September 2026, held?
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Correct answer: D — Paris
The summit was held in Paris at the initiative of French President Emmanuel Macron; PM Modi joined via video conference.
According to PM Modi at the International Space Summit, Indian rockets have launched more than 430 payloads from how many countries?
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Correct answer: C — 34
Modi said more than 430 payloads from 34 countries have been launched on Indian rockets.
PM Modi recalled that France has been India's space partner since the start of India's space programme at which place in the 1960s?
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Correct answer: D — Thumba
Modi said France has been a trusted partner since the inception of the Indian space programme at Thumba in the 1960s.
Consider the following statements from PM Modi's address at the International Space Summit (2026): 1. Chandrayaan-3 made India the first nation to land near the lunar south pole. 2. PM Modi attended the summit in person in Paris. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Only statement 1 is correct. Modi cited Chandrayaan-3's south-pole landing, but he addressed the summit via video conference.
On 6 September 2026, PM Modi addressed the inauguration of a BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Paris
The PM addressed, by video conference, the inauguration of the BAPS Swaminarayan Hindu Mandir in Paris.
Consider the following statements about the PM's address at the Paris temple inauguration: 1. The PM attended the inauguration in person in Paris. 2. The PM called the temple a new milestone in India–France cultural relations. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 2 only
Only 2 is correct. The PM addressed the gathering through video conference.
INS Sudarshini, which concluded a port call at Barcelona on 6 September 2026, is on which expedition?
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Correct answer: B — Lokayan 26
INS Sudarshini's Barcelona call was part of the ongoing Lokayan 26 expedition.
Where was the International Space Summit of 9–10 September 2026, discussed by Jitendra Singh and Philippe Baptiste, scheduled to be held?
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Correct answer: D — Paris
The International Space Summit was scheduled for 9–10 September 2026 in Paris.
The Bengaluru Space Expo, in which France's participation was discussed in September 2026, was scheduled for which dates?
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Correct answer: B — 7–9 September 2026
The Bengaluru Space Expo was scheduled for 7–9 September 2026; the Paris summit was on 9–10 September.
What was India's medal tally at the 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (IESO) 2026?
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Correct answer: A — 4 gold, 3 silver, 2 bronze
India won a best-ever 9 medals: 4 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze.
The 19th International Earth Science Olympiad (August 2026) was held in which city?
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Correct answer: D — Turin
The 19th IESO was held in Turin, Italy, from 20 to 27 August 2026.
While congratulating Giorgia Meloni in September 2026, PM Modi referred to which level of India–Italy ties?
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Correct answer: C — Special Strategic Partnership
PM Modi said Meloni's friendship has been instrumental in strengthening the India–Italy Special Strategic Partnership.
At the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum in September 2026, India and Germany signed a Joint Declaration of Intent on what?
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Correct answer: C — Conservation and wise use of Wetlands of International Importance
The ministers signed a JDI on Conservation and Wise Use of Wetlands of International Importance.
What was the theme of the 4th Indo-German Environment Forum held in New Delhi in 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Together For More Resilience
The forum's theme was 'Together For More Resilience'.
Which team won the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Argentina
Argentina beat the Netherlands 3–1 in a shoot-out after a 1–1 draw in the final on 29 August 2026.
Before 2026, in which years had Argentina won the Women's Hockey World Cup?
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Correct answer: A — 2002 and 2010
Argentina's earlier titles came in 2002 and 2010; 2026 is the third.
Consider the following statements about the FIH Hockey Women's World Cup 2026 final: 1. The Netherlands were seeking a fourth successive World Cup title. 2. The 2026 title was Argentina's first Women's World Cup title. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Argentina had already won in 2002 and 2010, so 2026 was its third title.
In the referendum of 29 August 2026, Iceland voted on whether to resume membership talks with which grouping?
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Correct answer: A — European Union
Iceland voted on resuming accession talks with the European Union; about 52.8% voted No.
Consider the following statements about Iceland: 1. Iceland shares the European Economic Area (EEA) agreement with Norway and Liechtenstein. 2. Iceland is part of the Schengen Area. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: Iceland is in the EEA with Norway and Liechtenstein and in the Schengen Area, though it is not an EU member.
The Russian–Indian Roundtable on Snow Leopard Study and Conservation on 26 August 2026 was held at which institution?
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Correct answer: B — A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution
The roundtable was held at the A.N. Severtsov Institute of Ecology and Evolution of the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow.
Consider the following statements about the Moscow snow leopard roundtable of 26 August 2026: 1. The roundtable was organised under a partnership agreement between the Interregional Association 'Irbis' and the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 2. The Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2023. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the Irbis–IBCA partnership agreement was signed in December 2025.
Who led India's delegation at its 11th periodic review before the UN CERD in Geneva in August 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
India's inter-ministerial delegation was led by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) monitors the implementation of which treaty?
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Correct answer: B — ICERD
CERD monitors the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD).
Consider the following statements about India and the UN CERD in August 2026: 1. India's 11th periodic review under ICERD was held in Geneva on 11–12 August 2026. 2. India accepted the Committee's observations and said no response was needed. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: India rejected the 'politically motivated' references and said it would respond through the established procedure.
Where were the 17–21 August 2026 talks between DR Congo and AFC/M23 held?
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Correct answer: D — Switzerland
The talks were held in Switzerland; the joint statement was released on 22 August 2026.
When was the Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement between DR Congo and AFC/M23 signed?
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Correct answer: A — 15 November 2025
The Doha Framework for a Comprehensive Peace Agreement was signed in Doha on 15 November 2025.
Consider the following statements about the DR Congo–AFC/M23 joint statement of 22 August 2026: 1. Togo took part as the African Union mediator. 2. The parties agreed that the order of negotiating protocols does not dictate the order of implementing them. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct. The statement was also issued with Qatar, the US, Switzerland and the AU Commission.
INS Sudarshini, which reached Lisbon in August 2026 on the Lokayan 26 expedition, is a:
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Correct answer: B — Sail training ship
INS Sudarshini is the Indian Navy's sail training ship, a three-masted barque.
The Lisbon stop on 22 August 2026 was INS Sudarshini's which port visit of the Lokayan 26 expedition?
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Correct answer: C — 15th
Lisbon was the ship's 15th port visit in seven months of voyage.
Which edition of the India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026?
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Correct answer: B — 25th
The 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting was held in New Delhi on 21 August 2026.
The Regional Maritime Security Centre of Excellence (RMSCE), noted at the India–UK DCG meeting, was set up under which initiative?
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Correct answer: A — Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI)
The two sides acknowledged the RMSCE established under the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Consider the following statements about the 25th India–UK Defence Consultative Group meeting: 1. It was co-chaired by India's Defence Minister and the UK Defence Secretary. 2. It was held in London. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong. It was co-chaired by India's Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh and the UK's Permanent Under Secretary for Defence Jeremy Pocklington, in New Delhi.
Against which team did the Indian women's hockey team draw 2-2 in its FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026 opener on 16 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — China
India drew 2-2 with Olympic silver medallists China in their Pool D opener at Amstelveen.
Consider the following statements about India's opening match at the FIH Women's Hockey World Cup 2026: 1. Navneet Kaur and Deepika scored India's goals. 2. The match was played at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct. Navneet Kaur and Deepika scored as India drew 2-2 with China at the Wagener Stadium in Amstelveen on 16 August 2026.
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.
At which venue did India beat Wales 3-1 in its FIH Men's Hockey World Cup 2026 opener on 15 August 2026?
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Correct answer: D — Wagener Hockey Stadium, Amstelveen
India's Pool D opener against Wales was played at the Wagener Hockey Stadium in Amstelveen, Netherlands; captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice.
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.
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.
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.
Air India flight AI2379, which suffered a sudden altitude loss on 4 August 2026, was operated by which aircraft type?
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Correct answer: A — Airbus A320
AI2379 was operated by an Airbus A320, registration VT-EXO.
Which body is investigating the AI2379 occurrence, classified as a Serious Incident?
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Correct answer: C — Aircraft Accident Investigation Bureau (AAIB)
The occurrence was classified as a Serious Incident and taken up for investigation by the AAIB under ICAO protocols.
Consider the following statements about the AI2379 incident of 4 August 2026: 1. France's BEA, along with Airbus, is assisting the investigation as the authority of the State of Design and Manufacture. 2. The aircraft lost about 3,000 feet of altitude during cruise. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the altitude variation was about 300 feet.