United States Current Affairs Quiz — All time
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
The UN Commission for Social Development (CSocD), whose 64th session India attended in 2026, is a functional commission of which UN body?
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Correct answer: B — UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
PIB: The Commission for Social Development is a functional commission of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).
Who presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu as Ambassador of the United States on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: B — Sergio Gor
PIB (President's Secretariat): Sergio Gor, Ambassador of the United States of America, presented his credentials on 14 January 2026.
Envoys of which three countries presented credentials to the President of India on 14 January 2026?
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Correct answer: A — USA, Austria, Trinidad and Tobago
PIB (President's Secretariat): the envoys were from Trinidad and Tobago, Austria and the United States of America.
The BlueBird Block-2 satellite launched by LVM3-M6 on 24 December 2025 belongs to which company?
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Correct answer: C — AST SpaceMobile
ISRO and PIB 2208090: the mission launched the BlueBird Block-2 satellite of US-based AST SpaceMobile under a commercial agreement with NSIL.
Into which orbit did LVM3-M6 place the BlueBird Block-2 satellite?
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Correct answer: A — Low Earth Orbit
ISRO and The Hindu: LVM3-M6 placed BlueBird Block-2 in low Earth orbit (LEO).
Consider the following statements about ISRO's LVM3: 1. LVM3-M6 was the sixth operational flight of LVM3. 2. LVM3's upper stage is the C25 cryogenic stage. 3. LVM3 can carry about 8,000 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 and 2 only
ISRO: LVM3-M6 is the sixth operational flight and LVM3 has S200 strap-ons, an L110 core and a C25 cryogenic upper stage. Its GTO capability is 4,200 kg, so statement 3 is wrong.
In November 2025 India signed LOAs worth about ₹7,995 crore with the US for sustainment support of which Navy platform?
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Correct answer: A — MH-60R helicopters
The LOAs cover five years of sustainment support for the Indian Navy's MH-60R helicopter fleet.
The MH-60R sustainment LOAs signed by India in November 2025 were concluded under which US programme?
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Correct answer: B — Foreign Military Sales
The LOAs were inked under the Foreign Military Sales programme of the US.
Under India's first structured LPG import contract with the US (announced November 2025), roughly how much LPG will be imported in contract year 2026?
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Correct answer: C — 2.2 MTPA
PSU oil companies will import about 2.2 MTPA of LPG from the US Gulf Coast, close to 10% of India's annual LPG imports.
Which pricing benchmark is used for India's 2026 LPG import contract with the US?
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Correct answer: B — Mount Belvieu
The discussions with US producers were based on Mount Belvieu as the benchmark for LPG purchases. Saudi CP is the usual Middle East benchmark; Henry Hub is for natural gas.
The 'framework for the US-India major defence partnership' signed on 31 October 2025 is intended to guide the partnership over how many years?
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Correct answer: B — 10 years
The 2025 framework marks a new chapter to further transform the partnership over the next 10 years.
In which city did Rajnath Singh and Pete Hegseth sign the India-US defence framework on 31 October 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Kuala Lumpur
They signed it in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on the sidelines of the 12th ADMM-Plus.
At the second India-ASEAN Defence Ministers' Informal Meeting on 31 October 2025, which initiatives did India announce?
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Correct answer: A — ASEAN-India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and ASEAN-India Defence Think-Tank Interaction
Rajnath Singh announced the ASEAN-India Initiative on Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and the ASEAN-India Defence Think-Tank Interaction.
Under which mechanism did India Post resume international postal services to the USA from 15 October 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Delivery Duty Paid (DDP)
PIB: India Post has established a compliant mechanism for Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) processing, under which applicable customs duties are prepaid in India.
As per US CBP guidelines cited by India Post in October 2025, customs duty on postal shipments from India to the USA is levied at:
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Correct answer: A — A flat 50% of the declared FOB value
PIB: customs duty on postal shipments from India to the USA is applicable at a flat rate of 50% of the declared FOB value under the IEEPA tariff; no additional base or product-specific duties apply.
On 30 September 2025, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed whose comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict?
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Correct answer: B — US President Donald Trump
Modi welcomed US President Donald Trump's announcement of a comprehensive plan to end the Gaza conflict.
Consider the following statements about India's response to the US plan on Gaza (September 2025): 1. PM Modi said the plan provides a viable pathway to long-term peace for the Palestinian and Israeli people. 2. PM Modi said the plan could also bring peace, security and development to the larger West Asian region. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the PMO statement of 30 September 2025.
Who represented India at the General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly on 27 September 2025?
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Correct answer: A — S. Jaishankar
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar delivered India's statement at the General Debate on 27 September 2025.
At UNGA 80, EAM Jaishankar said India has undertaken more than 600 development projects in how many countries?
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Correct answer: C — 78
The minister cited more than 600 development projects in 78 countries as part of India's contribution to the Global South.
Which line did EAM Jaishankar use to conclude his call for international cooperation at UNGA 80?
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Correct answer: B — "Islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence"
The minister said "International cooperation must prevail because islands of prosperity cannot flourish in an ocean of turbulence".
Consider the following statements about EAM Jaishankar's address at UNGA 80: 1. The minister called for expanding only the non-permanent membership of the Security Council. 2. The minister said the UN had overcome gridlock through recent reforms. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Neither 1 nor 2
Both are wrong: he called for expanding both permanent and non-permanent membership, and said the UN "remains gridlocked" and is in a state of crisis owing to resistance to reform.
Whom did India's Commerce and Industry Minister meet as US Trade Representative during the delegation's US visit of 22–24 September 2025?
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Correct answer: B — Jamieson Greer
The minister met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer and US Ambassador-designate to India Sergio Gor.
Who was to lead India's delegation to the United States for trade talks on 22 September 2025, as announced by the Commerce Ministry?
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Correct answer: D — Piyush Goyal
The Commerce Ministry said the delegation would be led by Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal.
Officials from which US office visited India on 16 September 2025 for trade deal discussions, before Piyush Goyal's US visit?
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Correct answer: D — Office of the United States Trade Representative
Officials from the Office of the United States Trade Representative visited India on 16 September 2025.
Under the US proclamation of 19 September 2025, what payment must accompany H-1B petitions for the restriction on entry not to apply?
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Correct answer: A — $100,000
The proclamation restricts entry of H-1B specialty-occupation workers except where petitions are accompanied or supplemented by a payment of $100,000.
For how long does the H-1B entry restriction in the US proclamation of September 2025 remain in force, absent extension?
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Correct answer: C — 12 months
The restriction expires 12 months after its effective date of 21 September 2025, unless extended.
Which provisions of the US Immigration and Nationality Act did the H-1B proclamation of 19 September 2025 invoke?
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Correct answer: D — Sections 212(f) and 215(a)
The restriction on entry was imposed pursuant to sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA.
Consider the following statements about India's official response to the US H-1B proclamation: 1. The MEA said the measure is likely to have humanitarian consequences by way of disruption caused for families. 2. The MEA said the full implications were being studied by all concerned, including Indian industry. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said the implications were being studied, including by Indian industry, and that the measure was likely to have humanitarian consequences for families.
Who led the USTR team that held trade talks in India on 16 September 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Brendan Lynch
The team from the Office of the USTR was led by Brendan Lynch, Chief Negotiator for the India-US Bilateral Trade Agreement negotiations.
What did India and the US decide at the end of the trade talks held in India on 16 September 2025?
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Correct answer: D — To intensify efforts for early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement
The Commerce Ministry said it was decided to intensify efforts to achieve early conclusion of a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
What reciprocal tariff rate did the US executive order of 31 July 2025 set for India?
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Correct answer: A — 25%
Annex I of Executive Order 14326 lists India at 25%.
From which date did the 25% US reciprocal tariff on Indian goods under the executive order of 31 July 2025 take effect?
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Correct answer: D — 7 August 2025
The order applies from 12:01 a.m. EDT seven days after 31 July 2025, i.e. 7 August 2025; Business Standard reported it took effect on 7 August.
Consider the following statements about Annex I of US Executive Order 14326 (31 July 2025): 1. Bangladesh is listed at 20%. 2. Japan is listed at 15%. 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 Annex I of the order.
Which rocket launched the NASA-ISRO satellite NISAR on 30 July 2025?
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Correct answer: A — GSLV-F16
NISAR was launched aboard GSLV-F16 from Sriharikota at 17:40 IST.
In the NISAR satellite launched on 30 July 2025, which radar bands were provided by NASA and ISRO respectively?
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Correct answer: C — L-band and S-band
NASA provided the L-band SAR and ISRO the S-band SAR.
Consider the following statements about the GSLV-F16/NISAR mission: 1. It was GSLV's first mission to a Sun-synchronous polar orbit. 2. It was the 12th flight of GSLV with the indigenous cryogenic stage. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: D — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are in the ISRO launch brochure; GSLV-F16 was also the 18th GSLV flight.
NISAR, launched on 30 July 2025, will scan the entire globe at what interval?
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Correct answer: B — Every 12 days
ISRO says NISAR will scan the globe and provide data at a 12-day interval.
Who beat Novak Djokovic in the Miami Open 2025 men's singles final on 30 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Jakub Menšík
Jakub Menšík won 7-6(4), 7-6(4) for his first ATP title.
Losing the Miami Open 2025 final on 30 March 2025 denied Novak Djokovic which milestone?
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Correct answer: D — His 100th career title
Djokovic was seeking his 100th career title and a record seventh Miami Open title.
By when did India and the US aim to finalise the first tranche of their Bilateral Trade Agreement, according to the Commerce Ministry on 29 March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — By fall 2025
The two sides aimed to finalise the first tranche of the BTA by fall 2025.
Under the India–US Joint Statement of 13 February 2025, bilateral trade was to be expanded to what level by 2030?
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Correct answer: B — $500 billion
The two sides agreed to expand bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030.
The India–US trade talks that concluded in New Delhi on 29 March 2025 lasted how many days?
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Correct answer: C — Four
The talks were held from 26 to 29 March 2025, four days of discussions.
Consider the following statements about the India–US trade talks of March 2025: 1. On the US side, the talks were held with the Office of the US Trade Representative. 2. Sectoral expert-level engagements under the BTA were to begin in person in New Delhi immediately after the talks. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
India's Department of Commerce met the Office of the USTR. Sectoral expert-level engagements were to start virtually in the coming weeks, paving the way for an in-person round later.
Whom did Aryna Sabalenka beat in the Miami Open 2025 women's singles final on 29 March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — Jessica Pegula
Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2.
The Miami Open 2025 women's final of 29 March 2025 was a rematch of which earlier final?
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Correct answer: B — 2024 US Open final
Sabalenka and Pegula had met in the 2024 US Open final, which Sabalenka also won.
What was the name of the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft that brought Sunita Williams and the Crew-9 astronauts back to Earth in March 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Freedom
NASA says the Dragon spacecraft Freedom splashed down off Tallahassee, Florida, returning Crew-9; it was Freedom's fourth flight.
Crew-9 splashed down at 5:57 pm EDT on 18 March 2025. What was this time in Indian Standard Time?
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Correct answer: C — 3:27 am IST, 19 March 2025
NASA's timeline puts splashdown at 21:57 GMT on 18 March; adding 5 hours 30 minutes gives 3:27 am IST on 19 March 2025.
How many days did Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore spend in space on the mission that ended with the Crew-9 splashdown in March 2025?
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Correct answer: C — 286 days
NASA says Williams and Wilmore spent 286 days in space; 171 days was the figure for Hague and Gorbunov, and 608 days is Williams' career total.
Off the coast of which city did NASA's SpaceX Crew-9 splash down on 18 March 2025 (EDT)?
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Correct answer: D — Tallahassee, Florida
Crew-9 splashed down in the Gulf of America off the coast of Tallahassee, Florida.
Consider the following statements about the return of Sunita Williams in March 2025: 1. Williams and Butch Wilmore had reached the International Space Station in June 2024 aboard Boeing's Starliner on its Crew Flight Test. 2. The Crew-9 return was the first flight of the Dragon spacecraft Freedom. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only
Williams and Wilmore launched on Starliner on 5 June 2024 and reached the station on 6 June. Crew-9 was Freedom's fourth flight; it earlier flew Crew-4, Axiom Mission 2 and Axiom Mission 3.
Who administered the presidential oath to Donald Trump on 20 January 2025?
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Correct answer: A — Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr.
Congressional Record: Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. administered the presidential oath.
Consider the following statements about the US inauguration on 20 January 2025: 1. Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President. 2. The vice-presidential oath to JD Vance was administered by Chief Justice John G. Roberts Jr. 3. The ceremony was held in the Great Rotunda. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: B — 1 and 3 only
Congressional Record: Trump was sworn in as the 47th President in the Great Rotunda; Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh, not the Chief Justice, administered Vance's oath.
Who administered the vice-presidential oath to JD Vance on 20 January 2025?
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Correct answer: D — Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh
Congressional Record: Associate Justice Brett Kavanaugh administered the vice-presidential oath to James David Vance.
A delegation led by Ronald J. Daniels met Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on 17 November 2024 to discuss an offshore campus in India. Which university does he head?
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Correct answer: D — Johns Hopkins University
PIB (Education): Ronald J. Daniels is President of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.
Consider the following about the Johns Hopkins University delegation that met the Education Minister on 17 November 2024: 1. It discussed establishing an offshore JHU campus in India. 2. It included officials of the Gupta-Klinsky India Institute. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (Education): both are correct.
In his message of 6 November 2024 congratulating Donald Trump, PM Modi referred to the India-US relationship as a:
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Correct answer: C — Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership
PIB (PMO): the PM looked forward to renewing collaboration to further strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership.
Consider the following about PM Modi's contact with Donald Trump on 6 November 2024: 1. The PM spoke to Trump by phone on the same day. 2. The PM mentioned space among the sectors for closer India-US cooperation. Which of the above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
PIB (PMO): the PM had a conversation with President-elect Trump on 6 November and mentioned technology, defence, energy, space and other sectors. Both are correct.
The India–US Military Cooperation Group meeting held at the Manekshaw Centre on 5–6 November 2024 was its:
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Correct answer: A — 21st edition
PIB (MoD): the 21st edition of the India–US MCG meeting was held from 5 to 6 November 2024 at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi.
Who co-chaired the 21st India–US Military Cooperation Group meeting for India?
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Correct answer: C — CISC Lt Gen JP Mathew
PIB (MoD): it was co-chaired by Chief of Integrated Defence Staff Lt Gen JP Mathew (India) and Lt Gen Joshua M Rudd, Deputy Commander, US INDOPACOM.