Current Affairs 13th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in Marathi
On 13 Oct 2026
Current Affairs 21st March 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. What event marked the beginning of the major escalation in the 2026 Iran war in late February/early March?
A) Iranian missile strikes on Israel
B) Assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei by U.S.-Israeli forces
C) Iranian drone attacks on U.S. bases in the Gulf
D) Israeli ground invasion of southern Lebanon
Answer: B
Explanation: The conflict intensified with a U.S.-Israeli attack that killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in Tehran, triggering widespread retaliatory strikes and the broader war.
2. As of early March 2026, what was the reported death toll in Iran from U.S. and Israeli airstrikes?
A) Over 550
B) Over 787
C) Over 1,000
D) Over 1,045
Answer: B (initial reports around March 3)
Explanation: Iran's state broadcaster reported 787 deaths from strikes on over 153 cities and 500+ sites, with numbers rising in subsequent days.
3. Which facility was struck by U.S.-Israeli forces, with no reported radiation leakage confirmed by the IAEA?
A) South Pars gas field
B) Natanz nuclear facility
C) Fordow enrichment site
D) Bushehr nuclear plant
Answer: B
Explanation: The entrance to Natanz was damaged, but IAEA and Iranian officials confirmed no radiological materials were released.
4. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes on which location hosting U.S. military personnel?
A) Bahrain
B) Qatar
C) United Arab Emirates (including Al Minhad Air Base)
D) Saudi Arabia
Answer: C
Explanation: Iranian drones damaged Al Minhad Air Base (Australian HQ) and caused fires at Fujairah oil terminal in UAE.
5. Which country deployed Rafale fighter jets to the UAE in response to Iranian attacks in March 2026?
A) United Kingdom
B) France
C) Australia
D) United States
Answer: B
Explanation: France deployed jets to protect its interests and bases amid escalating Iranian strikes on Gulf nations.
6. What was the fate of Iran's Shahid Soleimani-class corvette during the conflict?
A) It was captured by U.S. forces
B) It was sunk by a U.S. submarine in the Indian Ocean
C) It launched successful counter-attacks
D) It remained undamaged
Answer: B
Explanation: U.S. forces sank the lead ship IRIS Shahid Soleimani, the first submarine torpedoing of a ship since World War II.
7. Which event caused a massive spike in global oil prices in mid-March 2026?
A) Strike on Iran's South Pars gas field
B) Iranian attacks on Saudi and Kuwaiti refineries
C) Closure of Strait of Hormuz
D) Both A and B
Answer: D
Explanation: Israel bombed South Pars (world's largest gas reserve), followed by Iranian retaliatory strikes on regional oil infrastructure, pushing Brent crude to $119/barrel.
8. What was the reported civilian impact from one early strike in the Iran conflict?
A) Missile hit a girls’ school in Minab, killing 165
B) Attack on a hospital in Tehran
C) Drone strike on a market in Isfahan
D) Bombing of a university in Qom
Answer: A
Explanation: A missile struck a girls’ elementary school in Minab, killing 165 schoolgirls and staff, drawing international condemnation.
9. Which leader stated “to be free, we have to be feared” while announcing an increase in nuclear warheads?
A) Donald Trump
B) Benjamin Netanyahu
C) Emmanuel Macron
D) Keir Starmer
Answer: C
Explanation: French President Macron announced France's first nuclear warhead increase in decades amid global tensions.
10. What poll result was reported regarding U.S. public opinion on the Iran strikes in early March 2026?
A) 59% approve
B) 59% disapprove
C) 70% support regime change
D) Evenly divided
Answer: B
Explanation: A CNN poll showed 59% of Americans disapproved of the strikes, with many fearing a long-term conflict.
11. Which international day in March 2026 focused on the theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls”?
A) World Wildlife Day
B) International Women’s Day
C) World Water Day
D) International Day of Happiness
Answer: B
Explanation: International Women’s Day (March 8) emphasized dismantling barriers to equal justice for women and girls.
12. What major sporting event concluded around March 8, 2026?
A) ICC Men's T20 World Cup (India won)
B) FIFA World Cup qualifier
C) Olympics preparation event
D) Wimbledon
Answer: A
Explanation: India defeated New Zealand in the final to defend their T20 World Cup title (co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka).
13. In the context of the Iran war, which country arrested suspects linked to IRGC cells for espionage?
A) UAE
B) Qatar
C) Bahrain
D) Kuwait
Answer: B
Explanation: Qatar arrested 10 people from two IRGC-linked cells amid Iranian strikes on the region.
14. What did anonymous sources report about Iran's willingness for talks in early March?
A) Refusal of any negotiations
B) Openness to end the war via CIA channels
C) Demand for immediate ceasefire
D) Rejection of U.S. involvement
Answer: B
Explanation: Iranian intelligence signaled openness to talks with the U.S. to end the conflict.
15. Which U.N. forum was set to discuss gender equality shortly after International Women’s Day 2026?
A) General Assembly
B) Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70)
C) Security Council
D) Human Rights Council
Answer: B
Explanation: CSW70 (March 9-19) at UN Headquarters focused on women's rights and equality.
16. What unusual action occurred in parts of Iran following Khamenei's death?
A) Mass protests in support
B) Toppling of Khomeini statues in some areas
C) Immediate election of new leader
D) Complete media blackout
Answer: B
Explanation: While some mourned, others celebrated by toppling monuments of Ruhollah Khomeini in places like Galleh Dar and Dehloran.
17. Which military action marked Israel's largest escalation in Lebanon since the 2024 ceasefire?
A) Airstrikes on Beirut
B) Ground invasion of southern Lebanon
C) Naval blockade
D) Drone campaign only
Answer: B
Explanation: Israeli forces invaded southern Lebanon, leading to mass evacuations and over 1,000 deaths/1M displaced in reports.
18. What was the U.S. estimated spending on the Iran war two weeks in?
A) $5 billion
B) Over $10 billion
C) $15 billion
D) $20 billion
Answer: B
Explanation: Reports indicated over $10 billion spent, with risks of higher costs if ground troops were deployed.
19. Which report suggested U.S. responsibility for a missile strike on an Iranian school?
A) IAEA investigation
B) Pentagon early findings
C) UN Human Rights probe
D) Iranian state media only
Answer: B
Explanation: Pentagon investigation indicated possible U.S. fault in the strike killing at least 175 at a school.
20. What proposal did France make regarding its nuclear posture in March 2026?
A) Reduction in arsenal
B) Increase in warheads for deterrence
C) Sharing with EU allies
D) Complete disarmament
Answer: B
Explanation: Macron announced an increase, stating fear ensures freedom amid global instability.
21. Which gas field, the world's largest, was bombed by Israel in mid-March?
A) North Field (Qatar)
B) South Pars (Iran)
C) Groningen (Netherlands)
D) Yamal (Russia)
Answer: B
Explanation: The strike on South Pars caused fires, production halts, and global energy market panic.
22. What was the status of Iran's new Supreme Leader selection process?
A) Completed immediately
B) Delayed due to bombing of Assembly of Experts building
C) Handled by IRGC
D) International supervision
Answer: B
Explanation: Israel bombed the Qom building where the Assembly of Experts was to decide, complicating succession.
23. Which nation reopened airspace after closures due to regional strikes?
A) Iran
B) Israel
C) Jordan
D) Lebanon
Answer: C
Explanation: Jordan reopened airspace for civilian flights after temporary closure amid the conflict.
24. What action did the CIA reportedly take to destabilize Iran?
A) Direct airstrikes
B) Arming Kurdish militias for uprising
C) Cyber attacks only
D) Diplomatic isolation
Answer: B
Explanation: Reports indicated CIA efforts to supply arms to Iranian Kurdish groups.
25. Which British warship was deployed to protect Akrotiri and Dhekelia from Iranian attacks?
A) HMS Queen Elizabeth
B) HMS Dragon
C) HMS Prince of Wales
D) HMS Defender
Answer: B
Explanation: UK deployed HMS Dragon to Cyprus bases after Iranian missile threats.