10 Questions β’ Answer all questions and submit to see your results
Select one answer for each question
Quiz Complete! π
0/10
0
Correct
0
Incorrect
Answer Review
Review all questions with correct answers and explanations
π Revision Notes
Key takeaways from today’s quiz to strengthen your preparation
Infrastructure
PM Modi’s South India Inaugurations β 11 March 2026
PM Modi dedicated projects worth Rs 16,450 crore across Kerala (Rs 10,800 cr) and Tamil Nadu (Rs 5,650 cr). Key projects: BPCL Polypropylene Unit at Kochi Refinery (Rs 5,500 cr) in Kerala and IOCL Lube Blending Plant at Manali, Chennai in Tamil Nadu, along with highway and railway projects.
Geopolitics
11th Raisina Dialogue 2026
Held 5β7 March 2026 in New Delhi with theme “SaαΉskΔra β Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement.” Organised by ORF & MEA, inaugurated by PM Modi; Chief Guest was Finland’s President Alexander Stubb. The inaugural Raisina Science Diplomacy Initiative (SDI) was launched at this edition.
Defence
SIPRI Arms Transfers Report 2025
Ukraine topped as the world’s largest arms importer (2021β25) with 9.7% of global transfers. India ranked 2nd (8.2%), Saudi Arabia 3rd (6.8%). Top exporters: USA, France, Russia. Global arms transfers rose ~10% due to heightened geopolitical tensions.
International
Iran’s New Supreme Leader β Mojtaba Khamenei
Mojtaba Khamenei (age 56) was appointed Iran’s new Supreme Leader on 8 March 2026 by the 88-member Assembly of Experts. Son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, he becomes only the third Supreme Leader in Iranian history since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Defence
Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 β India & Seychelles
The 11th edition of the IndiaβSeychelles joint military exercise began 9 March 2026 at Seychelles Defence Academy, Victoria. Landmark: India’s first-ever tri-service participation (Army, Navy, IAF). INS Trikand and an IAF C-130 were deployed for the 12-day exercise.
Defence & Security
CISF 57th Raising Day
CISF (Central Industrial Security Force) celebrated its 57th Raising Day on 10 March 2026 at KRTC Mundali, Cuttack. Established in 1969 under the CISF Act, 1968, it functions under the Ministry of Home Affairs and secures airports, nuclear plants, seaports, metros, and critical industrial assets.
Business & Economy
Nashik’s Green Municipal Bond on NSE
Nashik Municipal Corporation became the first urban local body in Maharashtra to list a Green Municipal Bond on the NSE. India’s first green municipal bond was issued by Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (2021, Rs 150 cr), followed by Indore (2023) for a 60-MW solar plant.
Sports
Gary Kirsten β Sri Lanka Cricket Coach
Former South African cricketer Gary Kirsten appointed Sri Lanka men’s head coach from 15 April 2026 (2-year contract). Previously coached India to the 2011 ODI WC title and South Africa to No. 1 ranking. He replaced Sanath Jayasuriya; key goal: 2027 ICC Cricket World Cup preparation.
Science & Technology
AIIMSβISRO MoU on Space Medicine
AIIMS and ISRO signed an MoU in March 2026 for space medicine and astronaut health research in support of India’s Gaganyaan programme. Signed by M. Srinivas (AIIMS Director) and Dinesh Kumar Singh (Director, ISRO Human Space Flight Centre). Focus: microgravity, radiation studies, health monitoring.
Defence
NATO Cold Response 2026 β Arctic Exercise
NATO’s biennial Cold Response 2026 ran 9β19 March in the Arctic, involving ~25,000 troops from 14 countries. Part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission, it enhanced Arctic warfare capability, multinational readiness, and introduced greater emphasis on civilian support roles in military logistics.
π΄ Revision Flashcards
Click each card to flip and test your recall
Tap to Reveal
What was the theme of the 11th Raisina Dialogue (2026)?
SaαΉskΔra β Assertion, Accommodation, Advancement
Held 5β7 March 2026; Chief Guest: Finland’s President Alexander Stubb
Tap to Reveal
Which country was the largest arms importer (2021β2025) per SIPRI?
Ukraine (9.7%)
India ranked 2nd (8.2%); Saudi Arabia 3rd (6.8%)
Tap to Reveal
Who is Iran’s new Supreme Leader appointed in March 2026?
Mojtaba Khamenei
3rd Supreme Leader since 1979; son of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei
Tap to Reveal
Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 is held between India and which country?
Seychelles
11th edition; India’s first-ever tri-service participation (Army + Navy + IAF)
Tap to Reveal
Which was India’s first municipal corporation to issue green bonds?
Ghaziabad Municipal Corporation (2021)
Rs 150 cr for sewage treatment; Nashik is first in Maharashtra to list on NSE
Tap to Reveal
Gary Kirsten guided which country to the 2011 ODI World Cup title?
India
Coached India 2008β2011; now appointed Sri Lanka head coach from April 2026
Tap to Reveal
AIIMSβISRO MoU (March 2026) is for research in which field?
Space Medicine & Astronaut Health Research
Supports Gaganyaan; focus on microgravity, radiation & health monitoring
Tap to Reveal
How many troops participated in NATO’s Cold Response 2026?
~25,000 troops from 14 countries
Arctic exercise, 9β19 March 2026; part of NATO’s Arctic Sentry mission
Think & Discuss
India’s Defence Dilemma: Top Arms Importer in a World Rearming for War
Context from today’s quiz: The SIPRI Arms Transfers 2025 report reveals Ukraine as the world’s largest arms importer (9.7%), pushing India to 2nd place (8.2%). Meanwhile, NATO is conducting large-scale Arctic drills, Iran has a new Supreme Leader after major geopolitical upheaval, and India is deepening military ties with island nations through exercises like LAMITIYE. The global security architecture is shifting rapidly.
π€ Your Perspective Matters
India consistently ranks among the world’s top arms importers, reflecting both its legitimate security needs and its ongoing struggle to build indigenous defence capability. As conflict intensifies globally β from Ukraine to the Middle East β the pressure on India to either deepen alliances or maintain strategic autonomy grows more acute.
Can India reduce its arms import dependency through ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence, or will geopolitical realities force it to remain a major arms buyer for the foreseeable future?
Can India reduce its arms import dependency through ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ in defence, or will geopolitical realities force it to remain a major arms buyer for the foreseeable future?
- India’s SIPRI ranking improved from 1st to 2nd β is this a sign of growing domestic defence capacity, or simply that Ukraine’s wartime needs are exceptional?
- Given Iran’s leadership transition and NATO’s Arctic buildup, how should India recalibrate its ‘strategic autonomy’ in a more polarised world?
- India signed an MoU with ISRO for space medicine and deepened ties with Seychelles β do these signal a shift towards technology diplomacy and soft power alongside hard security?
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your perspective in the comments.
π€ Found this useful? Help your friends stay updated too!
