May 2025 Edition
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May 2025 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#4821
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments mentioned on May 30, 2026: 1. Pakistan served as the official interlocutor between Washington and Tehran. 2. The US Secretary of Defense expressed concerns that Pakistan's missile capabilities are currently a direct threat to the US. 3. The US President has referred to the Pakistani Army Chief as his 'favourite field marshal'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as Pakistan acted as the interlocutor. Statement 3 is correct as the US President used that specific phrasing. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Secretary of Defense explicitly stated that the US is not calling either country a threat to them at this time. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003936/us-pakistan-developing-true-friendship-hegseth-hails-islamabads-role-in-us-iran-negotiations, 30 May 2026]
#4822
According to the Prime Minister's statement on May 9, 2026, which issue remains an 'unfinished agenda of Partition'?
(a) The Iran-US conflict
(b) The Kashmir issue
(c) The Afghanistan border dispute
(d) The Gwadar port development
Explanation: The Prime Minister reiterated that the Kashmir issue is an unfinished agenda of Partition and is critical for strategic stability in South Asia. The other options are unrelated to the historical context of the Partition of the subcontinent. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998951/etched-in-history-pm-shehbaz-says-pakistan-cannot-be-intimidated-or-subdued-as-nation-marks-marka-i-haq-anniversary, 09 May 2026]
#4823
Who is the current Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces of Pakistan who visited Tehran in May 2026?
(a) General Qamar Javed Bajwa
(b) Field Marshal Asim Munir
(c) General Raheel Sharif
(d) None of these
Explanation: Field Marshal Asim Munir is the current Chief of Army Staff and Chief of Defence Forces who led the mediation delegation to Tehran. The other names listed are former army chiefs. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002541/encouraging-progress-made-during-cdf-munirs-tehran-visit-ispr, 23 May 2026]
#4824
Which of the following Iranian officials did Field Marshal Asim Munir NOT meet during his visit to Tehran in May 2026?
(a) Masoud Pezeshkian
(b) Ali Khamenei
(c) Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf
(d) Abbas Araghchi
Explanation: Field Marshal Asim Munir met with President Masoud Pezeshkian, Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. There is no mention of a meeting with the Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, in the official reports. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2002541/encouraging-progress-made-during-cdf-munirs-tehran-visit-ispr, 23 May 2026]
#4825
Who presided over the 275th Corps Commanders' Conference held on May 5, 2026?
(a) General Asim Munir
(b) General Qamar Javed Bajwa
(c) General Sahir Shamshad Mirza
(d) General Nadeem Anjum
Explanation: Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir presided over the 275th Corps Commanders' Conference at the General Headquarters. The other options represent former or different high-ranking military officials. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1997771/regional-peace-stability-linked-to-collective-restraint-respect-for-sovereignty-armys-top-brass, 05 May 2026]
#4826
Who among the following was present alongside the DG ISPR during the press conference on May 7, 2026?
(a) Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee
(b) Chief of Army Staff
(c) Minister of Defence
(d) Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali
Explanation: Rear Admiral Shifaat Ali, the Deputy Chief of Naval Staff (Operations), and Air Vice Marshal Tariq Ghazi were the officials present at the press conference. The other options are high-ranking officials who were not mentioned as attendees at this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998318/we-are-prepared-dg-ispr-highlights-indigenous-military-capabilities-on-marka-i-haq-anniversary, 07 May 2026]
#4827
Who is the current Prime Minister of Lebanon as of May 2026?
(a) Benjamin Netanyahu
(b) Joseph Aoun
(c) Nawaf Salam
(d) Israel Katz
Explanation: Nawaf Salam serves as the Prime Minister of Lebanon and has been involved in diplomatic discussions regarding the ceasefire. Joseph Aoun is the President of Lebanon. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1998133/israel-strikes-beirut-for-the-first-time-since-ceasefire, 06 May 2026]
#4828
The 20 billion dollars worth of goods subject to the new tariffs represent approximately what percentage of total US imports from Canada in 2025?
(a) 5.2 percent
(b) 8.4 percent
(c) 12.1 percent
(d) 15.5 percent
Explanation: According to US Census Bureau data, the 20 billion dollars in affected goods accounts for roughly 5.2 percent of the 382 billion dollars in total imports from Canada during 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017209/us-imposes-new-50pc-tariffs-on-20bn-worth-of-canadian-products, 21 Jul 2026]
#4829
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic situation in April 2026: 1. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif visited Riyadh, Doha, and Istanbul as part of Pakistan's diplomatic outreach. 2. President Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to abandon its nuclear weapons program. 3. The US-Iran ceasefire was set to expire in early May 2026. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as the Prime Minister conducted a tour of these cities. Statement 2 is correct as Trump claimed Iran agreed to give up its nuclear program. Statement 3 is incorrect because the ceasefire was set to expire 'next week' from April 16, 2026, not in May. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1992383/trump-says-if-iran-deal-is-reached-and-signed-in-islamabad-i-might-go-there, 16 Apr 2026]
#4830
Which international agreement did India unilaterally suspend following the Pahalgam attack in 2025?
(a) Simla Agreement
(b) Tashkent Declaration
(c) Lahore Declaration
(d) Indus Waters Treaty
Explanation: India suspended the Indus Waters Treaty as part of its aggressive measures against Pakistan. The other agreements listed are historical diplomatic frameworks that were not the primary target of this specific suspension. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994381/pakistan-rejects-indian-propaganda-on-pahalgam-attack-deplores-weaponisation-of-false-narrative, 23 Apr 2026]
#4831
Consider the following statements about the 2025 Pahalgam incident: 1. The attack primarily targeted tourists in the disputed Himalayan region. 2. It was the deadliest armed attack in the region since the year 2000. 3. India provided conclusive evidence linking Pakistan to the attack immediately after the incident. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are factually correct based on the report. Statement 3 is incorrect because the report explicitly states that New Delhi blamed Pakistan without providing any evidence. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994381/pakistan-rejects-indian-propaganda-on-pahalgam-attack-deplores-weaponisation-of-false-narrative, 23 Apr 2026]
#4832
What was the name of the military operation conducted by Pakistan in response to Indian adventurism following the 2025 Pahalgam attack?
(a) Operation Zarb-e-Azb
(b) Operation Bunyanum Marsoos
(c) Operation Swift Retort
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Foreign Office explicitly referenced Operation Bunyanum Marsoos as the response to India's military actions in 2025. Other operations listed are either historical or unrelated to this specific timeline. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1994381/pakistan-rejects-indian-propaganda-on-pahalgam-attack-deplores-weaponisation-of-false-narrative, 23 Apr 2026]
#4833
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments mentioned on May 30, 2026: 1. Pakistan served as the official interlocutor between Washington and Tehran. 2. The US Secretary of Defense expressed concerns that Pakistan's missile capabilities are currently a direct threat to the US. 3. The US President has referred to the Pakistani Army Chief as his 'favourite field marshal'. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statement 1 is correct as Pakistan acted as the interlocutor. Statement 3 is correct as the US President used that specific phrasing. Statement 2 is incorrect because the Secretary of Defense explicitly stated that the US is not calling either country a threat to them at this time. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003936/us-pakistan-developing-true-friendship-hegseth-hails-islamabads-role-in-us-iran-negotiations, 30 May 2026]
#4834
Consider the following statements about the US-China summit in May 2026: 1. This visit marks the first time a US president has visited China in nearly ten years. 2. President Trump initially delayed the visit from March due to the war in the Middle East. 3. The US delegation includes the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defence. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: All three statements are factually accurate based on the report. The visit is the first in nearly a decade, the delay was caused by the Middle East conflict, and both the Secretary of State (Marco Rubio) and Secretary of Defence (Pete Hegseth) were confirmed to be on the flight. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1999895/trump-arrives-in-beijing-for-high-stakes-meeting-with-chinese-president-xi, 13 May 2026]
#4835
Consider the following statements about the US-Saudi nuclear cooperation agreement: 1. The agreement includes provisions for bilateral safeguards. 2. The deal is subject to review by the US Congress. 3. The agreement was signed in 2025 to coincide with the mutual defence pact. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are correct as the deal includes bilateral safeguards and requires Congressional review. Statement 3 is incorrect because the nuclear agreement was signed in 2026, whereas the mutual defence pact mentioned in the text was signed in 2025. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2017738/us-announces-civilian-nuclear-deal-with-saudi-arabia-says-it-includes-non-proliferation-safeguards, 23 Jul 2026]
#4836
Consider the following statements regarding the diplomatic developments mentioned on May 25, 2026: 1. The US is seeking to link the Iran peace deal to the expansion of the Abraham Accords. 2. Many nations targeted by the US demand have historically prioritized a two-state solution before normalizing relations with Israel. 3. Senator Lindsey Graham suggested that refusing to join the Abraham Accords would have no impact on future relationships with the US. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) All three
Explanation: Statements 1 and 2 are factually accurate based on the diplomatic context provided. Statement 3 is incorrect because Senator Graham explicitly warned that refusal to join would lead to 'severe repercussions' and make the peace proposal 'unacceptable'. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/2003043/trump-demands-widespread-sign-up-to-abraham-accords-as-part-of-iran-peace-deal, 25 May 2026]
#4837
What was the official code name for India's first nuclear test conducted on 18 May 1974?
(a) Operation Glorata
(b) Operation Stealth
(c) Operation Blue Star
(d) Operation Smiling Budha
Explanation: On May 18, 1974, India conducted its first successful nuclear test at the Pokhran Test Range in Rajasthan. The project was officially designated as 'Smiling Buddha'. This historic event marked India's entry into the group of nations possessing nuclear capabilities, and it was conducted for peaceful research purposes according to the Indian government's official statements at the time.
#4838
Calculate the simple interest on Rs. 500 at a rate of 6% per annum from May 3rd to July 15th of the same year.
(a) Rs. 4
(b) Rs. 6
(c) None of these
(d) Rs. 9
Explanation: The number of days from May 3rd to July 15th is 28 (May) + 30 (June) + 15 (July) = 73 days. Simple Interest = (Principal * Rate * Time) / 100. Using 73/365 years, SI = (500 * 6 * 73) / (100 * 365) = 3000 / 500 = 6.
#4839
Who is the author of the classic novels 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles', 'Far from the Madding Crowd', 'The Mayor of Casterbridge', and 'The Return of the Native'?
(a) Samuel Johnson
(b) Thomas Hardy
(c) Mark Twain
(d) William Faulkner
Explanation: Thomas Hardy was a prominent English novelist and poet. These specific titles are among his most famous works, which are primarily set in the semi-fictional region of Wessex in southwest England.
#4840
The territory of Mayotte is currently the subject of a sovereignty dispute between which two nations?
(a) France and Benin
(b) France and Sudan
(c) France and Comoros
(d) France and England
Explanation: Mayotte is an overseas department and region of France located in the Indian Ocean. However, the Union of the Comoros claims sovereignty over the island, arguing that it should have remained part of the Comorian archipelago upon independence. This ongoing geopolitical dispute has persisted since the 1970s, with France maintaining administrative control while Comoros continues to assert its historical and territorial claims.