March 2026 Edition
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March 2026 Current Affairs MCQs & Solutions
Top national & international current affairs questions for CSS, PMS, FPSC, PPSC, and NTS screening tests.
#20801
Where did US President Donald Trump speak to reporters regarding the upcoming Iran talks on April 10, 2026?
(a) The White House
(b) Joint Base Andrews
(c) Camp David
(d) The Pentagon
Explanation: President Trump spoke to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, before boarding Air Force One. The White House and Pentagon are common locations for presidential briefings but were not the site of this specific event. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990730/us-president-trump-projects-cautious-optimism-ahead-of-iran-talks, 11 Apr 2026]
#20802
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of the US approach to the 2026 Iran talks as described by President Trump?
(a) Reliance on a detailed, pre-determined backup plan
(b) Cautious optimism regarding the process
(c) Transactional framing of geopolitical interests
(d) Emphasis on the necessity of keeping straits open
Explanation: President Trump explicitly dismissed the need for a backup plan when asked about contingency planning. The other options accurately reflect his stated position on the talks. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1990730/us-president-trump-projects-cautious-optimism-ahead-of-iran-talks, 11 Apr 2026]
#20803
Who is the current President of Iran that confirmed participation in the peace talks held in the context of the 2026 ceasefire?
(a) Ebrahim Raisi
(b) Hassan Rouhani
(c) Masoud Pezeshkian
(d) Mohammad Mokhber
Explanation: Masoud Pezeshkian is the President of Iran who confirmed Tehran's participation in the peace talks during a phone call with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The other individuals listed are either former presidents or officials not currently holding the presidency in 2026. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989584/pm-shehbaz-asks-trump-to-extend-deadline-for-two-weeks-requests-iran-to-open-hormuz-for-corresponding-period, 07 Apr 2026]
#20804
Which of the following statements regarding the 2026 ceasefire agreement is INCORRECT?
(a) The White House confirmed that the in-person talks in Islamabad were finalized and officially announced by President Trump.
(b) Israel supported the ceasefire deal but maintained it did not include Lebanon.
(c) The United States and Iran agreed to an immediate ceasefire.
(d) Saudi Arabia expressed hope that the truce would lead to a comprehensive de-escalation.
Explanation: The White House Press Secretary stated that while discussions about in-person talks were occurring, nothing was final until officially announced by the President or the White House. Therefore, stating that the talks were already finalized and announced is incorrect. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989584/pm-shehbaz-asks-trump-to-extend-deadline-for-two-weeks-requests-iran-to-open-hormuz-for-corresponding-period, 07 Apr 2026]
#20805
Which strategic maritime chokepoint was highlighted by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) as needing to be opened following the 2026 ceasefire?
(a) Strait of Malacca
(b) Strait of Hormuz
(c) Suez Canal
(d) Bab-el-Mandeb Strait
Explanation: The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) emphasized that the Strait of Hormuz should be opened to address traffic buildup and regional security. The other straits listed are not the primary focus of the current Iran-US diplomatic de-escalation. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989584/pm-shehbaz-asks-trump-to-extend-deadline-for-two-weeks-requests-iran-to-open-hormuz-for-corresponding-period, 07 Apr 2026]
#20806
Consider the following statements about the diplomatic developments in April 2026: 1. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif mediated the ceasefire between the United States and Iran. 2. The ceasefire agreement was initially rejected by all members of the Gulf Cooperation Council. 3. The Iranian President confirmed his country's participation in the proposed Islamabad negotiations. 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 helped mediate the deal. Statement 3 is correct as President Pezeshkian confirmed participation. Statement 2 is incorrect because the GCC members actually welcomed the ceasefire. [Source: https://www.dawn.com/news/1989584/pm-shehbaz-asks-trump-to-extend-deadline-for-two-weeks-requests-iran-to-open-hormuz-for-corresponding-period, 07 Apr 2026]
#20807
On March 21, at which locations on Earth are the durations of day and night approximately equal?
(a) All parallel of latitude
(b) The Tropic of Equator alone
(c) The Tropic of Capricorn alone
(d) The Tropic of Cancer alone
Explanation: March 21 marks the vernal equinox. During an equinox, the Sun is positioned directly above the Earth's equator. As a result, the circle of illumination passes through both the North and South Poles, causing day and night to be of equal length across all latitudes globally.
#20808
At which locations is the duration of day and night equal on the date of March 21?
(a) The Tropic of Capricorn alone
(b) All parallels of latitude
(c) The Tropic of Cancer alone
(d) The Tropic of Equator alone
Explanation: March 21 marks the vernal equinox. During an equinox, the Sun is positioned directly above the Earth's equator, causing the circle of illumination to pass through both poles. Consequently, all locations on Earth experience approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.
#20809
Which international observance is commemorated annually on March 21st?
(a) World environmental day
(b) Civil Aviation day.
(c) International day for eradication of poverty
(d) International day for elimination of Racial discrimination
Explanation: March 21st is officially designated by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. This date was chosen to commemorate the 1960 Sharpeville massacre in South Africa, where police opened fire on peaceful demonstrators protesting against apartheid 'pass laws'. It serves as a global reminder of the ongoing struggle to combat racism and racial prejudice worldwide.
#20810
Which group conducted the historic 'Long March' in 1934?
(a) Chinese Communist
(b) George W. Marshall
(c) John W. Regon
(d) All of these
Explanation: The Long March was a significant military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Chinese Communist Party to evade the pursuit of the Kuomintang (Chinese Nationalist Party) army. Spanning from 1934 to 1935, this arduous journey covered thousands of miles across difficult terrain. It is considered a pivotal event in Chinese history, as it helped consolidate Mao Zedong's leadership and ensured the survival of the Communist movement.
#20811
In which city was the fourth Nuclear Security Summit held between March 31 and April 1, 2016?
(a) Washington DC
(b) France
(c) Austria
(d) Belgium
Explanation: The fourth Nuclear Security Summit, a world summit aimed at preventing nuclear terrorism, was hosted by the United States in Washington, D.C. This event brought together leaders from over 50 countries to discuss international cooperation on nuclear security, building upon the progress made in previous summits held in Washington, Seoul, and The Hague.
#20812
The Treaty of Rome, which established the European Economic Community (EEC), was signed on March 25 of which year?
(a) 1967
(b) 1951
(c) 1961
(d) 1957
Explanation: The Treaty of Rome was signed on March 25, 1957, by six founding countries: Belgium, France, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, and West Germany. This historic agreement created the European Economic Community, often referred to as the Common Market, which laid the foundational framework for the modern European Union.
#20813
If January 30, 2003, was a Thursday, what day of the week was March 2, 2003?
(a) Sunday
(b) Thursday
(c) Saturday
(d) Tuesday
Explanation: In 2003, February had 28 days. From January 30 to March 2, we count the remaining day in January (1 day), all of February (28 days), and the first two days of March. Total days = 1 + 28 + 2 = 31 days. Dividing 31 by 7 gives a remainder of 3. Adding 3 days to Thursday results in Sunday.
#20814
Who delivered the iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech during the 1963 March on Washington?
(a) George Washington
(b) Richard Nixon
(c) Johan F. Kennedy
(d) Martin Luther King
Explanation: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his famous 'I Have a Dream' speech on August 28, 1963, from the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. The speech was a defining moment of the American Civil Rights Movement, calling for an end to racism and advocating for civil and economic rights for all citizens.
#20815
Who is the author of the book "Making Sense of Pakistan"? (2026)
(a) K.K Aziz
(b) Farzana Shaikh
(c) Ayesha Jalal
(d) Anatol Lieven
Explanation: The Lucknow Pact (1916) accepted the principle of separate electorates.
#20816
The edited volume "The Future of Pakistan" is authored by: (2026)
(a) Anatol Lieven
(b) Stephen P. Cohen
(c) Pervez Hoodbhoy
(d) None of these
Explanation: Stephen P. Cohen edited The Future of Pakistan.
#20817
The only Pakistani PM who visited the US and addressed a joint session of Congress is: (2026)
(a) Benazir Bhutto
(b) Liaquat Ali Khan
(c) Shaukat Aziz
(d) None of these
Explanation: The Radcliffe Award was announced on 17 August 1947 (None of these).
#20818
The establishment and structure of the Supreme Court is provided under Article _________: (2026)
(a) 63–64
(b) 99
(c) 176–191
(d) None of these
Explanation: Articles 176-191 provide the structure and powers of the Supreme Court.
#20819
Pakistan's largest solar park is in: (2026)
(a) Dera Ismail Khan
(b) Sukkur
(c) Gwadar
(d) Bahawalpur
Explanation: Choudhry Rahmat Ali coined the word Pakistan in 1933.
#20820
Islamabad officially became the capital of Pakistan in: (2026)
(a) 1969
(b) 1966
(c) 1962
(d) None of these
Explanation: Gomal Zam Dam is located in South Waziristan.