11. Which countries have been excluded from the FIFA World Cup 2026?
[A] Pakistan, Russia, Congo
[B] Italy, Iran and Kuwait
[C] China, Japan, South Korea
[D] Ukraine, France, Brazil
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [Pakistan, Russia, Congo]
Notes:
Pakistan, Russia, and Congo have been excluded from the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to various issues. Pakistan was suspended for failing to implement a revised football federation constitution for fair elections. Russia faced exclusion due to geopolitical sanctions. Congo was disqualified due to third-party interference in football administration. The 2026 FIFA World Cup will feature 48 teams, but these nations will not participate. The decision highlights the importance of governance, fair play, and international relations in global sports.
12. Which country won the ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup 2025 title?
[A] India
[B] South Africa
[C] Australia
[D] England
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian women’s U19 cricket team won the 2nd ICC Women’s U19 T20 World Cup, defeating South Africa by nine wickets. The final was played on 2 February 2025 at Bayuemas Cricket Oval, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The team, led by Niki Prasad, had earlier won the inaugural ACC Women’s U19 Asia Cup 2024 in Malaysia. The tournament, organised by the ICC, took place in Malaysia from 18 January to 2 February 2025.
13. Which country is the host of FIDE Chess World Cup 2025?
[A] China
[B] Japan
[C] India
[D] Australia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [India]
Notes:
India will host the FIDE World Cup 2025 chess tournament, scheduled from October 31 to November 27. The World Cup has 206 players competing for three spots, with tough knockout rounds. This event will boost India’s global presence in the chess world. The announcement highlights India’s rising influence and prominence in the sport of chess.
14. Match the following pairs:
| Operation | Outcomes |
|---|
| Operation Meghdoot (1984) | This led to the liberation of Bangladesh and its recognition as a new nation. |
| Operation Cactus Lilly (1971) | Successful counter-terrorism strike by the Indian Army in Kashmir. |
| Operation Gibraltar (1965) | Failed Pakistani attempt to incite rebellion in Kashmir, leading to the Indo-Pak War of 1965. |
| Operation Randori Behak (2020) | India gained control over the world’s highest battlefield, the Siachen Glacier, preventing Pakistani occupation. |
Select the correct answer
[A] A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
[B] A-3, B-4, C-1, D-2
[C] A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
[D] A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2]
Notes:- Operation Meghdoot (1984): Siachen Glacier, Kashmir- India secured control of the world’s highest battlefield, preventing Pakistani occupation.
- Operation Cactus Lilly (1971): East Pakistan (Bangladesh)-Indian victory led to Bangladesh’s liberation and establishment as a new nation.
- Operation Gibraltar (1965): Failed attempt by Pakistan to incite rebellion, triggering the Indo-Pak War of 1965.
- Operation Randori Behak (2020): Indian Army’s highly successful counter-terror operation against infiltrators in Kashmir.
15. Which country won the Kho Kho World Cup 2025 in both the men’s and women’s categories?
[A] India
[B] Nepal
[C] South Africa
[D] Indonesia
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
The Indian men’s and women’s teams won the inaugural Kho Kho World Cup 2025 titles at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi. The men’s team defeated Nepal 54-36, while the women’s team beat Nepal 78-40 in their respective finals. The tournament, backed by the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), featured 20 men’s and 19 women’s teams. Both finals showcased India’s dominance, with strong attacking and defensive performances.
16. Which city is the host of Kho Kho World Cup 2025?
[A] Bengaluru
[B] New Delhi
[C] Hyderabad
[D] Chennai
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [New Delhi]
Notes:
The first Kho Kho World Cup began on 13 January 2025 at Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium, New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Sudhanshu Mittal, President of the Kho Kho Federation of India. It was organized by the Kho Kho Federation of India with support from the Indian Olympic Association, the event runs from 13–19 January 2025. Each team has 12 players, with 9 taking the field during a match. The tournament features men’s teams from 20 countries and women’s teams from 19 countries, divided into four groups. India’s men’s team is led by Pratik Waikar, and the women’s team by Priyanka Ingle.
17. With reference to notable soccer players and their achievements, consider the following statements:
- Pelé is the only player to win three FIFA World Cups.
- Diego Maradona was awarded the FIFA Player of the Century award in 1999.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in five different UEFA Champions League seasons.
- Zinedine Zidane won the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a coach.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] Only three
[D] All four
Show Answer
Correct Answer: D [All four]
Notes:- Pelé is the only player to win three FIFA World Cups: This is correct. He won in 1958, 1962, and 1970.
- Diego Maradona was awarded the FIFA Player of the Century award in 1999: This is correct. He shared the award with Pelé.
- Cristiano Ronaldo is the first player to score in five different UEFA Champions League seasons: This is correct. He achieved this milestone in 2012.
- Zinedine Zidane won the FIFA World Cup as both a player and a coach: This is correct. He won as a player in 1998 and as a coach in 2018.
Thus, all four statements are correct.
18. With reference to international badminton tournaments, consider the following statements:
- The All England Open Badminton Championships is the oldest badminton tournament in the world.
- The Sudirman Cup is a biennial mixed team championship contested by national teams.
- The Thomas Cup is exclusively for men’s teams, while the Uber Cup is for women’s teams.
How many of the above statements are correct?
[A] Only one
[B] Only two
[C] All three
[D] None
Show Answer
Correct Answer: C [All three]
Notes:- The All England Open Badminton Championships is the oldest badminton tournament in the world: This is correct. It was first held in 1899 and is considered the most prestigious tournament in badminton.
- The Sudirman Cup is a biennial mixed team championship contested by national teams: This is correct. Established in 1989, it features teams from different countries competing in both men’s and women’s events.
- The Thomas Cup is exclusively for men’s teams, while the Uber Cup is for women’s teams: This is correct. The Thomas Cup was first held in 1949 and the Uber Cup in 1956, both being team competitions in badminton.
Thus, all three statements are correct.
19. Which state is the host of Women’s Kabaddi World Cup 2025?
[A] Haryana
[B] Bihar
[C] Maharashtra
[D] Karnataka
Show Answer
Correct Answer: B [Bihar]
Notes:
Bihar will host the Women’s Kabaddi World Cup in March 2025 at the indoor hall of the Rajgir Sports Academy. Fourteen countries, including India, China, Japan, South Korea, and others, are expected to participate. Bihar is hosting the event for the second time, after the first edition in 2012 at Patliputra Sports Complex, Patna. The Women’s Kabaddi World Cup is an international competition organized by the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF).
20. Which country is the host of ISSF Junior World Cup 2025?
[A] India
[B] Australia
[C] United States
[D] China
Show Answer
Correct Answer: A [India]
Notes:
India will host the International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) Junior World Cup 2025 for Rifle, Pistol, and Shotgun events, marking the first time this event will be held in the country. This adds to India’s track record of hosting top ISSF events, including the 2023 Senior World Cup in Bhopal and the ISSF World Cup Final earlier this year. NRAI President Kalikesh Narayan Singh Deo credited India’s hosting success to strong support from the government and the Ministry of Sports. Over the past decade, India has hosted nine major ISSF championships, highlighting its role in promoting shooting sports globally. The year 2025 will also feature the inaugural Shooting League of India alongside regular national competitions.
