Current Affairs MCQs 2026 with Answers and Explanations
Current affairs carry significant marks in almost every competitive test in Pakistan, and examiners prefer the latest national and international developments. These Current Affairs MCQs 2026 with answers cover Pakistan and world current affairs of the year, including the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka, Cyprus’s presidency of the EU Council, the US presidency of the G20 and India’s chairmanship of BRICS, together with the leaders of key international organisations, for PPSC, FPSC, KPPSC, SPSC, BPSC, NTS, CSS, PMS and ISSB preparation. Earlier years are covered on separate Current Affairs 2025 and Current Affairs 2024 pages. For a quick shortlist, see the 50 most important current affairs MCQs of 2026.
Take a scored quiz instead →In early 2026, which country officially assumed the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union for the first half of 2026?
Cyprus holds the rotating presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2026.
In 2026, which nation is hosting the FIFA World Cup jointly with Canada and Mexico?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is co-hosted by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
How many total national teams are competing in the expanded 2026 FIFA World Cup?
The 2026 World Cup features 48 teams for the first time in tournament history.
Which two cities co-hosted the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy?
The 2026 Winter Olympics were held from 6 to 22 February 2026, co-hosted by Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, the first Winter Games officially shared by two cities.
Italy had hosted the Winter Games before at Cortina d'Ampezzo (1956) and Turin (2006).
The 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina marked which edition of the Winter Olympic Games?
The 2026 Milano-Cortina Games mark the XXV (25th) Winter Olympic Games.
Which country hosted the 20th Asian Games in September–October 2026?
Japan hosted the 20th Asian Games in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya from 19 September to 4 October 2026, its third Asian Games after Tokyo 1958 and Hiroshima 1994.
Doha (2030) and Riyadh (2034) are the next hosts.
Which international organization commemorated its 80th anniversary of establishment in 2025-2026?
The United Nations was established in 1945, marking its 80th anniversary in 2025-2026.
The United Nations Charter was officially signed in San Francisco in which year?
The UN Charter was signed on June 26, 1945 in San Francisco.
In 2026, the United States is celebrating which historic milestone anniversary of the Declaration of Independence?
In 2026, the US marks 250 years since the 1776 Declaration of Independence (Semiquincentennial).
Which country serves as the Chair of the Group of Twenty (G20) for the year 2026?
The United States assumes the G20 Presidency for 2026 following South Africa.
The Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) headquarters is located in which city?
The Secretariat of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization is located in Beijing, China.
Which country hosted the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup jointly with Sri Lanka?
India and Sri Lanka co-host the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.
How many teams participated in the 2026 ICC Men’s T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka?
The 2026 T20 World Cup includes 20 competing nations.
What is the official currency of Croatia, which fully adopted the Euro zone in recent years?
Croatia officially joined the Eurozone and Schengen area, adopting the Euro.
In 2026, which country holds the rotating presidency of the BRICS group following Brazil?
India assumes the rotating BRICS Chairmanship for 2026.
What is the total number of member countries in the Commonwealth of Nations as of 2026?
The Commonwealth of Nations comprises 56 member countries.
Which two African nations were the newest to join the Commonwealth of Nations at the Rwanda summit?
Togo and Gabon joined the Commonwealth at the Kigali summit in 2022.
The permanent secretariat of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) is located in:
The SAARC Secretariat was established in Kathmandu, Nepal in 1987.
In which year was SAARC officially founded in Dhaka, Bangladesh?
SAARC was established in Dhaka on December 8, 1985.
How many member states currently constitute SAARC?
SAARC consists of 8 member states in South Asia.
Which country was the last to join SAARC as its 8th full member state in 2007?
Afghanistan joined SAARC as its 8th member at the 14th SAARC Summit in 2007.
Where is the headquarters of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) located?
The General Secretariat of the OIC is headquartered in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
The OIC was officially established in September 1969 following a summit held in which city?
The OIC was founded following the historic summit in Rabat, Morocco in September 1969.
How many member states belong to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)?
The OIC represents 57 member states across four continents.
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has its principal seat in which city?
The ICJ is seated at the Peace Palace in The Hague, Netherlands.
How many judges serve on the International Court of Justice (ICJ) panel?
The ICJ consists of 15 judges elected by the UN General Assembly and Security Council.
What is the official term length for judges elected to the International Court of Justice (ICJ)?
ICJ judges are elected for nine-year terms.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) was established under which international treaty?
The ICC was established under the Rome Statute adopted in 1998.
In which year did the Rome Statute enter into force establishing the ICC?
The Rome Statute entered into force on July 1, 2002.
In which year was the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) established?
IAEA was created in 1957 as an autonomous organization within the UN system.
Where is the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) located?
WHO headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland.
World Health Day is observed annually on April 7 to mark the founding date of WHO in which year?
WHO constitution came into force on April 7, 1948.
Where is the headquarters of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) located?
FAO headquarters is located in Rome, Italy.
Where is the headquarters of UNESCO (UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization)?
UNESCO headquarters is in Paris, France.
Which international financial organization has its headquarters in Washington, D.C. alongside the World Bank?
Both IMF and World Bank are headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Where is the headquarters of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) located?
ADB headquarters is in Mandaluyong, Metro Manila, Philippines.
In which year was the Asian Development Bank (ADB) founded?
The Asian Development Bank was established on December 19, 1966.
Where is the main headquarters of the African Union (AU) located?
The African Union headquarters is located in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Which city will host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games?
Brisbane, Australia was selected to host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games.
Where is the official headquarters of the International Olympic Committee (IOC)?
The IOC headquarters is located in Lausanne, Switzerland.
The Transparency International Secretariat is based in which European city?
Transparency International is headquartered in Berlin, Germany.
Which international agreement signed in 2015 aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels?
The Paris Climate Agreement was adopted at COP21 in December 2015.
Who is the UN Secretary-General (as of 2026)?
António Guterres has served as the UN Secretary-General since 2017, focusing on global cooperation and conflict resolution.
Which nation is currently a leading exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)?
Qatar is a dominant exporter of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), playing a pivotal role in global energy stability.
What is the primary objective of the ‘Belt and Road Initiative’?
The Belt and Road Initiative is a massive infrastructure development strategy launched by China to enhance connectivity across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
Which country became a member of BRICS on 1 January 2024?
Egypt joined BRICS on 1 January 2024, together with Ethiopia, Iran and the UAE, after being invited at the August 2023 Johannesburg summit.
The ‘COP30’ climate summit was scheduled for which year?
COP30, the 2025 climate summit, represents a critical juncture for assessing global efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Which country is currently leading in electric vehicle (EV) battery production?
China leads the global production of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, owing to its advanced manufacturing ecosystem.
What is the focus of the current ‘Digital Silk Road’ initiative?
The Digital Silk Road is designed to develop telecommunications and internet infrastructure in developing countries.
Who became Prime Minister of the United Kingdom in July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer?
Andy Burnham, the former Mayor of Greater Manchester, took office as UK Prime Minister on 20 July 2026, succeeding Keir Starmer, who had been Prime Minister since 5 July 2024.
The 2026 Commonwealth Games were hosted by which nation?
Scotland was the host for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, promoting international sports.
Which international body is responsible for monitoring global financial stability?
The IMF's primary mandate is to monitor financial stability and offer policy advice to member nations.
What is the main goal of the ‘Paris Agreement’?
The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty aimed at limiting global warming.
The ‘Quad’ alliance includes which countries?
The Quad alliance consists of the USA, Japan, India, and Australia, working together to ensure a stable Indo-Pacific region.
What is meant by ‘green hydrogen’?
Green hydrogen is hydrogen produced by splitting water through electrolysis powered by renewable electricity, so its production emits almost no carbon dioxide. It is seen as a clean fuel for heavy industry and transport.
Grey hydrogen is made from natural gas, blue hydrogen from natural gas with carbon capture, and brown or black hydrogen from coal.
What does the ‘SDG’ in UN context stand for?
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a UN-led framework to address global poverty, health, and climate.
The ‘World Economic Forum’ is held annually in which country?
The World Economic Forum (WEF) convenes global leaders annually in Davos, Switzerland, to address economic trends.
The ‘Global Vaccine Alliance’ (Gavi) focuses on?
Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, is dedicated to expanding access to life-saving vaccines in underdeveloped regions.
Who is the Director-General of WHO (as of 2026)?
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus leads the WHO, guiding global strategy on health emergencies and wellness.
Which country is a permanent member of the UN Security Council?
France maintains permanent status on the UN Security Council, a remnant of the post-WWII international order.
Which three dimensions does the Human Development Index (HDI) measure?
The HDI, published by UNDP since 1990, combines life expectancy at birth (health), mean and expected years of schooling (education) and gross national income per capita (standard of living).
It was devised by Pakistani economist Dr Mahbub-ul-Haq with Amartya Sen.
Which region is a hub for ‘Semiconductor’ manufacturing?
East Asian nations, particularly Taiwan, are the centers of semiconductor technology and manufacturing.
What is the aim of ‘Net-Zero’ emission targets?
A net-zero target means cutting greenhouse gas emissions as far as possible and balancing whatever remains with removals, such as forests or carbon capture, so that net emissions are zero.
The Paris Agreement (2015) aims for this balance in the second half of the century to keep warming well below 2°C.
Which country is a member of the ‘G7’?
Italy is a major G7 economy, contributing to global policy on finance and security.
In which year was NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) founded?
NATO was founded on 4 April 1949, when 12 countries signed the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington. Its headquarters is in Brussels, and Article 5 commits members to collective defence.
Sweden became the 32nd member in March 2024. The rival Warsaw Pact was formed in 1955 and dissolved in 1991.
What is the primary focus of the ‘UNFCCC’?
The UNFCCC is the foundational convention that sets the goals for global climate change diplomacy.
Which country is the largest contributor to the UN budget?
The United States is the primary contributor to the UN's budget, which funds essential international functions.
Who served as the Prime Minister of Pakistan during the fiscal year 2025–2026?
• Shehbaz Sharif served as the 24th Prime Minister of Pakistan, having taken oath in March 2024 and continuing his tenure through 2026.
• Asif Ali Zardari served as the 14th President of Pakistan during this term. Shehbaz Sharif previously headed the 16-month coalition government from April 2022 to August 2023.
In 2026, which country hosted the 23rd FIFA Men’s World Cup jointly across 16 cities?
• The 2026 FIFA World Cup was jointly hosted by three North American nations: the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
• This was the first FIFA World Cup to feature 48 teams (expanded from 32). Mexico became the first country to host or co-host three Men's World Cups (1970, 1986, 2026).
What was the headline inflation rate trend target set by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) for FY 2025–2026?
• Following severe economic stabilization measures and IMF reforms, the SBP brought inflation down toward its medium-term target of 5% – 7% by 2025–2026.
• Pakistan's CPI inflation peaked above 37% in May 2023 before aggressive policy rate hikes by the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) cooled price levels.
What is the total number of non-permanent members in the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)?
• The UNSC consists of 15 members in total: 5 permanent members (P5) with veto power and 10 non-permanent members elected for two-year terms by the UN General Assembly.
• Pakistan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UNSC for a two-year term starting January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2026 (its 8th term overall).
Which country chaired the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) for 2024–25, after the July 2024 Astana Summit?
China took over the rotating SCO chairmanship at the Astana Summit in July 2024 and hosted the SCO summit in Tianjin (31 August–1 September 2025), after which Kyrgyzstan took over for 2025–26.
Belarus became the SCO's 10th member in July 2024, and Pakistan hosted the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Islamabad in October 2024.
Which sporting event was jointly hosted across 16 cities in the United States, Canada and Mexico in June–July 2026?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 23rd edition, was held from 11 June to 19 July 2026 in 16 cities across the United States, Canada and Mexico. It was the first World Cup with 48 teams and the first hosted by three countries.
Who serves as the Secretary-General of the United Nations, currently executing his second five-year term (2022–2026)?
• António Guterres of Portugal is the 9th Secretary-General of the United Nations, having taken office on January 1, 2017, and subsequently re-elected for a second term.
• He previously served as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from 2005 to 2015 and as Prime Minister of Portugal from 1995 to 2002.
Which nation hosted the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in February 2026?
• The XXV Winter Olympic Games were held in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to February 22, 2026.
• This was the third time Italy hosted the Winter Olympic Games, following Cortina d'Ampezzo 1956 and Turin 2006.
What total number of seats are present in the National Assembly of Pakistan under the current constitutional distribution post-25th Amendment?
• The National Assembly of Pakistan comprises a total of 336 seats, including 266 general seats, 60 reserved seats for women, and 10 reserved seats for non-Muslims.
• The total seat count was revised down from 342 to 336 following the integration of FATA into Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the 25th Constitutional Amendment.
Which strategic sea route connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden, serving as a critical chokepoint for global oil shipment and trade?
• The Bab-el-Mandeb Strait is a narrow strategic strait located between Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula and Djibouti/Eritrea in the Horn of Africa.
• It links the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean, through which approximately 12% of total seaborne global trade passes.
What key target date was established by the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) to preserve at least 30% of the world’s land and marine areas (the 30×30 target)?
• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted the landmark '30x30' target, committing international signatories to designate 30% of global terrestrial, inland water, and coastal regions as protected areas by 2030.
• The agreement was adopted at COP15 in Montreal, Canada, under China's presidency to halt global species extinction and habitat degradation.
Who serves as the Secretary General of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), assuming office in 2023?
• Ambassador Golam Sarwar of Bangladesh took office as the 15th Secretary-General of SAARC in October 2023.
• Established in 1985 in Dhaka, SAARC's Secretariat is located in Kathmandu, Nepal, comprising 8 member nations across South Asia.