Welcome to the 18 March 2026 Current Affairs Quiz by Cosmo Classes. This daily quiz brings you the top 10 most important current affairs questions in English with the correct answer and a detailed, in-depth explanation for each. Click the SHOW ANSWER button below every question to reveal the answer along with a complete explanation. These questions are highly useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railway, State PCS and all other competitive examinations.

Wednesday, 18 March 2026 – Current Affairs Quiz (English)

1

Which state is set to become the first state in India to provide proton therapy in a government hospital?

(A) Tamil Nadu

(B) Gujarat

(C) Assam

(D) Maharashtra

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✔ Correct Answer: (C) Assam

Explanation: Assam is set to become the first state in India to provide proton therapy in a government hospital. Proton therapy is an advanced, highly precise form of radiation therapy used to treat cancer with minimal damage to surrounding healthy tissue. Making this cutting-edge treatment available in a government hospital improves affordable access to advanced cancer care. Health-sector firsts and medical-technology advancements are important topics in the current-affairs and science sections of competitive exams.

2

On which day of March is National Vaccination Day observed in India?

(A) 16 March

(B) 14 March

(C) 15 March

(D) 13 March

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✔ Correct Answer: (A) 16 March

Explanation: National Vaccination Day (also known as National Immunisation Day) is observed in India on 16 March every year. It commemorates the administration of the first dose of the oral polio vaccine in India in 1995 and aims to raise awareness about the importance of vaccination in preventing diseases. Vaccination has been central to India's public-health success, including polio eradication. National observance days and their significance are commonly asked in the current-affairs section of exams.

3

Who was honoured with the Jnanpith Award for 2025?

(A) Salma

(B) Vairamuthu

(C) Perumal Murugan

(D) Jayakanthan

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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Vairamuthu

Explanation: Vairamuthu was honoured with the Jnanpith Award for 2025. The Jnanpith Award is India's highest literary honour, recognising outstanding contributions to Indian literature. Vairamuthu is an acclaimed Tamil poet and lyricist known for his vast body of literary and film work. Literary honours, especially the Jnanpith Award, and their recipients are a frequently asked topic in the awards section of current affairs and should be carefully tracked by aspirants.

4

Who became one of the youngest billionaires after being included in the 2026 Forbes World Billionaires list?

(A) Aadarsh Hiremath

(B) Brendan Foody

(C) Sam Altman

(D) Surya Midha

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✔ Correct Answer: (D) Surya Midha

Explanation: Surya Midha became one of the youngest billionaires after being included in the 2026 Forbes World Billionaires list. The Forbes World Billionaires list is an annual ranking of the wealthiest people in the world, widely followed for tracking global wealth trends. The inclusion of young entrepreneurs reflects the rising influence of startups and technology in wealth creation. Forbes lists and rankings of billionaires are popular current-affairs items in the economy and general-awareness sections.

5

In which temple of Andhra Pradesh was a medieval Gajapati inscription recently discovered?

(A) Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

(B) Kanaka Durga Temple

(C) Srisailam Temple

(D) Tirupati Temple

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✔ Correct Answer: (A) Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple

Explanation: A medieval Gajapati inscription was recently discovered in the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy Temple of Andhra Pradesh. The Gajapati dynasty ruled parts of eastern India, including regions of present-day Odisha and Andhra Pradesh. Inscriptions provide valuable historical, cultural and administrative information about ancient and medieval India. Archaeological and epigraphic discoveries are a recurring topic in current affairs, connecting history and heritage with general awareness for competitive exam preparation.

6

At which archaeological site of Egypt was a newly discovered fragment of the statue of Ramesses II found?

(A) Luxor

(B) Karnak

(C) Giza

(D) Heliopolis Magna

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✔ Correct Answer: (D) Heliopolis Magna

Explanation: A newly discovered fragment of the statue of Ramesses II was found at Heliopolis Magna, an archaeological site in Egypt. Ramesses II, also known as Ramesses the Great, was one of ancient Egypt's most powerful and celebrated pharaohs. Such archaeological discoveries shed light on ancient Egyptian civilisation and its monumental art. Significant archaeological finds across the world are a regular feature in the current-affairs and history sections of competitive examinations.

7

How many total medals did India win at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup held in Bangkok?

(A) Three

(B) Four

(C) Five

(D) Six

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✔ Correct Answer: (D) Six

Explanation: India won a total of six medals at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup held in Bangkok. Indian boxers have consistently performed well in international competitions, reflecting the country's growing strength in the sport. Tracking India's medal tally and performances in major international sporting events is essential for the sports section of current affairs, where questions on medal counts, host cities and Indian athletes' achievements are frequently asked.

8

Who won the Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024-25 season at the Naman Awards 2026?

(A) Rohit Sharma

(B) Shubman Gill

(C) KL Rahul

(D) Virat Kohli

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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Shubman Gill

Explanation: Shubman Gill won the Polly Umrigar Award for the Best International Cricketer (Men) for the 2024-25 season at the Naman Awards 2026. The Polly Umrigar Award is one of the most prestigious honours given by the BCCI to recognise outstanding cricketing performance. Shubman Gill has emerged as one of India's leading batters across formats. BCCI awards and their recipients are an important topic in the sports section of current affairs for competitive examinations.

9

Which country topped the medal tally at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 (New Delhi leg)?

(A) India

(B) Russia

(C) China

(D) Japan

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✔ Correct Answer: (A) India

Explanation: India topped the medal tally at the World Para Athletics Grand Prix 2026 (New Delhi leg). Hosting and topping the medal table at such an event highlights India's rising prominence in para-sports and the success of its para-athletes. India's strong performance reflects improved support, training and recognition for para-athletes. Hosting of major sporting events and India's medal performances are frequently asked topics in the sports section of competitive exams.

10

The film Hamnet, for which Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award, is based on a novel written by which author?

(A) Hilary Mantel

(B) Maggie O'Farrell

(C) Zadie Smith

(D) Kazuo Ishiguro

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✔ Correct Answer: (B) Maggie O'Farrell

Explanation: The film Hamnet, for which Jessie Buckley won the Best Actress award, is based on a novel written by Maggie O'Farrell. The acclaimed novel 'Hamnet' reimagines the life of William Shakespeare's family and his son Hamnet. Adaptations of literary works into award-winning films connect literature and cinema, both of which feature in current affairs. Knowing authors of notable books and their film adaptations is useful for the arts, culture and awards sections of competitive exams.

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