Current Affairs 16th September 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. What charge has NPCI introduced for most merchants on UPI payments exceeding ₹2,000 per transaction?
A. 0.2%
B. 0.4%
C. 0.5%
D. 1%
Answer: B. 0.4%
Explanation: NPCI issued a circular introducing a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) on UPI person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000 (small vendors exempt).
2. India expressed deep concern over blockades in which two strategic waterways?
A. Suez Canal and Malacca Strait
B. Bab-el-Mandeb (Red Sea) and Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf)
C. Panama Canal and English Channel
D. Bosporus and Dardanelles
Answer: B. Bab-el-Mandeb (Red Sea) and Strait of Hormuz (Persian Gulf)
Explanation: The Ministry of External Affairs stated India is “deeply concerned” by the blockades amid Houthi attacks and regional tensions, noting impacts on shipping (including an incident involving Indian seafarers).
3. According to the US Congressional Budget Office, the war against Iran had cost the Department of Defence more than how much through early August 2026?
A. $18 billion
B. $28 billion
C. $38 billion
D. $48 billion
Answer: C. $38 billion
Explanation: The nonpartisan CBO assessed costs exceeding $38 billion through 1 August 2026, with potential ongoing monthly costs of up to $3 billion or more depending on intensity.
4. India’s merchandise exports in August 2026 grew by approximately what percentage year-on-year?
A. 12.5%
B. 18.7%
C. 26.12%
D. 32.4%
Answer: C. 26.12%
Explanation: Exports rose 26.12% to USD 43.81 billion in August 2026, while the trade deficit narrowed to USD 26.86 billion.
5. India and Vietnam agreed to observe which year as the “Year of India-Vietnam Friendship”?
A. 2026
B. 2027
C. 2028
D. 2030
Answer: B. 2027
Explanation: During the 19th India-Vietnam Joint Commission Meeting, the two countries decided to mark 55 years of diplomatic relations by designating 2027 as the Year of India-Vietnam Friendship and deepen defence and security cooperation, including joint production.
6. On 16 September 2026, PM Narendra Modi was scheduled to hold a roundtable with leaders from which key industry ahead of SEMICON India 2026?
A. Automobile
B. Semiconductor
C. Pharmaceuticals
D. Renewable energy
Answer: B. Semiconductor
Explanation: The Prime Minister was to engage with global semiconductor CEOs in New Delhi ahead of the formal opening of SEMICON India 2026.
7. The World Circular Economy Forum 2026 (WCEF 2026) is being hosted in which Indian city/state?
A. New Delhi
B. Mumbai, Maharashtra
C. Gandhinagar, Gujarat
D. Bengaluru, Karnataka
Answer: C. Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Explanation: India is hosting WCEF 2026 in Gandhinagar from 15–18 September 2026, focusing on sustainability and circular economy practices.
8. What is observed globally on 16 September every year?
A. World Environment Day
B. World Ozone Day
C. International Day of Peace
D. World Health Day
Answer: B. World Ozone Day
Explanation: 16 September is the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer (World Ozone Day), commemorating the 1987 Montreal Protocol.
9. National Engineers’ Day in India (around this period) marks the birth anniversary of which Bharat Ratna awardee?
A. C.V. Raman
B. M. Visvesvaraya
C. Homi Bhabha
D. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Answer: B. M. Visvesvaraya
Explanation: National Engineers’ Day is celebrated on 15 September to honour the birth anniversary of Sir M. Visvesvaraya.
10. A US federal judge blocked a Trump administration rule that sought to limit stays for which group of foreign nationals?
A. Tourists only
B. Foreign students, journalists and exchange visitors
C. Business visa holders
D. Permanent residents
Answer: B. Foreign students, journalists and exchange visitors
Explanation: A federal judge temporarily blocked the rule that would have capped the duration of stays for these categories without requiring frequent extensions.
11. In Bangladesh, a tribunal sentenced seven former Awami League leaders (Hasina-era) to what punishment in a crimes-against-humanity case?
A. Life imprisonment
B. Death
C. 20 years rigorous imprisonment
D. Acquittal
Answer: B. Death
Explanation: Bangladesh’s International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced seven, including senior Awami League figures, to death.
12. Two women from which community were killed in an attack in Manipur’s Tamenglong district?
A. Meitei
B. Naga
C. Kuki
D. Pangal
Answer: C. Kuki
Explanation: Unidentified gunmen attacked Leisangphai village, killing two Kuki women amid ongoing ethnic violence.
13. Tamil Nadu signed MoUs during the Chief Minister’s UK visit for investments worth approximately how much?
A. ₹5,300 crore
B. ₹10,000 crore
C. ₹15,300 crore
D. ₹25,000 crore
Answer: C. ₹15,300 crore
Explanation: The state government secured investment proposals and commitments exceeding ₹15,300 crore, expected to create over 10,000 jobs.
14. India’s Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar was scheduled to visit which neighbouring country on/around 16 September 2026?
A. Nepal
B. Bhutan
C. Sri Lanka
D. Maldives
Answer: B. Bhutan
Explanation: CEC Gyanesh Kumar was on an official visit to Bhutan, with plans to meet the Bhutanese Prime Minister and senior officials.
15. The WTO Public Forum 2026 was underway in which city?
A. New York
B. Geneva
C. Brussels
D. Paris
Answer: B. Geneva
Explanation: The World Trade Organization’s Public Forum 2026 was held in Geneva from 15–17 September, discussing global trading system issues.
16. Which scheme showed a 9% year-on-year decline in work availability for the rural poor in August 2026 compared with MGNREGS?
A. PM-KISAN
B. VB-G RAM G scheme
C. Ayushman Bharat
D. Jal Jeevan Mission
Answer: B. VB-G RAM G scheme
Explanation: Reports noted that the VB-G RAM G scheme trailed MGNREGS by about 9% in August work availability.
17. India and MERCOSUR signed the First Additional Protocol mainly to facilitate what?
A. Visa-free travel
B. Electronic Certificates of Origin (e-CoO)
C. Defence equipment co-production
D. Currency swap
Answer: B. Electronic Certificates of Origin (e-CoO)
Explanation: The protocol modernises customs procedures and enables acceptance of electronic Certificates of Origin under the India–MERCOSUR Preferential Trade Agreement.
18. Brent crude oil prices were reported around what level amid regional tensions (mid-September 2026 reports)?
A. Below $80
B. Around $90
C. Above $107
D. Above $150
Answer: C. Above $107
Explanation: Brent rose to approximately $107.55 a barrel (with WTI also climbing), reflecting supply concerns linked to Middle East developments.
19. The European Union was set to propose curbing access to social media and related platforms for which age group?
A. Under 12
B. Under 15
C. Under 18
D. Under 21
Answer: B. Under 15
Explanation: The EU planned proposals to restrict social media, video-sharing platforms and chatbots for those under 15.
20. NATO forces shot down a drone that entered the airspace of which country from Belarus?
A. Poland
B. Lithuania
C. Latvia
D. Estonia
Answer: B. Lithuania
Explanation: A drone crossed from Belarusian airspace into Lithuania and was shot down by a NATO fighter jet near a pumped-storage plant.
21. Kenya announced a ban on exports of unprocessed what, while planning domestic refineries?
A. Coffee
B. Gold
C. Tea
D. Diamonds
Answer: B. Gold
Explanation: Kenya banned unprocessed gold exports and planned to establish at least three refineries to add value domestically.
22. Daily Ebola cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo had declined to around what number according to UN reports?
A. 20
B. 50
C. 80
D. 150
Answer: C. 80
Explanation: Cases fell from about 120 to around 80 daily, with several health zones recording no new infections for weeks.
23. Doordarshan marked approximately how many years of broadcasting around this period?
A. 50
B. 60
C. 67
D. 75
Answer: C. 67
Explanation: Doordarshan completed 67 years of broadcasting, with near-universal reach across India.
24. The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) completed how many years in September 2026?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 10
D. 12
Answer: B. 7
Explanation: The voluntary contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers completed seven years, with nearly 25 lakh enrolments reported earlier in the year.
25. Congress criticised the Centre’s UPI MDR decision, alleging it was influenced by pressure from which country?
A. China
B. United States
C. United Kingdom
D. Russia
Answer: B. United States
Explanation: Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi, accused the government of yielding to US pressure by allowing MDR on higher-value UPI transactions.