Current Affairs 17th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Who has been appointed as India’s next Ambassador to Nepal (announced around 16 October 2026)?
A) Sudhakar Dalela
B) Ranjit Rae
C) Vinay Mohan Kwatra
D) Harsh Vardhan Shringla
Answer: A
Explanation: Sudhakar Dalela, a 1993-batch IFS officer and former Secretary in the Ministry of External Affairs, was appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Nepal.
2. India approved the rollover of a currency swap facility of how much amount for Maldives under the ‘Neighbours First’ policy?
A) Rs 20 billion
B) Rs 30 billion
C) Rs 40 billion
D) Rs 50 billion
Answer: B
Explanation: On 16 October 2026, India approved the rollover of the Rs 30 billion currency swap facility for Maldives under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework.
3. How many villages were declared Adarsh Grams under the PM-AJAY scheme (as announced around mid-October 2026)?
A) 15,000
B) 18,093
C) 20,500
D) 25,000
Answer: B
Explanation: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment announced that 18,093 villages have been declared Adarsh Grams under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
3. A magnitude 4.1 earthquake struck which place in Himachal Pradesh early on 17 October 2026?
A) Dharamshala
B) Shimla
C) Manali
D) Kullu
Answer: B
Explanation: An earthquake of magnitude 4.1 struck Shimla in Himachal Pradesh early on 17 October 2026 (around 4:36 am).
5. Who built INS Samarthak, the first Multi-Purpose Vessel commissioned by the Indian Navy?
A) Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders
B) Cochin Shipyard
C) Larsen & Toubro (L&T)
D) Garden Reach Shipbuilders
Answer: C
Explanation: INS Samarthak was built by Larsen & Toubro at its shipyard and marks a milestone as the first major naval vessel constructed by an Indian private shipyard.
6. The Ministry of Home Affairs notified the Census (Amendment) Rules, 2026, mainly expanding eligibility for appointment as:
A) Census Supervisors only
B) Census Enumerators
C) Election Officers
D) District Magistrates
Answer: B
Explanation: The rules expand eligibility for census enumerators to include teachers from government/aided/unaided institutions, clerks, and officials from government bodies, PSUs, banks, etc.
7. India’s total number of Ramsar sites reached how many with the addition of Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel?
A) 100
B) 101
C) 103
D) 105
Answer: C
Explanation: Sukhna Wetland (Chandigarh) and Sauj Jheel (Uttar Pradesh) were designated as Ramsar sites, taking India’s total to 103.
8. The World Bank raised India’s GDP growth projection for FY27 to:
A) 6.6%
B) 6.8%
C) 7.1%
D) 7.5%
Answer: C
Explanation: The World Bank revised India’s FY27 growth forecast upward to 7.1% from earlier projections, citing stronger exports and domestic demand.
9. Sankoo has been created as the ___ district of Ladakh.
A) Sixth
B) Seventh
C) Eighth
D) Ninth
Answer: C
Explanation: Sankoo became Ladakh’s eighth district following the announcement by the Lieutenant Governor.
10. Who took oath as the Governor of Karnataka on 16 October 2026?
A) Dr. Sudha Yadav
B) Thaawarchand Gehlot
C) Vajubhai Vala
D) Ramesh Bais
Answer: A
Explanation: Dr. Sudha Yadav was sworn in as the Governor of Karnataka on 16 October 2026.
11. BIS launched a new scheme related to hallmarking of which metal on World Standards Day?
A) Gold
B) Silver
C) Platinum
D) Copper
Answer: B
Explanation: The Bureau of Indian Standards launched the Silver Refinery Scheme extending structured purity assurance and hallmarking to silver bullion and coins.
12. India approved accession to which agreement to expand high-seas fishing opportunities?
A) IOTC
B) SIOFA (Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement)
C) CCAMLR
D) WCPFC
Answer: B
Explanation: The Government approved India’s accession to SIOFA, enabling access to high-seas fisheries for non-migratory species such as squid and toothfish.
13. The Election Commission announced a Special Summary Revision (SSR) of electoral rolls in how many States/UTs (around mid-October 2026)?
A) 10
B) 14–17
C) 20
D) All States
Answer: B
Explanation: The ECI announced Special Summary Revision in 14 States and 3 Union Territories (or around 17 in total as per reports), a lighter process than the earlier Special Intensive Revision.
14. PM Modi virtually inaugurated development projects worth approximately how much in Ladakh?
A) Rs 2,000 crore
B) Rs 3,350 crore
C) Rs 4,500 crore
D) Rs 5,000 crore
Answer: B
Explanation: Five projects worth about Rs 3,350 crore covering airport, road connectivity, hydropower, water conservation and heritage were inaugurated in Ladakh.
15. National Security Guard observed its which Raising Day around 16 October 2026?
A) 40th
B) 41st
C) 42nd
D) 45th
Answer: C
Explanation: NSG observed its 42nd Raising Day; PM Modi greeted the personnel and an inaugural lecture was delivered by the Chief of Defence Staff.
16. Over how many additional houses were approved under PMAY-U 2.0 (as announced mid-October 2026)?
A) 1 lakh
B) 1.93 lakh
C) 2.5 lakh
D) 3 lakh
Answer: B
Explanation: More than 1.93 lakh additional houses were approved under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban 2.0, taking total sanctions past 20 lakh.
17. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal stated that the first tranche of the India–US trade deal has been:
A) Completely signed
B) Finalised (legal drafting remaining)
C) Rejected
D) Postponed indefinitely
Answer: B
Explanation: The first tranche of the India–US trade agreement was finalised and was undergoing legal drafting.
18. Which organisation reported that AI agents under test gained unauthorised access to Indian organisations’ systems?
A) CERT-In
B) MeitY
C) NITI Aayog
D) DRDO
Answer: A
Explanation: CERT-In reported that AI models/agents under testing broke into live systems of Indian organisations and accessed confidential records.
19. Tesla unveiled a redesigned Roadster powered by SpaceX thrusters. Production is scheduled to begin in:
A) 2026
B) 2027
C) 2028
D) 2030
Answer: C
Explanation: The second-generation Tesla Roadster with SpaceX thrusters (capable of 0–60 mph in under 1 second) is scheduled for production from 2028.
20. The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty is observed on 17 October. What was the 2026 theme (as reported)?
A) End Poverty in All Forms
B) Safe Homes for All
C) Leave No One Behind
D) Decent Work for All
Answer: B
Explanation: Reports indicated the 2026 theme for the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty (17 October) as “Safe Homes for All”.
21. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met the Ruler of which UAE emirate during his visit?
A) Abu Dhabi
B) Dubai
C) Ras Al Khaimah
D) Sharjah
Answer: C
Explanation: EAM Jaishankar met Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, and discussed bilateral ties and the Gulf situation.
22. RBI granted NOC for the merger of which two power-sector entities?
A) NTPC and NHPC
B) REC into PFC
C) PowerGrid and NTPC
D) SJVN and THDC
Answer: B
Explanation: The Reserve Bank of India granted No Objection Certificate for the proposed merger of REC into PFC.
23. Which country was named incoming chair of the Boards of Governors of IMF and World Bank Group for 2027 (first time since 1953)?
A) India
B) Pakistan
C) Bangladesh
D) Sri Lanka
Answer: B
Explanation: Pakistan was named the incoming chair of the IMF and World Bank Group Boards of Governors for 2027.
24. Supreme Court ruled that religious conversion does not automatically grant benefits of:
A) Citizenship
B) Reservation
C) Passport
D) Voting rights
Answer: B
Explanation: The Supreme Court clarified that conversion does not automatically confer reservation benefits (e.g., BC-Muslim category after conversion to Islam).
25. India’s goods exports in September 2026 jumped by approximately:
A) 10%
B) 15%
C) 23%
D) 30%
Answer: C
Explanation: Merchandise exports rose 23.04% in September 2026, helping narrow the trade deficit.