Current Affairs 17th September 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Twenty NCC girl cadets successfully completed which high-altitude trek in Ladakh?
A) Khardung La
B) Aparajita-ParangLa 2026
C) Siachen Trek
D) Zanskar Expedition
Answer: B) Aparajita-ParangLa 2026
Explanation: The all-girl NCC contingent completed the High Altitude Long Trek named Aparajita-ParangLa 2026 in Ladakh.
2. India summoned Pakistan’s Chargé d’Affaires over a naval incident that occurred in which sea?
A) Bay of Bengal
B) North Arabian Sea
C) Indian Ocean (near Maldives)
D) South China Sea
Answer: B) North Arabian Sea
Explanation: On 15 September 2026, a Pakistani naval vessel collided with an Indian Navy warship on routine surveillance in the North Arabian Sea due to unprofessional high-speed manoeuvres. India lodged a strong protest.
3. The Union Cabinet approved raising the EPFO wage ceiling for mandatory coverage from ₹15,000 to:
A) ₹20,000 per month
B) ₹25,000 per month
C) ₹30,000 per month
D) ₹35,000 per month
Answer: B) ₹25,000 per month
Explanation: The decision aims to bring more workers under the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation coverage, benefiting an estimated additional 51 lakh workers.
4. India rejected the Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission on the grounds that it:
A) Violates the Simla Agreement
B) Has no legal basis
C) Ignores the Line of Control
D) Contradicts UN resolutions
Answer: B) Has no legal basis
Explanation: India stated that the “so-called” commission has no legal basis to decide arrangements related to Indian territory under illegal occupation.
5. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited which neighbouring country on a two-day trip around this period?
A) Nepal
B) Bhutan
C) Bangladesh
D) Sri Lanka
Answer: B) Bhutan
Explanation: Jaishankar arrived in Thimphu to discuss India’s development assistance as part of post-BRICS neighbourhood outreach. Nepal’s Finance Minister was also scheduled to visit Delhi.
6. The government declared which Pakistan-based group a terrorist organisation under the UAPA?
A) Lashkar-e-Taiba
B) Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)
C) Jaish-e-Mohammed
D) Hizbul Mujahideen
Answer: B) Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN)
Explanation: Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the ban on the Shahzad Bhatti Network under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act.
7. PM Narendra Modi inaugurated SEMICON India 2026 at which venue in New Delhi?
A) Pragati Maidan
B) Yashobhoomi Convention Centre
C) India Gate
D) Vigyan Bhawan
Answer: B) Yashobhoomi Convention Centre
Explanation: The 5th edition of the semiconductor-focused event was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on 17 September 2026.
8. Saudi Arabia declared which city a “red line” after an attempted drone attack?
A) Riyadh
B) Medina
C) Mecca (Makkah)
D) Jeddah
Answer: C) Mecca (Makkah)
Explanation: Saudi Arabia intercepted a Houthi drone near Mecca and called any attack on the holy city a red line. India also expressed deep concern over the incident.
9. The US Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate for the first time since:
A) 2022
B) July 2023
C) 2024
D) 2025
Answer: B) July 2023
Explanation: The Fed hiked the federal funds rate by 25 basis points to a range of 3.75–4% (or approx. 3.9%) to combat persistent inflation linked to the Iran war.
10. Former Kosovo President Hashim Thaçi was sentenced to how many years in prison for war crimes?
A) 15 years
B) 20 years
C) 25 years
D) 30 years
Answer: C) 25 years
Explanation: The Kosovo Specialist Chambers convicted him of murder, torture, and other crimes committed during the Kosovo War.
11. The European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed associate membership of the EU for which country?
A) UK
B) Canada
C) Ukraine
D) Turkey
Answer: B) Canada
Explanation: Amid trade tensions with the US, von der Leyen invited Canada to become the first associate member of the European Union.
12. EU proposed a ban on social media for children under what age?
A) 12 years
B) 13 years
C) 14 years
D) 16 years
Answer: B) 13 years
Explanation: The European Union unveiled proposals to ban social media access for children under 13 as part of child safety measures.
13. Nepal’s flood/mudslide death toll crossed approximately how many (as of mid-September reports)?
A) 500
B) 1,000
C) 1,400
D) 2,000
Answer: C) 1,400
Explanation: Official figures put the death toll at around 1,403 with over 6,000 still missing after devastating mudslides and floods.
14. A residential building collapse in Gaza City killed at least how many people (including many children)?
A) 12
B) 21
C) 35
D) 50
Answer: B) 21
Explanation: The previously damaged building collapsed, killing about 21 people (including 11–12 children) and injuring many others.
15. The Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign commenced from:
A) 15 September
B) 17 September
C) 1 October
D) 2 October
Answer: B) 17 September
Explanation: The nationwide cleanliness campaign began on 17 September 2026 across the country.
16. Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act is set to come into force from:
A) 15 September 2026
B) 1 October 2026
C) 1 November 2026
D) 1 January 2027
Answer: B) 1 October 2026
Explanation: The amended law with stricter provisions for timely registration becomes effective from 1 October 2026.
17. India retained which rank in the Global Gender Gap Index 2026 (World Economic Forum)?
A) 125
B) 128
C) 131
D) 135
Answer: C) 131
Explanation: India’s rank remained unchanged at 131, while Iceland, Finland, and Norway occupied the top three positions.
18. Six states signed an agreement for which multipurpose project?
A) Ken-Betwa
B) Kishau Multipurpose Project
C) Polavaram
D) Sardar Sarovar
Answer: B) Kishau Multipurpose Project
Explanation: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, and Delhi signed a pact to advance the long-pending Kishau project.
19. Chief of Army Staff General Dhiraj Seth began an official visit to which country?
A) USA
B) Russia
C) France
D) Japan
Answer: B) Russia
Explanation: The Army Chief started a three-day official visit to Russia.
20. Government reduced windfall tax on exports of which fuels?
A) Only crude oil
B) Petrol, diesel, and ATF
C) Only natural gas
D) LPG and kerosene
Answer: B) Petrol, diesel, and ATF
Explanation: Windfall taxes on petrol, diesel, and aviation turbine fuel (ATF) exports were lowered with immediate effect.
21. India and Japan are scheduled to play their first bilateral T20I to mark how many years of diplomatic relations?
A) 50 years
B) 60 years
C) 75 years
D) 100 years
Answer: C) 75 years
Explanation: The match (Suzuki Cup) is set for 22 September at Sano International Cricket Ground in Japan.
22. Argentina Football Association invited which player for a farewell appearance in October?
A) Cristiano Ronaldo
B) Lionel Messi
C) Neymar
D) Sergio Aguero
Answer: B) Lionel Messi
Explanation: AFA invited Messi for a farewell match on 6 October during the international window after his international retirement announcement.
23. World Bank named which Nobel laureate as its next Chief Economist?
A) Abhijit Banerjee
B) Michael Kremer
C) Esther Duflo
D) Amartya Sen
Answer: B) Michael Kremer
Explanation: Nobel laureate Michael Kremer was appointed as the next chief economist of the World Bank.
24. A gold mine collapse in West Kordofan, Sudan, killed at least:
A) 30 people
B) 50 people
C) 70 people
D) 100 people
Answer: C) 70 people
Explanation: Reports indicated at least 70 (some later figures higher) deaths in the unofficial gold mine explosion/collapse, with many more missing.
25. PM Modi turned how old on 17 September 2026?
A) 74
B) 75
C) 76
D) 77
Answer: C) 76
Explanation: Born on 17 September 1950, Narendra Modi completed 76 years on this day. Various programmes were organised across the country.