Current Affairs 19th October 2025 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which two countries agreed to an immediate ceasefire mediated by Qatar and Turkey in Doha on October 19, 2025?
A) India and Pakistan
B) Pakistan and Afghanistan
C) Israel and Hamas
D) Russia and Ukraine
Answer: B
Explanation: Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced on X that Pakistan and Afghanistan reached an immediate ceasefire agreement during talks in Doha, aimed at de-escalating border tensions. This marks a significant diplomatic breakthrough in the region, building on earlier 2025 efforts to curb cross-border militancy.
2. Who became the first Indian woman compound archer to win a medal at the World Cup Final, securing bronze in Nanjing on October 18, 2025?
A) Deepika Kumari
B) Jyothi Surekha Vennam
C) Bombayla Devi Laishram
D) Rimil Buriuly
Answer: B
Explanation: Jyothi Surekha Vennam defeated world No. 2 Ella Gibson of Great Britain 150-145 with 15 perfect arrows. As the reigning Asian Games champion, this podium finish highlights India's rising prowess in archery amid preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
3. Nobel Laureate Chen-ning Yang, known for his work in particle physics, passed away on October 18, 2025, at the age of:
A) 95
B) 98
C) 103
D) 87
Answer: C
Explanation: The Chinese-American physicist, awarded the 1957 Nobel Prize for parity non-conservation in weak interactions, died in Beijing. Born in 1922 in Hefei, Anhui Province, Yang's contributions revolutionized modern physics and inspired generations in quantum field theory.
4. Jharkhand unveiled the logo, mascot, and anthem for which regional sporting event scheduled for 2025?
A) Asian Games
B) South Asian Athletics Senior Championships
C) Commonwealth Youth Games
D) SAFF Football Championship
Answer: B
Explanation: Cabinet Minister Sudivya Kumar Sonu launched these elements for the 4th South Asian Athletics (SAAF) Senior Championships at Birsa Munda Athletics Stadium in Ranchi. The event promotes regional athletic excellence and aligns with India's sports development goals under the Khelo India initiative.
5. According to the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) 2025 rankings released in October, which air force surpassed China to become the world's 3rd most powerful?
A) United States Air Force
B) Russian Air Force
C) Indian Air Force
D) Royal Air Force
Answer: C
Explanation: The Indian Air Force (IAF) climbed to 3rd globally, overtaking China's PLAAF, due to indigenous advancements like Tejas fighters and squadron modernization. This reflects India's strategic push towards self-reliance in defense under the Atmanirbhar Bharat program.
6. The Social Security Administration delayed the 2026 COLA announcement to which date due to a government shutdown?
A) October 15, 2025
B) October 24, 2025
C) October 31, 2025
D) November 1, 2025
Answer: B
Explanation: Originally set for October 15, the announcement awaits September's CPI data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Projections estimate a 2.7% increase, slightly above the 2025's 2.5%, to adjust benefits for inflation amid economic uncertainties.
7. On World Food Day 2025 (October 16), FAO and India marked how many years of partnership?
A) 50
B) 60
C) 70
D) 80
Answer: D
Explanation: The milestone celebrates eight decades of collaboration on food security, agriculture, and rural development. Initiatives like the Green Revolution were bolstered by FAO support, aligning with India's goals for sustainable farming and zero hunger by 2030.
8. The World Bank raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY26 to what percentage in its October 2025 South Asia Development Update?
A) 5.8%
B) 6.3%
C) 6.5%
D) 7.2%
Answer: C
Explanation: Up from 6.3% in June, the forecast cites resilient domestic demand, rural recovery, and GST reforms. However, FY27 is downgraded to 6.3% due to potential U.S. tariffs on Indian exports, emphasizing the need for export diversification.
9. Emilia D’Albero from Philadelphia became the first American to win gold at which international cheese competition in October 2025?
A) World Cheese Awards
B) Mondial du Fromage
C) American Cheese Society Competition
D) International Cheese Fair
Answer: B
Explanation: Dubbed the "Cheesemonger Olympics," the biennial French event in Tours saw D’Albero triumph among global experts. Her win underscores the rising global influence of U.S. artisanal dairy, blending sourcing and sales expertise.
10. Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for a second time in 2025 for mediating which conflict?
A) Gaza Peace Plan
B) India-Pakistan Ceasefire
C) Ukraine-Russia Talks
D) Yemen Civil War
Answer: A
Explanation: The nomination follows Trump's role in the Gaza ceasefire, after his June nod for the 2025 India-Pakistan truce. It highlights U.S. diplomatic leverage in Middle East stability, though critics question the deal's long-term viability.
11. The second round of the 2025 Bolivian general election is scheduled for October 19. Who is the incumbent president facing runoff challenges?
A) Evo Morales
B) Luis Arce
C) Jeanine Áñez
D) Carlos Mesa
Answer: B
Explanation: President Luis Arce's MAS party leads but requires a majority; a runoff pits him against opposition figures amid economic woes and lithium nationalization debates, pivotal for Bolivia's role in global EV supply chains.
12. In the 2025 Gaza peace plan implementation talks in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt, what is the primary focus for the 30 attending nations?
A) Military Disarmament
B) Future Governance of Gaza Strip
C) Refugee Repatriation
D) Border Security
Answer: B
Explanation: Leaders from 30 countries and organizations discuss post-ceasefire governance, security, and aid. This follows the January 2025 Israel-Hamas truce, aiming to prevent recurrence of the 2023-2025 conflict that displaced millions.
13. Hamas returned the bodies of how many additional hostages to the Red Cross on October 18, 2025, amid the Gaza ceasefire?
A) 2
B) 3
C) 4
D) 5
Answer: B
Explanation: Three more bodies were handed over, including two Israelis and one Nepalese, identified from October 7, 2023, abductions. With 21 remaining in Gaza, this fulfills phase one of the peace deal, easing humanitarian pressures.
14. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee expressed shock over the Centre's appointment of an interlocutor for Gorkha issues in which regions on October 16, 2025?
A) Siliguri and Kalimpong
B) Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars
C) Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar
D) Alipurduar and Uttar Dinajpur
Answer: B
Explanation: Retired IPS officer Pankaj Kumar Singh was appointed by the Ministry of Home Affairs to engage political parties on Gorkha demands. Banerjee criticized the unilateral move, highlighting federal tensions over ethnic autonomy in the tea-rich areas.
15. A massive fire disrupted operations at which city's international airport cargo complex on October 18, 2025?
A) Mumbai
B) Dhaka
C) Delhi
D) Chennai
Answer: B
Explanation: Thick black smoke at Dhaka's Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport halted flights temporarily. No casualties were reported, but it exposed vulnerabilities in Bangladesh's aviation infrastructure amid rising regional trade volumes.
16. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh flagged off the first batch of BrahMos missiles manufactured in which city on October 18, 2025?
A) Hyderabad
B) Bengaluru
C) Lucknow
D) Nagpur
Answer: C
Explanation: The Lucknow facility's production boosts India's supersonic cruise missile capabilities, with every inch of Pakistan within range. Singh referenced "Operation Sindoor" as a "trailer," underscoring deterrence against cross-border threats.
17. The 11th Asian Aquatics Championships, hosted by India for the first time, concluded in which city on October 11, 2025?
A) Mumbai
B) Ahmedabad
C) Chennai
D) Hyderabad
Answer: B
Explanation: At Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, India achieved its best-ever 13 medals (4 silver, 9 bronze), ranking 11th. China dominated with 54 medals, marking a milestone for Indian aquatics under the Swimming Federation of India.
18. The Indian government extended the tenure of the 16th Finance Commission by one month to:
A) October 31, 2025
B) November 15, 2025
C) November 30, 2025
D) December 31, 2025
Answer: C
Explanation: Chaired by Arvind Panagariya, the extension allows more time for tax devolution recommendations (2026-2031) and disaster financing reviews, ensuring robust fiscal federalism amid post-pandemic recovery.
19. Kuwait led the new entrants in the 2025 Global Pension Index with a score of:
A) 71.9 (GradeB)
B) 59.1 (GradeC)
C) 60.9 (C+)
D) 85.7 (GradeA)
Answer: A
Explanation: The Mercer CFA Institute report welcomed Kuwait (71.9,B), Namibia (59.1,C), Oman (60.9, C+), and Panama (59.1,C). Iceland topped Sustainability (85.7), Finland Integrity (90.6), emphasizing robust pension systems for aging populations.
20. The Uttarakhand AI Impact Summit 2025, held on October 18, precedes which major national AI event in 2026?
A) India AI Mission Launch
B) India-AI 2026
C) National AI Policy Forum
D) AI for All Summit
Answer: B
Explanation: The summit in Dehradun showcased tech innovations, positioning Uttarakhand as an AI hub. It builds momentum for India-AI 2026, focusing on ethical AI, job creation, and digital inclusion under the National AI Strategy.
21. The 12th World Para Athletics Championships 2025 was held in which Indian city from September 27 to October 5?
A) Bengaluru
B) New Delhi
C) Mumbai
D) Chennai
Answer: B
Explanation: Hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, the event featured over 1,400 athletes from 100+ countries. India won 17 medals, with Simran Sharma's gold in women's 100m T12 highlighting para-sports growth via the Khelo India Para program.
22. An Israeli airstrike in August 2025 killed the chief of staff of which group's military wing?
A) Hezbollah
B) Houthis
C) Hamas
D) ISIS
Answer: B
Explanation: Maj. Gen. Muhammad Abdul Karim al-Ghamari died from wounds in the strike on Yemen's Houthi rebels, escalating Red Sea tensions. It occurred amid U.S.-backed operations against Houthi shipping attacks, linked to the Gaza conflict.
23. Hungarian author László Krasznahorkai won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Literature for works exploring:
A) Historical Fiction
B) Existential Isolation and Human Absurdity
C) Romantic Poetry
D) Sci-Fi Dystopias
Answer: B
Explanation: The Swedish Academy praised his innovative prose on isolation and absurdity. Known for "Satantango," Krasznahorkai's win underscores Eastern European literature's global resonance, following Olga Tokarczuk's 2018 accolade.
24. India and Australia explored joint production of military hardware during Defence Minister Rajnath Singh's visit to which city on October 9, 2025?
A) Sydney
B) Melbourne
C) Canberra
D) Brisbane
Answer: C
Explanation: Talks with Richard Marles focused on co-developing tech under the Quad framework, enhancing Indo-Pacific security. This builds on the 2020 ECTA, aiming for supply chain resilience against regional threats.
25. Royal Enfield expanded its 350cc motorcycle range sales to which e-commerce platforms in October 2025, covering 10 Indian cities?
A) Amazon and Myntra
B) Flipkart and Amazon
C) BigBasket and Snapdeal
D) Paytm Mall and JioMart
Answer: B
Explanation: The move democratizes access to models like Classic 350, starting at ₹1.93 lakh. Available in cities like Delhi and Chennai, it taps digital growth, with 5 cities initially on Amazon, boosting rural penetration.