Current Affairs 19th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which country reported that an oil tanker caught fire and exploded in the southern Strait of Hormuz after striking a naval mine (around 18 October 2026)?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran
C) UAE
D) Oman
Answer: B) Iran
Explanation: Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps reported the incident amid the ongoing 2026 Iran war / Strait of Hormuz crisis.
2. A truck accident outside a temple in which Indian city killed at least 13 devotees and injured nearly 40 others (October 2026)?
A) Varanasi
B) Gwalior
C) Ayodhya
D) Ujjain
Answer: B) Gwalior
Explanation: The incident occurred in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh.
3. Vietnam signed a free trade agreement in October 2026 with which group of countries (EFTA)?
A) ASEAN
B) European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)
C) BRICS
D) Gulf Cooperation Council
Answer: B) European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, Switzerland)
Explanation: The deal reduces/eliminates tariffs on industrial, agricultural and fish products and covers services, IP and sustainable development.
4. Who was appointed as Iran’s new Minister of Defence by the Iranian parliament in October 2026?
A) Majid Ebn-e-Reza
B) Mehrdad Akhlaghi
C) Hossein Salami
D) Mohammad Bagheri
Answer: B) Mehrdad Akhlaghi
Explanation: He replaced acting minister Majid Ebn-e-Reza.
5. The Supreme Court of India recognised children’s access to the internet as a fundamental right under which Articles?
A) Article 14 & 19
B) Article 19(1)(a) & 21
C) Article 21 & 32
D) Article 15 & 21
Answer: B) Article 19(1)(a) & 21
Explanation: The Court opposed blanket bans and stressed intelligent restraints instead.
6. NPPA capped trade margins on how many anti-cancer drugs, with price reductions of up to 70% (effective from November 2026)?
A) 100
B) 137
C) 150
D) 200
Answer: B) 137
Explanation: The move aims to make cancer treatment more affordable.
7. Air India extended temporary suspension of flights to which country until 24 October 2026 amid regional tensions?
A) Iran
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Qatar
D) UAE
Answer: B) Saudi Arabia
Explanation: Linked to Houthi attacks and regional security concerns.
8. In the 2026 Czech Senate election, opposition parties won how many of the 27 contested seats?
A) 15
B) 18
C) 22
D) 25
Answer: C) 22
Explanation: Governing parties (including ANO 2011) failed to win a single seat for the first time in Czech history.
9. Equatorial Guinea announced expansion of its successful malaria control programme from Bioko Island to:
A) Only the mainland
B) Mainland and Annobón
C) Neighbouring countries
D) Only urban areas
Answer: B) Mainland and Annobón
Explanation: The programme had already sharply reduced malaria cases on Bioko.
10. India’s current account deficit narrowed to approximately how much in August 2026?
A) $3.5 billion
B) $5.2 billion
C) $7.8 billion
D) $10.1 billion
Answer: B) $5.2 billion
Explanation: It improved from $6.1 billion in August 2025.
11. Assam’s Putul Sonowal won India’s first medal (bronze) at which international event?
A) World Athletics Championships
B) World Bowls Champion of Champions
C) Asian Games
D) Commonwealth Games
Answer: B) World Bowls Champion of Champions
Explanation: It was India’s first medal at the event.
12. India and the United Kingdom began which bilateral naval exercise in UK waters in October 2026?
A) Malabar
B) KONKAN-26
C) Varuna
D) Indra
Answer: B) KONKAN-26
Explanation: It is the regular India–UK bilateral naval exercise.
13. North Korea tested which new high-speed precision-guided torpedo around mid-October 2026?
A) Hwasong-18
B) Zam-2.0
C) KN-23
D) Pukguksong-6
Answer: B) Zam-2.0
Explanation: Reported by state agency KCNA.
14. Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma were named ICC Players of the Month for which month (announced mid-October 2026)?
A) August 2026
B) September 2026
C) October 2026
D) July 2026
Answer: B) September 2026
Explanation: Official ICC announcement.
15. Bengaluru ranked what position among the world’s top innovation clusters in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2026?
A) 15th
B) 20th
C) 25th
D) 30th
Answer: C) 25th
Explanation: Highlighted as a strong Indian performance.
16. Which private-sector facility near SHAR was unveiled for rocket testing in October 2026?
A) Skyroot Aerospace
B) The Guild’s rocket testing facility
C) Agnikul Cosmos
D) ISRO’s new pad
Answer: B) The Guild’s rocket testing facility
Explanation: Related to private commercial space development and reusable launch vehicles.
17. Anandkumar Velkumar won silver (and bronze) for India at the 2026 World Skate Games held in:
A) Japan
B) Paraguay
C) Italy
D) South Korea
Answer: B) Paraguay
Explanation: Silver in the men’s 1000-metre sprint.
18. China’s export curbs announced around October 2026 primarily targeted technologies such as:
A) Automobiles only
B) AI and photovoltaics
C) Pharmaceuticals
D) Textiles
Answer: B) AI and photovoltaics
Explanation: Aimed at controlling sensitive dual-use and high-tech exports.
19. India’s September 2026 retail inflation (CPI) was reported at approximately:
A) 3.2%
B) 5.5%
C) 7.1%
D) 9.0%
Answer: B) 5.5%
Explanation: Wholesale inflation (WPI) was significantly higher at around 11.4%.
20. Widespread protests and riots in France in mid-October 2026 led to how many arrests (approximate figures reported)?
A) A few hundred
B) Over 1,000–1,800+
C) Under 500
D) Exactly 2,500
Answer: B) Over 1,000–1,800+
Explanation: Protests over living costs turned violent with looting, arson and clashes in multiple cities.
21. A major fire at a Canadian military base in Alberta (CFB Wainwright) killed how many service members?
A) 2
B) 4
C) 8
D) 12
Answer: B) 4
Explanation: Dozens more were injured; described as one of the worst peacetime tragedies for the Canadian military.
22. Pope Leo XIV made his first major public appearance after lung cancer surgery on:
A) 15 October
B) 18 October
C) 16 October
D) 20 October
Answer: B) 18 October
Explanation: He led the Angelus prayer at the Vatican and said he would gradually resume duties.
23. Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones in a major strike that set ablaze oil facilities near which Russian city?
A) Moscow
B) St. Petersburg
C) Rostov
D) Novorossiysk
Answer: B) St. Petersburg
Explanation: An oil export terminal and depot were hit.
24. The Union Cabinet approved renaming the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) as:
A) Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana
B) Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
C) Ayushman Bharat
D) PM-KISAN
Answer: B) Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana
Explanation: Outlay of ₹53,428 crore for 2026–31, expected to benefit about 3.20 crore people.
25. The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl was photographed in which Kerala forest in mid-October 2026?
A) Silent Valley
B) Janakikkad (Kozhikode)
C) Periyar
D) Wayanad
Answer: B) Janakikkad (Kozhikode)
Explanation: Rare sighting reported on 16 October 2026.