Current Affairs 19th September 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. U.S. President Donald Trump signed which Act expanding sanctions on Russia and Iran (extending Iran sanctions until 2031)?
A) CAATSA Act
B) Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026
C) Magnitsky Act
D) Countering America’s Adversaries Act
Answer: B
Explanation: Trump signed the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, authorizing expanded sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions on Russia while extending existing Iran sanctions until 2031.
2. A suicide car bombing outside a mosque inside a police station in Kohat District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (Pakistan) killed at least how many people (including many policemen)?
A) 12
B) 27
C) 45
D) 60
Answer: B
Explanation: The attack killed at least 27 people (reports cite 15–16 policemen among the dead) and injured around 75. The Hafiz Gul Bahadur Group claimed responsibility.
3. India and which regional bloc signed a protocol on a Preferential Trade Agreement (recent update)?
A) ASEAN
B) MERCOSUR
C) African Union
D) GCC
Answer: B
Explanation: India and MERCOSUR signed a protocol related to their Preferential Trade Agreement as part of ongoing trade engagement.
4. The Bank of Japan raised its benchmark interest rate by 0.25 percentage points to what level (highest since 1995)?
A) 0.75%
B) 1.00%
C) 1.25%
D) 1.50%
Answer: C
Explanation: Citing inflation pressures from rising energy costs and a weak yen (linked to the Iran-related fuel crisis), the BOJ raised the rate to 1.25% and signaled possible further increases.
5. Who stepped down as Chairman of Berkshire Hathaway, with his son taking over the role?
A) Charlie Munger
B) Warren Buffett
C) Bill Gates
D) Jeff Bezos
Answer: B
Explanation: Warren Buffett (age 96) stepped down as Chairman after more than 50 years; his son Howard Graham Buffett became the new Chairman, while Buffett remains Chairman Emeritus and a director.
6. Radha Ashtami 2026 is being observed across India on which date?
A) 17 September
B) 18 September
C) 19 September
D) 20 September
Answer: C
Explanation: Devotees are observing Radha Ashtami on 19 September 2026 with prayers to Radha Rani and Lord Krishna, fasting, and related rituals.
7. International Red Panda Day 2026 is observed on which day?
A) 15 September
B) Third Saturday of September
C) 22 September
D) First Sunday of September
Answer: B
Explanation: International Red Panda Day is marked every year on the third Saturday of September; in 2026 this falls on 19 September.
8. A new Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) framework for UPI merchant transactions above ₹2,000 is set to take effect from which date?
A) 1 October 2026
B) 15 October 2026
C) 1 November 2026
D) 31 December 2026
Answer: B
Explanation: The revised MDR framework for UPI transactions exceeding ₹2,000 is scheduled to come into force from 15 October 2026.
9. Which Marathi film was selected as India’s official entry for the Oscars 2027?
A) Sairat
B) Gondhal
C) Court
D) The Disciple
Answer: B
Explanation: The Marathi film "Gondhal" has been chosen as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 2027 Academy Awards.
10. Tulu is set to become Karnataka’s second additional administrative language in which districts?
A) Mysuru and Mandya
B) Udupi and Dakshina Kannada
C) Belagavi and Bagalkot
D) Ballari and Raichur
Answer: B
Explanation: Karnataka has decided to make Tulu an additional administrative language (alongside Kannada) in Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
11. India’s net direct tax collection rose approximately 13% to what amount till 17 September 2026?
A) ₹10.5 lakh crore
B) ₹12.12 lakh crore
C) ₹13.8 lakh crore
D) ₹15 lakh crore
Answer: B
Explanation: Net direct tax collections reached ₹12.12 lakh crore by mid-September 2026, reflecting a year-on-year growth of about 13%.
12. Odisha announced plans to develop an 870-acre “Silicon Valley” near which city to attract semiconductor and IT investments?
A) Bhubaneswar
B) Cuttack
C) Rourkela
D) Puri
Answer: B
Explanation: The state government unveiled a proposal for an 870-acre Silicon Valley-style hub near Cuttack focused on semiconductors and IT.
13. Prime Minister Narendra Modi held discussions with the President of which country on West Asia developments and bilateral ties?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) UAE
C) Qatar
D) Oman
Answer: B
Explanation: PM Modi spoke with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about regional developments in West Asia and ways to further strengthen India–UAE relations.
14. India rejected Pakistan’s allegations regarding a naval collision in the Arabian Sea involving which Indian warship?
A) INS Vikrant
B) INS Kolkata
C) INS Chennai
D) INS Delhi
Answer: B
Explanation: The Ministry of External Affairs stated that INS Kolkata was on routine deployment and that the Pakistani vessel (PNS Hunain) conducted dangerous.
15. Surendra Koli, who was acquitted in all 13 Nithari killings cases, was found dead in which city?
A) Noida
B) Haridwar
C) Delhi
D) Meerut
Answer: B
Explanation: Surendra Koli was found hanging at his tea stall in Haridwar; the father of one of the Nithari victims described the death as suspicious.
16. Nobel laureate Michael Kremer has been appointed as Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics of which institution?
A) IMF
B) World Bank Group
C) Asian Development Bank
D) OECD
Answer: B
Explanation: Michael Kremer (University of Chicago) was appointed World Bank Group Chief Economist and Senior Vice President for Development Economics (effective October 2026), announced by President Ajay Banga.
17. At the SEMICON India 2026 event, Prime Minister Modi pitched India as a trustworthy location for which industry to counter “weaponisation” of supply chains?
A) Automobile manufacturing
B) Semiconductor / chip making
C) Pharmaceutical production
D) Renewable energy equipment
Answer: B
Explanation: PM Modi highlighted India as a new and reliable destination for global electronics and semiconductor manufacturing under the India Semiconductor Mission.
18. The opening ceremony of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 is scheduled in which country?
A) China
B) South Korea
C) Japan
D) Indonesia
Answer: C
Explanation: The Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 open in Japan; Indian athletes (including flag-bearers) are participating in the multi-sport event.
19. Millions of people were left without electricity in which country due to a collapse of the national power grid?
A) Venezuela
B) Cuba
C) Haiti
D) Puerto Rico
Answer: B
Explanation: Cuba experienced widespread blackouts after a major collapse of its energy power grid, continuing the 2024–2026 blackout crisis.
20. Russians began voting in the 2026 legislative elections for how many seats in the State Duma?
A) 250
B) 350
C) 450
D) 500
Answer: C
Explanation: Voting started for 450 seats in the State Duma over three days, held under strict controls amid the ongoing war and with opposition parties restricted.
21. 2027 has been declared the Year of Friendship between India and which country?
A) Japan
B) Vietnam
C) France
D) Australia
Answer: B
Explanation: 2027 was declared the Year of India–Vietnam Friendship to further strengthen bilateral ties.
22. In Bangladesh, the International Crimes Tribunal-2 sentenced seven senior Awami League figures to death in a case related to which event?
A) 1971 Liberation War
B) 2024 July uprising
C) 2009 BDR mutiny
D) 2013 Shahbag protests
Answer: B
Explanation: The tribunal sentenced seven senior Awami League leaders to death on charges of crimes against humanity during the 2024 July uprising.
23. Zealand Pharma’s drug Zeydovio received a positive recommendation from the European Medicines Agency’s CHMP for treating which condition?
A) Crohn’s disease
B) Short bowel syndrome
C) Celiac disease
D) Ulcerative colitis
Answer: B
Explanation: The Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use (CHMP) recommended approval of Zeydovio for the treatment of short bowel syndrome.
24. Which Indian Navy ship was involved in the reported collision incident with a Pakistani vessel in the North Arabian Sea?
A) INS Vikramaditya
B) INS Kolkata
C) INS Arihant
D) INS Shivalik
Answer: B
Explanation: MEA confirmed INS Kolkata was the Indian warship involved and stated that the Pakistani vessel’s conduct was unacceptable and violated the 1991 India–Pakistan agreement on military manoeuvres.
25. The first phase of Delhi University Students’ Union (DUSU) polls recorded approximately what voter turnout?
A) 25%
B) 36–40%
C) 55%
D) 70%
Answer: B
Explanation: Reports indicated a turnout of around 36–40.46% in the first phase, with a keen contest among ABVP, NSUI, and other student organisations.