Current Affairs in Gujarati 12th October 2026 : Current GK
On 12 Oct 2026
Current Affairs 20th May 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which country conferred the Royal Order of the Polar Star (Commander Grand Cross) on PM Narendra Modi in May 2026, marking his 31st international honour?
A) Norway
B) Netherlands
C) Sweden
D) Italy
Answer: C) Sweden
Explanation: PM Modi received Sweden’s highest honour for a head of government during his visit to Gothenburg on 17 May 2026.
2. India and the Netherlands elevated their bilateral ties to a 'Strategic Partnership' and adopted the Roadmap for 2026–2030. Which sector is NOT a key focus area?
A) Semiconductors
B) Green Hydrogen & Maritime Corridors
C) Oil & Natural Gas Exploration
D) Water Management & Defence
Answer: C) Oil & Natural Gas Exploration
Explanation: The roadmap emphasizes semiconductors (e.g., Brain Bridge with ASML), green hydrogen, water management (Ganga), defence, critical minerals, and Indo-Pacific security.
3. PM Modi received Norway’s highest civilian honour during his visit in May 2026. What is the name of this award?
A) Royal Order of the Polar Star
B) Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
C) Legion of Honour
D) Order of the Rising Sun
Answer: B) Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit
Explanation: This was PM Modi’s 32nd global honour, presented by King Harald V. It coincides with upgraded Green Strategic Partnership ties.
4. Which state/UT hosted the Khelo India Beach Games 2025?
A) Kerala
B) Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
C) Tamil Nadu
D) Odisha
Answer: B) Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu
Explanation: The event promoted beach sports and youth participation under the Khelo India umbrella.
5. Who became the first Indian woman to win a medal in the 5,000m race at the FISU World University Games?
A) Harmanpreet Kaur
B) Priya Mohan
C) Dutee Chand
D) Neeraj Chopra (error – male)
Answer: B) Priya Mohan
Explanation: She achieved this historic feat in the 2025 edition, showcasing India's growing strength in middle-distance athletics.
6. The US State Department cleared two Foreign Military Sales (FMS) deals worth around $428 million for India. These include support for which platforms?
A) Rafale and BrahMos
B) AH-64E Apache helicopters and M777A2 Howitzers
C) S-400 and Akash
D) Tejas and INS Vikrant
Answer: B) AH-64E Apache helicopters and M777A2 Howitzers
Explanation: Deals worth $198.2 mn and $230 mn respectively for sustainment.
7. Actor Ishaan Khatter was conferred honorary membership of which Indian Army regiment for his role in the film *Pippa*?
A) 61 Cavalry
B) 45 Cavalry (The Fighting Fifth)
C) 17 Horse (Poona Horse)
D) Madras Regiment
Answer: B) 45 Cavalry (The Fighting Fifth)
Explanation: For portraying Capt. Balram Singh Mehta in the 1971 Battle of Garibpur.
8. DRDO successfully tested which missile launched from a UAV?
A) BrahMos
B) ULPGM-V3 (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Launched Precision Guided Missile)
C) Agni-V
D) Prithvi
Answer: B) ULPGM-V3
Explanation: Final trials completed for precision strikes.
9. Uber partnered with which Indian group on 16 May 2026 to establish its first data centre in India?
A) Reliance
B) Adani Group
C) Tata
D) Infosys
Answer: B) Adani Group
Explanation: Focus on digital infrastructure.
10. Indian Railways approved a ₹993 crore project for doubling which section in Tamil Nadu?
A) Kiul-Jhajha
B) Arakkonam-Chengalpattu (68 km)
C) Jammu-Katra
D) Mumbai-Ahmedabad
Answer: B) Arakkonam-Chengalpattu (68 km)
Explanation: Part of Chennai suburban network.
11. Which bank’s acquisition of up to 74% stake in RBL Bank was approved by the Finance Ministry?
A) HSBC
B) Emirates NBD (Dubai)
C) Standard Chartered
D) DBS Bank
Answer: B) Emirates NBD (Dubai)
Explanation: Deal value around ₹26,853 crore earlier.
12. Which Indian won the Superbet Chess Classic 2025 held in Bucharest, Romania?
A) Gukesh D
B) R Praggnanandhaa
C) Viswanathan Anand
D) Arjun Erigaisi
Answer: B) R Praggnanandhaa
Explanation: The young GM delivered a stellar performance in this prestigious classical chess event.
13. Who became the UK’s youngest Indian-origin Mayor in May 2026?
A) Sadiq Khan
B) Tushar Kumar (23 years old, Elstree and Borehamwood)
C) Rishi Sunak
D) Priti Patel
Answer: B) Tushar Kumar (23 years old, Elstree and Borehamwood)
Explanation: Appointed on 13 May 2026.
14. Squadron Leader Saanya became the IAF’s first woman officer to achieve which qualification?
A) Fighter Pilot
B) Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI)
C) Astronaut Trainee
D) Aerobatics Leader
Answer: B) Cat-A Qualified Flying Instructor (QFI)
Explanation: Highest instructor grade allowing training of other instructors.
15. Which Indian state’s CM inaugurated India’s first AI-powered ‘phygital’ bank branch in Guwahati?
A) Assam (Himanta Biswa Sarma)
B) Maharashtra
C) Karnataka
D) Telangana
Answer: A) Assam (Himanta Biswa Sarma)
Explanation: Slice Small Finance Bank branch.
16. Bhopal installed India’s first solar-powered ‘Algae Trees’. One such tree absorbs approximately how much CO₂ per year?
A) 0.5 tonnes
B) 1.5 tonnes
C) 5 tonnes
D) 10 tonnes
Answer: B) 1.5 tonnes
Explanation: Equivalent to 25 grown trees; also generates oxygen and reduces PM2.5.
17. NHAI’s Project Saksham has trained over 6,000 rural youth (mostly women) in vocational skills in partnership with which foundation?
A) Tata Trusts
B) Vertis Foundation
C) Azim Premji Foundation
D) Reliance Foundation
Answer: B) Vertis Foundation
Explanation: Focus on jobs in infrastructure-related skills.
18. India won how many medals at the Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 held in Gandhinagar?
A) 5
B) 10 (1 silver + 9 bronze)
C) 15
D) 20
Answer: B) 10 (1 silver + 9 bronze)
Explanation: Gyaneshwari Yadav won the lone silver.
19. The Draft National Water Metro Policy 2026 targets how many cities in Phase I?
A) 5
B) 6 (Guwahati, Srinagar, Patna, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Prayagraj)
C) 10
D) 18
Answer: B) 6
Explanation: Uses electric/hybrid ferries on existing waterways.
20. Former Uttarakhand CM Maj Gen (Retd) Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri passed away in May 2026. He served as CM during which periods?
A) 2000-2002
B) 2007–09 and 2011–12
C) 2014-2017
D) 2020-2022
Answer: B) 2007–09 and 2011–12
Explanation: BJP leader and decorated Army officer.
21. Which organisation signed five Science & Technology agreements with Norway in May 2026 focusing on offshore wind energy, carbon capture, and blue economy?
A) ISRO
B) CSIR
C) DRDO
D) ICMR
Answer: B) CSIR
Explanation: The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) inked the pacts to boost bilateral green technology cooperation during PM Modi's Nordic visit.
22. Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 recently signed MoUs with which two regions for tap water connectivity and sustainability initiatives?
A) Uttar Pradesh and Bihar
B) West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
C) Rajasthan and Gujarat
D) Odisha and Jharkhand
Answer: B) West Bengal and Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Explanation: The MoUs aim to provide functional household tap connections and focus on water quality, source sustainability, and greywater management.
23. Indian Railways approved safety-related works worth around ₹238 crore on which critical section?
A) Arakkonam-Chengalpattu
B) Jammu-Katra
C) Howrah-New Jalpaiguri
D) Mumbai-Pune
Answer: B) Jammu-Katra
Explanation: The funds are for track renewal, signalling upgrades, and bridge strengthening to enhance safety on this vital route to Vaishno Devi.
24. India rejected the award given by the Court of Arbitration in the Hague on which long-standing water treaty dispute?
A) Teesta Water Sharing
B) Indus Waters Treaty
C) Mahakali Treaty
D) Farakka Barrage
Answer: B) Indus Waters Treaty
Explanation: India reiterated its stance that the dispute is outside the Court's jurisdiction and must be resolved bilaterally as per the 1960 Treaty provisions.
25. Which festival was recently celebrated in Panzath Nag, Jammu & Kashmir, to promote spring water conservation and local culture?
A) Navreh
B) Panzath Nag Festival
C) Hemis Festival
D) Losar
Answer: B) Panzath Nag Festival
Explanation: The event highlighted traditional water management practices and ecological conservation in the Kashmir Valley.