Current Affairs 20th October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. World Osteoporosis Day is observed every year on which date?
A) 18 October
B) 19 October
C) 20 October
D) 21 October
Answer: C
Explanation: World Osteoporosis Day is observed annually on 20 October. It is organised by the International Osteoporosis Foundation (IOF) to raise awareness about bone health, prevention, diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis.
2. The India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force on which date?
A) 15 October 2026
B) 18 October 2026
C) 20 October 2026
D) 27 April 2026
Answer: C
Explanation: The India–New Zealand FTA came into force on 20 October 2026 (coinciding with Vijayadashami).
3. Under the India–New Zealand FTA, New Zealand has committed to facilitate investment of how much into India?
A) USD 10 billion
B) USD 15 billion
C) USD 20 billion
D) USD 25 billion
Answer: C
Explanation: New Zealand has committed to facilitate USD 20 billion in investment into India over the next 15 years, covering manufacturing, infrastructure, agriculture and innovation.
4. Which Indian para-athlete won gold in the men’s javelin throw F46 event at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A) Nishad Kumar
B) Rinku (Rinku Hooda)
C) Ajeet Singh
D) Pradeep Kumar
Answer: B
Explanation: Rinku (Rinku Hooda) won the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw F46 with a throw of 65.11 m. Ajeet Singh finished second to complete an Indian one-two.
5. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting held in which city?
A) Beijing
B) Moscow
C) Dushanbe
D) Astana
Answer: C
Explanation: Rajnath Singh represented India at the 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (19–20 October 2026).
6. The Asian Para Games 2026 are being held in which country?
A) China
B) South Korea
C) Japan
D) India
Answer: C
Explanation: The 5th Asian Para Games (2026) are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, from 18 to 24 October 2026.
7. Who won the gold medal in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1 event at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A) Avani Lekhara
B) Mona Agarwal
C) Sheetal Devi
D) Bhavina Patel
Answer: B
Explanation: Mona Agarwal won gold (Asian Para Games record score of 250.0) in the women’s 10m air rifle standing SH1, with Avani Lekhara taking silver.
8. Nishad Kumar won gold in which event at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A) High jump
B) Long jump T47
C) Javelin throw
D) 100m sprint
Answer: B
Explanation: Nishad Kumar (two-time Paralympic silver medallist) won gold in the men’s long jump T47 with a jump of 7.11 m.
9. Kufri Jamunia, recently in the news, is a biofortified variety of which crop?
A) Rice
B) Wheat
C) Potato
D) Maize
Answer: C
Explanation: Kufri Jamunia is India’s first purple-fleshed biofortified potato variety developed by ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla.
10. Which organisation developed the purple-fleshed potato variety Kufri Jamunia?
A) ICAR-IARI
B) ICAR-CPRI
C) CSIR
D) NITI Aayog
Answer: B
Explanation: It was developed by the ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla, and officially released in 2024.
11. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio began a three-day visit to India in October 2026, meeting which Indian minister in Mumbai?
A) Defence Minister Rajnath Singh
B) External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar
C) Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal
D) Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Answer: B
Explanation: Marco Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Mumbai. Discussions focused on energy, trade, technology, defence cooperation and the near-final India-US trade deal.
12. The Centre directed oil marketing companies to bar which feedstock for ethanol blending in the 2026–27 tender?
A) Grain-based ethanol
B) Sugarcane/sugar-based ethanol
C) Maize-based ethanol
D) Molasses only
Answer: B
Explanation: The government directed OMCs to stop using sugarcane/sugar-based ethanol for petrol blending in 2026–27 to prioritise domestic sugar supply and control prices, shifting focus to grain-based feedstocks.
13. Japan’s MMX mission aims to collect samples from which celestial body?
A) Moon
B) Mars
C) Phobos (Mars moon)
D) Asteroid
Answer: C
Explanation: The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) announced the MMX (Martian Moons eXploration) mission — the world’s first sample-return mission from Phobos, a moon of Mars.
14. Exercise Akhand Prahar-II was conducted by the Indian Army in which location?
A) Ladakh
B) Jaisalmer
C) Rann of Kutch
D) Sikkim
Answer: B
Explanation: Exercise Akhand Prahar-II was held in the Thar Desert (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan) involving formations such as the Black Mace Brigade and Battle Axe Division.
15. Which Indian para-athlete set a Games record in the women’s 400m T20 event at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A) Deepthi Jeevanji
B) Mona Agarwal
C) Avani Lekhara
D) Sheetal Devi
Answer: A
Explanation: Deepthi Jeevanji won gold and set an Asian Para Games record in the women’s 400m T20 event.
16. The upgraded Agri Welfare Portal was launched by which Union Minister?
A) Piyush Goyal
B) Shivraj Singh Chouhan
C) Narendra Singh Tomar
D) Amit Shah
Answer: B
Explanation: Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the upgraded Agri Welfare Portal on 19 October 2026.
17. The Sumatran orangutan is listed under which IUCN category (relevant to the recent repatriation)?
A) Vulnerable
B) Endangered / Critically Endangered
C) Least Concern
D) Near Threatened
Answer: B
Explanation: The Sumatran orangutan is Critically Endangered (IUCN). India’s successful repatriation of a rescued individual to Indonesia underscores CITES compliance and wildlife conservation efforts.
18. The 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology (CIML) is scheduled to be hosted by India in which city?
A) Mumbai
B) Bengaluru
C) New Delhi
D) Hyderabad
Answer: C
Explanation: India (Department of Consumer Affairs) is hosting the 61st CIML meeting in New Delhi from 26–28 October 2026, focusing on global standards for weights and measures.
19. The Indian contingent at the Asian Para Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya) consisted of approximately how many athletes?
A) 112
B) 168
C) 281 (including support staff)
D) Both B and C are correct in different contexts
Answer: D
Explanation: India sent a 168-member athletic contingent (112 men + 56 women) competing in 11 disciplines. The overall Indian delegation, including support staff and officials, was reported as around 281 members.
20. The Kolkata Durga Puja pandal stampede (October 2026) claimed how many lives (as reported)?
A) 11
B) 15
C) 19
D) 25
Answer: C
Explanation: The stampede at a Durga Puja pandal in Kolkata claimed 19 lives. The state government announced compensation and ordered an SIT probe; issues of crowd management and sudden rain were highlighted.
21. CISF is set to adopt which new organisational structure from 1 November 2026?
A) Territorial commands
B) Sector-based commands
C) Functional directorates only
D) State-wise battalions
Answer: B
Explanation: From 1 November 2026, CISF will replace the existing territorial supervision system with sector-based commands for better administrative efficiency.
22. Which of the following correctly describes the nutritional profile of the potato variety Kufri Jamunia?
A) High in protein only
B) Rich in anthocyanins, vitamin C, iron and zinc
C) Low antioxidant content
D) Suitable only for processing, not table use
Answer: B
Explanation: Kufri Jamunia is a biofortified purple-fleshed variety rich in anthocyanins (antioxidants), vitamin C, carotenoids, iron and zinc.
23. The India-UK bilateral maritime exercise that concluded in October 2026 off Plymouth was named:
A) Malabar
B) Konkan-26
C) Varuna
D) Indra
Answer: B
Explanation: Exercise Konkan-26 between the Indian Navy (INS Trishul) and Royal Navy (HMS Sutherland) concluded off Plymouth, UK, focusing on advanced seamanship, anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare.
24. Which Indian shooter won silver in the women’s 10m air rifle SH1 at the Asian Para Games 2026?
A) Mona Agarwal
B) Avani Lekhara
C) Manish Narwal
D) Swaroop Unhalkar
Answer: B
Explanation: Avani Lekhara (Paralympic champion) won silver with a score of 249.6, finishing just behind Mona Agarwal’s gold-winning 250.0.
25. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s October 2026 India visit included discussions linking which of the following?
A) Climate finance only
B) Pause/waiver on Russia-related oil sanctions and progress on India–US trade deal
C) Complete withdrawal of US troops from the region
D) New nuclear cooperation agreement
Answer: B
Explanation: Ahead of and during his visit, Rubio linked the US decision regarding Russia oil sanctions/waiver to the near-finalisation of the India–US trade deal.