Current Affairs 21st October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in which Indian city in October 2026?
A) New Delhi
B) Mumbai
C) Bengaluru
D) Hyderabad
Answer: B) Mumbai
Explanation: Rubio arrived in Mumbai on 20 October 2026 for a two-day visit. He held talks with Jaishankar at the Taj Mahal Palace on trade, energy security and defence cooperation.
2. The 2026 Asian Para Games are being held in which Japanese cities/prefecture?
A) Tokyo and Osaka
B) Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya
C) Sapporo and Yokohama
D) Kyoto and Kobe
Answer: B) Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya
Explanation: The Asian Para Games 2026 are taking place from 18–24 October 2026 in Aichi Prefecture and Nagoya, Japan. India has been performing strongly, winning multiple medals including golds in athletics.
3. Jio Platforms IPO was scheduled to open for retail investors on which date?
A) 20 October 2026
B) 21 October 2026
C) 22 October 2026
D) 25 October 2026
Answer: B) 21 October 2026
Explanation: Reliance-backed Jio Platforms’ IPO, targeting approximately ₹30,213 crore, opened on 21 October 2026.
4. The Indian government capped trade margins on how many anti-cancer medicines at 30% (effective November 2026)?
A) 100
B) 137
C) 150
D) 200
Answer: B) 137
Explanation: The government capped trade margins on 137 anti-cancer medicines at 30%, with revised prices effective from 9 November 2026; some MRPs could fall by up to 70%.
5. In the Sudanese civil war, the death toll from a drone attack on a market in Abyei rose to approximately:
A) 80
B) 150
C) 220
D) 300
Answer: C) 220
Explanation: The death toll in the Amiet market drone attack in Abyei (disputed region) rose to 220 as of 20 October 2026 reports.
6. Which country announced its first case of Ebola virus in the 2026 epidemic?
A) Uganda
B) Nigeria
C) Democratic Republic of Congo
D) Sudan
Answer: B) Nigeria
Explanation: Nigeria confirmed its first Ebola case (in Abuja, linked to a traveller from Uganda) as part of the ongoing 2026 epidemic.
7. The United Kingdom announced it would deploy which aircraft to help Saudi Arabia defend against Houthi attacks?
A) F-35 Lightning
B) RAF Typhoons
C) Eurofighter
D) Tornado
Answer: B) RAF Typhoons
Explanation: The UK said it would deploy RAF Typhoons for defensive air patrols to protect Saudi Arabia from Houthi attacks.
8. Libya’s eastern-based House of Representatives approved a 2019 maritime boundary agreement with which country?
A) Egypt
B) Greece
C) Turkey
D) Italy
Answer: C) Turkey
Explanation: The House of Representatives approved the 2019 Libya–Turkey maritime deal and repealed earlier 2020 decisions rejecting it.
9. The Supreme Court was scheduled to hear a plea by former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on 21 October 2026 in which case?
A) Electoral bonds
B) CMRL bribery case
C) Governor vs government dispute
D) Environmental clearances
Answer: B) CMRL bribery case
Explanation: A special Bench was set to hear Vijayan’s plea in the CMRL case along with a YSRCP petition on local body polls.
10. JNUSU ended its 17-day hunger strike after the university agreed to:
A) Increase scholarships
B) Revoke rustication of student office-bearers and withdraw FIRs
C) Reduce hostel fees
D) Change the academic calendar
Answer: B) Revoke rustication of student office-bearers and withdraw FIRs
Explanation: The Jawaharlal Nehru University Students’ Union ended the strike after the administration agreed to these demands.
11. Canada’s Alberta province voted on and rejected a plan related to:
A) Joining the US
B) Holding a binding independence referendum
C) Changing its name
D) Separating from energy policies
Answer: B) Holding a binding independence referendum
Explanation: Alberta rejected a proposal to hold a binding independence (secession) referendum.
12. India and Russia conducted the 15th edition of which bilateral naval exercise in 2026?
A) Malabar
B) INDRA
C) Varuna
D) Konkan
Answer: B) INDRA
Explanation: INDRA-2026 was held at Vladivostok and the Sea of Japan to enhance maritime cooperation and interoperability.
13. Under the PM-SETU scheme, the National Steering Committee approved SIPs worth approximately how much for five ITI clusters?
A) ₹500 crore
B) ₹1,194.92 crore
C) ₹2,000 crore
D) ₹3,000 crore
Answer: B) ₹1,194.92 crore
Explanation: Five Strategic Investment Plans for ITI clusters in Maharashtra, Odisha and J&K were approved, raising total sanctioned investment significantly.
14. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the World Bank Group’s World Development Report 2026 focusing on:
A) Climate change
B) The Promise of Artificial Intelligence
C) Global trade
D) Poverty reduction
Answer: B) The Promise of Artificial Intelligence
Explanation: The report was launched in New Delhi by the MeitY Minister.
15. Under PM-AJAY, how many villages had been declared Adarsh Grams (as of the October 2026 update)?
A) Around 10,000
B) 18,093
C) 25,000
D) 47,200
Answer: B) 18,093
Explanation: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reported 18,093 Adarsh Grams declared, covering over 47,200 villages in total under the scheme.
16. 21 October is observed in India as:
A) National Unity Day
B) Police Commemoration Day
C) Armed Forces Flag Day
D) Constitution Day
Answer: B) Police Commemoration Day
Explanation: Police Commemoration Day is observed on 21 October to honour police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
17. The festival of Vijayadashami / Dussehra in 2026 fell around which date?
A) 18 October
B) 20 October
C) 22 October
D) 25 October
Answer: B) 20 October
Explanation: Dussehra (victory of good over evil) was celebrated on 20 October 2026; leaders including PM Modi extended greetings.
18. In the Tiger Shroff firing case (Mumbai), police arrested additional accused including women from which state for transporting firearms?
A) Rajasthan
B) Uttar Pradesh
C) Haryana
D) Bihar
Answer: B) Uttar Pradesh
Explanation: Four more accused (including two women from UP) were arrested in Delhi and handed over in connection with the attack.
19. India will host the inaugural SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of which year?
A) 2025
B) 2026
C) 2027
D) 2028
Answer: B) 2026
Explanation: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh announced that India would host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026.
20. Bus–truck collisions in Bangladesh (Natore) and near Cairo, Egypt, together caused at least how many deaths (reported around 20 October 2026)?
A) 10
B) 26
C) 40
D) 50
Answer: B) 26
Explanation: At least 14 died in Natore, Bangladesh, and 12 near Cairo, Egypt, in separate bus–truck accidents.
21. A trilateral meeting involving S. Jaishankar, Marco Rubio and the Foreign Minister of which country took place in Mumbai?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) UAE
C) Japan
D) Australia
Answer: B) UAE
Explanation: Jaishankar, Rubio and UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks on regional energy security and economic priorities.
22. The death toll in a separate Sudanese army drone strike on a market in a disputed region was reported around:
A) 20
B) 53
C) 100
D) 150
Answer: B) 53
Explanation: A Sudanese army drone strike killed 53 people at a market in a disputed area.
23. Pakistan’s Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir visited which country around 21 October 2026?
A) Saudi Arabia
B) Iran (Tehran)
C) Turkey
D) China
Answer: B) Iran (Tehran)
Explanation: CDF Munir was scheduled to visit Tehran for talks with Iranian leadership.
24. CJP leaders Saurav Das and Ashutosh Ranka’s judicial custody extension was challenged in which court?
A) Supreme Court
B) Delhi High Court
C) Bombay High Court
D) Allahabad High Court
Answer: B) Delhi High Court
Explanation: The Cockroach Janta Party sought an urgent hearing in the Delhi High Court against the extension of their judicial custody.
25. India ranked approximately which position in the 2026 Global Hunger Index?
A) 50th
B) 75th
C) 100th
D) 120th
Answer: C) 100th
Explanation: India ranked 100th out of 122 countries in the 2026 Global Hunger Index with a score indicating a “serious” category.