Current Affairs 23rd October 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which country did Prime Minister Narendra Modi hold bilateral talks with on 22–23 October 2026, aiming to double trade by 2030?
A) France
B) Poland
C) Germany
D) Canada
Answer: B) Poland
Explanation: PM Modi met Polish PM Donald Tusk in New Delhi. Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in defence, space, nuclear energy, critical minerals and AI, with a target to double bilateral trade (from ~USD 6.3 billion) by 2030.
2. India has decided to mandate blending of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) for international flights starting from which month/year?
A) January 2026
B) January 2027
C) April 2027
D) October 2026
Answer: B) January 2027
Explanation: India will mandate 1% SAF blending for all international flights from January 2027 as part of efforts to reduce aviation emissions.
3. Core industries in India recorded growth of approximately how much percent recently (historic high mentioned around 22 Oct 2026)?
A) 5.2%
B) 6.5%
C) 7.9%
D) 9.1%
Answer: C) 7.9%
Explanation: Core industries growth hit a historic high of 7.9%, reflecting strong industrial performance.
4. Which historic site from Chhattisgarh was recently added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List?
A) Bhoramdeo
B) Sirpur
C) Malhar
D) Rajim
Answer: B) Sirpur
Explanation: Chhattisgarh’s historic Sirpur site was added to UNESCO’s Tentative World Heritage List, highlighting India’s cultural and archaeological heritage.
5. The Indian Army is set to release which important doctrine around the Army Commanders’ Conference (21–23 October 2026)?
A) Mountain Warfare Doctrine
B) Land Warfare Doctrine
C) Cyber Warfare Doctrine
D) Amphibious Warfare Doctrine
Answer: B) Land Warfare Doctrine
Explanation: The Army’s top brass reviewed and prepared to release an updated Land Warfare Doctrine focusing on future warfare and modernisation.
6. IndiaAI announced fellowship support for students. What is the maximum amount for postgraduate students?
A) ₹50,000
B) ₹1 lakh
C) ₹2 lakh
D) ₹5 lakh
Answer: C) ₹2 lakh
Explanation: IndiaAI is offering up to ₹1 lakh for undergraduate and ₹2 lakh for postgraduate students; applications close 30 November.
7. A magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck which region on/around 22 October 2026, killing at least 16 people?
A) Nepal
B) Tibet (China)
C) Afghanistan
D) Myanmar
Answer: B) Tibet (China)
Explanation: An Mw 7.0 earthquake hit Tibet with epicentre near Nagqu; at least 16 killed and dozens injured, with hundreds of homes collapsed.
8. The European Parliament awarded the 2026 Sakharov Prize to which institution/officials?
A) UN Human Rights Council
B) International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials
C) International Court of Justice
D) Amnesty International
Answer: B) International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials
Explanation: The prize was given for the ICC’s work in global justice and upholding international law.
9. Finland granted an operating licence to Posiva for which facility, making it the world’s first of its kind?
A) Floating nuclear plant
B) Deep geological disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel (Onkalo)
C) Thorium reactor
D) Fusion research facility
Answer: B) Deep geological disposal facility for spent nuclear fuel (Onkalo)
Explanation: The Finnish Government licensed the Onkalo repository in Eurajoki — the world’s first licensed deep geological disposal site for spent nuclear fuel.
10. Canada and which country opened negotiations for a free trade agreement during Canadian PM Mark Carney’s visit?
A) India
B) Turkey
C) Japan
D) Brazil
Answer: B) Turkey
Explanation: Canada and Turkey began free-trade negotiations during PM Mark Carney’s visit to Ankara.
11. France reported the first human case of which livestock virus?
A) Nipah
B) Shamonda virus
C) Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever
D) Rift Valley fever
Answer: B) Shamonda virus
Explanation: France reported the first human case of the livestock Shamonda virus in a patient who later died from an unrelated condition.
12. Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi won gold medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in which city/country?
A) Hangzhou, China
B) Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
C) Jakarta, Indonesia
D) Bangkok, Thailand
Answer: B) Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
Explanation: Sheetal Devi (with Toman Kumar in mixed team and individually) won multiple golds at the Asian Para Games in Japan; India performed strongly overall.
13. An Indian national was killed and others injured in attacks targeting infrastructure in which country around 22 October 2026?
A) UAE
B) Saudi Arabia
C) Qatar
D) Oman
Answer: B) Saudi Arabia
Explanation: Attacks (linked to Houthi activity) hit King Fahd International Airport and an oil facility; one Indian was killed and others injured. India condemned the incidents.
14. Saudi-led coalition reported intercepting how many drones launched towards Saudi Arabia on 22 October 2026?
A) Three
B) Five
C) Seven
D) Ten
Answer: B) Five
Explanation: The coalition stated it intercepted and destroyed five drones.
15. GRAP Stage I was invoked in Delhi-NCR as AQI turned ‘Poor’. What does GRAP stand for?
A) Green Revolution Action Plan
B) Graded Response Action Plan
C) Global Resource Allocation Plan
D) Greenhouse Reduction Action Programme
Answer: B) Graded Response Action Plan
Explanation: GRAP Stage I (25 actions) was activated in Delhi-NCR due to deteriorating air quality.
16. CERT-In and related reports highlighted compromised private cryptographic keys linked to which Indian firm?
A) NIC
B) eMudhra
C) TCS
D) Infosys
Answer: B) eMudhra
Explanation: Weak/randomness issues in keys led to browsers blocking certificates; MeitY formed an SIT and CERT-In issued warnings about possible TLS certificate fraud.
17. Bihar completed verification of approximately how many pensioners recently?
A) 50 lakh
B) 1.03 crore
C) 2 crore
D) 75 lakh
Answer: B) 1.03 crore
Explanation: Bihar finished verification of 1.03 crore pensioners, with Madhubani leading the exercise.
18. The UN’s climate loss and damage fund moved to provide aid of how much to Nepal?
A) $5 million
B) $10 million
C) $20 million
D) $50 million
Answer: C) $20 million
Explanation: The fund approved $20 million in aid for Nepal.
19. Which company/group’s IPO (around ₹30,213 crore) saw strong demand in mid-to-late October 2026?
A) OYO
B) Jio Platforms
C) Paytm
D) Zomato
Answer: B) Jio Platforms
Explanation: Reliance’s Jio Platforms IPO attracted robust investor interest and was heavily subscribed.
20. A Guatemalan court sentenced seven former police officers to long prison terms (up to 60 years) in a case related to the 2024 killing of a:
A) Political activist
B) Gay couple
C) Journalist
D) Indigenous leader
Answer: B) Gay couple
Explanation: The sentences related to the torture and killing of a gay couple at a police station, advancing LGBTQ rights accountability in Guatemala.
21. India supports “meaningful efforts” to bring peace to which two regions, as stated by PM Modi around the Poland visit?
A) Middle East and Africa
B) Ukraine and West Asia
C) South China Sea and Taiwan
D) Korea and Myanmar
Answer: B) Ukraine and West Asia
Explanation: PM Modi reiterated India’s support for meaningful peace efforts in Ukraine and West Asia during talks with the Polish PM.
22. Which para-sport event saw India win compound mixed team archery gold (Sheetal Devi & Toman Kumar)?
A) Paralympics
B) Asian Para Games 2026
C) Commonwealth Games
D) World Para Archery Championships
Answer: B) Asian Para Games 2026
Explanation: The gold was won at the Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
23. Which Indian state saw a bus-tree collision that killed at least six people around 22 October 2026?
A) Madhya Pradesh
B) Chhattisgarh
C) Odisha
D) Jharkhand
Answer: B) Chhattisgarh
Explanation: A bus collided with a tree in Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur district, killing at least six and injuring 25.
24. US President Donald Trump commented that the India–US trade deal is “pretty close” and will be:
A) Identical to previous deals
B) Very different
C) Focused only on agriculture
D) Delayed indefinitely
Answer: B) Very different
Explanation: Trump stated the India–US trade deal is close and will differ significantly from past agreements.
25. Agrivoltaics World Conference was held in which city, linked to the next phase of PM-KUSUM?
A) Mumbai
B) Delhi
C) Bengaluru
D) Hyderabad
Answer: B) Delhi
Explanation: The conference focused on agrivoltaics and the next phase of PM-KUSUM for small farmers.