Current Affairs in Gujarati 15th October 2026 : Current GK
On 15 Oct 2026
Current Affairs 5th January 2026 : Daily GK Update in English
1. Which country became the 21st member of the Eurozone on January 1, 2026?
A) Romania
B) Bulgaria
C) Hungary
D) Poland
Answer: B) Bulgaria
Explanation: Bulgaria, the EU's poorest member, adopted the euro on January 1, 2026, enhancing its integration into the European Union. Croatia was the previous addition in 2023.
2. Who became the acting President of Venezuela after Nicolás Maduro's capture by US forces in early January 2026?
A) Cilia Flores
B) Delcy Rodríguez
C) Diosdado Cabello
D) Jorge Rodríguez
Answer: B) Delcy Rodríguez
Explanation: Following the US military operation that captured Maduro and his wife on January 3-4, 2026, Vice President Delcy Rodríguez assumed the role of acting president.
3. What was the magnitude of the earthquake that struck off the coast of Guerrero, Mexico, in early January 2026?
A) 5.8
B) 6.5
C) 7.2
D) 6.0
Answer: B) 6.5
Explanation: A 6.5 magnitude earthquake hit near San Marcos, Guerrero, resulting in two deaths and 12 injuries, with significant structural damage reported.
4. Which leader conducted North Korea's first ballistic missile test of 2026?
A) Kim Yo-jong
B) Kim Jong Un
C) Ri Yong-ho
D) Choe Ryong-hae
Answer: B) Kim Jong Un
Explanation: Kim Jong Un oversaw the test on January 5, 2026, emphasizing the need for a powerful nuclear deterrent.
5. Who launched the ‘IITM Global Research Foundation’ at IIT-Madras in January 2026?
A) Narendra Modi
B) Amit Shah
C) S. Jaishankar
D) Nirmala Sitharaman
Answer: C) S. Jaishankar
Explanation: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar inaugurated the foundation, aiming to position IIT-Madras as the world's first multinational university.
6. On what date was Nicolás Maduro scheduled to appear in a New York federal court in 2026?
A) January 3
B) January 4
C) January 5
D) January 6
Answer: C) January 5
Explanation: Maduro was set to be formally charged on January 5, 2026, following his capture and transfer to the US.
7. Which country launched a ballistic missile test in early January 2026, citing nuclear deterrence needs?
A) Iran
B) Russia
C) North Korea
D) China
Answer: C) North Korea
Explanation: North Korea's test on January 5, 2026, was its first of the year, supervised by Kim Jong Un.
8. What major US operation led to the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro in 2026?
A) Operation Freedom
B) Operation Absolute Resolve
C) Operation Caribbean Strike
D) Operation Drug Shield
Answer: B) Operation Absolute Resolve
Explanation: The US military action, echoing past interventions, resulted in Maduro's capture and removal from Venezuela.
9. A rogue planet was discovered roaming the Milky Way in January 2026 using observations from where?
A) Only space telescopes
B) Earth and a space telescope
C) Only ground-based
D) Mars rover
Answer: B) Earth and a space telescope
Explanation: The dual perspective allowed precise mass and location determination.
10. Bulgaria joined the Eurozone in 2026; which country was the last to join before it?
A) Slovenia
B) Croatia
C) Estonia
D) Slovakia
Answer: B) Croatia
Explanation: Croatia adopted the euro in 2023, prior to Bulgaria's entry on January 1, 2026.
11. In early 2026, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio commented on the Venezuela situation, stating the US is at war against what?
A) Socialism
B) Drug trafficking organizations
C) Corruption
D) Terrorism
Answer: B) Drug trafficking organizations
Explanation: Rubio clarified that US actions targeted drug networks, not Venezuela itself.
12. Which initiative was launched by President Droupadi Murmu in New Delhi on January 1, 2026?
A) Digital India 2.0
B) Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR)
C) Make in India Expansion
D) Startup India Revival
Answer: B) Skilling for AI Readiness (SOAR)
Explanation: The program under Skill India Mission focuses on AI preparedness.
13. A major earthquake in Mexico in January 2026 killed how many people?
A) 0
B) 2
C) 5
D) 10
Answer: B) 2
Explanation: The 6.5 magnitude quake off Guerrero resulted in two fatalities and multiple injuries.
14. Venezuela's distressed debt rallied in early 2026 due to expectations of what?
A) Economic sanctions lift
B) Political change under Trump
C) Oil price surge
D) EU intervention
Answer: B) Political change under Trump
Explanation: Speculators bet on regime change following Maduro's ouster.
15. Which former Australian cricketer woke from a coma in early January 2026?
A) Shane Warne
B) Damien Martyn
C) Ricky Ponting
D) Adam Gilchrist
Answer: B) Damien Martyn
Explanation: Martyn recovered after battling meningitis.
16. The Delhi Cabinet approved which bill in early 2026 to decriminalize minor offences?
A) Delhi Safety Bill
B) Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill
C) Delhi Governance Bill
D) Delhi Environment Bill
Answer: B) Delhi Jan Vishwas (Amendment) Bill
Explanation: The bill aims to reduce penalties for procedural violations.
17. North Korea's missile test in January 2026 was in response to regional tensions involving which country?
A) Japan
B) South Korea
C) United States
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: It underscored deterrence amid ongoing geopolitical pressures.
18. Which state emerged as India's top investment destination in FY26 proposals as of early 2026?
A) Gujarat
B) Maharashtra
C) Andhra Pradesh
D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: C) Andhra Pradesh
Explanation: It captured 25.3% of national proposed capital investments.
19. The US capture of Maduro in 2026 drew comparisons to which historical operation?
A) Operation Desert Storm
B) 1989 Invasion of Panama
C) Operation Iraqi Freedom
D) Operation Enduring Freedom
Answer: B) 1989 Invasion of Panama
Explanation: It echoed the removal of Manuel Noriega.
20. In January 2026, allies of which country met in Paris for talks on support?
A) Venezuela
B) Ukraine
C) Israel
D) Taiwan
Answer: B) Ukraine
Explanation: The "coalition of the willing" convened on January 5-6 for discussions on aid.
21. Which international body condemned potential new legislation in Israel regarding death sentences in early 2026?
A) UN Human Rights Office
B) EU
C) ICC
D) Amnesty International
Answer: A) UN Human Rights Office
Explanation: The UN warned it would violate international law if applied exclusively to Palestinians.
22. India Post discontinued certain services from January 1, 2026, for what reason?
A) Cost reduction
B) Improved tracking and security
C) Digital shift
D) Privatization
Answer: B) Improved tracking and security
Explanation: Outward international letter mail services were halted to enhance reliability and compliance.
23. Former Australian cricketer Damien Martyn recovered from which illness in January 2026?
A) COVID-19
B) Meningitis
C) Heart attack
D) Stroke
Answer: B) Meningitis
Explanation: He emerged from a coma after a severe battle with the disease.
24. The 8th Pay Commission for central government employees in India is set to implement from when?
A) January 1, 2026
B) April 1, 2026
C) July 1, 2026
D) January 1, 2027
Answer: A) January 1, 2026
Explanation: It follows the end of the 7th Pay Commission's term on December 31, 2025.
25. In early 2026, which cricketer praised Brendon McCullum as the best coach?
A) Ben Stokes
B) Harry Brook
C) Joe Root
D) Jos Buttler
Answer: B) Harry Brook
Explanation: England's Harry Brook credited McCullum's philosophy for his form.