1. When is International Translation Day observed every year?
(a) 27 September
(b) 28 September
(c) 29 September
(d) 30 September
Answer: (d) 30 September
Explanation: International Translation Day is observed annually on 30 September. The date marks the feast day of St. Jerome, the patron saint of translators, who died on 30 September 420 AD. The United Nations officially proclaimed 30 September as International Translation Day through Resolution A/RES/71/288 in 2017.
2. What is the theme of International Translation Day 2026?
(a) Translation for Global Peace
(b) Translation, interpreting and terminology at the heart of linguistic inclusion
(c) Languages for Sustainable Development
(d) Translation and Cultural Heritage
Answer: (b) Translation, interpreting and terminology at the heart of linguistic inclusion
Explanation: The 2026 theme highlights the role of translation, interpreting and terminology in promoting linguistic inclusion. International Translation Day is associated with the Fédération Internationale des Traducteurs (FIT), established in 1953. St. Jerome translated the Bible into Latin, producing the Vulgate.
3. Which Union Minister launched the Pashudhan Bima Portal on 30 September 2026?
(a) Rajiv Ranjan Singh
(b) Purushottam Rupala
(c) Giriraj Singh
(d) Narendra Singh Tomar
Answer: (a) Rajiv Ranjan Singh
Explanation: Union Minister Rajiv Ranjan Singh launched the Pashudhan Bima Portal for digital livestock insurance. The portal was developed under the National Livestock Mission by the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD). It facilitates digital application submission, real-time monitoring and faster processing of insurance claims.
4. In how many regional languages, apart from Hindi and English, is the Pashudhan Bima Portal available?
(a) 8
(b) 10
(c) 11
(d) 15
Answer: (c) 11
Explanation: The Pashudhan Bima Portal is available in Hindi, English and 11 regional languages. The portal is intended to simplify access to livestock insurance and improve transparency through digital monitoring. “Pashudhan” means livestock, while “Bima” means insurance.
5. Which airline was ranked the World’s Best Airline at the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026?
(a) Qatar Airways
(b) Singapore Airlines
(c) Emirates
(d) Air India
Answer: (b) Singapore Airlines
Explanation: Singapore Airlines was ranked the World’s Best Airline in the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026. Qatar Airways ranked second and Cathay Pacific third. Air India ranked 57th globally, improving by 27 places and becoming the highest-ranked Indian airline. IndiGo ranked 61st globally and was recognised as the Best Low-Cost Airline in India and South Asia.
6. What was Air India’s position in the Skytrax World Airline Awards 2026?
(a) 47th
(b) 52nd
(c) 57th
(d) 61st
Answer: (c) 57th
Explanation: Air India ranked 57th globally in the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, an improvement of 27 positions over its previous ranking. It also topped the India and South Asia regional category. Skytrax is a United Kingdom-based aviation research and rating organisation established in 1989.
7. Which company issued India’s first Blue Bond in September 2026?
(a) SIDBI
(b) Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited
(c) EXIM Bank
(d) NABARD
Answer: (b) Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited
Explanation: Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL) issued India’s first Blue Bond worth ₹600 crore, with a ₹500 crore green-shoe option. The bond has a 10-year tenor and proceeds are intended for maritime-related infrastructure such as ports and coastal connectivity. SMFCL is a Mini Ratna Category-I CPSE under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
8. What is the primary purpose of a Blue Bond?
(a) Financing defence infrastructure
(b) Financing ocean- and water-related sustainable projects
(c) Financing agricultural exports
(d) Financing urban housing
Answer: (b) Financing ocean- and water-related sustainable projects
Explanation: Blue Bonds are debt instruments used to raise funds for sustainable projects connected with oceans, marine ecosystems and water resources. They are distinct from Green Bonds, which have a broader environmental focus. India’s first Blue Bond was issued by SMFCL for maritime infrastructure financing.
9. Exercise KAZIND-2026 is conducted jointly by India and which country?
(a) Kyrgyzstan
(b) Kazakhstan
(c) Uzbekistan
(d) Tajikistan
Answer: (b) Kazakhstan
Explanation: KAZIND-2026 is the 9th edition of the India–Kazakhstan Joint Military Exercise. It is being conducted from 28 September to 11 October 2026 at Oskemen, Kazakhstan. The Indian contingent consists of 60 personnel led by a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations, including operations in semi-urban and mountainous terrain, as well as Counter-UAS capabilities.
10. Where is Exercise KAZIND-2026 being conducted?
(a) Astana
(b) Almaty
(c) Oskemen
(d) Bishkek
Answer: (c) Oskemen
Explanation: The 9th edition of KAZIND is being held at Oskemen in Kazakhstan from 28 September to 11 October 2026. The exercise includes counter-terrorism drills, cordon-and-search operations, joint command-post exercises, unmanned aircraft systems and counter-UAS operations. Oskemen was formerly known as Ust-Kamenogorsk.
11. Which Indian regiment is leading the Indian contingent at KAZIND-2026?
(a) Sikh Regiment
(b) Garhwal Rifles
(c) Rajput Regiment
(d) Assam Regiment
Answer: (b) Garhwal Rifles
Explanation: A 60-member Indian contingent led by personnel from the Garhwal Rifles is participating in KAZIND-2026. The exercise aims to improve interoperability and operational coordination between the armed forces of India and Kazakhstan, particularly in counter-terrorism operations.
12. Which Indian space start-up announced plans to establish India’s first Orbital Data Centre?
(a) Agnikul Cosmos
(b) Skyroot Aerospace
(c) TakeMe2Space
(d) Pixxel
Answer: (c) TakeMe2Space
Explanation: Hyderabad-based space start-up TakeMe2Space announced plans for India’s first Orbital Data Centre. The planned constellation consists of six satellites in Sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 500 km altitude. Each satellite is planned to carry NVIDIA Thor GPUs and substantial onboard storage, enabling computing and data processing in orbit.
13. Which launch vehicle is planned to carry TakeMe2Space’s Orbital Data Centre satellites?
(a) ISRO’s PSLV
(b) SpaceX Falcon 9
(c) Ariane 6
(d) GSLV Mk III
Answer: (b) SpaceX Falcon 9
Explanation: TakeMe2Space plans to launch its Orbital Data Centre satellites through a SpaceX Falcon 9 rideshare mission, with the launch planned for late 2028. The proposed constellation will use optical inter-satellite links for networked in-orbit computing. The company is headquartered in Hyderabad and was founded in 2023.
14. Who became the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster (WGM) in chess history in 2026?
(a) Divya Deshmukh
(b) Bodhana Sivanandan
(c) Vaishali Rameshbabu
(d) Anna Muzychuk
Answer: (b) Bodhana Sivanandan
Explanation: British-Indian chess player Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest-ever Woman Grandmaster at the age of 11 during the 46th Chess Olympiad in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. She broke the previous record held by Ukraine’s Kateryna Lagno, who became a WGM at 12 years and four months in 2002. Bodhana scored 8 points from 11 games at the Olympiad.
15. Who became India’s 99th Grandmaster in chess in 2026?
(a) V. S. Rathanvel
(b) Arjun Erigaisi
(c) R. Praggnanandhaa
(d) Nihal Sarin
Answer: (a) V. S. Rathanvel
Explanation: Coimbatore-based V. S. Rathanvel became India’s 99th Grandmaster at the 3rd Guwahati Smart City International Open 2026. India has produced a rapidly increasing number of chess Grandmasters in recent years, strengthening its position as one of the world's major chess-playing nations.
16. What was India’s rank at the 48th WorldSkills Competition held in Shanghai in 2026?
(a) 8th
(b) 9th
(c) 10th
(d) 13th
Answer: (c) 10th
Explanation: India secured 10th position at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, improving from 13th position at WorldSkills Lyon 2024. India participated with its largest-ever contingent of 70 competitors across 63 skill categories and won 6 Silver Medals along with 20 Medals of Excellence. Smriti Nambiar won a Silver Medal in Bakery and was named India’s Best of Nation.
17. Which Indian participant was named “Best of Nation” at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026?
(a) Smriti Nambiar
(b) Bodhana Sivanandan
(c) Divya Deshmukh
(d) Anjali Sharma
Answer: (a) Smriti Nambiar
Explanation: Smriti Nambiar was named India’s Best of Nation at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 after winning a Silver Medal in the Bakery skill category. WorldSkills is an international competition showcasing vocational and technical skills. The 2026 event was the 48th WorldSkills Competition.
18. Which body established the Steel Industry Safety Council on 30 September 2026?
(a) Ministry of Heavy Industries
(b) Ministry of Steel
(c) Ministry of Labour and Employment
(d) Ministry of Mines
Answer: (b) Ministry of Steel
Explanation: The Ministry of Steel established the Steel Industry Safety Council on 30 September 2026. The Council is chaired by Sandeep Poundrik, Secretary, Ministry of Steel, and includes representatives of major steel companies and organisations such as DGMS, PESO and NDMA. Its functions include assessing safety conditions, reviewing accidents and approving safety standards.
19. PRAMAAN certification is associated with which sector?
(a) Banking and finance
(b) Forest and wood products
(c) Pharmaceuticals
(d) Textiles
Answer: (b) Forest and wood products
Explanation: PRAMAAN is the certification framework under India’s Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS). It provides a national framework for certification of forests, wood and non-timber forest products. PRAMAAN stands for Programme for Recognition and Accreditation of sustainable Management Practices for Agroforestry And Natural forestry resources. Certification audits are conducted by bodies accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB).
20. Which organisation accredits certification bodies under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme?
(a) NABARD
(b) NABCB
(c) BIS
(d) FSSAI
Answer: (b) NABCB
Explanation: Certification bodies under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme are accredited by the National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB), which functions under the Quality Council of India. The scheme includes Forest Management Certification, Trees Outside Forests Management Certification and Chain of Custody Certification.
21. Vasundhara Tal, recently in the news for an early-warning system, is located in which Indian state?
(a) Himachal Pradesh
(b) Uttarakhand
(c) Sikkim
(d) Arunachal Pradesh
Answer: (b) Uttarakhand
Explanation: Vasundhara Tal is a high-altitude glacial lake in Chamoli district of Uttarakhand, located at approximately 4,795 metres in the Raikana Valley. It is associated with the source of the Dhauliganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda. The lake has been classified as a Category A, or highest-risk-category, lake by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA).
22. Vasundhara Tal is associated with the origin of which river?
(a) Mandakini
(b) Pindar
(c) Dhauliganga
(d) Bhagirathi
Answer: (c) Dhauliganga
Explanation: Vasundhara Tal is an important source of the Dhauliganga River in Uttarakhand. Dhauliganga is a major tributary of the Alaknanda River. The new early-warning system at the lake is designed to monitor water levels, weather, snow conditions, water flow and movements around the lake.
23. Fukutoku-Okanoba, recently in the news, is what type of geographical feature?
(a) Glacier
(b) Submarine volcano
(c) Coral reef
(d) Deep-sea trench
Answer: (b) Submarine volcano
Explanation: Fukutoku-Okanoba is an active submarine volcano belonging to Japan’s Volcano Islands in the Pacific Ocean. It forms part of the Izu-Bonin volcanic arc, which is associated with the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Philippine Sea Plate. Its shallow summit allows Surtseyan eruptions, in which magma interacts explosively with shallow seawater.
24. What was India’s net Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) inflow in July 2026, according to the current-affairs report?
(a) US$5.25 billion
(b) US$6.10 billion
(c) US$7.35 billion
(d) US$8.80 billion
Answer: (c) US$7.35 billion
Explanation: India’s net FDI inflow stood at US$7.35 billion in July 2026, a five-year high and a 64% year-on-year increase. Gross FDI inflows were US$14.58 billion. Communication services, financial services and computer services together accounted for around 60% of equity inflows. FDI generally represents a long-term investment involving a significant degree of influence or control, whereas FPI generally refers to portfolio investment without such managerial control.