Daily Current Affairs 21 September 2026

Q1 What is the primary purpose of Xi Jinping's visit to the United States this week?

• ATo attend a trade summit
• BTo hold talks with Donald Trump on China-US relations and world peaceCorrect
• CTo sign a military alliance
• DTo participate in a cultural exchange program

Explanation Xi Jinping's visit is for in-depth talks with Donald Trump focusing on China-US relations and world peace and development.

Q2 Who confirmed Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the United States?

• AUS State Department
• BChinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo JiakunCorrect
• CUnited Nations Secretary-General
• DDonald Trump

Explanation Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Guo Jiakun confirmed the visit and the agenda of discussions.

Q3 Which two main topics are on the agenda for Xi Jinping's talks with Donald Trump?

• ATrade tariffs and immigration
• BChina-US relations and world peace and developmentCorrect
• CClimate change and technology sharing
• DMilitary cooperation and space exploration

Explanation The agenda includes major issues concerning China-US relations and world peace and development.

Q1 When will the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement come into force?

• AOctober 20, 2026Correct
• BSeptember 21, 2026
• CJanuary 1, 2027
• DDecember 31, 2026

Explanation The FTA will come into force on October 20, 2026, as stated by multiple sources.

Q2 What tariff changes will New Zealand implement under the India-New Zealand FTA?

• ARemove all tariffs on goods imported from IndiaCorrect
• BRemove tariffs on 95% of imports from India
• CReduce tariffs on all imports from India by 50%
• DMaintain current tariff levels

Explanation New Zealand will remove all tariffs on goods imported from India, providing duty-free access.

Q3 What is the bilateral trade target set by India and New Zealand by 2030 under the FTA?

• A₹35,000 croreCorrect
• B₹50,000 crore
• C₹20,000 crore
• D₹10,000 crore

Explanation The two countries aim to double bilateral trade to ₹35,000 crore by 2030.

Q1 When is the fifth round of India-Canada CEPA trade talks scheduled to begin?

• ASeptember 18, 2026
• BOctober 5, 2026Correct
• CDecember 31, 2026
• DJanuary 1, 2027

Explanation The fifth round of trade talks between India and Canada is scheduled to begin on October 5, 2026.

Q2 What did Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal say about the next 90 days in the context of India-Canada trade talks?

• AThey will be unproductive
• BThey are defining for bilateral tiesCorrect
• CThey will delay the agreement
• DThey are irrelevant to the talks

Explanation Piyush Goyal stated that the next 90 days will be defining for bilateral ties between India and Canada.

Q3 Where did the fourth round of India-Canada CEPA negotiations conclude?

• AToronto
• BNew DelhiCorrect
• CVancouver
• DMumbai

Explanation The fourth round of negotiations concluded in New Delhi on September 18, 2026.

Q1 By what percentage did India's exports to BRICS countries increase in April-August 2026-27?

• A19%
• B34%Correct
• C43%
• D39%

Explanation India's exports to BRICS countries surged by 34% in April-August 2026-27.

Q2 Which BRICS country led the growth in India's exports with a 39% increase?

• ABrazil
• BRussia
• CChinaCorrect
• DSouth Africa

Explanation China saw a 39% increase in imports from India, leading the BRICS export growth.

Q3 What was the percentage increase in India's exports to Japan during April-August 2026-27?

• A34%
• B39%
• C43%Correct
• D9.2%

Explanation Exports to Japan rose by 43%, driven by energy products and electronics.

Q1 What key areas did Uday Kotak emphasize for India to achieve its development goal by 2047?

• AFiscal discipline, capital reforms, and manufacturing improvementsCorrect
• BAgricultural reforms and rural development
• CDigital technology and space exploration
• DTourism and cultural promotion

Explanation Uday Kotak highlighted fiscal discipline, reforms to attract capital, and manufacturing improvements as crucial for India's development by 2047.

Q2 According to Uday Kotak, what is India's current position on the global stage?

• AWeak and declining
• BStrong but with no room for complacencyCorrect
• CUnchanged and stagnant
• DDominant and unchallengeable

Explanation Kotak stated that India's position on the global stage is pretty good but emphasized that there is no room for complacency.

Q3 What is the vision India aims to achieve by 2047 as mentioned by Uday Kotak?

• ADigital India
• BViksit Bharat (Developed India)Correct
• CMake in India
• DClean India

Explanation Uday Kotak referred to the goal of making India a 'Viksit Bharat' or developed nation by 2047.

Q1 According to Economic Affairs Secretary Anuradha Thakur, what is critical to achieving India's Viksit Bharat vision?

• AIncreased government budgets
• BHigher foreign aid
• CPrivate sector investmentCorrect
• DReducing public expenditure

Explanation Anuradha Thakur stated that private sector investment is critical because government budgets alone cannot meet financing needs.

Q2 What did NK Singh emphasize as necessary for supporting India's economic growth?

• AReducing taxes
• BHigher savings and greater private capital mobilisationCorrect
• CIncreasing public sector jobs
• DExpanding government subsidies

Explanation NK Singh called for higher savings and greater mobilisation of private capital to support economic growth.

Q1 From October 1, what will happen to LPG refills for households that have not completed eKYC?

• AThey will receive larger LPG refills at subsidized prices
• BThey will only receive smaller LPG refills at market pricesCorrect
• CThey will continue to receive LPG refills at regulated prices
• DThey will not receive any LPG refills

Explanation Non-eKYC households will only receive smaller LPG refills of 5 or 10 kg at market prices after October 1.

Q2 Which households will continue to get LPG refills at the regulated retail selling price with subsidy?

• AHouseholds that have not completed eKYC
• BHouseholds that have completed BAACorrect
• CAll households regardless of KYC status
• DOnly new LPG consumers

Explanation Consumers who have completed the Beneficiary Account Aggregation (BAA) process will continue to get refills at the regulated retail selling price with applicable subsidy.

Q3 What is the purpose of restricting LPG refills for non-eKYC households after October 1?

• ATo increase LPG prices for all consumers
• BTo encourage consumers to complete eKYC verificationCorrect
• CTo reduce LPG consumption nationwide
• DTo provide larger refills to non-eKYC households

Explanation The restriction aims to encourage LPG consumers to complete eKYC verification to avail subsidized refills.

Q1 What is NMDC's iron ore production target for the current fiscal year?

• A50 million tonnes
• B60 million tonnesCorrect
• C100 million tonnes
• D300 million tonnes

Explanation NMDC aims to hit a 60 million tonnes iron ore production mark this fiscal year.

Q2 The National Steel Policy 2017 targets an installed domestic steelmaking capacity of how much by 2030-31?

• A100 MT
• B200 MT
• C300 MTCorrect
• D400 MT

Explanation The National Steel Policy 2017 targets a domestic steelmaking capacity of 300 MT by 2030-31.

Q3 What is NMDC's long-term iron ore production goal aligned with the National Steel Policy?

• A60 MT
• B80 MT
• C100 MTCorrect
• D150 MT

Explanation NMDC aims to scale its output to 100 MT during the period aligned with the National Steel Policy.

Q1 What is the total food production target set by India for the rabi season?

• A178 million tonnesCorrect
• B150 million tonnes
• C200 million tonnes
• D160 million tonnes

Explanation India has set the food production target at 178 million tonnes for the rabi season.

Q2 Which of the following is the output target for gram (chana) in the rabi season?

• A12.33 million tonnesCorrect
• B14.3 million tonnes
• C2.1 million tonnes
• D2.42 million tonnes

Explanation The output target for gram (chana) has been set at 12.33 million tonnes.

Q3 What is the production target for mustard during the rabi season?

• A14.3 million tonnesCorrect
• B12.33 million tonnes
• C2.42 million tonnes
• D2.1 million tonnes

Explanation The mustard production target for the rabi season is 14.3 million tonnes.

Q1 What action was taken against Prof. Doolla following the IIT Bombay student death case?

• AHe was promoted to Director
• BHe was removed from the post of Dean (Administrative Affairs)Correct
• CHe was suspended temporarily
• DNo action was taken

Explanation Prof. Doolla, serving as Dean (Administrative Affairs), was removed from his post as per the official communication.

Q2 What did IIT Bombay do in response to the students' demands after the death incident?

• AIgnored the demands
• BAccepted a charter of over 18 demands and assured reviewCorrect
• CCancelled the semester
• DResigned the Director

Explanation The IIT Director accepted a charter of over 18 demands from students and assured that the administration would review them.

Q3 Which of the following statements about IIT Bombay's Director after the student death is correct?

• AThe Director resigned immediately
• BThe Director denied reports of resignationCorrect
• CThe Director was removed from the post
• DThe Director was summoned by the Crime Branch

Explanation IIT Bombay denied reports surrounding the Director’s resignation following the incident.

Q1 How many drug licences were affected by the Karnataka FDA in the fake drug racket crackdown?

• A8 licences suspended and 16 cancelledCorrect
• B24 licences suspended
• C16 licences suspended and 8 cancelled
• D24 licences cancelled

Explanation The Karnataka FDA suspended eight drug licences and cancelled sixteen due to counterfeit medicine distribution.

Q2 What was the approximate value of the counterfeit drug stock seized by Karnataka FDA?

• A₹5.05 croreCorrect
• B₹10 crore
• C₹2 crore
• D₹1 crore

Explanation The seized counterfeit drug stock was valued at ₹5.05 crore.

Q3 What did the Karnataka FDA find during its raid related to the fake drug racket?

• AAn illegal facility repacking drugsCorrect
• BA licensed pharmacy selling expired drugs
• CA manufacturing unit producing genuine drugs
• DA warehouse storing imported medicines

Explanation The raid uncovered an illegal facility involved in repacking counterfeit medicines.

Q1 What issue did the Supreme Court highlight regarding court-ordered deposits?

• ALack of uniform rules governing the depositsCorrect
• BExcessive taxation on deposits
• CDelay in releasing deposits to litigants
• DCorruption in deposit management

Explanation The Supreme Court pointed out the absence of uniform rules governing court-ordered deposits.

Q2 According to the Supreme Court, what is a consequence of asymmetry in treating court deposits?

• AIncrease in case pendencyCorrect
• BReduction in court fees
• CRise in corruption cases
• DDecrease in public trust

Explanation The Court noted that asymmetry in treating such deposits is causing further pendency.

Q3 What did the Supreme Court want regarding multi-crore court deposits?

• AA law to safeguard these deposits from ad-hoc managementCorrect
• BImmediate release of all deposits
• CHigher interest rates on deposits
• DCentralized control by the Finance Ministry

Explanation The Supreme Court wants these sums protected from ad-hoc management through a legal framework.

Q1 What did PM Modi claim about India's per capita carbon emissions at the NGT climate conference?

• AThey are higher than the global average
• BThey are less than the global averageCorrect
• CThey are equal to the global average
• DHe did not comment on per capita emissions

Explanation PM Modi stated that India's per capita carbon emissions are less than the global average.

Q2 According to PM Modi, what challenge does India face in its climate efforts?

• AExpanding solar energy
• BIncreasing coal production
• CHurdles to nuclear energyCorrect
• DLack of international support

Explanation PM Modi highlighted hurdles to nuclear energy as a challenge for India.

Q3 What did PM Modi say about India's commitments under the Paris Agreement?

• AIndia has partially met its commitments
• BIndia has not met its commitments
• CIndia has met all its commitmentsCorrect
• DIndia has withdrawn from the Paris Agreement

Explanation PM Modi claimed that India has met all its Paris Agreement pledges.

Q1 What is the estimated cost of the coastal protection project launched in Pozhiyoor?

• A₹50 crore
• B₹93.22 croreCorrect
• C₹120 crore
• D₹75 crore

Explanation The project for coastal protection in Pozhiyoor is estimated to cost ₹93.22 crore.

Q2 Which of the following structures are included in the Pozhiyoor coastal protection project?

• AGroynes, seawall, and tetrapodsCorrect
• BDams and reservoirs
• CWind turbines and solar panels
• DBridges and flyovers

Explanation The project uses a combination of groynes, seawall, and tetrapods to defend against invading waves.

Q3 What is the primary objective of the coastal protection project in Pozhiyoor?

• ATo promote tourism
• BTo provide defense against invading wavesCorrect
• CTo build a new port
• DTo develop fisheries

Explanation The project aims to provide Pozhiyoor with robust defense against invading waves.

Q1 What was the reason for the cancellation of the Etihad Delhi-Abu Dhabi flight?

• ATechnical issue with Boeing 787Correct
• BWeather conditions
• CAir traffic control strike
• DSecurity threat

Explanation The flight was cancelled due to a technical issue with its Boeing 787 aircraft.

Q2 According to DGCA rules, what are passengers entitled to when a flight is cancelled due to technical issues?

• AAlternate flight or refund plus compensation, meals, and accommodationCorrect
• BOnly a refund
• COnly compensation
• DNo compensation if the airline chooses

Explanation Passengers are entitled to an alternate flight or refund plus compensation, meals, and accommodation unless the issue was beyond the airline's control.

Q3 How many passengers were on the cancelled Etihad Delhi-Abu Dhabi flight?

• A100
• B150
• C200Correct
• D250

Explanation The flight was carrying 200 passengers when it was cancelled.

Q1 Who did Smriti Mandhana surpass to become the highest run-scorer in women's T20I cricket during Asian Games 2026?

• ASuzie BatesCorrect
• BMarufa Akter
• CHarmanpreet Kaur
• DEllyse Perry

Explanation Smriti Mandhana surpassed Suzie Bates to become the leading run-scorer in women's T20I cricket.

Q2 Against which team did Smriti Mandhana break the women's T20I run-scoring record at Asian Games 2026?

• ABangladeshCorrect
• BAustralia
• CEngland
• DSouth Africa

Explanation Mandhana achieved the record during the semifinal match against Bangladesh.

Q3 How many runs did Smriti Mandhana need to break the women's T20I run-scoring record during the Asian Games 2026 semifinal?

• ASevenCorrect
• BTen
• CFive
• DThree

Explanation She needed seven runs to surpass the previous record.

Q1 What was the final score in the singles match between Sumit Nagal and Soon Woo Kwon in the Davis Cup tie?

• A6-1, 6-2 in favor of Nagal
• B1-6, 2-6 in favor of KwonCorrect
• C7-5, 6-4 in favor of Nagal
• D3-6, 4-6 in favor of Kwon

Explanation Sumit Nagal lost to Soon Woo Kwon with a score of 1-6, 2-6 as per the source.

Q2 Which Indian players won the doubles match to reduce the deficit to 1-2 against South Korea in the Davis Cup?

• ASumit Nagal and Dhakshineswar Suresh
• BDhakshineswar Suresh and N. Sriram BalajiCorrect
• CSumit Nagal and N. Sriram Balaji
• DDhakshineswar Suresh and Soon Woo Kwon

Explanation Dhakshineswar Suresh and N. Sriram Balaji won the doubles match to cut the deficit to 1-2.

Q3 What was the outcome of India's Davis Cup campaign against South Korea in the Final 8 tie?

• AIndia won 3-1
• BSouth Korea won 3-1Correct
• CIndia won 3-2
• DSouth Korea won 3-2

Explanation South Korea defeated India 3-1, ending India's hopes in the Davis Cup Final 8.

Q1 Which Indian athlete won her first individual Asian Games silver medal in 2026?

• AElavenil ValarivanCorrect
• BNeeraj Chopra
• CP.V. Sindhu
• DManika Batra

Explanation Elavenil Valarivan won her first individual silver medal at the 2026 Asian Games.

Q2 Where were the 2026 Asian Games held where India won two silver medals on day one?

• AJakarta
• BHangzhou
• CAichi-NagoyaCorrect
• DNew Delhi

Explanation The 2026 Asian Games took place in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Q3 How many silver medals did India win on the first day of the 2026 Asian Games?

• AOne
• BTwoCorrect
• CThree
• DFour

Explanation India won two silver medals on day one of the 2026 Asian Games.

Q1 Who completed the sweep for India in the women's table tennis match against Indonesia at Asian Games 2026?

• AManav Thakkar
• BYashaswini GhorpadeCorrect
• CCitra Rasmi
• DManush Shah

Explanation Yashaswini Ghorpade won the third rubber 3-0 against Citra Rasmi to seal the tie for India.

Q2 Which teams are in Group F along with India in the Asian Games 2026 table tennis event?

• AIndonesia and Singapore
• BIran and China
• CIndonesia and IranCorrect
• DSingapore and Japan

Explanation India's men's and women's teams are in Group F with Indonesia, Iran, and Singapore.

Q3 What was the scoreline by which Yashaswini Ghorpade won her match against Citra Rasmi?

• A3-2
• B3-1
• C3-0Correct
• D2-3

Explanation Yashaswini Ghorpade won 3-0 with game scores 12-10, 11-4, 11-4.

Q1 What was the significance of the joint sortie by the Indian and Japan air chiefs during Exercise Veer Guardian?

• AIt demonstrated the growing operational cooperation between the two air forcesCorrect
• BIt was the first time the Tejas aircraft was used in combat
• CIt marked the signing of a new defence treaty
• DIt was a training exercise for new pilots

Explanation The joint sortie underscored the growing operational cooperation between the Indian Air Force and the Japan Air Self-Defense Force.

Q2 Which aircraft did the Indian and Japan air chiefs fly together during Exercise Veer Guardian?

• ASu-30MKI
• BF-35 Lightning II
• CTejasCorrect
• DMirage 2000

Explanation The air chiefs flew together in a formation using the Tejas aircraft.

Q3 How did the Japan air force chief describe the Tejas sortie?

• AA routine training mission
• BA clear example of trust in the aircraftCorrect
• CA demonstration of air superiority
• DAn experimental flight

Explanation The Japan air force chief called the Tejas sortie a clear example of trust in the aircraft.

Q1 Who is laying the foundation stone for the Indiramma Housing towers in Raidurg?

• APonguleti Srinivas ReddyCorrect
• BK. Chandrashekar Rao
• CK. T. Rama Rao
• DHarish Rao

Explanation Housing Minister Ponguleti Srinivas Reddy is the official laying the foundation stone for the Indiramma Housing towers.

Q2 From which date will the allotment letters for affordable flats in Hyderabad be distributed?

• ASeptember 21Correct
• BSeptember 20
• COctober 1
• DAugust 31

Explanation Allotment letters for affordable flats in Hyderabad will be distributed starting from September 21.

Q3 How much land area is allocated for the Indiramma Housing towers in Raidurg?

• A2.85 acresCorrect
• B5 acres
• C1.5 acres
• D3.5 acres

Explanation The Indiramma Housing towers are being constructed over 2.85 acres of land in Raidurg.

Q1 Which areas has the FSSAI recently expanded its food safety scrutiny to?

• AE-commerce, labelling, and food safety in schoolsCorrect
• BAgricultural practices and pesticide use
• CRestaurant hygiene and street food vendors
• DFood exports and imports

Explanation The FSSAI is focusing on e-commerce, labelling, and food safety in schools as part of its expanded scrutiny.

Q2 What did the FSSAI chief emphasize regarding the food industry?

• AThe industry must follow consumer trends while ensuring food safetyCorrect
• BThe industry should focus only on traditional food safety methods
• CThe industry should reduce food prices to increase consumption
• DThe industry must prioritize exports over domestic safety

Explanation The FSSAI chief stated that the industry has to follow the consumer while maintaining food safety standards.