This is the current affairs 18 to 20 October 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. What is India’s rank in the Henley Passport Index (October 2026)?
a. 84
b. 80
c. 76
d. 74
Answer: a. 84 (Previously, India was ranked 75th in the February 2026 ranking.)
– In the new ranking, India’s passport has moved up one position to 84th place.
– Algeria and Mauritania share this ranking with India.
– The Henley Passport Index was released on 9 October 2026.
– In 2025, the Indian passport was ranked 85th.
– Passport rankings do not depend only on the number of visa-free destinations available to a country’s citizens; they are also affected by changes in the rankings of other countries’ passports.
– Therefore, India’s ranking has improved from 85th to 84th place!
– However, the number of destinations offering travel convenience has decreased by two.
– Indian passport holders can now travel to 55 countries without obtaining a visa in advance.
– In 2025, they could enter 57 countries without a visa.
India’s Position in the Henley Passport Index
– October 2026: 84
– February 2026: Rank 75
– January 2026: Rank 80
– October 2025: Rank 85
– July 2025: Rank 77
– January 2025: Rank 85
Rankings of Neighbouring Countries
– Afghanistan: 106
– Pakistan: 100
– Nepal: 99
– Bangladesh: 99
– Sri Lanka: 97
– Myanmar: 94
– China: 62
– Bhutan: 91
What Does a Strong Passport Mean?
– Citizens of that country can travel to more countries without obtaining a visa in advance.
– Such passports provide facilities such as visa-free entry, visa on arrival, or e-visas.
– Less paperwork and shorter waiting times are required for visas.
– Travelling abroad for tourism, education, or business trips becomes easier.
– It indicates that other countries trust the citizens of that country.
Passport
– A passport is a document issued by a government that identifies its holder and verifies their nationality for international travel.
– It allows you to travel easily from one country to another.
Henley Passport Index
– It is published by a company named Henley & Partners.
– The index is prepared on the basis of data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which is presented by the research team of Henley & Partners.
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2. According to the Henley Passport Index 2026, released in October, which country ranked first on the list of the world’s most powerful passports?
a. Japan
b. Singapore
c. Sweden
d. France
Answer: b. Singapore
– Singapore has remained at the top of the index for several years.
– Its passport holders can travel to 193 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.
Top 5 Countries and the Number of Visa-Free Destinations
1) Singapore: 193
2) Japan, South Korea, UAE: 188
3) Sweden: 187
4) Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain: 186
5) Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland: 185
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3. Sauj Lake, located in which state, has been included in the list of global Ramsar sites?
a. Bihar
b. Uttarakhand
c. Uttar Pradesh
d. Rajasthan
Answer: c. Uttar Pradesh (Located in the Kishni Tehsil of Mainpuri district)
– It is located in Kishni Tehsil of Mainpuri district, Uttar Pradesh.
– Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced its inclusion as a Ramsar site on 15 October 2026.
– The number of Ramsar sites in India has now reached 103.
– This is the 14th Ramsar site in Uttar Pradesh.
Sauj Lake
– It is a freshwater lake surrounded by agricultural land in the floodplains of the Ganga River.
– It is part of a wetland complex.
– It is located near Saman Bird Sanctuary.
– More than 30,000 waterbirds have been observed here.
– This wetland contains plants such as sacred lotus (Nelumbo nucifera) and wild sugarcane (Saccharum spontaneum).
– These plants provide food and shelter for wildlife.
– BirdLife International has classified it as an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA).
– Some species found in this wetland include the endangered Sarus Crane and the Greater Spotted Eagle.
– A total of 96 bird species, 19 fish species and 7 reptile species are found here.
List of Ramsar Sites in Uttar Pradesh (as of October 2026)
1) Upper Ganga River (from Brijghat to Narora) (2005): Bulandshahr/Amroha (largest)
2) Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary (Shaheed Chandra Shekhar Azad Bird Sanctuary) (2019): Unnao
3) Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary (2019): Gonda
4) Samaspur Bird Sanctuary (2019): Raebareli
5) Sandi Bird Sanctuary (2019): Hardoi
6) Saman Bird Sanctuary (2019): Mainpuri
7) Sarsai Nawar Lake (2019): Etawah
8) Sur Sarovar (Keetham Lake) (2020): Agra
9) Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary (2021): Sant Kabir Nagar
10) Haiderpur Wetland (2021): Muzaffarnagar/Bijnor
11) Patna Bird Sanctuary (2026): Etah (smallest)
12) Shekha Lake Bird Sanctuary (2026): Aligarh
13) Jaiprakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary (2026): Ballia
14) Sauj Lake (2026): Mainpuri
What Is a Wetland?
– A wetland is an area of land where water accumulates during the rainy season. A large number of bird species are also found in these areas.
– In recent years, several sites have been included in the list of Ramsar sites. UNESCO provides assistance for their conservation.
Why Are They Called Ramsar Sites?
– Ramsar is a city in Iran.
– On 2 February 1971, countries around the world signed the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands there.
– Therefore, it is called the Ramsar Convention. Some people also refer to it as the Wetland Convention.
– It came into force in 1975.
– Its formal name is the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat.
– It is an intergovernmental treaty that provides guidance on the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
– India signed this convention in 1982.
– The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has been designated as the nodal ministry for wetland conservation in India.
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4. In which Union Territory is Sukhna Lake, which has been included in the list of global Ramsar sites, located?
a. Ladakh
b. Jammu and Kashmir
c. Punjab
d. Chandigarh
Answer: d. Chandigarh
– It is the only wetland in Chandigarh.
– Sukhna Lake is an artificial reservoir and an important ecological area.
– It was created in 1958 by constructing a dam on the Sukhna Choe stream.
– It covers approximately 565 acres.
– Many local and migratory birds arriving via the Central Asian Flyway can be seen here.
– Rare species such as the Common Pochard, Pallas’s Fish Eagle and Black Pond Turtle are found here.
– In addition to being located near the city, it plays an important role in regulating water flow, preventing soil deposition and conserving biodiversity.
List of 103 Ramsar Sites in India (as of 20 October 2026)
1. Ashtamudi Wetland, Kerala
2. Beas Conservation Reserve, Punjab
3. Bhitarkanika Mangroves, Odisha
4. Bhoj Wetlands, Madhya Pradesh
5. Chandertal Wetland, Himachal Pradesh
6. Chilika Lake, Odisha
7. Deepor Beel, Assam
8. East Kolkata Wetlands, West Bengal
9. Harike Lake, Punjab
10. Hokersar Wetland, Jammu and Kashmir
11. Kanjli Lake, Punjab
12. Keoladeo Ghana National Park, Rajasthan
13. Keshopur-Miani Community Reserve, Punjab
14. Kolleru Lake, Andhra Pradesh
15. Loktak Lake, Manipur
16. Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
17. Nandur Madhameshwar, Maharashtra
18. Nangal Wildlife Sanctuary, Punjab
19. Nawabganj Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
20. Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
21. Point Calimere Wildlife and Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
22. Pong Dam Lake, Himachal Pradesh
23. Renuka Wetland, Himachal Pradesh
24. Ropar Lake, Punjab
25. Rudrasagar Lake, Tripura
26. Saman Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
27. Saman Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
28. Sambhar Lake, Rajasthan
29. Sandi Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
30. Sarsai Nawar, Uttar Pradesh
31. Sasthamkotta Lake, Kerala
32. Sundarban Wetland, West Bengal
33. Surinsar-Mansar Lakes, Jammu and Kashmir
34. Tso Moriri Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
35. Upper Ganga River, Uttar Pradesh
36. Vembanad-Kol Wetland, Kerala
37. Wular Lake, Jammu and Kashmir
38. Asan Conservation Reserve, Uttarakhand
39. Kabartal (Kanwar Lake), Bihar
40. Keetham Lake (Sur Sarovar), Uttar Pradesh (Agra)
41. Lonar Lake, Maharashtra
42. Startsapuk Tso and Tso Kar Lakes, Ladakh
43. Sultanpur National Park, Haryana
44. Bhindawas Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana
45. Thol Lake Wildlife Sanctuary, Gujarat
46. Wadhvana Wetland, Gujarat
47. Haiderpur Wetland, Uttar Pradesh
48. Khijadia Bird Sanctuary, Gujarat
49. Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
50. Karikili Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
51. Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
52. Pichavaram Mangroves, Tamil Nadu
53. Pala Wetland, Mizoram
54. Sakhya Sagar Wetland, Madhya Pradesh
55. Koonthankulam Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
56. Satkosia
57. Nanda Lake, Odisha
58. Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu
59. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary, Karnataka
60. Vembannur Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu
61. Vellode Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
62. Sirpur Wetland, Madhya Pradesh
63. Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
64. Udayamarthandapuram Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
65. Tampara Lake, Odisha
66. Hirakud Reservoir, Odisha
67. Anshupa Lake, Odisha
68. Yashwant Sagar, Madhya Pradesh
69. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
70. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex, Tamil Nadu
71. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
72. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
73. Thane Creek, Maharashtra
74. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve, Jammu and Kashmir
75. Shallabugh Wetland Conservation Reserve, Jammu and Kashmir
76. Annekere (Ankasamudra) Bird Conservation Reserve, Karnataka
77. Aghanashini Estuary, Karnataka
78. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Karnataka
79. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
80. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, Tamil Nadu
81. Nagi Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
82. Nakti Bird Sanctuary, Bihar
83. Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
84. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
85. Tawa Reservoir, Madhya Pradesh
86. Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
87. Therthangal Bird Sanctuary, Tamil Nadu
88. Khecheopalri Wetland, Sikkim
89. Udhwa Lake, Jharkhand
90. Menar Wetland Complex, Rajasthan (Udaipur)
91. Khichan Wetland, Rajasthan (Jodhpur)
92. Gokul Reservoir, Bihar (Buxar)
93. Udaipur Lake, Bihar (West Champaran)
94. Gogabil Lake, Bihar (Katihar)
95. Kopra Reservoir, Chhattisgarh (Bilaspur)
96. Siliserh Lake, Rajasthan (Alwar)
97. Patna Bird Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh (Etah)
98. Chhari-Dhand Wetland, Gujarat (Kutch)
99. Shekha Lake, Uttar Pradesh (Aligarh)
100. Jai Prakash Narayan Bird Sanctuary, Surha Tal (Uttar Pradesh)
101. Glaw Lake, Lohit district (Arunachal Pradesh)
102. Sauj Lake, Uttar Pradesh
103. Sukhna Lake, Chandigarh
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5. Which Indian American won the 3M Young Scientist Challenge 2026?
a. Raji Doshi
b. Shirish
c. Lynn Fan
d. Gitanjali Rao
Answer: a. Raji Doshi
– The name of 13-year-old Raji Doshi, from Farmington, Connecticut, USA, was announced on 14 October 2026.
– She received a prize of $25,000, a trophy and the title of “America’s Top Young Scientist 2026.”
Why Did She Receive the Award?
– Raji developed a system using algae and the natural mineral aragonite. Its purpose is to reduce the effects of carbon dioxide (CO₂) in seawater and decrease ocean acidity.
– This could help protect marine organisms, particularly corals and shell-forming organisms.
3M Young Scientist Challenge
– The competition was organised by 3M and Discovery Education.
– The final took place on 12 and 13 October at 3M’s global headquarters in St. Paul, Minnesota.
– Doshi is an eighth-grade student at Stanford Online High School.
– Aisha Asif, from Sarasota, Florida, secured second place, while Sharvi Mahajan, from San Diego, California, secured third place.
– Both received a prize of $1,000.
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6. Who has been appointed as India’s Ambassador to Nepal?
a. Dinesh Trivedi
b. Sudhakar Dalela
c. Santosh Jha
d. Abhay Thakur
Answer: b. Sudhakar Dalela
– On 16 October 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) made this appointment.
– Sudhakar Dalela is a 1993-batch Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer.
– He previously served as India’s Ambassador to Bhutan.
– Sudhakar Dalela also served as India’s Sherpa for BRICS 2026.
– In addition, he served as India’s Sherpa in groups such as IBSA and I2U2.
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7. Sanku was declared the eighth district of which Union Territory?
a. Jammu and Kashmir
b. Puducherry
c. Ladakh
d. Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Answer: c. Ladakh
– Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinai Kumar Saxena announced the new district on 16 October 2026.
– In August 2026, five new districts had already been announced for Ladakh.
– Sanku is located in the Suru Valley of Kargil district, Ladakh.
– It has been created by separating it from Kargil.
– The new district includes the tehsils of Sanku, GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru.
– Sanku will also have its own Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), elections for which will be held later.
These Are the Eight Districts of Ladakh
– Leh
– Kargil
– Sham
– Nubra
– Zanskar
– Drass
– Changthang
– Sanku
Ladakh Became a Union Territory in 2019
– In August 2019, Article 370 was repealed. Under this Article, the former and then-existing state of Jammu and Kashmir had been granted special status.
– After the Article was repealed, Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two Union Territories: Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
– Ladakh became a new Union Territory in 2019 following the reorganisation.
Ladakh
Capital: Leh
Language: Ladakhi
Population: 306,000 (2026)
Neighbouring regions: Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir.
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8. Name the winner of the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize who is a jurist of Indian origin.
a. Navi Pillay
b. Neeru Chadha
c. Indira Jaising
d. Karuna Nundy
Answer: a. Navi Pillay
Why Was the Award Given?
The honour was awarded for efforts to bring perpetrators of war crimes and genocide to justice and to strengthen international law.
– Navi Pillay, who was born in South Africa, helped many people, including Nelson Mandela, who fought against apartheid.
– The Nobel Committee stated that wars and conflicts are increasing around the world.
– In this situation, compliance with international law and strengthening it are extremely important for maintaining peace.
– The Nobel Prize money in 2026 is approximately ₹11.5 crore.
These Two Decisions by Navi Pillay Shook the World
1. Recognised Rape as Part of Genocide
– In 1998, Jean-Paul Akayesu, the mayor of Taba in Rwanda, was convicted of genocide for his role in violence against members of the Tutsi community.
– Navi Pillay was one of the three judges who signed this judgment.
2. Punished Those Who Spread Hatred in the Media Case
– In 2003, three media-related individuals were convicted for spreading hatred and inciting people to violence during the Rwandan genocide.
– They included Ferdinand Nahimana, one of the founders of a radio station; Jean-Bosco Barayagwiza, a member of the radio station’s founding committee; and Hassan Ngeze, editor of the newspaper Kangura.
– Navi was a judge at the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR).
– She presided over the panel of judges hearing the case.
Helped Mandela and Other Political Prisoners
– In 1973, Pillay filed a petition to secure the right of political prisoners held at Robben Island Prison to receive assistance from lawyers.
– Nelson Mandela was among these prisoners.
– However, she never met Mandela while he was a prisoner.
– In 1995, when Mandela became President, he recommended Navi Pillay for appointment as a judge of the High Court of South Africa.
– She became the first non-white woman to hold this position.
Who Is Navi Pillay?
– Navi Pillay was born on 23 September 1941 in Durban, South Africa.
– Her family is of Indian Tamil origin.
– Her grandfather went to South Africa from India as an indentured labourer in the 1890s.
– There, he worked in sugarcane fields.
– Navi Pillay studied law at the University of Durban.
– She graduated in 1963 and obtained her law degree in 1965.
– She pursued her master’s degree and doctorate at Harvard University.
– In 1967, she established her own law firm in Natal Province.
– During the apartheid era, no law firm was willing to employ her.
– Therefore, she opened her own firm and began practising law.
– She became the first woman to do so.
Why Is the Nobel Peace Prize Awarded in Norway?
– The other Nobel Prizes are awarded in Sweden, but the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo, the capital of Norway.
– In his will in 1895, Alfred Nobel stipulated that the Peace Prize would be decided by a committee elected by the Norwegian Parliament.
– At that time, Sweden and Norway were under the same monarch.
– Nobel did not explain why he specifically chose Norway for the Peace Prize.
– Nobel died in 1896, and the awards began to be presented in 1901.
– The two countries separated in 1905, but the responsibility assigned to Norway for the Peace Prize in Nobel’s will continued.
– For this reason, the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature and Economics are still awarded in Sweden, while the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Norway.
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9. Name the winner of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature.
a. Cristina Rivera Garza
b. Anne Carson
c. Margaret Atwood
d. Ananda Devi
Answer: b. Anne Carson (Canadian writer and poet)
– Anne Carson was honoured for works in which she connected ancient Greek and Roman literature with contemporary life, love, relationships and grief.
Anne Carson’s Notable Books
– Autobiography of Red: A Novel in Verse
– Nox
– The Beauty of the Husband
Who Is Anne Carson?
– Carson was born in Toronto, Canada, in 1950.
– She studied ancient Greek and Roman literature.
– In 1981, she published her doctoral thesis on this subject.
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10. Bollywood actor Nana Patekar passed away on 8 October 2026. Which civilian honour had he been awarded?
a. Padma Vibhushan
b. Padma Bhushan
c. Padma Shri
d. Bharat Ratna
Answer: c. Padma Shri
– Nana Patekar’s real name was Vishwanath Patekar.
– The 75-year-old Nana Patekar died of a heart attack in Panaji, Goa.
– He began his acting career with the film Gaman in 1978.
– He delivered memorable performances in films such as Parinda, Krantiveer and Natsamrat.
– He is the only actor in Indian cinema to have won Filmfare Awards in all three categories: Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor and Best Villain.
Three National Film Awards
– Best Supporting Actor for the film Parinda
– 1995: Best Actor for the film Krantiveer
– 1997: Best Supporting Actor for the film Agni Sakshi
Four Filmfare Awards
– Best Supporting Actor for Parinda
– Best Villain for Angaar (1992)
– Best Actor for Krantiveer
– One other Filmfare Award in the supporting actor/villain category
Other Awards
– Padma Shri (2013)
– Raj Kapoor Special Contribution Award (2013)
– Maharashtra State Film Awards
– Filmfare Marathi Awards
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11. Which airport’s renaming as ‘Narendra Modi International Airport’ was approved by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet?
a. Manohar International Airport (Goa)
b. Sheikh ul-Alam International Airport
c. Kushinagar International Airport
d. Noida International Airport
Answer: d. Noida International Airport
– Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced this in October 2026.
– The airport is located in Jewar, Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
– This would be the second instance of a public institution being named after Modi.
– On 24 February 2021, the cricket stadium in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, was renamed Narendra Modi Stadium.
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Phase 1 of Noida International Airport on 28 March 2026.
– In the first phase of the airport, terminals and runways have been constructed on 3,300 acres of land.
– Approximately 12 million passengers will travel from here every year.
– The airport’s main objective is to serve the National Capital Region.
– It will complement the Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi.
– The airport is being constructed under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model.
– The developer is Yamuna International Airport Private Limited (YIAPL).
– This company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Zurich Airport International AG, based in Switzerland.
– On behalf of the Uttar Pradesh government, the project development company is Noida International Airport Limited (NIAAL).
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12. Which country announced that it would confer its highest civilian bravery award on Indian pilot Captain Smit Machhar?
a. Israel
b. United States
c. India
d. Saudi Arabia
Answer: a. Israel
– Israeli President Isaac Herzog made the announcement on 8 October 2026.
– The award will be given for his outstanding actions during an incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling to Tel Aviv.
– Following the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, President Herzog established the President’s Medal for Civilian Bravery.
– This medal is awarded to civilians who have demonstrated extraordinary courage in saving the lives of others.
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13. When is World White Cane Day celebrated?
a. 13 October
b. 14 October
c. 15 October
d. 16 October
Answer: c. 15 October
Theme for 2026
– A lack of sight is not a lack of vision.
– A lack of sight is not a lack of vision.
– This day is dedicated to people with visual impairments.
– The main objective of this day is to inspire enthusiasm and confidence among children with visual impairments.
– A white cane is a device that helps blind people walk on roads.
– It also symbolises the user’s skills, abilities, mobility and independence.
– Nowadays, several types of white canes are available, ranging from ordinary white canes to electronic canes.
– Electronic canes contain sensors that detect obstacles and alert users through sound or vibration.
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14. When is World Food Day celebrated?
a. 13 October
b. 14 October
c. 15 October
d. 16 October
Answer: d. 16 October
Theme for 2026:
– Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.
– Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow.
– World Food Day is celebrated every year on 16 October to commemorate the founding of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (UN FAO) in 1945.
– FAO is a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to end hunger.
– This day is observed by the World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development.
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15. In which country did the Indian Embassy launch an AI avatar named ‘Devi’ to make information about India and embassy services easily accessible to the public?
a. Thailand
b. Türkiye
c. Malaysia
d. Indonesia
Answer: d. Indonesia
– The Indian Embassy in Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia, launched an AI avatar named ‘Devi’ (Dewi) on the auspicious occasion of Navratri and Durga Puja.
– This virtual guide was developed to provide information about Indian culture, travel, scholarships, business, investment opportunities and consular services.
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16. When is the Raising Day of the National Security Guards (NSG) celebrated?
a. 15 October
b. 16 October
c. 17 October
d. 18 October
Answer: b. 16 October
– The Raising Day of the National Security Guards (NSG) is celebrated on 16 October.
– The NSG Commando Force was established on 16 October 1984, around the time of Operation Blue Star.
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17. When is the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty celebrated?
a. 16 October
b. 17 October
c. 18 October
d. 19 October
Answer: b. 17 October
Theme for 2026
– Safe Homes for All
– Safe Homes for All
– The objective of this day is to raise awareness about poverty and the need to eradicate it throughout the world, particularly in developing countries.
– It was declared by the United Nations General Assembly in 1992.
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18. Who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the 15–17 age category?
a. Kola Naim
b. Konrad Grater
c. Art Wolfe
d. Nick Nichols
Answer: b. Konrad Grater
– The winning photograph by German photographer Konrad Grater is titled “Bird Song Painted in Light.”
– The photograph shows a male blackbird singing in a vineyard in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in the morning.
– The bird sings to attract a female.
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19. Who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the “Animals in Their Environment” category?
a. James Lewin
b. Nick Nichols
c. Brian
d. Art Wolfe
Answer: a. James Lewin
– James Lewin is from Britain, but he currently lives in Kenya, where he pursues his photography.
– He captured animals in their natural habitats.
– His black-and-white photograph shows a young male elephant spraying water on a zebra at a waterhole.
– He used an infrared-converted camera to reduce the harsh light and create a dreamlike effect.
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20. Who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the under-10 category?
a. Arshdeep Singh
b. Emily Davies
c. Shreyovi Mehta
d. Andres Dominguez Blanco
Answer: b. Emily Davies
– Emily Davies took her winning photograph in her garden in Surrey, England, using her father’s smartphone.
– The photograph shows a common carder bumblebee fluttering its wings as it prepares to land on a flower.
– The bumblebee appears almost stationary.
– This is the main focus of the photograph.
– The moment lasts only for an instant.
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21. Who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the adult category?
a. Federico Veronesi
b. Radhika Ramasamy
c. Marina Cano
d. Andy Rouse
Answer: a. Federico Veronesi
– Federico is an Italian wildlife photographer.
– He received this award for his photograph titled “The Aftermath.”
– It is a poignant photograph taken in Namibia’s Huab River Valley, showing a female elephant carrying her dead calf.
– Federico described the photograph as highlighting “the depth and complexity of animals’ emotions and feelings.”
– This was the first time that awards were given for black-and-white photographs in both the youth and adult categories.
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22. Who won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the youth category?
a. Oscar Whitfield
b. Vidhun R. Hebbar
c. Lasse Kurkela
d. Amos Nachoum
Answer: a. Oscar Whitfield
– The announcement naming 14-year-old British photographer Oscar Whitfield as the winner was made on 14 October 2026.
– Whitfield lives in Zimbabwe.
– He won the award for a black-and-white photograph titled “Labour of Love.”
– The photograph shows a dung beetle in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park pushing and rolling a ball of dung across the sand that is much larger than its own body.
– Whitfield lay on the ground and took the photograph at the insect’s eye level.
– Wildlife photography records animals in their natural environments.
Who Presents These Awards?
– The Natural History Museum in London organises the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition.
– In 2026, the competition received 65,403 entries from 121 countries and territories, a record number.
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23. Which Indian won the Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 award in the “Behaviour: Invertebrates” category?
a. Sitaram Raul
b. Sudhir Shivaram
c. Rathika Ramasamy
d. Aparupa De
Answer: a. Sitaram Raul
– Sitaram Raul’s winning photograph is titled “Shifting Sand.”
– Sitaram spent nights searching for scorpions in India’s Thar Desert.
– He observed several scorpions hunting in the darkness.
– As the sun rose and temperatures increased, the scorpions had to emerge to escape the heat.
– One scorpion was digging a hole in the sand. Raul captured this moment with his camera and won the award.
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