This is the current affairs 18 & 20 September 2026. Here are questions and answers of daily current affairs for better preparation of competitive exams for government jobs.
1. Name the host city for the 2026 Asian Games.
a. Nagoya, Japan
b. Delhi, India
c. Beijing, China
d. Colombo, Sri Lanka
Answer: a. Nagoya, Japan
– Opening Ceremony: 19 September 2026 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium
– Event Dates: 19 September to 4 October 2026 (Sports activities already started on 10 September)
– Venue: Nagoya, Japan
– Indian Contingent: Approximately 503 athletes from India are participating in 36 different sports.
– India has sent a contingent of 503 athletes for the Asian Games this time. It includes 269 male and 234 female athletes.
– Indian Flag Bearers: Star shooter Manu Bhaker and kabaddi star Pawan Sehrawat at the opening ceremony
– Sports: Archery, Artistic Gymnastics, Athletics, Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Golf, Fencing, Esports, Equestrian, Track Cycling, Cricket, Mixed Martial Arts, Kurash, Canoe/Kayak,
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2. Who led the Indian contingent at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games?
a. Neeraj Chopra and P. V. Sindhu
b. Mirabai Chanu and Bajrang Punia
c. Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat
d. Lovlina Borgohain and Ravi Kumar Dahiya
Answer: c. Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat
– Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat took on the role of India’s flag bearers.
– Opening Ceremony: 19 September 2026 at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya, Japan
– Manu Bhaker is a two-time Olympic medal-winning shooter. She created history by winning two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024. She became the first Indian athlete from independent India to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics.
– Pawan Sehrawat is a kabaddi star.
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3. Name the winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024, who was announced in September 2026.
a. Pyare Mohan
b. Mohanlal
c. Anant Nag
d. Chiranjeevi
Answer: c. Anant Nag
– Anant Nag has been awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 for his outstanding contribution to Indian cinema.
– This award is considered the highest honour in Indian cinema.
– Anant Nag has worked in more than 250 films during his five-decade-long career.
– He has made significant contributions mainly to Kannada and Hindi cinema.
– His notable films include Ankur, Manthan, Hansgiite, Minchina Ota, etc.
– He was also part of the popular Doordarshan television series ‘Malgudi Days’, which was based on the works of R. K. Narayan and directed by his brother Shankar Nag.
About the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
– The Dadasaheb Phalke Award is the most prestigious honour in the field of cinema in India.
– The award was named after Dhundiraj Govind Phalke.
– He is also known as the Father of Indian Cinema.
– Phalke directed India’s first feature film, ‘Raja Harishchandra’.
– Every year, this award is presented during the National Film Awards ceremony.
– The winner of this award receives a Golden Lotus medal, a shawl, and a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh.
These Stars Have Received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Year – Name – Film Industry
2024 – Anant Nag (Award received in 2026)
2023 – Mohanlal (Award received in 2025)
2022 – Mithun Chakraborty (Award received in 2024)
2021 – Waheeda Rehman (Award received in 2023)
2020 – Asha Parekh
2019 – Rajinikanth
2018 – Amitabh Bachchan (Hindi)
2017 – Vinod Khanna (Hindi)
2016 – Kasinathuni Viswanath (Telugu)
2015 – Manoj Kumar (Hindi)
2014 – Shashi Kapoor (Hindi)
2013 – Gulzar (Hindi)
2012 – Pran (Hindi)
2011 – Soumitra Chatterjee (Bengali)
2010 – K. Balachander (Tamil, Telugu)
2009 – D. Ramanaidu (Telugu)
2008 – V. K. Murthy (Hindi)
2007 – Manna Dey (Bengali, Hindi)
2006 – Tapan Sinha (Bengali, Hindi)
2005 – Shyam Benegal (Hindi)
2004 – Adoor Gopalakrishnan (Malayalam)
2003 – Mrinal Sen (Bengali)
2002 – Dev Anand (Hindi)
2001 – Yash Chopra (Hindi)
2000 – Asha Bhosle (Hindi, Marathi)
1999 – Hrishikesh Mukherjee (Hindi)
1998 – B. R. Chopra (Hindi)
1997 – Kavi Pradeep (Hindi)
1996 – Shivaji Ganesan (Tamil)
1995 – Rajkumar (Kannada)
1994 – Dilip Kumar (Hindi)
1993 – Majrooh Sultanpuri (Hindi)
1992 – Bhupen Hazarika (Assamese)
1991 – Bhalji Pendharkar (Marathi)
1990 – Akkineni Nageswara Rao (Telugu)
1989 – Lata Mangeshkar (Hindi, Marathi)
1988 – Ashok Kumar (Hindi)
1987 – Raj Kapoor (Hindi)
1986 – B. Nagi Reddy (Telugu)
1985 – V. Shantaram (Hindi, Marathi)
1984 – Satyajit Ray (Bengali)
1983 – Durga Khote (Hindi, Marathi)
1982 – L. V. Prasad (Hindi, Tamil, Telugu)
1981 – Naushad Ali (Hindi)
1980 – Paidi Jairaj (Hindi, Telugu)
1979 – Sohrab Modi (Hindi)
1978 – Raichand Boral (Bengali, Hindi)
1977 – Nitin Bose (Bengali, Hindi)
1976 – Kanan Devi (Bengali)
1975 – Dhirendranath Ganguly (Bengali)
1974 – Bommireddy Narasimha Reddy (Telugu)
1973 – Ruby Myers (Sulochana) (Hindi)
1972 – Pankaj Mullick (Bengali and Hindi)
1971 – Prithviraj Kapoor (Hindi)
1970 – Birendranath Sircar (Bengali)
1969 – Devika Rani (Hindi)
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4. Which village was declared the first official ‘Heritage Village’ of the Union Territory of Ladakh?
a. Hanle
b. Kumik
c. Chumur
d. Nubra
Answer: b. Kumik
– Ladakh Lieutenant Governor (LG) Vinay Kumar Saxena announced this on 15 September 2026.
– Kumik is known for its traditional mud houses, sacred sites, agricultural practices, and long-preserved Buddhist traditions.
– This village is part of Zanskar, a high-altitude region of Ladakh.
– Tibetan Buddhist culture can be seen here.
– The village also possesses literary heritage in the form of Kanjur manuscripts and other Tibetan Buddhist materials.
– Kanjur is the first major section of the collection of sacred Buddhist texts known as Kangyur and Tengyur.
– In the Tibetan language, ‘Kanjur’ means “Translation of the Words of the Buddha.”
‘Heritage Village’?
– A heritage village is a village that is specially preserved to protect its ancient culture, traditions, historical architecture, and lifestyle.
– In such villages, old customs, art, and clothing are kept alive while remaining away from modern changes.
– The old houses, mansions, temples, and streets here reflect centuries-old architectural styles (such as Mughal, British, or local traditional styles).
– Their main objective is to introduce people to rural history and attract tourism.
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5. Who became the first woman IG of the CRPF CoBRA unit?
a. Sanjukta Parashar
b. Rashmi Shukla
c. Pratibha Agrawal
d. Shanti Jaydev
Answer: a. Sanjukta Parashar
– Sanjukta Parashar is a 2006-batch IPS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre.
– The full form of CoBRA is Commando Battalion for Resolute Action.
– 46-year-old Sanjukta is the first woman officer to reach this position.
– She will replace 1996-batch IPS officer Danesh Rana.
– She played an important role in conducting operations against Naxalism in Assam.
– She also came to be known as Assam’s “Lady Singham.”
– She has served as the head of the CID wing of Assam Police.
– She has also served in the National Investigation Agency (NIA).
CoBRA Was Formed in 2008
– The CRPF formed CoBRA in 2008-09 to deal with Left Wing Extremism (LWE) in several states.
– This unit was also given the responsibility of dealing with insurgency in some states of the Northeast.
– The CRPF has deployed two CoBRA units in Manipur to prevent armed violence.
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6. India summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of which country’s High Commission after a ship from its navy collided with an Indian Navy vessel?
a. Pakistan
b. Maldives
c. Oman
d. Yemen
Answer: a. Pakistan
– India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) summoned the Chargé d’Affaires on 16 September 2026 to express its displeasure.
– A Pakistani Navy ship collided with an Indian Navy ship in international waters of the Arabian Sea.
– According to the Indian Ministry of External Affairs, the Indian warship was on a routine surveillance mission.
– During this time, the Pakistani ship approached at high speed and turned in the wrong direction, resulting in a collision between the two ships.
– The name of the Pakistani ship is PNS Hunain.
– It is used for maritime surveillance and patrolling.
– India summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Pakistan High Commission in New Delhi and lodged a strong protest.
– India described the incident as unacceptable and unprofessional.
– The Ministry of External Affairs told the Pakistani Chargé d’Affaires to convey India’s objection to the relevant Pakistani authorities.
– India said that all military ships should operate carefully at sea.
– The agreements between the two countries should be followed.
Ships Collided in 2011
– A similar incident at sea between the navies of India and Pakistan also occurred in 2011.
– A collision also took place between the Indian Navy’s INS Godavari and the Pakistani Navy’s PNS Babar.
– Pakistan had alleged that the Indian ship obstructed its operations and operated the ship dangerously.
Violation of a 35-Year-Old Agreement
– The MEA stated that the conduct of the Pakistani ship violated Article 10 of the ‘Agreement on Advance Notification of Military Exercises, Manoeuvres and Troop Movements’ signed between India and Pakistan in April 1991.
Article 10 of the Agreement?
– During operations in international waters, naval ships and submarines of both countries are required to maintain a safe distance of at least three nautical miles from each other to avoid accidents.
– Pakistan violated the distance rule by approaching at high speed.
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7. Which series won the most awards—14 in total—at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2026?
a. Widows Bay
b. Abbott Elementary
c. The Bear
d. Hacks
Answer: a. Widows Bay
– The Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony was held on 14 September 2026 at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles (USA).
– The ceremony was hosted by Mariska Hargitay.
– ‘Widows Bay’ won 14 Emmy Awards, which is a record for any new comedy series.
– ‘Widows Bay’ is an Apple TV comedy-horror web series.
– Its story is based on a quiet and small fictional island named ‘Widows Bay’, located off the coast of New England.
– Its creator is Katie Dippold and its director is Hiro Murai.
What Are the Emmy Awards?
– The Emmy Awards are among the most famous awards given for television and emerging media.
– Unlike the Oscars and Golden Globe Awards, they are not given for films.
When Were the Emmy Awards Started?
– The Emmy Awards were conceived in 1948, and the first ceremony was held on 25 January 1949. A total of six awards were presented, including Outstanding Television Personality and Most Popular Television Program.
How Many Types of Emmy Awards Are There?
– There are several types of Emmy Awards. The awards honour television shows produced in the United States and broadcast during prime time, while the International Emmy Awards are for international shows.
– Daytime Emmy Awards are given to American shows broadcast during late morning and afternoon.
– Regional Emmy Awards are for regional television markets, including state-by-state programming, local news, and locally produced shows.
Who Gives the Emmy Awards?
– These awards are presented by three collaborating organizations.
– The first is the Television Academy, which manages the Primetime Emmy Awards.
– The second is the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which oversees daytime, sports, news, and documentary categories.
– The third is the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, which is responsible for the International Emmy Awards.
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8. Who won the award for Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2026?
a. Anna Sawai
b. Jean Smart
c. Renée Zellweger
d. Dua Lipa
Answer: b. Jean Smart
– Jean Smart received this award for the comedy series “Hacks.”
– Jean Smart also won the Best Lead Actress award for the same comedy series at the 2025 Emmy Awards.
– She became the first actress to win the Best Actress award for every season of the show since the premiere of ‘Hacks’ in 2021!
– She has also equalled Allison Janney in terms of winning the most Emmys.
– Both actresses have won 8 trophies so far.
“Hacks”?
– It is a dark comedy-drama television series.
– It was created by Lucia Aniello, Paul W. Downs, and Jen Statsky.
– The show revolves around the unique relationship between women from two different generations and the comedy business.
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9. Who won the Best Lead Actor in a Comedy Series award at the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards 2026?
a. Seth Rogen
b. Lee Jung-jae
c. Matthew Rhys
d. Hiroyuki Sanada
Answer: c. Matthew Rhys
– Matthew received the Best Actor award for ‘Widows Bay.’
– He also won the Best Lead Actor award in a Limited or Anthology Series for Netflix’s series ‘The Beast in Me.’
– He became the first actor in Emmy history to win two lead acting awards in one night.
– Not only this, after winning the Lead Actor in a Drama Series award for ‘The Americans’ in 2018, Matthew Rhys has now become the only actor to win awards in all three Lead Actor categories.
Emmy Awards 2026 Winners List
– Best Drama Series: The Pitt
– Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series: Noah Wyle – The Pitt
– Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series: Rhea Seehorn – Pluribus
– Best Comedy Series: Widows Bay, ‘Welcome to Widows Bay!’ – Hiro Murai
– Best Lead Actress in a Comedy Series: Jean Smart – Hacks
– Best Limited or Anthology Series: DTF St. Louis
– Best Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series or Film: Matthew Rhys – The Beast in Me
– Best Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Film: Sally Field – Remarkably Bright Creatures
– Best Director for a Drama Series: Slow Horses, ‘Scars’ – Saul Metzstein
– Best Director for a Comedy Series: Widows Bay, ‘Welcome to Widows Bay!’ – Hiro Murai
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10. When is World Bamboo Day celebrated?
a. 8 September
b. 18 September
c. 28 September
d. 30 September
Answer: b. 18 September
– Its objective is to raise awareness about the importance of bamboo and its environmental, economic, and cultural benefits.
– It was initiated in 2009 by the World Bamboo Organization to promote bamboo as a versatile and sustainable resource.
Environmental Importance:
– Bamboo is a fast-growing plant that helps in the absorption of carbon dioxide.
– It prevents soil erosion and improves soil fertility.
– Bamboo can be used as an alternative to plastic and wood, thereby reducing deforestation.
Bamboo in India:
– India is the second-largest producer of bamboo (after China).
– Bamboo cultivation and its use are widespread in Northeast India (such as Nagaland, Mizoram, and Assam).
– The Government of India’s National Bamboo Mission promotes bamboo cultivation and industry.
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11. In which southern state was “Tulu” granted the status of a second additional administrative language?
a. Karnataka
b. Kerala
c. Andhra Pradesh
d. Tamil Nadu
Answer: a. Karnataka
– The Karnataka Cabinet took this decision on September 18, 2026, during a meeting held in Mangaluru with Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar.
– The Tulu language was recognized as the state’s second additional administrative language in the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts.
– This language is mainly spoken in two districts of Karnataka and in the neighboring Kasaragod district of Kerala.
– The region where this language is primarily spoken is often called Tulu Nadu.
– Tulu is a Dravidian language with its own distinct linguistic and cultural identity.
– According to Shivakumar, this language has immense potential for educational and cultural development.
What benefits will people receive from this decision?
– B. Shivaram Shetty, former Project Director of the Centre of Excellence for Studies in Classical Kannada at the Central Institute of Indian Languages (CIIL), said that elected representatives can speak in the Tulu language during Gram Sabhas of Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, and Zilla Panchayats.
– This rule also applies to meetings of urban local bodies, such as municipal corporation councils.
– Orders must be issued in Tulu along with Kannada.
– People can submit applications in the Tulu language to government departments.
– This will reduce the need for translators for officials who do not know the Tulu language.
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12. Who has been appointed as the Executive Director of the UN World Food Programme (WFP)?
a. David Beasley
b. Ertharin Cousin
c. Luke J. Lindberg
d. Michael Borosa
Answer: c. Luke J. Lindberg
– He was appointed to this position on September 18, 2026.
– He was nominated for this position by U.S. President Donald Trump.
– Lindberg will take charge of overseeing UN activities related to providing food assistance in humanitarian crises.
– He has replaced Cindy McCain.
– Cindy McCain served in this position from April 2023 to May 2026.
Who is Luke Lindberg?
– Luke J. Lindberg is a 37-year-old American citizen.
– He is currently the Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
– Before his appointment to the USDA in 2025, Lindberg founded South Dakota Trade.
– It is a private organization designed by the state’s exporters to increase export opportunities in international markets.
– Lindberg has served as Chief of Staff and Chief Strategy Officer at the U.S. Export-Import Bank.
About the World Food Programme
– The structure and administration of the World Food Programme (WFP) are primarily organized into two levels: intergovernmental oversight and an administrative secretariat.
– Headquarters of WFP: Rome, Italy
i) WFP Executive Board
– It is the supreme governing body of the WFP.
– Members: It consists of a total of 36 member countries.
– Election: Of these 36 members, 18 are elected by the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and the remaining 18 are elected by the Council of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) for a three-year term.
– Functions: The Board is responsible for intergovernmental oversight of WFP activities, providing policy guidance, and reviewing and approving budgets and programmes.
ii) WFP Executive Director
– The Executive Director is the administrative head of the WFP, responsible for the organization’s daily management and implementation of programmes.
– Appointment: The Executive Director is appointed jointly by the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and the Director-General of the FAO for a fixed term of five years.
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13. Retired Flight Lieutenant Alfred Tyrone Cooke, a hero of the 1965 Indo-Pak War, passed away on September 18, 2026; which gallantry award had he received?
a. Kirti Chakra
b. Ashoka Chakra
c. Param Vir Chakra
d. Vir Chakra
Answer: d. Vir Chakra
– The famous ‘dogfight’ carried out by 87-year-old Alfred Tyrone Cooke over Kalaikunda during the Indo-Pak War is considered an excellent example of offensive aerial combat.
What happened at Kalaikunda?
– On September 7, 1965, Cooke and his fellow pilot were on combat air patrol in a Hawker Hunter aircraft at Kalaikunda in West Bengal.
– During the second attack on the airbase by the Pakistan Air Force, Cooke and his colleague, Flying Officer Subodh Chandra Mamgain, were forced to face a force three times more powerful than their own.
– Despite being outnumbered by the enemy, Cooke and Mamgain shot down one of the enemy’s Sabre jets.
– Cooke was awarded the Vir Chakra for his acts of bravery.
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14. When is the International Day of Peace celebrated by the United Nations?
a. September 20
b. September 21
c. September 22
d. September 23
Answer: b. September 21
Theme for 2026:
– Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day
– Its main objective is to promote peace across the world, the end of violence, and methods of conflict resolution.
– It was established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly.
– The tradition of celebrating it every year began in 1982.
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