19 March 2026 Current Affairs Quiz in English | Daily GK Questions with Answers

✔ Correct Answer: (B) Odisha

Explanation: Odisha emerged as the top performer in the Financial Health Index 2026. The index assesses states on parameters such as fiscal prudence, revenue mobilisation, quality of expenditure and debt sustainability. Odisha's strong fiscal management reflects its sound budgeting and prudent financial governance. State rankings on economic and fiscal indicators are an important topic in the economy and current-affairs sections of competitive exams, helping candidates understand comparative state performance.

✔ Correct Answer: (A) Uttar Pradesh

Explanation: Uttar Pradesh received a loan of approximately 300 million US dollars from the World Bank for a clean air initiative in 2026. The funding aims to reduce air pollution and improve air quality in the state, which faces significant pollution challenges. The World Bank provides financial and technical assistance to developing countries for development projects. International funding for environmental and clean-air initiatives is a relevant topic in the economy and environment sections of current affairs.

✔ Correct Answer: (B) 23

Explanation: The Sahitya Akademi Awards 2025 were announced for literary works in 23 Indian languages. The Sahitya Akademi is India's National Academy of Letters, dedicated to the promotion of Indian literature. It confers awards across the languages recognised by the Akademi, including the 22 Eighth Schedule languages and English. Literary awards and the institutions that confer them are commonly asked in the awards and culture sections of current affairs for competitive exam preparation.

✔ Correct Answer: (D) Gujarat

Explanation: Gujarat launched a massive 'Foot and Mouth Disease' (FMD) vaccination campaign from 1 March to 15 April 2026 under the National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP). FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals like cattle, causing significant losses to livestock and dairy farmers. The NADCP aims to control and eventually eradicate FMD and brucellosis. Animal-health programmes and government schemes in agriculture are relevant for the current-affairs section of exams.

✔ Correct Answer: (A) Kerala

Explanation: Kerala hosted the first edition of the BIMSTEC Young Professionals Exchange Programme from 9–15 March 2026. BIMSTEC (Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation) is a regional grouping of countries around the Bay of Bengal, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Myanmar, Nepal and Bhutan. Such exchange programmes strengthen regional cooperation and people-to-people ties. Regional groupings and India's role in them are important for the international-relations section of current affairs.

✔ Correct Answer: (D) 1 November 2017 – 31 December 2025

Explanation: The NR1 report on the Nagoya Protocol covers progress made during the period 1 November 2017 – 31 December 2025. The Nagoya Protocol is an international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity that governs access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from their utilisation (ABS). Reports on international environmental agreements and their implementation periods are relevant for the environment and current-affairs sections of competitive examinations.

✔ Correct Answer: (A) Kusunpur

Explanation: Kusunpur village of Odisha has been selected as the state's first 'Smart Village' under CSIR's technology-based rural development initiative. The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) promotes the application of science and technology for societal benefit, including rural development. Smart Village initiatives aim to bring technology-driven solutions for livelihoods, water, energy and health to rural areas. Rural development and science-based initiatives are relevant topics for the current-affairs section of exams.

✔ Correct Answer: (B) Andersen Air Force Base, Guam

Explanation: Exercise 'Sea Dragon 2026', in which India is participating, is conducted at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. Sea Dragon is a multinational anti-submarine warfare (ASW) exercise that enhances coordination and interoperability among participating navies, including the United States, India, Japan, Australia and others. Such exercises strengthen maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Multinational military exercises, their venues and participating countries are a key topic in the defence section of current affairs.

✔ Correct Answer: (C) Sina Rupenthal

Explanation: In August 2025, Sina Rupenthal set the Guinness World Record for lifting and throwing 10 men in 37.44 seconds. Such feats of extraordinary strength are recognised by Guinness World Records, which document remarkable human achievements across categories. Records related to strength, endurance and unusual feats are popular current-affairs items. Tracking notable Guinness World Records helps candidates in the awards and general-awareness sections of competitive examinations.

✔ Correct Answer: (C) KPop Demon Hunters

Explanation: The animated film 'KPop Demon Hunters' won the 'Best Animated Feature' award at the 98th Academy Awards. The Academy Awards (Oscars), presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are among the most prestigious honours in the film industry. The Best Animated Feature category recognises excellence in animated filmmaking. Major film awards and their winners across categories are a frequently asked topic in the awards and entertainment sections of current affairs.