Current Affairs — 18 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Sat, 18 Apr 2026
Budget Session 2026 ends; both Houses adjourned sine die with Lok Sabha productivity at about 93%
Both Houses of Parliament were adjourned sine die on 18 April 2026, ending the Budget Session that began on 28 January, with 31 sittings, 9 Bills passed and productivity of about 93% in the Lok Sabha and about 110% in the Rajya Sabha.
Cabinet extends PMGSY-III till March 2028 with revised outlay of ₹83,977 crore
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved continuation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-III (PMGSY-III) beyond March 2025 up to March 2028, raising its outlay to ₹83,977 crore from ₹80,250 crore.
Cabinet approves Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with ₹12,980 crore sovereign guarantee
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved a domestic 'Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool' (BMI pool), backed by a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore, to keep maritime insurance available for Indian trade even through volatile sea corridors.
PIB backgrounder: ASI protects 3,686 centrally protected monuments; India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
A PIB backgrounder of 18 April 2026 on monument conservation said the Archaeological Survey of India safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments and that India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including the Maratha Military Landscapes.
INS Sudarshini concludes port call at Casablanca, Morocco, during Lokayan 26
The Indian Navy's sail training ship INS Sudarshini concluded a port call at Casablanca, Morocco, on 18 April 2026 as part of its Lokayan 26 deployment, and then sailed for Las Palmas, Spain.
CCEA approves two rail multitracking projects of ₹24,815 crore in Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on 18 April 2026 approved 3rd and 4th lines on Ghaziabad–Sitapur and Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada), adding about 601 km to Indian Railways at about ₹24,815 crore.
Cabinet raises Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief by 2 percentage points to 60% from 1 January 2026
The Union Cabinet on 18 April 2026 approved an additional instalment of Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees and Dearness Relief for pensioners from 1 January 2026, raising the rate by 2% over the existing 58% of basic pay/pension.
Dr K.S. Somashekhar appointed Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan appointed Dr K.S. Somashekhar as Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat with effect from 18 April 2026.
MeitY constitutes Technology and Policy Expert Committee to advise India's AI governance group
The Ministry of Electronics and IT on 18 April 2026 announced the Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC), a standing advisory body chaired by the MeitY Secretary to support the newly constituted AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG).
Women make up over 31% of candidates recommended in Civil Services Examination 2025
Union Minister Jitendra Singh said on 18 April 2026 that 299 of the 958 candidates recommended in the Civil Services Examination (CSE) 2025 are women, over 31% of the total.
Centre approves procurement of 20 lakh tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh under Market Intervention Scheme
Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on 18 April 2026 approved procurement of 20 lakh metric tonnes of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh under the Market Intervention Scheme at ₹6,500.9 per tonne, along with chana procurement in Andhra Pradesh and an extension of tur procurement in Karnataka.
Mizoram holds 'Run for Nutrition' half marathon under 8th Poshan Pakhwada
A 'Run for Nutrition' half marathon was organised in Mizoram on 18 April 2026 under the 8th Poshan Pakhwada, with about 500 adults and children taking part.
National Health Authority concludes two-day Chintan Shivir on AB PM-JAY and ABDM in Pune
The National Health Authority on 18 April 2026 concluded a two-day Chintan Shivir in Pune, Maharashtra, on Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY and the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, where states presented best practices.