Current Affairs Quiz — 18 April 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
According to the Lok Sabha Speaker, what was the productivity of the Lok Sabha during the Budget Session that ended on 18 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — About 93%
The Speaker put Lok Sabha productivity at 93%; about 110% was the Rajya Sabha figure.
The President's address to both Houses of Parliament assembled together at the start of the first session of the year, as on 28 January 2026, is made under which provision of the Constitution?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Article 87(1)
The Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs notes that the President addressed both Houses together in terms of Article 87(1), this being the first session of the year.
Consider the following statements about the Budget Session, 2026: 1. The session had 31 sittings spread over 81 days. 2. In the Lok Sabha, 12 Government Bills were introduced and 12 were passed. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: 12 Bills were introduced but 9 were passed in the Lok Sabha.
In April 2026 the Union Cabinet extended PMGSY-III up to which month and year for roads in plain areas?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — March 2028
PMGSY-III was continued beyond March 2025 up to March 2028; only bridges in hilly areas get till March 2029.
Consider the following statements about the April 2026 decision on PMGSY-III: 1. The outlay of the scheme was revised upward from ₹80,250 crore to ₹83,977 crore. 2. The deadline for completing bridges in hilly areas was set at March 2029. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Cabinet decision of 18 April 2026.
Under PMGSY-III, Through Routes and Major Rural Links are consolidated to connect habitations to which of the following? 1. Gramin Agricultural Markets (GrAMs) 2. Higher secondary schools 3. Hospitals 4. Railway stations Select the correct answer:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 1, 2 and 3 only
The Cabinet release lists GrAMs, higher secondary schools and hospitals; railway stations are not mentioned.
The Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool approved by the Cabinet in April 2026 is backed by a sovereign guarantee of:
Show answer
Correct answer: D — ₹12,980 crore
The BMI pool has a sovereign guarantee of ₹12,980 crore; ₹950 crore is its combined underwriting capacity.
Consider the following statements about the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool: 1. It covers only Indian-flagged vessels and excludes foreign vessels bound for Indian ports. 2. It covers War risk in addition to Hull and Machinery, Cargo and P&I risks. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 2 only
Statement 1 is wrong: the pool covers Indian-flagged or controlled vessels and also vessels destined to or starting from India. Statement 2 is correct.
The Cabinet cited high dependence of Indian vessels on which body for Protection and Indemnity (P&I) cover of third-party liabilities such as oil pollution and wreck removal?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — International Group of P&I Clubs (IGP&I)
The release says Indian vessels depend heavily on the International Group of Protection and Indemnity (IGP&I) Club for P&I insurance.
According to the PIB backgrounder of April 2026, how many centrally protected monuments does the Archaeological Survey of India safeguard?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 3,686
The backgrounder says the ASI safeguards 3,686 centrally protected monuments.
Consider the following statements, based on the PIB backgrounder on monuments (April 2026): 1. India has 44 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the latest being the Maratha Military Landscapes. 2. The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 empowers the government, through the ASI, to regulate construction around protected monuments. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both statements are correct as per the backgrounder.
INS Sudarshini concluded a port call at which city on 18 April 2026 during its Lokayan 26 deployment?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Casablanca
INS Sudarshini concluded its port call at Casablanca, Morocco, on 18 April 2026.
After leaving Morocco in April 2026, INS Sudarshini proceeded to which port?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Las Palmas, Spain
The Ministry of Defence said INS Sudarshini proceeds to Las Palmas, Spain.
The Rajahmundry (Nidadavolu)–Visakhapatnam (Duvvada) 3rd and 4th line approved by the CCEA in April 2026 is located in which state?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Andhra Pradesh
Nidadavolu–Duvvada is in Andhra Pradesh; the two projects together cover 15 districts of UP and AP.
The Ghaziabad–Sitapur section, approved for 3rd and 4th lines in April 2026, forms part of which High Density Network of Indian Railways?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Delhi–Guwahati (HDN 4)
The CCEA release says Ghaziabad–Sitapur is a key part of the Delhi–Guwahati High Density Network (HDN 4).
The DA/DR instalment approved by the Cabinet on 18 April 2026 raised the rate by 2% over an existing rate of what percentage of basic pay/pension?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 58%
The increase is 2% over the existing rate of 58% of basic pay/pension.
The formula used to revise Dearness Allowance for Central Government employees, as cited in the April 2026 Cabinet decision, is based on the recommendations of:
Show answer
Correct answer: B — 7th Central Pay Commission
The Cabinet release says the increase is in accordance with the accepted formula based on the recommendations of the 7th Central Pay Commission.
Who was appointed Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat with effect from 18 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Dr K.S. Somashekhar
Rajya Sabha Chairman C.P. Radhakrishnan appointed Dr K.S. Somashekhar as Secretary from 18 April 2026.
Consider the following statements about Dr K.S. Somashekhar, appointed Secretary in the Rajya Sabha Secretariat in April 2026: 1. He joined the Rajya Sabha Secretariat in 1993. 2. He has served in senior capacities in the Government of Karnataka. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Both 1 and 2
Both are correct as per the Rajya Sabha Secretariat release.
The Technology and Policy Expert Committee (TPEC) constituted by MeitY in April 2026 is chaired by:
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Secretary, MeitY
The TPEC is chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Consider the following statements about India's AI governance architecture as described by MeitY in April 2026: 1. The AI Governance and Economic Group (AIGEG) sets strategic direction and coordinates policy across government. 2. The TPEC is a temporary task force that will be dissolved after drafting a single report. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: the TPEC is a standing expert advisory body.
How many women are among the 958 candidates recommended in the Civil Services Examination 2025, as stated by the Personnel Minister in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — 299
Out of 958 recommended candidates, 299 are women, over 31% of the total.
According to Union Minister Jitendra Singh, women formed roughly what share of successful Civil Services candidates about a decade before CSE 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — About 20%
The Minister said women were roughly around 20% of successful candidates a decade ago; the CSE 2025 share is over 31%.
Under which scheme did the Centre approve procurement of 20 LMT of potatoes in Uttar Pradesh in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Market Intervention Scheme
The potato procurement was approved under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) for 2025-26.
Consider the following pairs from the Agriculture Ministry's approvals of 18 April 2026: 1. Uttar Pradesh – Potato procurement of 20 LMT 2. Andhra Pradesh – Tur procurement extended till 15 May 2026 3. Karnataka – Chana procurement limit raised to 1,13,250 MT How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Only one
Only pair 1 is correct. The chana limit of 1,13,250 MT was for Andhra Pradesh, and the tur extension to 15 May 2026 was for Karnataka.
The 'Run for Nutrition' half marathon held in Mizoram on 18 April 2026 was part of which edition of Poshan Pakhwada?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 8th
The run was organised under the 8th Poshan Pakhwada.
Consider the following statements about the 'Run for Nutrition' event of April 2026: 1. It was organised in Mizoram under the Ministry of Women and Child Development's Poshan Pakhwada. 2. About 5,000 participants took part in it. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — 1 only
Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: about 500 adults and children took part.
Where did the National Health Authority hold its two-day Chintan Shivir on AB PM-JAY and ABDM that concluded on 18 April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — Pune
The Chintan Shivir was held in Pune, Maharashtra.
At the NHA Chintan Shivir in April 2026, which organisation's team briefed states on the ABDM State Adoption Index?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — World Bank
States were briefed by the World Bank team on the ABDM State Adoption Index.