🗞️ Daily Current Affairs
On 18 October 2026, government ministries announced policy initiatives, participated in cleanliness campaigns, and engaged in defence, environment, science and international outreach activities.
11 exam-relevant updates · 8-question quiz · Written from the day's official releases and automatically checked
📚 See the whole month's current affairs →The Ministry of Mines, along with its field offices, participated in the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026. Secretary Keshav Chandra administered the Swachhata pledge at the Ministry's headquarters.
📌 Static GK link: Swachh Bharat Mission was launched on 2 October 2014 to eliminate open defecation across India.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Mines ↗The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority undertook Trade Margin Rationalisation of 137 identified non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs to curb excessive trade margins. The move is expected to reduce the maximum retail price of these medicines by up to 70%.
📌 Static GK link: NPPA fixes prices of scheduled medicines under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers - Department of Pharmaceuticals ↗The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR reviewed enforcement actions and found 124 inspections carried out from 25 September to 9 October 2026. These inspections resulted in 55 reported violations across construction, industrial and diesel generator sectors.
📌 Static GK link: CAQM is a statutory body formed in 2021 to tackle air pollution in the National Capital Region.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ↗The National Biodiversity Authority distributed Rs 1.19 crore to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one Union Territory Biodiversity Council. The funds represent Access and Benefit Sharing contributions received from companies for agricultural biological resources.
📌 Static GK link: NBA implements the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and oversees access and benefit-sharing provisions.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change ↗Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, inaugurated residential accommodations for defence civilians and the Station Health Organisation as part of Project Seabird Phase IIA at Naval Base Karwar on 15 October 2026. The facility includes five towers of 300 dwelling units and a hospital complex expanded to 409 beds.
📌 Static GK link: Project Seabird aims to develop Naval Base Karwar as a major naval hub on India's west coast.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Defence ↗Exercise Konkan-26, the India-UK bilateral maritime exercise, ended off Plymouth on 15 October 2026 after being conducted from 8 to 15 October. The Indian Navy was represented by the stealth frigate INS Trishul and the Royal Navy by HMS Sutherland.
📌 Static GK link: Exercise Konkan is conducted annually between the Indian Navy and the Royal Navy.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Defence ↗The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune, organised the first stakeholder consultation meeting of the Climate Science into Services for India Forum on 17 October 2026. Over 150 participants from more than 80 institutions attended the event.
📌 Static GK link: IITM Pune is a research institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Earth Sciences ↗Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said India's space economy, currently valued at around USD 9 billion, is expected to grow to USD 40-45 billion over the next seven to eight years. He stressed the need for private investment and faster regulatory approvals.
📌 Static GK link: ISRO, headquartered in Bengaluru, is responsible for India's space programme.
Source: PIB · Department of Space ↗The Department of Commerce organised an outreach programme titled “Leveraging FTAs” in Jaipur, Rajasthan, to create awareness about benefits under India's Free Trade Agreements and facilitate their use by exporters. The event was addressed by Joint Secretary Mohit Yadav.
📌 Static GK link: India has signed Free Trade Agreements with blocs such as ASEAN, Japan, and South Korea.
Source: PIB · Ministry of Commerce & Industry ↗HDFC Bank's Deputy Managing Director Kaizad Bharucha announced his resignation, effective 31 December 2026, ahead of Anup Bagchi's appointment as Managing Director and CEO. The resignation is subject to Reserve Bank of India approval.
📌 Static GK link: HDFC Bank is one of India's largest private sector banks, regulated by the Reserve Bank of India.
Source: The Times Of India ↗Vice President C P Radhakrishnan expressed deep sorrow over the death of renowned music composer Deva, noting he had composed music for over 400 films in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. He highlighted Deva's contribution to the 'gaana' genre.
📌 Static GK link: The Vice President of India serves as the ex-officio Chairman of the Rajya Sabha.
Source: PIB · Vice President's Secretariat ↗8 questions on today's update — tap an option to check your answer.
Q1.Who administered the Swachhata pledge at the Ministry of Mines during the Swachhata Hi Seva Campaign 2026?
Q2.How many anti-cancer drugs were identified for Trade Margin Rationalisation by the NPPA?
Q3.How many inspections were conducted by the CAQM from 25 September to 9 October 2026?
Q4.What amount was disbursed by the National Biodiversity Authority under the Access and Benefit Sharing mechanism?
Q5.What is the capacity of the Station Health Organisation complex after augmentation as part of Project Seabird Phase IIA?
Q6.Which Indian Navy ship participated in Exercise Konkan-26?
Q7.On which date was the first stakeholder consultation meeting of the Climate Science into Services for India Forum held?
Q8.What is the current value of India's space economy as stated by Dr Jitendra Singh?
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Today's GK question →Written by PadhoDost in exam format from the day's reported news. Facts are summarised for exam preparation, not reproduced from the original articles — follow the source links for full reports.