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Current Affairs — Friday, 18 September 2026
37 items
Tamil Nadu
- TN Government to extend Free Breakfast Scheme to middle school students
— CM C. Joseph Vijay's government announced the expansion of the flagship free breakfast programme beyond primary schools, benefiting a larger student population across the state. (Social welfare scheme; GS Paper II — Government policies) - VB-GRAMG controversy puts Vijay government in a spot
— A political storm has erupted in Tamil Nadu over VB-GRAMG (likely vigilance/anti-corruption mechanism), with the TVK government facing criticism over governance optics. (State politics; GS Paper II) - Tamil Nadu reaffirms two-language policy; rejects PM SHRI three-language scheme
— A TN minister confirmed no change in the state's two-language policy, while MDMK chief Vaiko urged CM Vijay to reject the PM SHRI scheme citing Hindi imposition concerns. (Language policy; GS Paper II — Centre-State relations; 8th Schedule angle) - SC/ST Commission seeks action over alleged humiliation of Adi Dravida students in Cuddalore
— The Tamil Nadu SC/ST Commission demanded action against those responsible for the alleged discrimination of Adi Dravida students. (GS Paper II — Social justice; Constitutional body) - State Finance Commission chairman calls for greater fiscal autonomy for local bodies
— Chairman Allaudin argued for substantive decentralisation, urging that local bodies be given real authority and financial independence to fulfil their Constitutional mandate under the 73rd and 74th Amendments. (GS Paper II — Local governance; Panchayati Raj) - E.M. Sudarsana Natchiappan, former Union Minister and senior Congress leader, passes away at 78
— Natchiappan, known for defeating P. Chidambaram in the 1999 Sivaganga Lok Sabha election, was also a former Rajya Sabha MP and Union Minister of State. (Obituary of national importance)
India — National
- Shahzad Bhatti Network (SBN) designated as terrorist organisation under UAPA
— The Union Ministry of Home Affairs notified SBN's designation, stating it poses a "serious threat to the democratic system and communal harmony." (GS Paper III — Internal security; UAPA provisions) - Naval warships collision: India says Pakistani vessel closed in; Pakistan summons Indian envoy
— A diplomatic row erupted after an incident involving Indian and Pakistani naval vessels, with both sides offering conflicting accounts; Pakistan summoned India's envoy. (GS Paper II — India-Pakistan relations; Defence) - Trinamool Congress name and symbol on interim freeze; factions told to pick new ones
— The Election Commission placed an interim freeze on the TMC name and symbol amid an intra-party dispute, directing rival factions to adopt temporary identities. (GS Paper II — ECI powers; Tenth Schedule/Symbol Order) - West Bengal joins PM Vishwakarma Scheme for the first time; observes PM's birthday as 'Annapurna Divas'
— In a notable political shift, the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government participated in PM Modi's birthday events and launched the PM Vishwakarma Scheme — marking the first such participation. (GS Paper II — Central schemes; Centre-State relations) - J&K CM Omar Abdullah publicly demands restoration of Statehood on PM's birthday
— CM Abdullah used the occasion to reiterate J&K's demand for Statehood, saying "What else do we need?" — keeping the constitutional issue in spotlight. (GS Paper II — J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019; Article 3) - CBFC flags screening of Umar Khalid documentary at IIIT-Hyderabad
— The Central Board of Film Certification raised objections to the screening of the documentary at the Hyderabad institution, raising questions about free speech and institutional autonomy. (GS Paper II — Fundamental Rights; Article 19) - Cabinet approves eight multitracking projects to decongest railway lines
— The Union Cabinet cleared eight rail multitracking projects aimed at easing capacity constraints on busy corridors. (GS Paper III — Infrastructure; Railway development)
Economy & Finance
- Inflation rises in August; attention shifts to RBI's October Monetary Policy meeting
— Rising retail inflation in August has renewed debate on the trajectory of RBI's rate decisions ahead of the October MPC meeting. (GS Paper III — Monetary policy; CPI inflation) - Industrial production rises 6.7% in July (IIP data)
— India's Index of Industrial Production grew at 6.7% in July 2026, signalling a strong start to FY27. (GS Paper III — Economic indicators) - Government appoints three new members to RBI Central Board
— The Centre exercised its power under the RBI Act to nominate three additional directors to the RBI's Central Board. (GS Paper III — RBI governance; RBI Act, 1934) - India's crude oil imports fall 3% in August, but spending rises 18%
— Despite lower import volumes, net oil and gas spend stayed nearly flat at $9.3 billion due to price factors; Russia supplied over half of India's oil in July. (GS Paper III — Energy security; India-Russia trade) - U.S. House passes Bill for 100% tariffs on top buyers of Russian oil, including India; MEA monitoring
— The legislation, if enacted, could impose steep tariffs on India for its purchase of Russian crude; MEA said it is "monitoring developments." (GS Paper II/III — India-US relations; sanctions) - Government auctions 25 coal blocks in 16th round of commercial mining
— Blocks spanning nine states including Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Bihar were put up for commercial coal auction. (GS Paper III — Coal sector; energy policy)
Science & Technology
- New wild cat species 'Tilcayo' identified in Bolivia — first new cat species in over a century
— Genetic analysis showed the Tilcayo lineage diverged from other tiger cats approximately 1.4 million years ago, making it a landmark zoological discovery. (GS Paper III — Biodiversity; species classification) - Private participation not to come at the cost of ISRO's capabilities: Staff in fresh note
— ISRO employees raised concerns in an internal note about the pace and terms of private sector involvement in India's space programme. (GS Paper III — Space policy; IN-SPACe framework) - Rattlesnake blood proteins (FETUA) shown to fully neutralise venom lethality in mice
— Scientists demonstrated that specific FETUA protein combinations from western diamondback rattlesnakes neutralised venom with ~10× efficacy, opening new paths for anti-venom research. (GS Paper III — Biotechnology; health) - STS-8 (1983): First space shuttle night launch and landing — with an Indian connection
— Commemorative coverage highlighted India's historical link to NASA's STS-8 mission, launched August 30, 1983. (GS Paper III — Space history)
Environment
- State of India's Environment (SOE) 2026 Report highlights rising climate risks, wildlife conflicts, and pollution monitoring gaps
— The CSE-DTE report flagged increasing human-wildlife conflict, climate vulnerabilities, and inadequate pollution monitoring infrastructure across India. (GS Paper III — Environment; CSE report) - Union Environment Minister inaugurates 18 Namo Oxygen Parks in Delhi
— The parks were launched as part of major green initiatives coinciding with World Environment Day 2026, jointly by the Union and Delhi governments. (GS Paper III — Urban greenery; environment policy)
Sports
- Abhishek Sharma blazes fastest century by an Indian in full-member T20 internationals — 108 off 34 balls
— The 26-year-old eclipsed Rohit Sharma's previous India record of a 35-ball century; his knock included 9 fours and 11 sixes. (Sports GK — T20 records) - Elena Rybakina wins US Open 2026, rises to World No. 1
— Rybakina overcame an Achilles injury and only four days of practice to defeat the two-time defending champion in the final, clinching her maiden US Open title. (Sports GK — Grand Slam 2026) - Asian Games 2026 — India Women's cricket team begins campaign against host Japan
— India Women faced Japan at Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin on September 18; Bangladesh advanced to the semifinals without playing. (Sports GK — Asian Games 2026) - Anahat Singh highlighted as key Indian hope in squash at Asian Games 2026
— English coach Willstrop described 17-year-old Anahat Singh's instinctive attacking game as making her "a very unusual player" with high potential. (Sports GK — Asian Games 2026; Squash)
Appointments & Awards
- Prasanna Kumar Acharya appointed as new CMD of NLCIL (NLC India Limited)
— Acharya takes charge as Chairman and Managing Director of the Navratna PSU, headquartered in Neyveli, Tamil Nadu. (GS Paper II — PSU appointments; Navratna) - Justice M. Fathima Beevi conferred with Padma Bhushan
— India's first female Supreme Court judge received the Padma Bhushan award, recognising her landmark contribution to the Indian judiciary. (GS Paper II — Constitutional history; first woman SC judge) - Former CJI J.S. Khehar conferred with Padma award
— Justice Khehar, known for rulings that often contradicted the government's position, was recognised with a Padma honour. (GS Paper II — Judiciary) - Justice K.T. Thomas receives Padma Vibhushan
— The former Supreme Court judge, known for the Rajiv Gandhi assassination case verdict, was awarded India's second-highest civilian honour. (GS Paper II — Awards) - Justice Manikumar appointed as new Chairman of Tamil Nadu State Human Rights Commission (SHRC)
— The appointment strengthens the quasi-judicial human rights oversight body in the state. (GS Paper II — Human Rights Commissions; PHRA 1993)
International
- India-Pakistan naval standoff: Indian Navy says Pakistani vessel closed in dangerously; Pakistan summons envoy
— The incident marks a fresh diplomatic friction point between the two countries, with both sides presenting conflicting accounts of the confrontation at sea. (GS Paper II — India-Pakistan; Maritime security) - FM Nirmala Sitharaman meets Nepalese Finance Minister Wagle; discusses flood recovery and bilateral connectivity
— The meeting focused on strengthening trade, investments, and people-to-people ties, as well as coordinating on monsoon flood damage recovery. (GS Paper II — India-Nepal relations; neighbourhood policy) - U.S. approves sale of 48 F-35 fighter jets to Saudi Arabia
— The State Department notified Congress of the proposed $X billion sale, reflecting shifting U.S. arms policy in the Gulf region. (GS Paper II — International relations; US foreign policy)
Quick Revision
- 🏏 Abhishek Sharma scored the fastest T20I century by an Indian — 108 runs off just 34 balls, breaking Rohit Sharma's 35-ball record
- 🐱 'Tilcayo' — new wild cat species discovered in Bolivia; first new cat species identified in over 100 years; lineage split ~1.4 million years ago
- ⚖️ Justice M. Fathima Beevi — India's first female Supreme Court judge, awarded Padma Bhushan (2026); Prasanna Kumar Acharya is new CMD of NLCIL (Navratna PSU, Neyveli)