Current Affairs Today 18th May 2026 Daily GK Update

Daily Current Affairs 18th May 2026 Daily GK Update

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National News

India-UAE Sign Major Agreements on Energy Reserves, Investment and Defence Cooperation

• India and the UAE signed multiple key agreements in Abu Dhabi after talks between Narendra Modi and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan amid the ongoing West Asia conflict.
• A strategic collaboration agreement was signed between Indian Strategic Petroleum Reserves Limited and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company to strengthen India’s energy security through petroleum reserves and possible LNG and LPG storage cooperation.
• The UAE announced investments worth 5 billion US dollars in India, further deepening bilateral economic and energy ties between the two nations.
• India and the UAE also signed a strategic defence partnership framework focusing on defence manufacturing collaboration, technology sharing, innovation, and regional security cooperation.

Goa Declares Ecologically Sensitive Areas Near Old Goa as ‘No Development Zones’

• The Goa government declared around 4 lakh square metres of ecologically sensitive land near Old Goa and mangrove areas in St Cruz village as “No Development Zones” to prevent construction and protect the environment.
• The Town and Country Planning (TCP) Board specifically notified nearly 102,000 square metres of land around Old Goa, including orchards and an archaeological park, under the protected category.
• Old Goa, the former Portuguese colonial capital of Goa, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its historic churches and Portuguese-era structures.

About Goa

• Formation – 30 May 1987
• Capital – Panaji
• Chief Minister – Pramod Sawant
• Governor – Pusapati Ashok Gajapathi Raju

President approves increase in sanctioned strength of judges in Supreme Court from 33 to 37

• Droupadi Murmu approved the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Amendment Ordinance, 2026, increasing the sanctioned strength of judges in the Supreme Court of India from 33 to 37 (excluding the Chief Justice of India).
• With this amendment to the Supreme Court (Number of Judges) Act, 1956, the total strength of the apex court, including the Chief Justice of India, will rise to 38 judges.
• The move aims to strengthen the judicial capacity and improve the efficiency of case disposal in the Supreme Court of India amid rising pendency of cases.

CBSE Makes Three-Language Study Compulsory for Class 9 Under NEP 2020 Guidelines

• The Central Board of Secondary Education has made it compulsory for Class 9 students to study three languages from 1 July, in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework for School Education 2023.
• As per the new rule, at least two of the three languages must be Indian native languages to promote multilingual learning and cultural integration.
• CBSE clarified that the third language (R3) will not have a Board exam in Class 10; instead, it will be assessed internally at the school level, and no student will be barred from Class 10 Board Exams due to R3 performance.

IITM Pune Launches Climate Startup Incubation Centre Under NEAT and Mission Mausam Initiative

• The Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune has launched a dedicated startup incubation centre focused on weather and climate innovation, inaugurated alongside the WISE 2026 (Weather and Climate Innovation Meet for Startups and Entrepreneurs).
• The incubation centre aims to support startups working in weather technology, climate analytics, forecasting applications, and climate resilience tools to boost innovation in the sector.
• The initiative is developed under the National Enterprise for Atmospheric Technology (NEAT) and the Ministry of Earth Sciences Mission Mausam, promoting collaboration between scientists, startups, entrepreneurs, and public institutions.

Committee on Empowerment of Women Constituted; Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari Appointed as Chairperson

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has constituted the Committee on Empowerment of Women to strengthen parliamentary oversight on women-related issues.
• BJP Lok Sabha MP Dr. Daggubati Purandeswari has been appointed as the Chairperson of the committee, which consists of 28 members (18 from Lok Sabha and 10 from Rajya Sabha).
• Prominent members of the committee include Hema Malini, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Iqra Choudhary, Sudha Murty, P. T. Usha and Swati Maliwal.

NIOS Launches “To Reach the Unreached” Mission to Re-enroll Out-of-School Children

• National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) has launched a major initiative to reconnect out-of-school children with the formal education system across India.
• Under its mission “To Reach the Unreached,” National Institute of Open Schooling aims to bring nearly two crore out-of-school children back into the education system.

Appointment News

Andris Kulbergs Nominated as New Prime Minister of Latvia by President Edgars Rinkevics

• Edgars Rinkevics has nominated opposition MP Andris Kulbergs as the next Prime Minister of Latvia.
• Andris Kulbergs, a member of the opposition United List, has been tasked with forming a new government after the resignation announcement of outgoing PM Evika Silina.

Newly Appointed Prime Ministers  & Presidents

• President of Uganda – Yoweri Museveni (7th Term)
• Prime Minister of Bulgaria – Rumen Radev
• President of Djibouti – Ismail Omar Guelleh
• President of Iraq – Kurdish Leader Nizar Amedi

Sports News

India Wins 27 Medals, Including 9 Gold, at Asian Boxing U-15 Championships 2026

• India delivered a strong performance at the Asian Boxing U15 Championships 2026, finishing with a total of 27 medals, including 9 gold, showcasing the rise of young boxing talent at the international level.
• The U-15 girls team emerged as the top contributor with 7 gold medals, along with 2 silver and 5 bronze, dominating multiple weight categories in the championship.
• The U-15 boys team also performed well, adding 2 gold, 4 silver, and 7 bronze medals, helping India achieve an overall medal tally of 9 gold, 6 silver, and 12 bronze.

Rahul Dravid Becomes Owner of Dublin Franchise in Europe’s First ICC-Approved ETPL T20 League

• India’s former cricketer Rahul Dravid has become the owner of the Dublin franchise in the European T-20 Premier League (ETPL), Europe’s first ICC-approved multi-country franchise T20 league.
• The European T20 Premier League will be launched this year and aims to bring together top international cricket talent across European franchise teams.
• The launch event was attended by ETPL co-founders and stakeholders, and the league is expected to feature several international stars such as Mitchell Marsh, Tim David, Mitchell Santner, Glenn Maxwell, Faf du Plessis, and Heinrich Klaasen.

 Important Days

16 May – National Dengue Day

• National Dengue Day is observed every year on May 16 in India to spread awareness about dengue prevention, control, and early treatment.
• Theme 2026 – Act. Eliminate
• The day is organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to encourage people to maintain cleanliness and prevent mosquito breeding in the surrounding areas.
• Dengue is a mosquito-borne viral disease transmitted mainly by the Aedes mosquito, and common symptoms include high fever, headache, body pain, and skin rashes.

17 May – World Telecommunication and Information Society Day

• World Telecommunication and Information Society Day is observed every year on 17 May to highlight the importance of communication technologies and the internet in social and economic development.
• Theme 2026 – Digital lifelines: Strengthening resilience in a connected world
• The day marks the founding anniversary of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), which was established on 17 May 1865.

17 May – World Hypertension Day

• World Hypertension Day is observed every year on 17 May to raise awareness about high blood pressure (hypertension) and its prevention.
• Theme 2026 – Controlling Hypertension Together
• The day aims to encourage regular blood pressure checks, early diagnosis, and lifestyle changes such as a healthy diet, exercise, and reduced salt intake.
• Hypertension is often called a “silent killer” because it may not show symptoms but significantly increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and kidney failure.

16 May – Sikkim Statehood Day

• Sikkim Statehood Day is celebrated every year on 16 May to mark Sikkim’s full integration as the 22nd state of India in 1975.
• The day commemorates the historic decision that led to the abolition of the monarchy in Sikkim and its merger with the Indian Union through a democratic process.