Daily Current Affairs 18 Oct 2026
Daily Current Affairs 18 Oct 2026
1. Jammu & Kashmir Current Affairs
1. Proposed inclusion of Punjabi as an official language in J&K
The Jammu & Kashmir Government is considering introducing a Bill during the 2027 Budget Session to include Punjabi among the Union Territory’s official languages. The proposal follows longstanding demands from the Sikh community.
Current official languages: Kashmiri, Dogri, Urdu, Hindi and English.
Exam focus: J&K Official Languages Act, 2020.
Status: Proposed change, not yet an enacted law.
2. Inauguration of the Ladakh Bench of the High Court
Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant was scheduled to visit Ladakh on 18 October to inaugurate the newly constituted Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
– Exam focus: Judicial administration in the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
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3. Vibrant Villages Programme II
The programme focuses on improving infrastructure, connectivity, essential services and livelihood opportunities in strategically important border villages.
J&K focus: Border areas of Kathua district.
Exam focus: Border-area development and last-mile delivery of government schemes.
2. National Current Affairs
4. Supreme Court on children’s access to the internet
A report published on 18 October discussed the Supreme Court’s recognition of children’s internet access as a fundamental-rights issue, alongside the need for appropriate online safeguards.
Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty.
Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression for citizens.
Exam focus: Fundamental rights, child protection and digital governance.
5. India’s participation in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
Venue: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Dates: 19–20 October 2026.
Key themes: Trade, investment, connectivity, innovation and economic cooperation.
Exam focus: International organisations and India’s foreign policy.
6. Artificial Intelligence in healthcare
A technology conclave organised by Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) and IIT (BHU) highlighted applications of AI in healthcare and assistive technologies.
Potential applications include disease screening, medical diagnosis, remote intensive-care monitoring and AI-assisted surgical planning.
STPI operates under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Exam focus: Artificial intelligence, digital health and emerging technologies.
3. International Affairs
7. US Secretary of State’s visit to India
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio departed for India ahead of a scheduled visit on 20 October 2026.
Key areas expected to be discussed include energy cooperation, trade relations and strategic ties between India and the United States.
– Exam focus: India–US relations, energy security and international trade.
4. Important Static GK for JKSSB and UPSC
Article 21: Protection of life and personal liberty.
Article 19(1)(a): Freedom of speech and expression.
MeitY: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
STPI: Software Technology Parks of India.
SCO: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation.
SCO headquarters: Beijing, China.
Ladakh: A Union Territory of India.
Dushanbe: Capital of Tajikistan.