Daily GK Update- 18th Oct, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Govt forms Ramesh Chand-led panel to examine sugarcane farmers’ demands: Amid soaring sugar prices and unrest among farmers over falling yields, the central government constituted a high-powered committee under former NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to examine sugarcane farmers’ demands, including higher remunerative returns, revision of the minimum selling price (MSP) of sugar and concerns over deductions in the weight of mechanically harvested cane. The committee was formed following a meeting between representatives of sugarcane farmers from Karnataka and Maharashtra and the Union ministers for agriculture and farmers welfare and consumer affairs, food and public distribution. The panel will examine demands for higher returns to sugarcane farmers, taking into account cultivation costs and other relevant factors. It will also review the demand for revising the ex-mill minimum selling price of sugar in light of production costs, market realisations and the financial viability of sugar mills.

 

2. PM GatiShakti National Master Plan Completes 5 Years of Implementation: The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years of implementation on October 13, 2026, after being launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 13, 2021. Digital Integration & Engines: The GIS platform links 58 Central Ministries, 36 States/UTs, and thousands of data layers to synchronize the seven core infrastructure engines (roads, railways, ports, waterways, airports, mass transit, and logistics). Project Evaluation & Governance: The Network Planning Group (NPG) has assessed 421 infrastructure projects worth ₹20.23 lakh crore, while the newly approved Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA) guides long-term planning for major initiatives. Local Expansion: Coordinated planning extends to local levels via the PM GatiShakti Public Platform, Knowledge Management Systems, and District Master Plans.

 

3. LIC launches three new insurance plans for retirement income, health and cancer cover: Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) will launch three new insurance plans on October 19, 2026, offering financial protection against health risks, cancer and retirement-related needs. The products are LIC’s New Jeevan Dhara-II (Plan 892), LIC’s Health Shield (Plan 907) and LIC’s New Cancer Cover (Plan 908). New Jeevan Dhara-II (Plan 892): A savings deferred annuity plan providing guaranteed, lifelong retirement income after a deferment period of 1 to 15 years. It offers single or joint-life options, regular or single premiums, and a top-up facility during the deferment phase. Entry age ranges from 18 to a maximum vesting age of 65–70 years.

 

4. Health Shield (Plan 907): A pure risk benefit family health plan offering fixed daily hospital cash benefits alongside lump-sum payouts for major surgeries and critical illnesses. It features a fixed 15-year policy and premium term, no-claim coverage enhancements, and dependent premium waivers in case of the principal insured’s demise.

 

5. India’s Ramsar Sites Reach 103 With Sukhna & Sauj Jheel: India expanded its network of internationally recognized wetlands to 103 sites following the official designation of Sukhna Wetland in Chandigarh and Sauj Jheel in Uttar Pradesh. Sukhna Wetland (Foothills of the Shivalik Range, Chandigarh):Serves as a vital wintering ground for migratory waterfowl traveling along the Central Asian Flyway. The wetland acts as a natural carbon sink, regulates local microclimates, and prevents urban flooding across Chandigarh.

 

6. Sauj Jheel (Mainpuri District, Uttar Pradesh): Forms a critical freshwater sanctuary within the Indo-Gangetic plain. It supports thriving populations of vulnerable bird species, including the Sarus Crane (Antigone antigone), while aiding groundwater recharge and supporting local agricultural ecosystems.

 

7. Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprises in India: Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) may receive enhanced autonomy based on their scale, financial performance and strategic importance. Maharatna is the highest status, intended to help eligible enterprises make major investment and operational decisions with greater flexibility. Introduced by the Government of India in 2010, the Maharatna scheme seeks to enable large, well-performing CPSEs to expand and compete internationally. The Department of Public Enterprises (DPE), under the Ministry of Finance, grants and reviews the status. Maharatna status gives a company greater financial and administrative autonomy than lower CPSE classifications. It does not remove the enterprise from public-sector oversight: the enhanced powers are exercised through its board and within the applicable limits and conditions.

 

8. Delhi Cabinet Approves ₹50-Crore Go-Delhi Foundation: On 18 October 2026, the Delhi Cabinet approved the establishment of the Go-Delhi Foundation with an initial budget of ₹50 crore. The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The foundation is intended to support startups, innovation and entrepreneurship in Delhi by providing assistance to young people, researchers and entrepreneurs. The Go-Delhi Foundation will be incorporated as a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. It will function under the Delhi government’s Department of Industries. Section 8 companies are formed to promote objectives such as commerce, art, science, education, research, social welfare, charity and environmental protection. Their income and profits must be applied towards their stated objectives, and they cannot distribute dividends to members.

 

9. National Institutions for Biodiversity Research in India: National institutions support biodiversity research through species surveys, taxonomic work, conservation planning and policy advice. Their distinct mandates—from documenting flora and fauna to monitoring forests and regulating access to biological resources—also make scientific capacity building and institutional coordination important to conservation. The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), established on July 1, 1916, is the country’s premier taxonomic research organisation for animal life. Headquartered in Kolkata and functioning under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), it promotes surveys, exploration and research into India’s faunal diversity. ZSI maintains the National Zoological Collections, a national repository of type and voucher specimens. The collections hold over 5.5 million specimens representing 103,920 species. ZSI has 16 regional centres; its Western Ghat Regional Centre (WGRC) in Kozhikode was established in 1980. Its work includes environmental impact assessments, conservation-area surveys and endangered-species status surveys.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Asiatic lions return to Gujarat’s Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after 144 years: For more than a century, Gir Forest has been synonymous with Asiatic lions in India. But another forest in Gujarat is emerging as an important habitat for the endangered big cats. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary, where lions had disappeared for nearly 144 years, is now home to 17 Asiatic lions. A study published in the journal PLOS One has found that Barda offers suitable habitat, adequate prey and environmental conditions that could support a lion population over the long term. The findings strengthen the case for developing the sanctuary as a second home for Asiatic lions beyond Gir, helping reduce the risks associated with concentrating the population in one main landscape.

 

2. 14 October : World Standards Day: World Standards Day is observed every year on 14 October to recognise the importance of international standards in everyday life, trade and development.

It pays tribute to the thousands of experts who create the voluntary technical agreements published as International Standards. The day is jointly organised by the IEC, ISO and ITU, who choose a fresh theme each year. Standards help make products, services and systems safe, reliable and compatible across countries, which supports global trade and technological progress.

Theme 2026: “Shared vision for a better world: Spotlight on SDG 7, Affordable and Clean Energy.”

 

3. 15 October: World Students’ Day: World Students’ Day is celebrated annually on 15 October to mark the birth anniversary of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the 11th President of India and a renowned scientist and teacher. He Promoting quality education, scientific curiosity, youth empowerment, and student-driven innovation.

 

4. 17 October : International Day for the Eradication of Poverty: The International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, observed annually on 17 October, recognizes that ending poverty is inseparable from protecting human rights, human dignity and peace. Housing insecurity is not simply a question of shelter. Unsafe, unaffordable, overcrowded or insecure housing can reinforce poverty and exclusion, and undermine the enjoyment of other human rights. 2026–2028 theme “United for Peace and Human Rights,” the 2026 observance focuses on “Safe Homes for All,”

 

5. Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations: Key Provisions: The Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations (VCDR) establishes the rules governing diplomatic missions and their relations with receiving states. It sets out the functions of missions and the privileges and immunities needed for diplomats to carry them out, while also requiring respect for the host state’s laws. A state may be represented by a head of mission, such as an ambassador, high commissioner or chargé d’affaires. The sending state must obtain the receiving state’s agrément—its formal approval—for a proposed head of mission. The proposed head must await that decision outside the receiving country. The receiving state is not required to explain a refusal. After approval, the head of mission presents credentials to the receiving state’s head of state.

 

6. Invasive Lantana Spreads Across More Than 13 Million Hectares in India: American lantana, scientifically known as Lantana camara, is an invasive shrub that has spread through forest ecosystems in India. As of October 2026, one estimate places its spread at more than 13 million hectares. The plant was introduced to India as a garden shrub in the 19th century. Estimates of lantana’s spread vary across assessments. A study published in Global Ecology and Conservation in July 2026, led by Ninad Mungi, used data from India’s National Tiger Estimation Project and estimated lantana coverage at about 154,000 square kilometres, or 15.4 million hectares. The study found the plant across more than 40% of India’s tiger range. Separate accounts from December 2025 estimated that dense lantana thickets occupied about 74 million acres, equivalent to approximately 29.9 million hectares. A 2025 study estimated that lantana threatens 44% of India’s forest cover. In Himachal Pradesh, approximately 325,282 hectares of forests were infested, as recorded in the India State of Forest Report 2023.

 

7. Japan to Launch MMX Mission to Sample Phobos: Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) is scheduled to launch the Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission on 20 October 2026, Japan Standard Time. The spacecraft will travel aboard an H3 rocket from Tanegashima Space Center and attempt to return samples from Phobos, one of Mars’s two natural satellites. The MMX mission is planned to last about five years, with arrival in the Mars region expected around August 2027. The spacecraft is expected to spend approximately three years orbiting Phobos, collecting scientific data and preparing for sample collection. Its primary objective is to investigate how Phobos and Deimos formed and to examine their composition and geological history. The mission aims to collect at least 10 grams of material from two sites on Phobos. JAXA plans to use a coring method to obtain subsurface material, alongside a NASA-provided pneumatic sampler for surface material. The return module is scheduled to depart for Earth after sampling, with the sample capsule expected to land in Australia in 2031 before the material is transferred to Japan for analysis.

OTHER UPDATES:

 

DEFENCE

 

1. North Korea Tests AI-Enabled Zam-2.0 Torpedo: North Korea conducted an underwater test of the Zam-2.0, a new high-speed precision-guided torpedo system, on 15 October 2026. The country’s state news agency, KCNA, announced the test on 17 October and said artificial intelligence (AI) was used for target detection and guidance. A torpedo is a self-propelled underwater weapon designed to strike ships or submarines. A precision-guided torpedo uses guidance systems to adjust its course towards a target. The Zam-2.0 test examined AI-assisted target detection and guidance, as well as propulsion technology developed through more than 180 tests over five years. AI-enabled target detection involves processing information to identify a potential target, while guidance systems control a weapon’s movement towards it. The reported test concerned an underwater weapon system; it did not establish the extent of the system’s autonomous decision-making capabilities.

 

2. INS Sudarshini Visits Oman During Lokayan-2026: INS Sudarshini, a three-masted sail training ship of the Indian Navy, completed a port call at Salalah, Oman, during its ten-month Lokayan-2026 transoceanic deployment. The ship departed Salalah on 18 October 2026, following a visit from 14 to 17 October. Lokayan-2026 is a transoceanic naval deployment that uses a long-distance sailing voyage to train naval personnel in seamanship, resilience and leadership. A transoceanic voyage crosses an ocean or traverses a substantial part of it. The deployment’s stated objectives include nurturing professional seamanship among naval trainees and presenting India’s maritime heritage. The voyage is linked to MAHASAGAR, which stands for Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions. It also carries the ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam, a Sanskrit expression meaning “the world is one family”.

 

3. India-Australia Exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 Begins in Keralam: The fifth edition of the India-Australia joint military exercise AUSTRAHIND 2026 began on 19 October 2026 at the Foreign Training Node in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam. It is scheduled to continue until 1 November 2026, with around 240 personnel from the two armies participating. AUSTRAHIND is a bilateral army exercise involving Indian and Australian Army personnel. The Indian contingent in the 2026 edition includes troops from the Garhwal Rifles, while the Australian contingent includes troops from 13 Brigade. Each country has contributed approximately 120 personnel. An observer delegation from New Zealand is participating for the first time in this edition. The previous edition was held at Irwin Barracks in Perth, Australia, from 13 to 26 October 2025.

 

SPORTS

 

1. VIshvajit More Wins Historic Silver at U-23 World Wrestling Championships: Indian wrestler Vishvajit Ramchandra More has secured a historic silver medal at the U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, becoming the first Indian wrestler to reach a Greco-Roman final and win silver in the discipline at this competition. More competed in the men’s 55 kg category and narrowly missed the gold medal after losing 12–13 to Georgia’s Koba Karumidze in a closely contested final. The result marks an important milestone for India’s Greco-Roman wrestling programme, which has traditionally faced a challenging path at the international level.

 

2. Bhavina Patel Makes Winning Start at Asian Para Games: Tokyo Paralympics silver medallist Bhavina Patel opened her Asian Para Games campaign with a win in women’s singles para table tennis. She defeated Kuwait’s Ahad Alrasheedi 3–0 in a Class 4–5 Group A match, with game scores of 11–6, 11–3 and 11–6. Patel won the match in straight games, taking each game by at least five points. Para table tennis matches are played under table tennis rules, with classification based on athletes’ functional abilities. Games are generally played to 11 points, and a player must win by at least two points. Classes 1–5 in para table tennis are for wheelchair athletes, while Classes 6–10 are for standing athletes. Class 11 is for athletes with intellectual impairments. Within the wheelchair classes, Class 5 represents a higher level of functional ability than Class 4. Classification assesses how an impairment affects an athlete’s ability to perform in the sport.

 

3. Deepthi Jeevanji Sets Asian Para Games Record in 400m T20: Indian para-athlete Deepthi Jeevanji won the women’s 400m T20 gold medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 20 October 2026. She finished in 56.36 seconds, setting a new Asian Para Games record. It was India’s fifth gold medal at the event and its first gold on Day 2. Jeevanji finished ahead of Japan’s Niina Kanno, who won silver in 58.92 seconds. Japan’s Akane Kato took bronze in 1 minute 0.26 seconds. The 400m is a track event contested over one lap of a standard 400-metre athletics track. T20 is a track classification in para-athletics for athletes with an intellectual impairment. The letter T denotes track events, while the number identifies the sport class. Athletes compete against others in the same classification under rules established for para-athletics competition.

 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. Rare Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl Photographed in Kozhikode: A Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl (“Bubo nipalensis” or “Ketupa nipalensis”) was photographed in Janakikkad forest, Kozhikode district, on 16 October 2026. The observation is the first photographic record of the species in the district. The owl is also known locally as “Kolliyan” and “Kattumoonga”. The Spot-bellied Eagle-Owl belongs to the order Strigiformes, which includes owls, and the family Strigidae, commonly known as typical owls. The species is found in parts of South and Southeast Asia, including India. At about 55–65 centimetres long and 1.5–2.5 kilograms in weight, it is the second-largest owl species found in India. The owl has prominent ear tufts above its eyes and chevron-shaped markings across its pale underbelly. These features help distinguish it from other large owls. It is nocturnal and hunts mainly at night. Its prey includes snakes, other birds and small mammals. Dense evergreen forests, tropical valleys and shola forests are among its habitats.

 

2. Scientists Describe Three New Centipede Species in South India: Scientists described three new species of centipedes in the genus Rhysida from southern India on 16 October 2026. The species are Rhysida quadrispinosa, Rhysida coorgensis and Rhysida neyyarensis. Their addition brings India’s known Rhysida species to 23. The research involved the Western Ghat Regional Centre of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), based in Kozhikode, and Malabar Christian College. Centipedes belong to the class Chilopoda, a group of terrestrial arthropods. They are predators and have one pair of legs on each trunk segment. Their first pair of trunk appendages is modified into venom-bearing forcipules, which they use to capture prey. 

 

3. SpaDeX Satellites Re-enter Earth’s Atmosphere Seven Hours Apart: The Indian Space Research Organisation’s (ISRO) Space Docking Experiment (SpaDeX) satellites, SDX01 and SDX02, re-entered Earth’s atmosphere on 12 October 2026 in UTC, about seven hours apart. Their re-entry marked the end of a mission lasting nearly 21 months. Space docking is the joining of two spacecraft in orbit after they approach and align with one another. Rendezvous refers to the process by which spacecraft reach the same orbital vicinity; docking is the subsequent physical connection. ISRO launched SDX01 and SDX02 aboard a Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) from Sriharikota on 30 December 2024. Each satellite weighed approximately 220 kilograms and was designed to test spacecraft approach, docking, separation and electrical power transfer.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s Net Direct Tax Collections Rise 13.21% to ₹13.38 Lakh Crore in FY 2026–27: India’s net direct tax collections registered a growth of 13.21%, reaching ₹13.38 lakh crore as on October 14, 2026, compared to ₹11.82 lakh crore during the corresponding period of FY 2025–26, according to the latest direct tax collection data. Gross direct tax collections increased by 14.89% to ₹16.03 lakh crore, against ₹13.95 lakh crore in the previous year, reflecting strong revenue mobilization from corporate tax, non-corporate tax and Securities Transaction Tax (STT). The financial data highlights a significant growth trajectory across both gross collections and individual tax components compared to the previous fiscal year.

 

2. Fitch unit raises India FY27 growth forecast to 7.5%: BMI has raised India’s economic growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7.5% from the previous estimate of 6.8%. The agency cites strong growth momentum and ongoing investment in artificial intelligence as key factors. However, risks from rising oil prices and potential El Nino disruptions could negatively impact growth. Additionally, the forecast for 2027-28 has been adjusted down to 6.3%, reflecting concerns for household consumption.

 

3. FSSAI Proposes Infant Nutrition Regulation Amendment: The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) published the draft Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Amendment Regulations, 2026, in the Gazette of India on 16 October 2026. The draft proposes changes to the Food Safety and Standards (Foods for Infant Nutrition) Regulations, 2020, including a restriction on adding sucrose and fructose to products intended for infants up to six months of age. The draft proposes prohibiting the addition of sucrose and fructose in foods specifically intended for infants up to six months old. It concerns added sugars in infant nutrition products and does not describe a general prohibition on these sugars in all foods. The amendment is a draft regulatory proposal. Its publication in the Gazette of India does not, by itself, make the proposed provision a final regulation. The 2020 regulations remain the existing framework cited in the draft.