Daily GK Update- 18th April, 2026

 

NATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. Telangana Launches ‘Project Sanjeevani’ for Highway Trauma Care: Telangana has launched Project Sanjeevani to pilot India’s first fully integrated trauma care and highway rescue protocol on a stretch of NH-44.The project was introduced during the ‘Arrive Alive’ Road Safety Week (April 13–17) under the 99-Day Action Plan (Praja Palana Pragati Pranalika).Implemented by SaveLIFE Foundation in collaboration with National Highways Authority of India, the pilot covers a 251 km stretch between Hyderabad and Adilabad and aims to become a scalable national model.

 

2. 173 Years of Indian Railways: Ashwini Vaishnaw Celebrates Historic First Train Journey: Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw marked the 173rd anniversary of India’s first passenger train (16 April 1853), which ran between Bori Bunder (Mumbai) and Thane.He shared a historic image of the Thane railway bridge and released a collage comparing the early train with a modern Amrit Bharat Express, highlighting the journey of Indian Railways.

 

3. India Achieves Record $860 Billion Exports in FY 2025–26 with 4.2% Growth: India achieved a record export of $860 billion in FY 2025-26, surpassing the previous year’s $825 billion.The exports registered a 4.2% growth, reflecting steady expansion in India’s global trade performance.

 

4. India’s Unemployment Rate Rises to 5.1% in March 2026: India’s unemployment rate rose to a five-month high of 5.1% in March 2026, up from 4.9% in February 2026.The data is based on the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) released by the National Statistics Office (NSO).The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) stood at 55.4%, while the Worker Population Ratio (WPR) declined to 52.6% in March 2026, indicating employment trends in the country.

 

5. FIU–PFRDA Sign MoU to Strengthen AML & Counter Terror Financing Efforts: Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) and Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) signed an MoU to enhance information sharing and coordination between the two agencies.The agreement will facilitate joint outreach and training programmes for regulated and reporting entities to strengthen compliance mechanisms.The initiative aims to boost Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and Combating Financing of Terrorism (CFT) efforts by assessing risks, identifying vulnerabilities, and sharing red flag indicators for suspicious transactions.

 

6. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare Hosts First BRICS Health Working Group Meeting 2026 in New Delhi: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare chaired the 1st BRICS Health Working Group (HWG) Meeting 2026 in New Delhi, bringing together member countries to discuss cooperation in public health.As BRICS Chair 2026, India is guided by the theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, emphasizing a people-centric approach and stronger global health collaboration.Two new priority areas proposed by India: BRICS Mission for Healthy Lifestyles (focus on diet, physical activity, tobacco, alcohol risks) Promotion of Mental Health and Wellness (reduce stigma, improve services, integrate into public health)

 

7. Nari Shakti Vandan Bill Fails in Lok Sabha After Missing Two-Thirds Majority: The Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam (Constitution 106th Amendment Act, 2023) was defeated in the Lok Sabha after failing to secure the required two-thirds majority for a Constitutional amendment.The Bill proposed 33% reservation for women in Lok Sabha, State Assemblies, and Delhi Assembly, along with increasing Lok Sabha seats from 543 to 816 after delimitation based on the 2011 Census. Out of 489 members present, 278 voted in favour and 211 against, with no abstentions, leading to the Bill’s rejection.

 

INTERNATIONAL UPDATES:

 

1. China Becomes India’s Largest Trading Partner in 2025–26: China has overtaken the United States to become India’s largest trading partner in 2025–26, with bilateral trade reaching USD 151.1 billion. India’s trade deficit with China widened significantly to around USD 112 billion, as imports (USD 131.63 billion) far exceeded exports (USD 19.47 billion). While exports to China grew sharply by 36.66%, India’s trade surplus with the United States declined due to slower export growth and rising imports.

 

2. Gujarat Signs MoU to Set Up Indo-Taiwan Industrial Park in Sanand–Dholera Region: The Gujarat Government has signed an MoU to establish an Indo-Taiwan Industrial Park in the Sanand–Dholera region to boost industrial development. The agreement was signed with Allegiance International Company Limited to strengthen India–Taiwan industrial collaboration and investment.

 

3. World Bank Group Launches ‘Water Forward’ Initiative to Ensure Water Security for 1 Billion People by 2030: World Bank Group launched a global initiative named “Water Forward”, aiming to ensure water security for over 1 billion people by 2030. A key feature of the initiative is country-led “Water Compacts”, where governments will set reform priorities, strengthen institutions, and develop investment pathways for water management. The World Bank Group has committed to directly support water security for 400 million people by 2030, as part of its targeted contribution under the programme. The initiative brings together major global lenders, including the Asian Development Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, European Investment Bank, and New Development Bank to accelerate funding and project implementation.

 

4. 17 April – World Hemophilia Day: World Hemophilia Day is observed every year on 17 April to raise awareness about hemophilia and other inherited bleeding disorders. Theme 2026 – Diagnosis: First Step to Care The day highlights the importance of early diagnosis, proper treatment, and access to care for people living with bleeding disorders. It is led by the World Federation of Hemophilia (WFH), aiming to improve healthcare support and quality of life for patients worldwide.

 

5. Australia-Japan $7 Billion Warship Defence Deal: Australia and Japan have signed a major $7 billion defence agreement for the supply of advanced stealth warships to the Royal Australian Navy, marking one of Japan’s largest military export deals in recent decades. The agreement reflects deepening strategic cooperation between the two Indo-Pacific partners amid rising regional security concerns and growing Chinese naval presence in the region. Under the deal, Japan will deliver the first three upgraded Mogami-class frigates from 2029, while eight additional warships will be constructed in Australia. The project forms part of Canberra’s long-term naval modernisation plan aimed at strengthening maritime defence capabilities and protecting critical sea lanes. The contract was signed in Tokyo in the presence of Australia’s Defence Minister Richard Marles and Japan’s Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi, both of whom emphasised stronger bilateral defence cooperation.

 

OTHER UPDATES:

DEFENCE

 

1. Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool for Shipping Risks: The Union Government has approved the Bharat Maritime Insurance Pool with a sovereign guarantee fund of Rs 12,980 crore to strengthen India’s maritime insurance sector. The move comes amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, especially disruptions affecting major global shipping routes. The initiative aims to protect Indian shipping interests by ensuring stable insurance coverage and reducing dependence on foreign insurers. Global conflicts, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Middle East region, have increased risks for commercial shipping. As a result, insurance premiums for ships and cargo have risen sharply, while approvals for marine insurance have become stricter and are often granted only on a case-to-case basis. This created uncertainty for Indian shipping companies and increased operational costs.

 

SPORTS

 

1. Hockey Jharkhand Clinches Third Consecutive Sub-Junior Women’s National Title: Hockey Jharkhand won the 16th Hockey India Sub-Junior Women’s National Championship, securing a third consecutive title (2024–2026) and showcasing dominance at the grassroots level. The success is backed by strong infrastructure development in Jharkhand, including extensive astroturf facilities built between 2014 and 2026, helping nurture young hockey talent.

 

2. Vaishali Wins FIDE Women’s Candidates 2026: Vaishali won the FIDE Women’s Candidates Tournament 2026 in Cyprus, defeating Kateryna Lagno and finishing with 8.5/14 points. With this victory, Vaishali has earned the right to challenge reigning world champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Championship later this year.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

 

1. US Plans Space Nuclear Reactors by 2030: The United States has announced an ambitious plan to deploy nuclear reactors in space orbit by 2028 and on the Moon by 2030. The move follows the successful splashdown of the Artemis-2 mission and reflects Washington’s broader goal of strengthening its leadership in space exploration, commerce, and defence. The initiative is part of a new policy memorandum titled “National Initiative for American Space Nuclear Power”, issued by the White House on April 14, 2026. The memorandum states that the US aims to lead the world in developing and deploying space nuclear power systems. It focuses on using nuclear reactors to support long-term missions in Earth orbit, on the lunar surface, and eventually for human missions to Mars. The plan also seeks stronger partnerships between government agencies and private companies to accelerate development and reduce costs.

 

2. SpaceX to Launch Rosalind Franklin Rover to Mars 2028: Global space exploration is set for a major milestone as Elon Musk’s SpaceX prepares to launch the Rosalind Franklin rover to Mars in 2028. The mission, part of the European-led ExoMars programme, aims to search for signs of past or present life on the Red Planet. After facing multiple delays, the renewed collaboration marks a significant step forward in international space cooperation. The Rosalind Franklin rover, developed under the leadership of the European Space Agency with support from NASA, is specifically designed to detect biosignatures of life. Its primary objective is to explore the Martian subsurface, where evidence of life is more likely to be preserved. This mission is a key part of astrobiology research, which seeks to understand whether life exists beyond Earth.

 

BANKING AND FINANCE

 

1. India’s Wholesale Inflation Rises to 3-Month High of 3.9% in March on Rising Fuel and Power Costs: India’s wholesale inflation, measured by the Wholesale Price Index, rose to a three-month high of 9% in March due to rising fuel and power costs. The data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry indicates increasing pressure from higher energy input costs, with analysts warning that the trend may continue in the near term.

 

2. Shriram Finance Gets RBI Nod for Primary Dealer Business; Shares Rise on Positive Market Sentiment: Shriram Finance’s wholly owned subsidiary, Shriram Overseas Investments Ltd, has received in-principle approval from the Reserve Bank of India to start a Primary Dealer business.

The new business will begin after fulfilling the conditions specified by the RBI, and is expected to strengthen Shriram Finance’s position in the financial market.

 

3. Life Insurance Corporation of India Launches MyLIC & Super Sales Saathi Apps to Boost Digital Services: Life Insurance Corporation of India launched two mobile apps—MyLIC (for customers) and Super Sales Saathi (for agents)—to enhance digital services and customer experience. The MyLIC app enables users to manage policies, pay premiums, track benefits in real time, avail paperless loans, revive lapsed policies, and purchase new policies online. The Super Sales Saathi app provides AI-driven sales tools, real-time policy tracking, customer communication, digital sales kits, and performance dashboards, powered by LIC’s DIVE (Digital Innovation & Value Enhancement) initiative.