Current Affairs for Competitive Exams: 18 July 2026, Daily Roundup
Current Affairs – 18 July 2026
National Affairs
1. IAMAI Launches E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI): The Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) launched the E-Commerce Council of India (ECCI).
Importance (GS III):
- Unified platform for India’s $120 billion e-commerce sector.
- Promotes policy coordination, industry–government collaboration and regulatory reforms in digital commerce.
2. Index of Services Production (ISP) Introduced: MoSPI launched India’s first trial Index of Services Production (ISP).
Key Points:
- Monthly indicator of the services sector.
- Complements the Index of Industrial Production (IIP).
- Tracks sectors like trade, transport, telecom and financial services.
- Base Year: 2024–25.
3. PM Inaugurates Major Infrastructure Projects
- Inaugurated 75 redeveloped Amrit Bharat Railway Stations.
- Dedicated projects under the Delhi–Amritsar–Katra Expressway.
- Launched development projects in Chandigarh covering healthcare, education and road infrastructure.
4. Other Important Developments
- Delhi Start-up & Incubation Policy approved with an investment of ₹400 crore over five years.
- Self-enumeration for Census 2027 began in Tamil Nadu and Tripura.
- Gujarat topped the Investment Friendliness Index 2026.
- 45 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs inaugurated in Delhi.
International Current Affairs
1. BRICS Labour Ministers’ Meeting: The 12th BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Meeting concluded in Hyderabad.
- Adoption of the BRICS Labour & Employment Ministers’ Declaration.
- Launch of BRICS CONNECT, an Indian initiative for labour cooperation, digital skilling and best-practice sharing.
2. India–Japan High-Speed Rail: The MEA confirmed that cooperation on the Mumbai–Ahmedabad Bullet Train Project is progressing smoothly. Japan’s next-generation E20 Shinkansen trains are expected in the early 2030s.
3. Global Vaccine Partnership: The Serum Institute of India (SII) partnered with the Gates Medical Research Institute to manufacture the M72/AS01E Tuberculosis vaccine candidate for high-burden countries.
4. World News
- Iran claimed retaliatory strikes on US military facilities in Syria, Kuwait and Oman.
- US FDA approved Lipfendra (Enlicitide), the first oral PCSK9 inhibitor for lowering LDL cholesterol.
- The European Union warned Pakistan that continued GSP+ trade benefits will depend on compliance with international human rights commitments.
- US President Donald Trump accused China of election interference and announced new visa restrictions targeting extremist groups.
Defence & Science & Technology
1. India Ranked 3rd in WDMMA Global Air Power Rankings 2026: India secured the 3rd position in the World Directory of Modern Military Aircraft (WDMMA) Global Air Power Rankings 2026.
2. MH-60R Seahawk Delivered: The Indian Navy received another MH-60R Seahawk helicopter from the United States. It will enhance anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and strengthen maritime surveillance and Indo-Pacific security.
3. White Rabbit Technology Network: India inaugurated a White Rabbit Technology-based Indian Standard Time dissemination facility under the One Nation One Time initiative.
4. Defence Exercises
- INS Malvan, the second Mahe-class ASW Shallow Water Craft, is set for commissioning.
- Indian Air Force reached Australia for Exercise Pitch Black 2026 with Rafale fighters and C-17 aircraft.
- Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 will be held in Kochi from 20–23 July.
Sports
- PV Sindhu advanced to the Japan Open 2026 semi-finals after a walkover.
- Hockey India announced its 20-member squad for the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026, led by Salima Tete.
- The White House confirmed that US President Donald Trump will attend the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final between Argentina and Spain.
- West Indies cricket legend Sir Garfield Sobers passed away at the age of 89.
Global Observance
Nelson Mandela International Day (18 July): Theme: “It’s in our hands.”
Observed to honour Nelson Mandela’s 67 years of public service, encouraging individuals to devote 67 minutes to community service, equality and peace.
Miscellaneous One-Liners Current Affairs
- Anurag Kumar (IPS) appointed as the new Delhi Police Commissioner.
- Saushrutam 2026, an international seminar on Ayurvedic surgery, inaugurated by President Droupadi Murmu.
- Researchers discovered India’s first subterranean freshwater fish (Gitchak Nakana) in Assam.
- Manasbal Lake (J&K) witnessed the return of migratory birds after wetland restoration.
- Moozhikkal Pankajakshi, renowned Nokkuvidya artist and Padma Shri awardee, passed away.
- Government proposed amendments to the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 to include legal protection for Vande Mataram.
