Daily Current Affairs August 18

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August 18 | Daily Current Affairs 2026

Important Days – Daily Current Affairs August 18

1. On which date is Subhas Chandra Bose Death Anniversary 2026 observed?
A) August 15
B) August 18
C) August 21
D) January 23
E) October 21
Answer: B) August 18.

Event and Location:

• Event: Subhas Chandra Bose Death Anniversary 2026 was observed to mark 81 years since the reported death of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose.
• Location: The anniversary was observed in India, while Bose’s reported death occurred near Taihoku, Formosa, now Taipei in Taiwan.
• Date: August 18, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The observance commemorates Subhas Chandra Bose’s role in India’s freedom movement, including his leadership of the Indian National Army and establishment of the Provisional Government of Free India.
• Objectives: The anniversary aims to remember Bose’s contribution to India’s struggle for complete independence, his advocacy of armed resistance against British rule, and his enduring political and nationalist legacy.

Important Terms Explained:

• Indian National Army (INA): Also known as the Azad Hind Fauj, it was led by Subhas Chandra Bose in Southeast Asia and fought alongside Japanese forces against British rule during the Second World War.
• Azad Hind Government: The Provisional Government of Free India was proclaimed by Bose on October 21, 1943, as a government representing the objective of establishing an independent India.
• Forward Bloc: It was formed by Bose after his differences with the Indian National Congress leadership and aimed to consolidate left-wing and nationalist political forces.
• National Planning Committee: It was established in 1938 during Bose’s tenure as Congress president to focus on industrialisation and planned economic development in India.

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Sports – Daily Current Affairs August 18

2. Who won the Open section gold medal at the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2026?
A) Sharnarthi Viresh
B) Nandish V S
C) Vignesh Vermula
D) Akshay Borgaonkar
E) Madhavendra Pratap Sharma
Answer: C) Vignesh Vermula.

Event and Location:

• Event: Indian chess players Vignesh Vermula and Saranya Devi won gold medals in the Open and Girls’ sections respectively at the Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship 2026.
• Location: The championship was held at ITC Maratha Sheraton in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
• Date: The blitz event was held on August 17, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Asian Junior Blitz Chess Championship featured separate Open and Girls’ competitions for junior chess players from across Asia, with rankings determined by tournament scores and applicable tie-break criteria.
• Objectives: The championship aims to provide young Asian chess players with high-level competitive exposure while testing tactical ability, quick decision-making and time management in the blitz format.

Important Terms Explained:

• Blitz Chess: It is a fast-paced format of chess in which players must complete their games within a short fixed time, placing greater emphasis on tactics, quick calculation and time management.
• Tie-break Score: It is a secondary scoring criterion used to determine final rankings when two or more players finish with the same number of points.
• Asian Junior Chess Championship: It is a continental-level chess competition for junior players from Asian countries, featuring different competitive categories including Open and Girls’ events.

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Appointments – Daily Current Affairs August 18

3. Who will succeed Sunil Bharti Mittal as Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank from October 1, 2026?
A) Shabnam Sinha
B) Naina Lal Kidwai
C) Renu Sud Karnad
D) Arundhati Bhattacharya
E) Kalpana Morparia
Answer: A) Shabnam Sinha.

Event and Location:

• Event: Shabnam Sinha has been appointed Chairperson of Airtel Payments Bank for a three-year term, succeeding Sunil Bharti Mittal.
• Location: The leadership transition concerns Airtel Payments Bank’s operations across India.
• Date: Shabnam Sinha will assume office on October 1, 2026, after Sunil Bharti Mittal steps down on September 30, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The appointment was approved by the Board of Airtel Payments Bank and the Reserve Bank of India, with Sinha set to lead the bank for three years from October 1, 2026.
• Objectives: The leadership transition is expected to support the bank’s financial inclusion, digital banking, institutional development, and expansion of accessible financial services across urban and rural India.

Important Terms Explained:

• Payments Bank: A payments bank is a differentiated bank designed to promote financial inclusion by offering services such as deposits, payments, remittances, and digital banking, subject to regulatory restrictions prescribed by the RBI.
• Financial Inclusion: It refers to providing affordable and accessible financial products and services to individuals and communities that are underserved or excluded from the formal banking system.
• UPI Autopay: It is a feature of the Unified Payments Interface that enables customers to create recurring electronic payment mandates for services such as subscriptions, bills, and other periodic payments.
• Banking Correspondent: A banking correspondent is an authorised agent who provides basic banking services on behalf of a bank, particularly in areas where conventional bank branches may not be easily accessible.

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Awards – Daily Current Affairs August 18

4. Who conferred Nepal’s honorary General rank on Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth in Kathmandu?
A) Ram Chandra Paudel
B) Ashok Raj Sigdel
C) Pradeep Jung KC
D) Naveen Srivastava
E) Pushpa Kamal Dahal
Answer: A) Ram Chandra Paudel.

Event and Location:

• Event: Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was awarded the honorary rank of General of the Nepali Army by Nepal President Ram Chandra Paudel as part of a longstanding military tradition between India and Nepal.
• Location: The honour was conferred in Kathmandu, Nepal, during General Seth’s official visit.
• Date: August 17, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: General Dhiraj Seth’s official engagements included receiving the honorary General rank, a Guard of Honour at Nepali Army Headquarters, paying homage at the Army Pavilion in Tundikhel, and holding military-level discussions with senior Nepali officials.
• Objectives: The visit aims to strengthen bilateral military cooperation, sustain the traditional ties between the Indian and Nepali armies, and facilitate discussions on matters of mutual defence interest.

Important Terms Explained:

• Honorary General Rank Tradition: It is a reciprocal military tradition dating back to 1950 under which the Army chiefs of India and Nepal are conferred the honorary rank of General in each other’s armies.
• Guard of Honour: It is a ceremonial military tribute accorded to distinguished dignitaries and senior officials during formal visits or official occasions.
• Bilateral Military Talks: These are official discussions between military representatives of two countries to strengthen defence cooperation, exchange views on security matters, and enhance institutional ties.

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5. How many sportspersons were selected for the Arjuna Awards for Outstanding Performance under the National Sports Awards 2025?
A) 15
B) 16
C) 17
D) 18
E) 20
Answer: C) 17.

Event and Location:

• Event: The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports announced the National Sports Awards 2025, selecting 17 sportspersons for the Arjuna Awards along with recipients in other award categories.
• Location: The awards were announced by the Government of India for achievements across various sports disciplines in India.
• Date: August 18, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The National Sports Awards recognise outstanding sportspersons, coaches and organisations for excellence, sustained contribution and promotion of sports and games.
• Objectives: The awards aim to honour exceptional sporting performances, recognise coaches who nurture sporting talent and acknowledge organisations contributing to sports development.

Important Terms Explained:

• Arjuna Award: It is a national sports honour presented to sportspersons for outstanding achievements and distinguished performance in sports and games.
• Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: It is India’s highest sporting honour for exceptional achievements by sportspersons, with no recipient selected for the 2025 awards.
• Dronacharya Award: It recognises coaches for outstanding and meritorious work in training and developing sportspersons.
• Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar: It recognises organisations, corporate entities and other institutions for significant contributions to the promotion and development of sports.

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Science and Technology – Daily Current Affairs August 18

6. What is the name of the newly discovered Himalayan plant species named after mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja?
A) Impatiens purjai
B) Impatiens nimspurjai
C) Impatiens myagdiensis
D) Impatiens nirmalii
E) Impatiens himalayensis
Answer: B) Impatiens nimspurjai.

Event and Location:

• Event: A newly discovered Himalayan flowering plant species, Impatiens nimspurjai, has been named in honour of Nepalese mountaineer Nirmal “Nimsdai” Purja.
• Location: The plant was discovered in Myagdi district of Gandaki Province, Nepal, at an altitude of about 2,800–2,900 metres.
• Date: The discovery and naming were reported in August 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Researchers Bhakta Bahadur Raskoti and Rita Ale identified the new species belonging to the Impatiens genus and named it after Nirmal Purja in recognition of his association with the Himalayas.
• Objectives: The naming aims to honour Purja’s mountaineering achievements and environmental activities while highlighting the botanical diversity of Nepal’s Himalayan region.

Important Terms Explained:

• Impatiens Genus: It is a genus of flowering plants found across several regions of Asia, with species commonly known as tiuri in Nepal.
• Himalayan Biodiversity: It refers to the wide variety of plant and animal species found across the Himalayan ecosystem, including many species adapted to high-altitude environments.
• Nimsdai Foundation: It is an initiative associated with Nirmal Purja that supported environmental activities, including mountain clean-up programmes aimed at removing expedition waste from high-altitude regions.

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Defence – Daily Current Affairs August 18

7. Where is Exercise MAITREE-XV 2026 being conducted?
A) Umroi, Meghalaya
B) Surat Thani, Thailand
C) Bangkok, Thailand
D) Pune, Maharashtra
E) Chiang Mai, Thailand
Answer: B) Surat Thani, Thailand.

Event and Location:

• Event: Exercise MAITREE-XV 2026 is the 15th joint military exercise between India and Thailand, involving joint training in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations.
• Location: The exercise is being conducted at Vibhavadi Rangsit Camp in Surat Thani, Thailand.
• Date: August 18 to 31, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Indian Army and Royal Thai Army are conducting company-level joint training involving field exercises, combat discussions, demonstrations, operational experience exchange, modern military equipment displays, and a final validation exercise.
• Objectives: The exercise aims to strengthen interoperability, enhance joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism capabilities in jungle and semi-urban terrain, exchange best practices, and deepen defence cooperation between India and Thailand.

Important Terms Explained:

• Counter-Insurgency Operations: These are military and security operations undertaken to counter organised insurgent groups while restoring stability and maintaining control in affected areas.
• Counter-Terrorism Operations: These are coordinated military or security actions designed to prevent, deter, and respond to terrorist threats and attacks.
• UN Chapter VII: Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter provides the framework for actions relating to threats to peace, breaches of peace, and acts of aggression, including enforcement measures.
• Interoperability: It refers to the ability of armed forces from different countries to operate together effectively through coordinated procedures, communication, and joint training.

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8. For how long will the Indian Navy lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones under the ₹1,943 crore contract?
A) 18 months
B) 24 months
C) 30 months
D) 36 months
E) 48 months
Answer: C) 30 months.

Event and Location:

• Event: The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore contract with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. for leasing two MQ-9B Sea Guardian HALE RPAS for the Indian Navy.
• Location: The contract was signed at Kartavya Bhawan-2 in New Delhi, while the drones will support surveillance across India’s maritime areas, particularly the Indian Ocean Region.
• Date: August 17, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The contract provides for the lease of two MQ-9B Sea Guardian remotely piloted aircraft systems to the Indian Navy for 30 months, equipped with advanced sensors, mission payloads, and extended surveillance capabilities.
• Objectives: The lease aims to strengthen the Indian Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness and enable persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions over extensive maritime areas.

Important Terms Explained:

• High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE): It refers to aircraft systems capable of operating at high altitudes for extended periods, making them suitable for long-duration surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
• Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS): It is an unmanned aircraft system operated remotely by trained personnel and equipped with associated control, communication, sensor, and mission systems.
• Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA): It refers to comprehensive awareness and understanding of activities, developments, and potential threats occurring within the maritime environment.
• Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR): It refers to coordinated activities used to collect, monitor, and analyse information for operational awareness and security decision-making.

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9. Where did the 8th edition of the India-USN EOD Exercise 2026 conclude?
A) Visakhapatnam
B) Mumbai
C) Kochi
D) Chennai
E) Goa
Answer: C) Kochi.

Event and Location:

• Event: The 8th edition of the India-USN EOD Exercise 2026 concluded after specialised joint training between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy in explosive ordnance disposal and maritime operations.
• Location: The exercise was conducted at the Southern Naval Command in Kochi, Kerala, India.
• Date: The exercise concluded on August 14, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: Indian and US naval personnel conducted expert discussions, demonstrations and practical training covering improvised explosive devices, mine neutralisation, render-safe procedures, unmanned underwater systems, specialised diving, wreck location, salvage and slithering operations.
• Objectives: The exercise aimed to enhance professional skills, exchange specialised knowledge, improve interoperability and strengthen maritime defence cooperation between the Indian Navy and the United States Navy.

Important Terms Explained:

• Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD): It refers to specialised procedures used to detect, identify, assess, render safe and dispose of explosive threats such as bombs, mines and improvised explosive devices.
• Improvised Explosive Device (IED): It is an explosive weapon constructed and deployed through unconventional methods, requiring specialised detection and disposal techniques.
• Render-Safe Operations: These are specialised procedures undertaken to neutralise or disable explosive devices so that they no longer pose an immediate threat.
• Mine Neutralisation: It refers to the detection and safe destruction or disabling of naval or underwater mines that may threaten vessels, ports or maritime operations.
• Unmanned Underwater Systems: These are remotely operated or autonomous underwater platforms used for tasks such as surveillance, mine detection, inspection and specialised maritime missions.

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Schemes – Daily Current Affairs August 18

10. What is the minimum disability percentage required to be eligible for UP Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Yojana 2026?
A) 20 percent
B) 30 percent
C) 40 percent
D) 50 percent
E) 60 percent
Answer: C) 40 percent.

Event and Location:

• Event: The UP Divyangjan Sashaktikaran Yojana 2026 provides financial assistance, assistive devices, scholarships, travel facilities, and skill development opportunities to eligible Persons with Disabilities.
• Location: The scheme is implemented across Uttar Pradesh by the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• Date: The scheme was originally launched in 2016 and continues as a welfare initiative in 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The scheme provides eligible Persons with Disabilities with welfare support such as monthly pension assistance, free assistive devices, UP Roadways travel facilities, scholarships, and industry-relevant skill training.
• Objectives: The scheme aims to promote economic independence, self-reliance, dignified livelihood, employability, and greater social and economic participation of Persons with Disabilities.

Important Terms Explained:

• Persons with Disabilities (PwDs): Individuals having disabilities that may affect physical, mental, intellectual, or sensory functioning, with the scheme requiring a minimum disability level of 40 percent for eligibility.
• AVGC: Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming and Comics is a high-growth industry segment included among the skill-development areas targeted under the scheme.
• Assistive Devices: These are aids or equipment provided to help persons with disabilities overcome functional limitations and improve mobility, accessibility, or independent living.

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National Affairs – Daily Current Affairs August 18

11. Where will Asia’s first desert-themed night safari be developed?
A) Juna Deesa, Gujarat
B) Kutch, Gujarat
C) Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
D) Gir, Gujarat
E) Bikaner, Rajasthan
Answer: A) Juna Deesa, Gujarat.

Event and Location:

• Event: Gujarat will develop Asia’s first Desert Zoological Park and Night Safari, approved by the Central Zoo Authority on August 12, 2026.
• Location: The project will be developed at Juna Deesa in Banaskantha district, Gujarat, over approximately 103 hectares of government-owned land.
• Date: The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) approved the project on August 12, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The Gujarat Forest Department will develop a desert-themed zoological park featuring a drive-through night safari, five dedicated night safari enclosures, a day zoo, and facilities for approximately 2,700 animals and birds representing about 83 species.
• Objectives: The project aims to promote wildlife awareness and eco-tourism while showcasing native and exotic species suited to desert and arid ecosystem settings.

Important Terms Explained:

• Night Safari: A night safari is a wildlife tourism facility designed to allow visitors to observe animals during nighttime, with the Gujarat project planning a drive-through experience across five dedicated enclosures.
• Desert and Arid Ecosystem: It refers to an environment characterised by low rainfall and dry conditions, supporting plants and animals adapted to limited water availability.
• Eco-tourism: It refers to nature-based tourism that promotes environmental awareness and responsible engagement with natural habitats and wildlife.

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12. At which international event was India’s first Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems launched?
A) UNFCCC COP31
B) UNCCD COP17
C) CBD COP17
D) G20 Environment Summit
E) World Conservation Congress
Answer: B) UNCCD COP17.

Event and Location:

• Event: India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at the 17th Session of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
• Location: The guide was launched at UNCCD COP17 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.
• Date: The conference began on August 17, 2026.

Mandates and Objectives:

• Mandates: The guide documents India’s grasslands, savannahs, deserts, scrublands, rocky plateaus, ravines, coastal ecosystems and other open landscapes, along with their biodiversity, ecological characteristics and associated communities.
• Objectives: The initiative seeks to promote science-based conservation, restoration and sustainable land management while recognising the importance of open ecosystems for biodiversity, livelihoods, carbon storage and climate resilience.

Important Terms Explained:

• United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD): It is an international convention focused on combating desertification, addressing land degradation and mitigating the effects of drought through sustainable land management.
• Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs): These are naturally occurring non-forest landscapes such as grasslands, savannahs, deserts, scrublands and rocky plateaus that support distinct biodiversity and human livelihoods.
• Pastoralism: It is a livelihood system based primarily on the rearing and movement of livestock across grazing landscapes such as grasslands and rangelands.
• Carbon Sequestration: It is the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon, including in soils and vegetation, thereby contributing to climate-change mitigation.
• Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN): It is an approach aimed at maintaining or improving the amount and quality of productive land resources by balancing land degradation with restoration and sustainable management.

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Over All Review

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