Daily Current Affairs – 18-08-2026

Economy News

India’s Merchandise Exports Rise 20% in July 2026

According to data released by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry on August 13, 2026, India’s merchandise exports increased by nearly 20% to $44.2 billion in July 2026, compared with July 2025. The merchandise trade deficit increased from about $28 billion in July 2025 to $32 billion in July 2026 due to higher imports. Petroleum product exports increased by 42.6% during April–July 2026 compared with the corresponding period in 2025 and were a major contributor to export growth. Engineering goods exports increased by 18.2% to $46.4 billion, while electronic goods exports increased by 30.7% to $21.2 billion. Exports of marine products, meat and dairy products, and handicrafts increased by 18%, 16% and 41%, respectively. The United States remained India’s largest merchandise export market, accounting for about one-fifth of total exports, while Singapore’s share increased to 4.7% during the first four months of 2026–27. Exports to Tanzania, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Kenya, Vietnam and Taiwan also recorded significant growth.

National News

Supreme Court Examines SHANTI Act on Nuclear Accident Compensation

The Supreme Court of India, headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant and a three-judge Bench, examined whether the statutory liability limits under the Sustainable Harnessing and Advancement of Nuclear Energy for Transforming India (SHANTI) Act, 2025 can restrict constitutional courts from awarding compensation to victims of nuclear accidents. The case concerns provisions of the SHANTI Act, 2025, which regulate the liability of nuclear installation operators, suppliers and manufacturers. The Supreme Court issued notice to the Union Government and the Atomic Energy Regulatory Board (AERB) on petitions filed by Prashant Bhushan and Neha Rathi challenging these provisions. The Act caps the government’s residual liability at 300 million Special Drawing Rights (SDR) and the liability of India’s largest nuclear plant operator at ₹3,000 crore. The case relates to legal issues concerning compensation and liability for nuclear accidents.

Supreme Court Directs SIT to Complete Ram Temple Donations Probe

The Supreme Court took on record the Uttar Pradesh government’s Office Memorandum dated July 25, 2026, constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate the alleged misappropriation of funds managed by the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra Trust. On July 27, 2026, the Supreme Court recorded the constitution of the SIT. The case was heard by a three-judge Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant. Petitioners and other bona fide persons were permitted to submit suggestions regarding aspects requiring further investigation to the office of Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, which could consider the suggestions and forward them to the SIT.

Personalities, Awards and Events

Gen. Dhiraj Seth Conferred Honorary Rank in Nepal

Indian Army Chief General Dhiraj Seth was conferred the honorary rank of General of the Nepalese Army by Nepal President Ramchandra Paudel at a special investiture ceremony held at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in Kathmandu. General Dhiraj Seth undertook an official visit to Nepal from August 17 to 19. The conferment of the honorary rank follows the long-standing tradition under which India and Nepal reciprocally confer the honorary rank of General on the Chiefs of each other’s Armies.

Science and Technology News

India to Lease Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian Drones for Navy

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹1,943 crore contract with U.S.-based General Atomics Aeronautical Systems Inc. to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) remotely piloted aircraft systems for the Indian Navy for 30 months. The systems are equipped with advanced sensors and payloads and will enhance the Navy’s Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA) and provide Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities over large maritime areas. The drones will also strengthen India’s ability to monitor maritime developments across the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

States’ News

President Assents to Rename Kerala as Keralam

President Droupadi Murmu has given assent to the Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, thereby making it law. The Lok Sabha passed the Bill on August 11, 2026, and the Rajya Sabha passed it on August 12, 2026. The Kerala Legislative Assembly had passed a resolution in 2024 requesting the change of the State’s name and forwarded it to the Union Government in June 2024. The Bill provides for changing the name of the State from Kerala to Keralam and making the necessary amendments in the First Schedule of the Constitution in accordance with Article 3.

Tamil Nadu News

Tamil Nadu Announces Free Annual Health Check-ups for Persons Aged 30 and Above

Tamil Nadu Health and Family Welfare Minister Dr. Ma. Subramanian announced the ‘Nalam – Integrated Free Health Check-up’ scheme, under which persons aged 30 years and above will receive 14 types of health screenings annually free of cost at 36 government medical college hospitals, 295 government hospitals, 424 upgraded Primary Health Centres, 463 urban health centres and 39 urban community health centres. Under the ‘Irumbu Kanmani’ scheme, about 16.5 lakh adolescent students studying in Classes 6, 9 and 11 in government and government-aided schools will be screened for anaemia and provided treatment and continuous monitoring at a cost of ₹6.37 crore. In the first phase, 2,500 additional nursing posts will be created and filled on a time-scale pay basis, while 1,695 new nursing posts will be created in government hospitals and government medical college hospitals at a cost of ₹42.72 crore. A total of 2,443 mid-level health providers will be appointed for improving urban health services. At a cost of ₹82.50 crore, 29 urban Primary Health Centres in 18 districts will be upgraded into Urban Community Health Centres, with 174 specialist doctors, 149 assistant medical officers and 604 health worker posts created. ₹16.06 crore has been allocated for enacting the State Important Medical Institutions Act. The WhatsApp-based hospital appointment system using 96192 22999 will be expanded to all hospitals. The Medical Services Recruitment Board (MRB) will fill 3,594 posts across 24 categories, including 1,090 pharmacists and 999 nursing assistants.

Tamil Nadu Announces New Health and Medical Service Initiatives

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Dr. K.G. Arunraj announced several health initiatives, including a public-private partnership (PPP) scheme for collecting blood samples from the homes of senior citizens, persons with disabilities and chronic disease patients. A patient feedback registration system will be introduced, and Bluetooth-enabled blood pressure monitoring devices will be provided to pregnant women affected by gestational hypertension. A Menstrual Counseling Policy will be implemented to identify and treat menstrual health-related problems at an early stage. A programme for detecting rare genetic disorders in newborns will be established in association with the Egmore Government Children’s Hospital, Chennai, and the Government Medical Colleges at Coimbatore and Madurai. A ‘Neo Genesis’ unit will be established for extremely low birth-weight babies, while insulin will be provided to children with Type-1 diabetes. Integrated Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Care Centres will be established for early detection, treatment and monitoring of non-communicable diseases. Training will be provided to 5,000 doctors and 12,456 Village Health Nurses for early identification of autism in children. A unique identification number will be provided to patients requiring continuous treatment and monitoring, and a rare blood group donor registry will be created. Financial assistance of ₹3,000 per month will be provided to HIV-affected children who have lost both parents and ₹2,000 per month to those who have lost one parent. For school students, 100 block-level school health units will be established at a cost of ₹1.60 crore to provide yoga and naturopathy services in association with the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK). Primary Fertility Centres will be established at 31 government medical college hospitals and 6 government district headquarters hospitals at a cost of ₹14 crore. Indian System of Medicine Fertility Treatment Centres will also be established in 30 government medical college hospitals at a cost of ₹1.03 crore. A total of 115 new announcements were made for the Health and Family Welfare Department.

Senior Citizens Health Insurance Scheme for Those Above 70

Tamil Nadu Health Minister Dr. K.G. Arunraj announced the implementation of the Chief Minister’s Senior Citizens Health Insurance Scheme to provide free medical treatment to approximately 38 lakh senior citizens aged above 70 years, without any income ceiling. Under the scheme, treatments including cancer care, cardiac surgeries, organ transplantation and advanced diagnostic tests will be provided free of cost at empanelled government and private hospitals. The Tamil Nadu Public Health Act, 1939, which forms the basis of the State’s public health system, will be replaced by a new comprehensive and future-oriented Tamil Nadu Public Health Act to address present and future health challenges; the new law will also include a provision making unassisted home births a punishable offence. A ‘Tamil Nadu Medical City’ will be established to provide integrated medical services, medical research, medical tourism and AYUSH services, with an initial allocation of ₹10 crore for preparing the Detailed Project Report (DPR). Super-specialty medical facilities will be introduced in all districts through the creation of 284 super-specialty medical posts.

peaker Conducted Limited Inquiry Before Accepting Six MLAs’ Resignations

Tamil Nadu Assembly Speaker J.C.D. Prabhakar informed the Madras High Court that he conducted a limited inquiry before accepting the resignations of six AIADMK MLAs between May 26 and June 29, 2026. The six MLAs were Esakki Subaya, S. Jayakumar, Maragatham Kumaravel, P. Sathyabama, C. Vijayabaskar and M.R. Vijayabhaskar, representing Ambasamudram, Perundurai, Maduranthagam, Dharapuram, Viralimalai and Karur constituencies respectively. The Speaker stated that the resignations were submitted in person and in the MLAs’ own handwriting and that he individually verified their voluntary nature. The matter was before a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Sushrut Arvind Dharmadhikari and Justice G. Arul Murugan following four writ petitions filed by AIADMK Whip Agri S.S. Krishnamurthy. The Speaker’s affidavit stated that his action was based on Article 190(3)(b) of the Constitution and Rule 22 of the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly Rules. The High Court took the affidavit on record and adjourned the hearing to September 1, 2026.

Madras Crocodile Bank Trust

Zai Whitaker, an author and Managing Trustee of the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust, has been associated with Chennai for 52 years. She began working with the Irular community and has been involved in activities related to the protection of natural resources. The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust in Chennai is associated with wildlife and reptile conservation and public awareness.

Women and Child Healthcare Initiatives

Tamil Nadu Health Minister K.G. Arunraj announced several healthcare initiatives focusing on women and children. The State will formulate India’s first Peri-Menopausal Care Policy to identify and address the physical and mental health needs of women in the peri-menopausal stage through screening, counselling and treatment, with weekly camps at Primary Health Centres (PHCs). Bluetooth-enabled BP monitors will be provided to 10,000 pregnant women in 14 districts in the first phase for real-time blood pressure monitoring. The government allocated ₹9.94 crore to provide free year-round insulin to children below 18 years with Type 1 diabetes in government hospitals. The Irumbu Kanmani Scheme, with an allocation of ₹6.37 crore, will cover about 16.5 lakh students of Classes VI, IX and XI in government and government-aided schools for anaemia prevention and haemoglobin monitoring. Around 4.5 lakh newborns in government hospitals will be screened for seven rare genetic diseases. Neo Genesis units for extremely low birth weight babies will be established in Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli at a cost of ₹16.81 crore. Training will also be provided to 12,000 village health nurses and 5,000 doctors for early detection of autism, along with a Childhood Obesity Prevention Programme in schools.