Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (18th September, 2026) |

National News

Gondhal Selected as India’s Official Entry for Oscars 2027

Marathi thriller Gondhal, directed by Santosh Davakhar, has been selected as India’s official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 99th Academy Awards.
The Film Federation of India announced the selection on September 18, 2026, after considering 33 films.
The film is set against Maharashtra’s traditional Gondhal folk performance and follows Suman, a married woman caught in a story of love, betrayal and deception.
The cast includes Kishor Kadam, Ishita Deshmukh, Yogesh Sohoni, Nishad Bhoir and Anuj Prabhu.
The music for the film has been composed by Ilaiyaraaja.
Key Fact: Oscars 2027 ceremony will be held on March 14, 2027, at the Dolby Theatre, Los Angeles.

NHAI OneTag Allows FASTag Bank Changes Without Replacement

The government has introduced OneTag, a FASTag portability facility that allows users to change their issuing bank without replacing the FASTag.
The facility was launched on September 17, 2026, by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari at the Global Fintech Fest 2026 in Mumbai.
OneTag has been developed by IHMCL and NPCI and is available through the Rajmargyatra app.
The existing FASTag ID remains linked to the vehicle registration number even after changing the bank.
Users need to complete verification with the old issuer, select a new issuer and complete the required KYC process.
Key Fact: A six-month cooling period applies before another portability request.

India-Born Cheetah Gives Birth to Four Cubs in Kuno

India-born female cheetah KGP12 has given birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh.
Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the development on September 18, 2026.
The birth came a day after India completed four years of the Project Cheetah programme.
Cheetahs were declared extinct in India in 1952.
Project Cheetah began on September 17, 2022, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi released eight cheetahs brought from Namibia at Kuno.
Key Fact: Project Cheetah was launched on September 17, 2022.

MEA Changes Passport Validity Rules for Children Below 15

The Ministry of External Affairs has changed passport validity rules for children below 15 years.
The changes were notified through the Passports (Amendment) Rules, 2026, published in the Gazette on September 17, 2026.
The amendment modifies provisions under the Passports Rules, 1980.
An ordinary 36-page passport issued to a child below 15 will have a shorter validity period.
The validity will depend on the child’s age at the time of passport issuance.
Key Fact: The passport is valid for five years or until the child turns 18, whichever is earlier.

PM Vishwakarma Completes Three Years With 30 Lakh Artisans

The PM Vishwakarma scheme completed three years on September 18, 2026.
The scheme was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 17, 2023.
Around 30 lakh artisans have registered under the programme, while 24.50 lakh have completed basic skill training.
Around 18.15 lakh beneficiaries have received modern toolkits, while 6.18 lakh have received loans of up to ₹1 lakh.
The loans are provided at a concessional interest rate of 5% annually, with ₹5,297 crore disbursed.
Key Fact: Around 30 lakh artisans have registered under PM Vishwakarma.

State News

Ladakh Inaugurates World’s Highest Flower Fields at 10,600 Feet

Ladakh has inaugurated twin flower fields at an altitude of 10,600 feet in Choglamsar and Stakna.
The fields cover around 40 acres and contain more than 25 lakh flowers.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the projects on September 17, 2026.
The fields include around 24 lakh Lilium and one lakh Gladiolus flowers.
The initiative aims to promote commercial floriculture and create local livelihood opportunities.
Key Fact: The flower fields are located at 10,600 feet above sea level.

International News

ByteDance Founder Zhang Yiming Becomes Asia’s Richest Person

Zhang Yiming, founder of ByteDance, has become Asia’s richest person, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
His estimated net worth has reached around $105 billion, putting him ahead of Gautam Adani.
Zhang was born in 1983 in Fujian, China, and studied software engineering at Nankai University.
He founded ByteDance in 2012, launched Douyin in 2016 and expanded TikTok internationally after acquiring Musical.ly in 2017.
He stepped down as ByteDance CEO in 2021 but remains associated with the company’s technology and AI efforts.
Key Fact: Zhang Yiming founded ByteDance in 2012.

Japan Raises Interest Rate to 1.25%, Highest Since 1995

The Bank of Japan has raised its benchmark interest rate from 1% to 1.25%.
The new rate is the highest level recorded in Japan since 1995.
Japan began raising rates in 2024 after maintaining a negative interest-rate policy for years.
Core inflation stood at 1.7% in August, remaining close to the central bank’s 2% target.
Higher energy costs, a weaker yen and global oil and gas pressures have contributed to inflation concerns.
Key Fact: Japan’s new benchmark interest rate is 1.25%.

India and Japan to Celebrate 75 Years of Diplomatic Relations

India and Japan will celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations in 2027.
The two countries have designated 2027 as the India-Japan Year of Shared Horizons.
Formal diplomatic relations between India and Japan were established in 1952.
India-Japan Week is planned for the week of April 28, 2027, with several cultural and people-to-people initiatives.
Initiatives include SPORT-75, Cricket Kizuna-75, IMAGE-75, Shared Future-75 and RASA-75.
Key Fact: India and Japan established formal diplomatic relations in 1952.

Business News

N Chandrasekaran Reappointed Tata Sons Chairman for Five Years

The Tata Sons board has unanimously approved the reappointment of N Chandrasekaran as chairman for another five years.
The decision was taken on September 17, 2026, after the board asked him to reconsider his earlier decision not to seek an extension.
Chandrasekaran has led Tata Sons since 2017 and was reappointed in 2022.
His current term is scheduled to end in February 2027.
Tata Trusts Chairman Noel Tata opposed the decision, stating that the board resolution lacked the required approval from Trust nominees.
Key Fact: N Chandrasekaran has served as Tata Sons chairman since 2017.

Banking News

RBI Cancels Licences of Five NBFCs, Eight Surrender Registrations

The Reserve Bank of India has taken regulatory action against 13 NBFCs.
The RBI cancelled the Certificates of Registration of five companies, including Dar’s Financial Services and Rolta Holding and Finance Corporation.
Other cancelled entities include Vasudeo Securities, Parsoli Corporation and A C Choksi Financial Services.
Eight NBFCs surrendered their registrations after exiting the non-banking financial business or undergoing corporate changes.
The RBI also noted cases where companies ceased to exist as legal entities or met criteria for operating without NBFC registration.
Key Fact: RBI took action against 13 NBFCs.

Economy News

Moody’s Raises India’s GDP Growth Forecast to 7%

Moody’s has raised its forecast for India’s real GDP growth in the current fiscal year from 6% to 7%.
India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April-June quarter.
Strong investment and manufacturing activity supported the growth outlook.
Moody’s identified elevated energy prices and possible El Niño-related food-price pressures as risks.
Inflation, consumption trends, subsidies and fiscal consolidation could also influence economic growth.
Key Fact: Moody’s current India GDP growth forecast is 7%.

India’s Net Direct Tax Collection Rises 13% to ₹12.12 Lakh Crore

India’s net direct tax collection rose 13% to more than ₹12.12 lakh crore between April 1 and September 17, 2026.
Gross direct tax collection increased by around 15% to more than ₹14.32 lakh crore.
Corporate income tax collections reached ₹5.56 lakh crore, registering growth of 19.48%.
Non-corporate tax collection crossed ₹6.16 lakh crore, while advance tax collections reached around ₹5.22 lakh crore.
Securities Transaction Tax collection increased by 53% to ₹40,214 crore.
Key Fact: Net direct tax collection stood at ₹12.12 lakh crore.

Defense News

HAL Set to Hand Over Tejas, HTT-40 and Dhruv NG Aircraft

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is set to hand over Tejas, HTT-40 and Dhruv NG aircraft/helicopters in Bengaluru.
LCA Tejas FOC twin-seater aircraft will support pilot training while retaining fighter capabilities.
The HTT-40 is an indigenously developed basic trainer aircraft with modern avionics and a glass cockpit.
HTT-40 also features zero-zero ejection seats and a tandem-seat configuration.
The Defence Ministry signed a ₹6,828.36-crore contract in 2023 for 70 HTT-40 aircraft.
Key Fact: The 2023 HTT-40 contract was worth ₹6,828.36 crore.

15. Indian Defence Service of Engineers Marks 77th Raising Day

The Indian Defence Service of Engineers (IDSE) observed its 77th Raising Day on September 17, 2026, in New Delhi.
The service functions under the Military Engineer Services (MES) of the Ministry of Defence.
The event highlighted ethics, accountability and professional excellence in engineering services.
Officials from the Railways, Central Vigilance Commission, Defence Accounts and other organisations participated.
The Electronic Measurement Book (e-MB) was highlighted as a tool for improving documentation and transparency.
Key Fact: IDSE marked its 77th Raising Day in 2026.

Science & Technology News

Astronomers Confirm Elias 2-24 b as Youngest Known Planet

Astronomers have confirmed Elias 2-24 b as the youngest known planet identified so far.
The planet is less than one million years old and has a mass comparable to Jupiter.
It orbits the star Elias 2-24, located around 450 light-years from Earth.
The planet is embedded within a protoplanetary disk and is still accreting gas and dust.
Observations from the W.M. Keck Observatory, ALMA and ESO’s Very Large Telescope helped confirm the planet.
Key Fact: Elias 2-24 b is less than one million years old.

Sports News

Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Toor Named India’s Asian Games Flag-Bearers

Manu Bhaker and Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been named India’s flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the 2026 Asian Games.
The announcement was made on September 18, 2026, by chef-de-mission Sahdev Yadav.
Manu Bhaker won two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor is the reigning Asian Games champion in men’s shot put.
Toor has won gold medals at the previous two Asian Games editions.
Key Fact: The 2026 Asian Games will be held in Nagoya, Japan.

Tavengwa Mukuhlani Appointed ICC Deputy Chairperson Until 2027

Tavengwa Mukuhlani, chairman of Zimbabwe Cricket, has been appointed ICC Deputy Chairperson until November 2027.
He succeeds Imran Khwaja in the position.
Mukuhlani becomes the first Zimbabwean to serve as ICC Deputy Chairperson.
He will serve on the Finance and Commercial Affairs and Nominations Committees and chair the HR and Remuneration Committee.
His tenure comes ahead of the 2027 Men’s Cricket World Cup, co-hosted by Zimbabwe, South Africa and Namibia.
Key Fact: Mukuhlani is the first Zimbabwean ICC Deputy Chairperson.

Abhishek Sharma Hits 30-Ball Century Against Afghanistan

Indian batter Abhishek Sharma scored a century off just 30 balls against Afghanistan in the third T20I in New Delhi.
The innings on September 17, 2026, broke Rohit Sharma’s previous Indian record of a 35-ball T20I century.
Abhishek reached his fifty in only 16 balls.
He finished with 108 runs from 34 balls, including nine fours and 11 sixes.
It was the third-fastest century in T20I cricket, behind Sahil Chauhan and Muhammad Fahad.
Key Fact: Abhishek Sharma scored his century in 30 balls.

Important Days News

World Bamboo Day 2026

World Bamboo Day is observed annually on September 18 to promote awareness about bamboo and its sustainable uses.
The day was established by the World Bamboo Organisation (WBO) in 2009.
Bamboo is recognised as a renewable resource with applications in construction, agriculture and various industries.
The observance highlights bamboo’s role in climate action, livelihoods and sustainable development.
The 2026 theme focuses on regenerative development and responsible use of bamboo.
Key Fact: World Bamboo Day 2026 theme is “Bamboo for a Regenerative Future.”

International Equal Pay Day 2026

International Equal Pay Day is observed every year on September 18.
The day highlights the continuing global gender pay gap and promotes equal remuneration for work of equal value.
The global gender pay gap is estimated at around 20%.
The ILO Equal Remuneration Convention, 1951 (No. 100) provides an important international framework for equal pay.
The Equal Pay International Coalition is led by the ILO, UN Women and OECD.
Key Fact: The global gender pay gap is around 20%.

World Patient Safety Day 2026

World Patient Safety Day is observed globally on September 17 to promote safer healthcare practices.
The 2026 theme is “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs)”.
The Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare organised an event in New Delhi.
NCDs account for nearly 63% of deaths in India, highlighting the importance of safe and effective care.
States and Union Territories were urged to achieve 100% NQAS certification of Ayushman Aarogya Mandir–Sub Health Centres by March 2027.
Key Fact: The 2026 theme is “Safe Care for Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs).”