Current Affairs · 18 April 2026

TNPSC current affairs published on 18 April 2026.

Important DaysThe Hindu

World Heritage Day Observed (18 April)

World Heritage Day (International Day for Monuments and Sites) was observed on 18 April to promote awareness about preserving cultural heritage, as designated by ICOMOS.

NationalThe Hindu

Harivansh Narayan Singh elected unopposed as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman for third term

Harivansh Narayan Singh was elected unopposed on 17 April 2026 as Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman for a third consecutive term.

EconomyThe Hindu

India slips to sixth largest economy in IMF estimate for 2025

IMF-linked estimates on 16 April 2026 placed India at $3.92 trillion GDP in 2025, behind Japan and the UK.

InternationalThe Hindu

India and China hold SCO bilateral consultations in New Delhi

India and China held SCO consultations in New Delhi on 17 April 2026 to review regional cooperation, security, trade and connectivity.

InternationalThe Hindu

India and New Zealand to sign Free Trade Agreement on 27 April 2026

India and New Zealand are scheduled to sign an FTA on 27 April 2026, marking a major trade and diplomatic development.

Science TechnologyThe Hindu

IndiaAI Mission selects 10 startups for second cohort of global acceleration programme

IndiaAI Mission selected 10 startups on 17 April 2026 for a 3-week online module and 3-month residency in Paris under MeitY.

Awards AppointmentsThe Hindu

Grappling Federation of India appoints Professor Sikander Kumar as Chairman

Professor Sikander Kumar, a Rajya Sabha MP from Himachal Pradesh, was appointed Chairman of the Grappling Federation of India on 17 April 2026.

EconomyThe Hindu

LIC launches MyLIC and Super Sales Saathi apps on DIVE platform

LIC launched two apps in Mumbai on 15 April 2026 for policy servicing, premium payments and sales tracking.

SportsThe Hindu

MCA becomes first state cricket body in India to launch central contract system for domestic players

Mumbai Cricket Association launched a central contract system on 16 April 2026 for domestic players from the 2026-27 season.

Awards AppointmentsThe Hindu

Sahibzada Farhan and Arundhati Reddy named ICC Players of the Month for February 2026

ICC named Pakistan’s Sahibzada Farhan and India’s Arundhati Reddy as Players of the Month for February 2026.

Important DaysThe Hindu

World Haemophilia Day 2026 marked on 17 April with diagnosis-first theme

World Haemophilia Day 2026 was observed on 17 April with the theme 'Diagnosis: First step to care' and focus on undiagnosed cases.