Current Affairs · 18 July 2026
TNPSC current affairs published on 18 July 2026.
NASA astronaut Anil Menon reaches ISS aboard Soyuz MS-29 with two Russian cosmonauts
On July 15, 2026, NASA astronaut Anil Menon reached the International Space Station on Soyuz MS-29 with Russian cosmonauts Pyotr Dubrov and Anna Kikina.
DoS memo on ISRO staff exits: Gaganyaan-linked resignations to be held till mission completion
On July 14, 2026, the Department of Space issued a memo asking ISRO centres not to routinely accept resignations from Group A scientific and technical staff on Gaganyaan and other key missions.
Vikram-1 becomes India’s first private orbital rocket to place payloads in 450-km LEO
On July 18, 2026, Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 became India’s first privately developed orbital rocket to deploy payloads into low Earth orbit from Sriharikota.
June 2026 retail inflation at 4.4%: first breach of RBI’s 4% target since December 2024
Retail inflation hit an 18-month high of 4.4% in June 2026, driven by food, fuel and higher gold and silver prices.
EPF Scheme 2026 makes contributions above ₹1,800 voluntary for wages beyond ₹15,000 ceiling
The Labour Ministry notified the Employees' Provident Funds Scheme 2026 on June 29, 2026, making contributions above the wage ceiling voluntary.
GST revenue rose 13.9% in June 2026 to ₹1.95 lakh crore; import collections outpaced domestic sales
GST completed nine years on July 1, 2026, while June revenue rose 13.9% to ₹1.95 lakh crore, driven mainly by imports.
RBI July 2026 surveys: household inflation expectations, rural and urban confidence inputs for MPC
RBI launched three July 2026 surveys on July 9 to feed monetary policy, including inflation expectations across 19 cities and confidence surveys across 31 States/UTs.
RBI data governance framework for banks: board oversight, annual review and DPDP Act 2023 compliance
RBI issued a data governance framework for banks and regulated entities to improve data quality, security and accountability.
Cabinet clears ₹1.27 lakh crore Semicon Mission 2.0, ₹62,500 crore mobile manufacturing scheme and new highway projects
The Union Cabinet approved Semicon Mission 2.0, a mobile phone manufacturing scheme, two highway projects and nine gas-based urea plants.
RBI flags West Asia crisis, weak monsoon and 5.1% FY27 inflation forecast as key growth risks
RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said West Asia tensions and a weak monsoon are major risks, while FY27 inflation is projected at 5.1%.
NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index 2026: Gujarat tops major States, Tamil Nadu ranks third
NITI Aayog’s first Investment Friendliness Index 2026 placed Gujarat first among 17 major States, with Tamil Nadu at third place.
Tamil Nadu gets 950 more MBBS seats for 2026-27, total rises to 13,999
The NMC has approved 950 additional MBBS seats in Tamil Nadu for 2026-27, taking the State total to 13,999 across 78 colleges.
Tamil Nadu forms expert panels for dam safety review of 86 dams, including Mettur and Vaigai
Tamil Nadu has set up independent expert panels to scrutinise 86 dams and reservoirs, with first comprehensive assessments due by 30 December 2026.
Tamil Nadu appoints facilitation officers for education loans in all districts
Tamil Nadu’s Collegiate Education Department has appointed Facilitation Officers in all districts to help students obtain education loans for higher studies.
Tamil Nadu Census 2027 self-enumeration begins: July 17-31 online phase, Aug 1-30 house listing
Tamil Nadu began Census 2027 self-enumeration on July 17, 2026, with a two-phase process and an online portal/mobile app for households.