Current Affairs 18 September 2026 covers important national and international events for competitive exams. These updates are useful for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, Defence and other government exams.
Today’s current affairs include the PM Vishwakarma Scheme, India’s exports, Kishau Multipurpose Project, semiconductor manufacturing, artificial intelligence, BRICS 2026, the Global Gender Gap Report, defence technology and new scientific discoveries.
Moreover, daily revision helps students remember important facts. It also helps them connect current events with static subjects. Therefore, aspirants should revise these updates regularly.
Previous Current Affairs: 17 September 2026
Before reading today’s updates, aspirants can also revise Current Affairs 17 September 2026. It covers important national, international, economic, science and exam-related developments.
👉 Read Current Affairs 17 September 2026
National Current Affairs
PM Vishwakarma Scheme Completes Three Years
The PM Vishwakarma Scheme was launched on 17 September 2023. The scheme supports traditional artisans and craftspeople across India.
Importantly, the scheme covers 18 traditional trades. It provides support through skill training, toolkit incentives, credit assistance and marketing support.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of MSME marked the third anniversary of the scheme in Kolkata. The scheme has also recorded around 30 lakh registrations.
The Ministry of MSME implements the scheme along with the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship. In addition, the Department of Financial Services under the Ministry of Finance is involved in its implementation.
Exam Point: PM Vishwakarma was launched on 17 September 2023.
India’s Exports Increase by 15.5%
India recorded strong export growth during the first five months of the financial year 2026–27.
According to the latest data, India’s combined merchandise and services exports reached around USD 399.27 billion between April and August 2026.
This figure represents a 15.5% increase compared with the same period of the previous year.
Meanwhile, merchandise exports stood at around USD 215.91 billion during the period.
In August 2026, combined exports reached approximately USD 82.68 billion. As a result, exports recorded a year-on-year growth of 25.41%.
Therefore, export growth remains an important indicator of India’s economic performance.
Six States Sign Agreement for Kishau Project
Six states have signed an agreement for the Kishau Multipurpose Project. The states are Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Delhi and Haryana.
The project will be developed on the Tons River. The river is an important tributary of the Yamuna.
Furthermore, the project is located along the Himachal Pradesh–Uttarakhand border. The proposed dam will have a height of approximately 232.6 metres.
The project will have a storage capacity of around 1,562 million cubic metres (MCM). In addition, it is expected to support irrigation and drinking-water supply.
The project will also generate hydropower. Therefore, it has importance for both water management and energy requirements.
Technology and Semiconductor Current Affairs
NIELIT and Infineon Establish Semiconductor Centre
The National Institute of Electronics and Information Technology (NIELIT) and Infineon Technologies have established a Centre of Excellence on Semiconductor Manufacturing.
The centre is located at NIELIT Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
The centre will provide practical training in semiconductor manufacturing. In particular, it will focus on areas such as ATMP and OSAT.
Students, researchers and faculty members can benefit from the training. In addition, industry professionals can use the centre for skill development.
As a result, the initiative can support India’s growing semiconductor ecosystem.
AI Centre of Excellence Approved for Bhubaneswar
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has given in-principle approval for an Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) will implement the proposed centre.
The centre will focus on several important areas. These include healthcare, education, governance, disaster management and industrial applications.
Moreover, the centre will also explore applications in coastal and marine sectors.
The initiative is part of the wider IndiaAI Mission. Therefore, it is relevant for questions related to artificial intelligence and digital technology.
International Current Affairs
BRICS New Delhi Declaration 2026
India hosted the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026.
The summit was organised under the theme:
“Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.”
The summit resulted in the New Delhi Declaration. The declaration covered several areas of international importance.
These areas included global governance, sustainable development, trade, technology and climate change.
In addition, the declaration discussed international cooperation and counter-terrorism.
The declaration also highlighted the importance of stronger representation for developing countries in global institutions.
For UPSC aspirants, BRICS is particularly important for International Relations and GS Paper II. Therefore, students should revise the summit theme, major discussions and key outcomes.
Economy and Business Current Affairs
BHEL and Titagarh Rail Sign Joint Venture Agreement
Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL) and Titagarh Rail Systems Limited have signed an agreement to establish a 50:50 joint venture.
The proposed joint venture will provide comprehensive maintenance services for Vande Bharat Sleeper trainsets.
The agreement covers 80 Vande Bharat trainsets. Moreover, the maintenance period is planned for 35 years.
This partnership is significant for the railway sector. At the same time, it highlights the growing role of Indian companies in railway manufacturing and maintenance.
Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Collaboration
Bharat Forge and Pratt & Whitney Canada have announced a collaboration linked to the DRDO High-Altitude Long-Endurance (HALE) UAV programme.
The companies will examine the integration of advanced turboprop engines into the UAV platform.
In addition, the collaboration supports India’s focus on indigenous aerospace and defence capabilities.
Therefore, this development is relevant for current affairs related to defence manufacturing and aerospace technology.
Reports and Rankings
Global Gender Gap Report 2026
The World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Report 2026 placed India at 131st position among 145 countries.
India recorded an overall gender parity score of 0.645.
The report measures gender gaps across four major areas. These are:
- Economic Participation and Opportunity
- Educational Attainment
- Health and Survival
- Political Empowerment
Meanwhile, Iceland retained the top position in the index.
Globally, the report stated that 69.2% of the gender gap has been closed.
Therefore, the report is important for questions related to gender equality, education, employment and social development.
Awards and Appointments
Anant Nag Selected for Dadasaheb Phalke Award
Veteran Kannada actor Anant Nag has been selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024.
The award recognises his contribution to Indian cinema.
The award will be presented during the 72nd National Film Awards ceremony on 22 September 2026 at Kevadia, Gujarat.
In addition, Anant Nag becomes the second Kannada cinema personality to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award after Rajkumar.
Sanjukta Parashar Becomes First Woman IG of CRPF CoBRA
IPS officer Sanjukta Parashar has taken charge as Inspector General of the CRPF’s CoBRA unit.
Importantly, she is the first woman officer to lead this specialised force.
CoBRA is a specialised unit of the Central Reserve Police Force. It is trained for jungle warfare, guerrilla operations and counter-insurgency missions.
As a result, this appointment is relevant to current affairs related to women in security forces and internal security.
Science and Environment
NASA Identifies McGetchin Crater on the Moon
NASA scientists have identified a new impact crater on the Moon.
The crater was formed after an asteroid or comet fragment hit the lunar surface in May 2024.
The crater has been named McGetchin Crater. It is approximately 222 metres wide and around 43 metres deep.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) helped scientists identify the crater.
Therefore, the discovery provides useful information about impacts on the lunar surface.
Two New Frog Species Discovered in Mizoram
Researchers have identified two new frog species in Mizoram.
The species are:
- Ingerana aizawl
- Duttaphrynus phawngpui
The first species was identified near the Hratdawng Stream on the Mizoram University campus.
Meanwhile, the second species was identified from the Phawngpui National Park region.
Furthermore, the discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of Northeast India.
Current Affairs 18 September 2026: Quick Revision
| Topic | Important Fact |
|---|---|
| PM Vishwakarma Scheme | Completed three years |
| PM Vishwakarma registrations | Around 30 lakh |
| India’s exports, April–August 2026 | USD 399.27 billion |
| Export growth | 15.5% |
| Kishau Project | Six states signed agreement |
| Kishau Dam height | 232.6 metres |
| Semiconductor Centre of Excellence | NIELIT Ahmedabad |
| AI Centre of Excellence | Bhubaneswar |
| BRICS Summit 2026 | New Delhi |
| BRICS 2026 Theme | Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability |
| India’s Global Gender Gap Rank | 131st |
| Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024 | Anant Nag |
| First woman IG of CRPF CoBRA | Sanjukta Parashar |
| New lunar crater | McGetchin Crater |
| New frog species | Ingerana aizawl and Duttaphrynus phawngpui |
Current Affairs 18 September 2026 MCQs
1. When was the PM Vishwakarma Scheme launched?
A. 15 August 2022
B. 17 September 2023
C. 26 January 2024
D. 2 October 2023
Answer: B. 17 September 2023
2. The Kishau Multipurpose Project is being developed on which river?
A. Ravi
B. Beas
C. Tons
D. Sutlej
Answer: C. Tons
3. Where is the NIELIT–Infineon Centre of Excellence located?
A. Pune
B. Ahmedabad
C. Bengaluru
D. Hyderabad
Answer: B. Ahmedabad
4. What was India’s rank in the Global Gender Gap Report 2026?
A. 121st
B. 125th
C. 131st
D. 138th
Answer: C. 131st
5. Who was selected for the Dadasaheb Phalke Award 2024?
A. Anant Nag
B. Mammootty
C. Kamal Haasan
D. Naseeruddin Shah
Answer: A. Anant Nag
6. McGetchin Crater is located on which celestial body?
A. Mars
B. Venus
C. Moon
D. Mercury
Answer: C. Moon
7. Which organisation will implement the proposed AI Centre of Excellence in Bhubaneswar?
A. ISRO
B. DRDO
C. STPI
D. CSIR
Answer: C. STPI
Conclusion
The Current Affairs 18 September 2026 updates cover several important areas for competitive examinations. In particular, students should revise the BRICS New Delhi Declaration, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Kishau Multipurpose Project, semiconductor initiatives and Global Gender Gap Report.
In addition, defence, science and environment topics should not be ignored. These areas can also appear in UPSC, SSC, Banking and Railway examinations.
Finally, aspirants should solve the MCQs after reading the daily updates. This approach helps improve factual recall and makes revision more effective. Therefore, continue revising current affairs every day and connect important events with their related static topics.