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Current Affairs MCQs & Editorial Compendiums

Monday, 19 October 2026

Coverage: 18 October 2026Press Information Bureau (PIB)Daily Executive Brief

Daily PIB Summary — October 18, 2026

1. International Relations & Regional Cooperation

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SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting: Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is representing India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in Dushanbe, Tajikistan (PIB Release ID: 2324852). The deliberations focus on strengthening multilateral trade, economic investment, connectivity, innovation, and cultural exchanges.
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Maritime Diplomacy: INS Sudarshini departed Salalah, Oman, continuing its historic transoceanic deployment under *Lokayan-2026*, reinforcing bilateral ties with the Royal Navy of Oman and propagating the civilizational ethos of *Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam* and *MAHASAGAR* (PIB Release ID: 2324937).

2. Infrastructure, Mobility & Urban Development

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Namo Bharat Diwas 2026: NCRTC marked three successful years of Namo Bharat operations on the 82-km Delhi–Ghaziabad–Meerut corridor, which has recorded over 4.5 crore passenger journeys and peak daily ridership touching 1.68 lakh (PIB Release ID: 2324914). The project emphasizes green energy integration via captive solar power plants.

3. Governance, Administration & Special Campaigns

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Special Campaign 6.0 Initiatives: The Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) and the Department of Posts are driving administrative efficiency, cleanliness drives, and eco-friendly practices (PIB Release ID: 2324958). Notably, DoPostal achieved significant milestones by disposing of 3,06,026 kg of scrap and 17,980 kg of e-waste, generating substantial revenue alongside citizen-centric innovations like *DigiPost* (PIB Release ID: 2324940).
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Action Against Synthetic Drug Cartels: Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah announced a firm crackdown on 'chitta' (synthetic drug) networks in Punjab, confirming direct meetings with grieving families affected by illicit trafficking (PIB Release ID: 2324965).

4. Economy, Agriculture & Social Empowerment

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Coldwater Fisheries Development: Under the *Pradhan Manti Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)*, India has invested over ₹2,299 crore in coldwater regions. Uttarakhand's Munsyari cluster achieved international milestones with its first trout export to Nepal (PIB Release ID: 2324891).
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Biofortified Agricultural Innovation: ICAR-CPRI developed Kufri Jamunia, a nutrient-rich purple potato variety featuring high antioxidant levels (*anthocyanins*), essential vitamins, iron, and zinc designed to combat hidden hunger (PIB Release ID: 2324875).
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Shilp Samagam Mela 2026: The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment hosted the Mela in Mysuru, empowering marginalized artisans and promoting market access through initiatives like *BHARAT TULIP* (PIB Release ID: 2324968).

5. Security & Enforcement

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Major Narcotics Seizure: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a coastal drug trafficking network in Tamil Nadu, seizing 137 kg of crystal methamphetamine valued at over ₹100 crore destined for international maritime transfer (PIB Release ID: 2324872).

6. Science, Technology & Healthcare

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STPI Tech Conclave: The Software Technology Parks of India and IIT BHU hosted a conclave highlighting AI's transformative role in clinical diagnostics, healthcare accessibility, and assistive technologies under the *IndiaAI Mission* (PIB Release ID: 2324850).
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Critical Humanitarian Evacuation: An Indian Air Force C-130J aircraft executed a high-risk night-time casualty evacuation from Leh to AIIMS, New Delhi (PIB Release ID: 2324922).
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