Daily Current Affairs May 18, 2026

Current Affairs and GK updates 18/05/2026

Here is the Daily current affairs and GK updates of the day for UPSC,SSC,IBPS,RRB,NTPC and other competitive exams preparations.This updates particularly focus on news updates from 18th may 2026.Stay updated with the Daily Current Affairs & GK highlights – 18 May 2026, curated for UPSC, SSC, Banking, Railways, and other competitive exams. From India’s early monsoon forecast and major international summits to key appointments, sports achievements, and important days observed worldwide, this roundup provides exam‑oriented facts and insights in one place.

National

• Southwest Monsoon likely to hit Keralam coast on 26th May:The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has said that the Southwest Monsoon is likely to set in over Keralam on the 26th of this month, six days ahead of its normal date of June 1.

International

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi today attended the India-Norway Business and Research Summit in Oslo. Crown Prince Haakon and the Prime Minister of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, also participated in the Summit.Addressing the Summit, Prime Minister Modi appreciated the growth in bilateral trade and investments following the entry into force of Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement, TEPA.
• Iran establishes new regulatory body to control shipping in Strait of Hormuz:Iran has announced the establishment of a new regulatory body to oversee and manage operations in the strategically significant Strait of Hormuz. The country’s top security body, the Supreme National Security Council, confirmed the development by reposting an announcement on X.
• PM Modi to reach Norway today for 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements:In the fourth leg of his visit, the Prime Minister Narendra Modi will reach Norway today for the 3rd India-Nordic Summit and bilateral engagements. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to Norway and will mark the first Prime Ministerial visit from India to Norway in 43 years.
• PM Modi on receiving Norway’s highest honour:Union Ministers, including Amit Shah, Jagat Prakash Nadda, Piyush Goyal, Manohar Lal, and Kiren Rijiju today congratulated Prime Minister Narendra Modi on being conferred with Norway's highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Royal Norwegian Order of Merit.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi conferred with Sweden’s highest honour for a Head of Government, the Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross.
• Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda has arrived in Switzerland to participate in the 79th World Health Assembly. The 6-day event will begin today in Geneva.

Appointments

• Shri Saurabh Vijay assumed charge as the Chief Executive Officer of Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) on Monday. He is an IAS officer of the 1998 batch of the Maharashtra cadre.
• Congress leader V. D. Satheesan takes oath as Keralam CM along with 20 Cabinet Ministers:V.D. Satheesan has sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Keralam today at a grand ceremony held at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office.

Sports and culture

• 5th Asia Cup Bridge Championship in Goa next month; over 20 countries to participate:The Bridge Federation of India has announced that the prestigious fifth Asia Cup Bridge Championships will take place from June 21-27 at the Taj Cidade de Goa Horizon in Goa. Held every four years, the event stands among the most distinguished continental Bridge Championships.
• India bag 10 medals in Asian Weightlifting Championships 2026 in Gandhinagar.
• In tennis, Jannik Sinner won the Italian Open title in Rome after defeating Casper Ruud of Norway 6-4, 6-4 in the final. With the victory, Sinner became the first Italian man to win the tournament since Adriano Panatta in 1976. The World No. 1 also made history by becoming only the second player, after Novak Djokovic, to complete the Career Golden Masters, winning all nine ATP Masters 1000 titles.

Days Observed

• International Museum Day is being celebrated today. This year’s theme, “Museums Uniting a Divided World", highlights the role of museums in fostering dialogue, understanding, inclusion, and peace across cultural, social, and geopolitical divides.
• The International Day for Women in Maritime is observed globally on May 18 every year. Established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), the day celebrates women in the industry, promotes gender equality, and advocates for the sustained employment and career advancement of women across the sector.