UPSC Current Affairs for 2026-10-18

Use this daily collection to understand why each development matters, then verify time-sensitive facts through the linked sources before adding them to notes.

• A necessary corrective: On the SSR, the special summary revision of electoral rollsPolity · ECI announced special summary revision of electoral rolls in 14 States and 3 UTs, resuming annual exercise stalled due to Special Intensive Revision.
• Centre to propose five-pronged reform plan at GST Council meeting on October 8Economy · Centre to propose five-pronged GST reform plan at GST Council meeting on October 8.
• U.S.-Russia deal on diesel is 'very risky choice,' says Italy PM Giorgia MeloniInternational Relations · Italy PM Meloni criticised the U.S.-Russia diesel supply deal as legitimising Moscow and weakening sanctions.
• Land shortage cripples Agriculture Ministry’s weather network rolloutAgriculture and Governance · The WINDS project is over a year behind schedule, with over 96% of weather sensors uninstalled due to land shortage and retrospective IMD siting norms.
• Rahul Gandhi urges President to reconsider Dushyant Gautam’s appointment as Governor over pending CBI probePolity and Governance · Rahul Gandhi wrote to President Murmu urging reconsideration of Dushyant Gautam's appointment as Sikkim Governor due to pending CBI probe in Ankita Bhandari murder case.
• MSMEs welcome changes in vehicle interception by Commercial Taxes officialsEconomy · Tamil Nadu's Commercial Taxes Department has replaced roving squads with flying squads that intercept vehicles only on written intelligence-based instructions from the Joint Commissioner.
• MoD signs ₹4,106-crore contracts for IAF communication satellite, Navy torpedoesSecurity · MoD signed ₹4,106 crore contracts for GSAT-7C satellite and Varunastra torpedoes to boost indigenous defence capabilities.
• Conversion does not automatically grant quota benefits: Supreme CourtPolity · Supreme Court ruled that conversion does not automatically entitle a person to reservation benefits of the new religion's backward classes.
• Health Minister rules out withdrawal of hospital billing transparency orderPolity and Governance · Karnataka Health Minister refuses to withdraw FSDA circular mandating hospital pharmacies to disclose purchase price and MRP on bills despite retailer opposition.
• KIIFB has plunged Keralam into severe financial crisis, says Keralam Chief Minister VD. SatheesanEconomy · Kerala CM tabled the Sudha Pillai committee report on KIIFB, alleging severe financial irregularities and a fiscal crisis.
• Kerala Assembly unanimously passes resolution asking Union government to accept State’s revised ESA proposalEnvironment · Kerala Assembly unanimously passed a resolution urging the Centre to accept its revised Ecologically Sensitive Area proposal for the Western Ghats.