UPSC Current Affairs for 2026-08-18

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

• ​United and free: on the Prime Minister’s Independence Day speechPolity and Governance · PM Modi's 13th Independence Day speech addressed youth, announced skill and education initiatives, and introduced the term 'dimagi naxals'.
• Indian Army contingent departs for joint exercise in ThailandSecurity · Indian Army contingent departed for the 15th India-Thailand joint military exercise MAITREE-XV in Surat Thani, Thailand.
• Sri Lanka to table contentious Bill extending judges’ retirement agePolity · Sri Lanka's government is set to table the 22nd Amendment Bill to raise the retirement age of Supreme Court and Court of Appeal judges, sparking opposition over judicial independence.
• Government to soon announce high-level panel on ‘Banking for Viksit Bharat’Economy · Finance Minister announced imminent constitution of a high-level committee on 'Banking for Viksit Bharat'.
• Internet unbound: On the summoning of Meta staffPolity · Government summoned Meta over brief removal of PM Modi's video, signaling intent to suppress protest content.
• Gangster Shahzad Bhatti picked operatives through social mediaInternal Security · Nationwide counter-terror operation against Shahzad Bhatti Network, backed by Pakistan's ISI, led to over 200 arrests ahead of Independence Day.
• India to lease two Sea Guardian drones for the Indian NavySecurity · India signed a ₹1,943-crore contract to lease two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones from the US for the Indian Navy.
• OBC column missing from census questionnaire, says CongressPolity · Congress alleges OBC category missing from census questionnaire, calling it a conspiracy to avoid caste data.