Daily UPSC current affairs, briefs, MCQs and flashcards
Today's 8 exam-relevant stories (18 October 2026) from The Hindu, Indian Express and PIB. Each has a syllabus-mapped brief, previous-year questions, a Mains answer, MCQs and flashcards.
- GST Council unveils reforms to ease refund, registration and reduce litigation
The GST Council has introduced key procedural reforms targeting tax refunds, registration, and litigation reduction, with changes expected to come into effect from April 1, 2027. - FSSAI proposes ban on added sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India has proposed prohibiting added sucrose and fructose in infant food products to prevent early exposure to added sugars and mitigate long-term health risks. - World’s top climate body deadlocked over inclusivity concerns
Countries including India, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, Russia, and China are urging the IPCC for extended timelines so that scientists from less-resourced nations can participate meaningfully in upcoming reports. - US waives sanctions on Russian energy revenues, providing relief for India’s oil imports
A US executive order waiving sweeping sanctions on Russia's energy revenues offers temporary relief for India's crude oil imports while preserving US policy leverage. - OpenAI to watermark ChatGPT text in EU under AI Act rules
OpenAI has agreed to watermark text generated by ChatGPT within the European Union pursuant to AI Act commitments, though tests reveal watermarks can weaken after text editing. - Government caps trade margins on 137 anti-cancer drugs at 30%
The Central government has imposed a 30% ceiling on trade margins for 137 anti-cancer drugs to make critical cancer therapies more affordable for patients. - RBI raises FY27 inflation projection to 5.2% amid higher crude oil prices
The Reserve Bank of India has revised its FY27 inflation forecast upward to 5.2% following three consecutive months of consumer price inflation exceeding its 4% target. - Centre asks States to ensure prominent display of healthcare service rates
The Health Ministry has instructed States to ensure clinical establishments clearly display service and package rates to foster transparency, enable informed choices, and prevent billing disputes.