Daily Current Affairs
18 May 2026 · 10 questions
V.D. Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026. Where was the swearing-in ceremony held?
Correct Answer: B. Central Stadium, Thiruvananthapuram
V.D. Satheesan of the Indian National Congress took oath as the new Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026, at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram. He leads the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), which returned to power after a decade. In a historic political transition, an entire 21-member Cabinet took oath along with him. This marks the end of the LDF (Left Democratic Front) tenure in Kerala.
The Netherlands returned the historic 11th century Chola Copper Plates to India. How many years did this repatriation effort take?
Correct Answer: D. 14 years
The Netherlands formally returned the historic 11th century Chola Copper Plates to India during PM Narendra Modi's visit — marking the end of a 14-year repatriation effort. The Chola Copper Plates are among the most important surviving records of the Chola dynasty of South India (9th-13th century AD). The Chola dynasty under rulers like Rajaraja Chola I and Rajendra Chola I was famous for naval expansion across Southeast Asia and the Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur.
Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created IPL history with the most sixes by an Indian in a single season. He hit this milestone against which team on May 17, 2026?
Correct Answer: A. Delhi Capitals
Teenage cricket sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi became the Indian batter with the most sixes in a single IPL season. He achieved the milestone against the Delhi Capitals on May 17, 2026 at Arun Jaitley Stadium in New Delhi. Vaibhav Sooryavanshi is from Bihar and plays for Rajasthan Royals (RR). He had earlier made IPL headlines as one of the youngest players to score an IPL century.
Andhra Pradesh's new birth incentive policy offers what amount for the birth of a fourth child?
Correct Answer: C. ₹40,000
Andhra Pradesh CM N. Chandrababu Naidu announced a new policy to address the state's declining population growth — offering ₹30,000 for the birth of a third child and ₹40,000 for a fourth child. He announced this at a public event in Srikakulam district. AP is one of the first Indian states to actively encourage births, in contrast to the historical 'two-child' norm — reflecting concerns about future workforce and an aging population.
The WHO declared the latest Ebola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). Which two African countries are most affected?
Correct Answer: B. Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) for the latest Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Uganda. The decision came after a surge in suspected infections and deaths in both countries. WHO clarified this is not a pandemic emergency like COVID-19. Ebola is a deadly viral haemorrhagic fever spread through contact with infected body fluids.
President Droupadi Murmu approved the increase in the Supreme Court's judge strength. The new strength is now how many judges?
Correct Answer: D. 38 judges
President Droupadi Murmu approved increasing the Supreme Court's judge strength from 34 to 38. The decision is expected to improve the efficiency of the top court and enable faster disposal of pending cases. The expansion was cleared via the ordinance route. The Supreme Court of India was established on January 28, 1950 with an initial strength of 8 judges (1 CJI + 7 judges). The strength has been periodically increased over the decades.
Sikkim will implement the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 from June 1, 2026. This Act primarily allows the formal registration of marriages of which community?
Correct Answer: A. Sikh couples
Sikkim will implement the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 from June 1, 2026 — allowing Sikh couples to directly register their marriages through the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony under their own legal framework. Until now, many Sikh couples in Sikkim had to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act due to absence of state-level rules. The Anand Marriage (Amendment) Act, 2012 enabled state governments to frame rules for Sikh marriage registration.
India produces what percentage of the world's jaggery (gur), making it the global leader?
Correct Answer: C. Over 70%
India produces over 70% of the world's jaggery (gur), making it the global leader in jaggery production. The sector supports nearly 2.5 million rural livelihoods. Indian gur is gaining global recognition as a healthier alternative to refined sugar — rich in minerals and produced without chemical processing. Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka are the top jaggery-producing states in India. Gur exports continue to rise sharply.
V.D. Satheesan leads the Kerala government as part of which Congress-led alliance — which returned to power after a decade?
Correct Answer: B. United Democratic Front (UDF)
V.D. Satheesan leads the Kerala government as part of the United Democratic Front (UDF) — the Congress-led alliance in Kerala — which returned to power after a decade. UDF and LDF (Left Democratic Front) are the two main political alliances that have alternately ruled Kerala for decades. The LDF is led by CPI(M) and was led by outgoing CM Pinarayi Vijayan, who served two consecutive terms (2016-2021 and 2021-2026).
The historic 11th century Chola Copper Plates returned to India belong to which South Indian dynasty?
Correct Answer: D. Chola dynasty
The 11th century Chola Copper Plates belong to the Chola dynasty of South India (9th-13th century AD) — one of India's longest-ruling and most influential dynasties. The Cholas were famous for naval power, with King Rajendra Chola I leading naval expeditions to Southeast Asia. The Brihadeeswarar Temple at Thanjavur built by Rajaraja Chola I is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Copper plates were used by Chola kings to record royal grants and inscriptions.