Daily Current Affairs- 18th May 2026

Daily Current Affairs- 18th May 2026

Sikkim to Implement Anand Marriage Act, 1909 from June 1, 2026

In the News: The Union Law Ministry has notified that the Anand Marriage Act, 1909, which provides Sikh couples with a distinct legal framework to register marriages solemnised under the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony, will come into force in Sikkim from June 1, 2026. The notification, issued on May 14, 2026, follows the state government's framing of the Sikkim Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026, enabling Sikh couples in the state to directly register marriages under their traditional rites instead of relying on the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Key Points:

• Enforcement of the Act in Sikkim: The Central Government has formally appointed June 1, 2026 as the date on which the provisions of the Anand Marriage Act, 1909 will officially come into force in Sikkim. Until now, Sikh couples in the state were required to register their marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 due to the absence of state-level rules for the Anand Marriage Act. With the new notification, members of the Sikh community in Sikkim will now be able to directly register marriages conducted under the traditional Anand Karaj ceremony, ensuring legal recognition under their own religious framework.
• Sikkim Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026: The Sikkim state government has framed and notified the Sikkim Anand Marriage Registration Rules, 2026, which establish localised mechanisms for the registration of Sikh marriages. These rules were framed in compliance with a landmark Supreme Court ruling in September 2025 in the Amanjot Singh Chadha vs Union of India case, which directed states to address administrative gaps in implementing the law. The notification of these rules removes the procedural void that had persisted in the state since the 2012 amendment to the Act.
• Background of the Anand Marriage Act: The Anand Marriage Act was originally enacted in 1909 to provide legal recognition to Sikh marriages performed under the Anand Karaj ceremony. The Act was amended in 2012 to introduce state-level mechanisms for the registration of such marriages, allowing Sikh couples to register directly under the Act rather than under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. However, several states, including Sikkim, had not framed the necessary rules for implementation even after the 2012 amendment, leaving Sikh couples with limited options for legal registration of their marriages.
• Supreme Court Directive: The Supreme Court of India, in its September 2025 ruling in the Amanjot Singh Chadha vs Union of India case, directed states to formulate the required rules for implementation of the Anand Marriage Act. The Court observed that the absence of state-level provisions had forced Sikh couples to either forgo registration altogether or register under the broader Hindu marriage laws, effectively denying them equal access to legal safeguards under their own religious tradition. Sikkim's notification of the rules and the Centre's subsequent enforcement of the Act bring the state in line with the Supreme Court's directive.

Andhra Pradesh Offers ₹30,000 for Third Child, ₹40,000 for Fourth Under New Policy

In the News: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on May 16, 2026 announced financial incentives of Rs 30,000 for families on the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child as part of the state government's efforts to address the declining population trend. Speaking at a public meeting in Narasannapeta in Srikakulam district during the SwarnaAndhra-SwachAndhra cleanliness programme, Naidu said the decision had already been taken and further details would be announced within a month.

Key Points:

• Financial Incentive Structure: The Andhra Pradesh government will provide Rs 30,000 immediately after the birth of a third child and Rs 40,000 for a fourth child to families in the state. This builds on an earlier proposal announced on March 5, 2026, in the state Legislative Assembly, to offer Rs 25,000 as an incentive for the birth of a second child. Health Minister Satya Kumar Yadav subsequently confirmed that the government had decided to extend the financial incentives to families having a third child and subsequent children, making the scheme progressively structured across second, third, and fourth births.
• Demographic Concerns Behind the Policy: CM Naidu cautioned that the population growth rate in Andhra Pradesh is slowing and stressed the need to maintain the replacement-level Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 2.1 children per woman for population stability. At the Raisina Dialogue on March 7, 2026, Naidu highlighted that while India's national TFR stands at approximately 2.2, the southern Indian states have a TFR of around 1.5, far below the replacement level. He warned that declining birth rates and ageing populations in numerous countries have adversely impacted their economies and argued that children should be viewed as an asset rather than a liability.
• Andhra Pradesh's New Population Management Policy: Andhra Pradesh became the first state in India to introduce a formal Population Management Policy aimed at tackling declining fertility rates. CM Naidu unveiled the policy at the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, emphasising that India's demographic dividend advantage would remain only up to 2047. He noted that while India currently benefits from a young population, several southern states are already trending towards ageing demographics, necessitating proactive policy intervention to sustain economic growth and future parliamentary representation.

V. D. Satheesan Takes Oath as Kerala Chief Minister

In the News: Senior Congress leader V. D. Satheesan was sworn in as the 13th Chief Minister of Kerala on May 18, 2026 at a packed Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram, marking the return of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) to power in the state after a decade of Left Democratic Front (LDF) rule. Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar administered the oath of office to Satheesan along with his 20-member Cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by top Congress leaders including party president Mallikarjun Kharge, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Key Points:

• Election Results and CM Selection: The UDF swept the Kerala Assembly elections held on April 9, 2026, winning 102 of the 140 seats, decisively ousting the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government, which was reduced to 35 seats, while the BJP won 3 seats, its best-ever performance in Kerala. The results were declared on May 4, and after 11 days of hectic lobbying in a three-cornered race involving Satheesan, K. C. Venugopal, and Ramesh Chennithala, Satheesan (61) was named the Congress Legislature Party leader. Satheesan, who served as the Leader of the Opposition for the preceding five years, is credited with revitalising the party's grassroots base in the state.
• Cabinet Composition and Party Representation: The 21-member Cabinet, including the Chief Minister, comprises 12 ministers from the Congress, five from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and one minister each from Kerala Congress (Joseph), Kerala Congress (Jacob), Communist Marxist Party (CMP), and Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP). Key ministers include Ramesh Chennithala, K. Muraleedharan, A. P. Anil Kumar, state party chief Sunny Joseph, and IUML leader P. K. Kunhalikutty. The Cabinet includes two women ministers and two members from the Scheduled Caste community, with 14 first-time faces. O. J. Janeesh (37) is the youngest minister in the Cabinet.
• First Cabinet Decisions and Welfare Measures: Immediately after the swearing-in, the new Cabinet held its first meeting at the state secretariat and approved several welfare measures. These include free rides in state-run KSRTC buses for women from June 15, a Rs 3,000 increase in the monthly honorariums of Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHAs), and the formation of a dedicated department for the welfare of the elderly. Satheesan noted that Kerala would be the first state in India to have such a department and expressed intent to study Japan's model for elderly welfare for possible replication.
• Indira Guarantees and Poll Promises: The free bus rides for women and the elderly welfare department were among the five "Indira Guarantees" promised by the UDF ahead of the April 9 assembly polls. The remaining poll promises include a monthly stipend of Rs 1,000 for girl students in colleges, an increase in welfare pension to Rs 3,000, health insurance coverage up to Rs 25 lakh per household, and interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for young entrepreneurs. Satheesan stated that all remaining promises would be implemented in a phased manner.

PM Modi Receives Sweden’s Top Civil Honour During Official Visit

In the News: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was conferred with Sweden's Royal Order of the Polar Star, Commander Grand Cross, during his two-day official visit to Gothenburg on May 17, 2026. The award is the highest distinction that can be given to a Head of Government by the Scandinavian nation. This marks PM Modi's 31st international honour, underscoring his growing global stature and India's expanding diplomatic engagements worldwide.

Key Points:

• Royal Order of the Polar Star: The Royal Order of the Polar Star was instituted in 1748 and is intended to recognise personal endeavours for Sweden or for Swedish interests, particularly within public activities, as well as the successful performance of public tasks and duties. PM Modi was conferred the Commander Grand Cross rank, the highest level of this historic order. He was received by his Swedish counterpart, Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, at Gothenburg Airport at the start of the two-day visit.
• 31st International Honour for PM Modi: The Swedish distinction is the 31st global honour bestowed upon PM Modi, continuing a trend of international recognition that has accelerated in recent years. In 2026 alone, PM Modi had earlier received the Medal of the Knesset during his visit to Israel in February. Other recent honours include the First Class of the Order of Oman and the Great Honour Nishan of Ethiopia, both conferred in December 2025, and the Royal Order of the Polar Star from Sweden in May 2026.
• Select Major International Honours Received: PM Modi has been honoured by nations across multiple continents, reflecting India's deepening bilateral ties globally. Notable recognitions include the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour from France (2023), the Order of St. Andrew the Apostle from Russia (2019), the Legion of Merit from the United States (2020), the Order of the Druk Gyalpo from Bhutan (2021), and the Order of the Nile from Egypt (2023). Other honours include the King Abdulaziz Sash from Saudi Arabia (2016), the Order of Zayed from the UAE (2019), and the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger from Nigeria (2024).
• Recent Honours from 2024-2026: In the most recent phase, PM Modi received honours from several countries including Kuwait (Mubarak Al-Kabeer Order, December 2024), Mauritius (Grand Commander of the Order of the Star and Key of the Indian Ocean, March 2025), Sri Lanka (Sri Lanka Mitra Vibhushana, April 2025), Cyprus (Grand Cross of the Order of Makarios III, June 2025), Ghana (Officer of the Order of the Star of Ghana, July 2025), Brazil (Grand Collar of the National Order of the Southern Cross, July 2025), and Namibia (Order of the Most Ancient Welwitschia Mirabilis, July 2025). These recognitions span nations across South Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

India rejects Court of Arbitration ruling on Indus Waters Treaty

In the News:     India rejected the latest ruling issued by the so-called Court of Arbitration on the Indus Waters Treaty. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the Court of Arbitration was illegally constituted and that India has never recognised its authority. The ruling related to “maximum pondage” under the Indus Waters Treaty, but India declared that any proceeding, award, or decision issued by this body is null and void. India also reiterated that its decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force.

Key Points:

• India’s Rejection of the Award: India categorically rejected the latest so-called award issued by the Court of Arbitration. The Ministry of External Affairs stated that India had also rejected all earlier pronouncements of this body. India maintained that the Court of Arbitration was illegally constituted and had no recognised authority.

• Issue of Maximum Pondage: The award issued on May 15, 2026, concerned maximum pondage under the Indus Waters Treaty Maximum pondage is linked to the storage capacity used in hydroelectric projects.
India rejected the award because it does not accept the legitimacy of the arbitration body.

• MEA’s Official Position: MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said India has never recognised the establishment of the so-called Court of Arbitration.He stated that any proceeding, award, or decision issued by it is null and void. This reflects India’s consistent position against the authority of this arbitration mechanism.

• Indus Waters Treaty in Abeyance: India reiterated that its decision to hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance remains in force.This means India continues to maintain its earlier position on the treaty’s present status.The latest ruling has not changed India’s stand on the treaty or on the arbitration process.

Singapore as India's 2nd-Largest Export Market

In the News: Singapore has replaced the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as India's second-largest export destination in April 2026, amid the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz since March 2, 2026. Exports to Singapore surged by 180% in April to USD 3.20 billion compared to USD 1.14 billion a year ago, while exports to the UAE declined by 36% to USD 2.18 billion. The shift reflects a broader realignment of India's trade flows triggered by the ongoing West Asia conflict.

Key Points:

• Trade Route Realignment Due to Strait of Hormuz Closure: The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between Iran and Oman that accounted for about a fifth of global oil flows before the conflict, has been effectively closed since March 2, 2026. The closure has forced Indian traders to find alternate routes and transshipment hubs for exports, leading to a significant diversion of trade away from the UAE towards Singapore. Both Singapore and the UAE are transshipment hubs with which India has Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), but the disruption in West Asia has tilted the balance decisively towards Singapore. The United States continues to remain India's largest export destination.
• Shift in Import Partners and Energy Sources: The West Asia war has also reshaped India's import landscape, with energy exporters such as Oman, Peru, and Nigeria breaking into India's top 20 import sources for the first time. Shipments from Oman alone more than tripled in April to USD 1.48 billion compared to USD 429.58 million a year ago. Imports from Qatar fell sharply by 47% in March to USD 537.34 million compared to USD 1.03 billion during March 2025, although imports from Saudi Arabia recovered to USD 3.85 billion in April from USD 2.06 billion in March.
• Impact on Global Energy Supply and Prices: West Asian oil producers, including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, collectively shut in 10.5 million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil production in April, up from 8.9 million bpd in March, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). The estimated shut-in in April represents a little over 10% of global liquid fuels consumption. The resulting global energy supply crisis has led to a sharp jump in energy prices worldwide, directly affecting India's import bill and economic outlook.
• Pressure on Indian Rupee and Domestic Measures: The West Asia conflict has directly impacted the Indian rupee, which has fallen to multiple record lows against the US dollar, tumbling 5.2% since the end of February 2026. To counter further pressure on the currency, the Indian government has introduced austerity measures, including a hike in import duty on precious metals. Oil marketing companies also increased pump prices of petrol and diesel for the first time in four years to reduce foreign currency outflow and manage fuel consumption amid the energy crisis.

US Clears Apache and M777 Support Deals for India

In the News: The United States Department of State approved the possible sale of support services and related equipment for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters to India at an estimated cost of USD 198.2 million. In a parallel approval, Washington also cleared sustainment support for India's M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers valued at USD 230 million. Both proposed sales will proceed through Foreign Military Sale (FMS) channels, reinforcing the deepening US-India strategic defence partnership.

Key Points:

• Apache Helicopter Support Package: India has requested the purchase of AH-64E Apache sustainment support services, including US Government and contractor engineering expertise, technical and logistics support services, comprehensive technical data and publications, and personnel training programmes. Boeing Company and Lockheed Martin will serve as the principal contractors for the deal. The AH-64E Apache Guardian is among the world's most advanced attack helicopters, equipped with advanced sensors, long-range precision weapons, and networked battlefield communications, and is deployed across India's frontline commands for counter-insurgency operations and border security.
• M777A2 Howitzer Sustainment Deal: The US also approved India's request for long-term sustainment support for M777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers, with UK-based BAE Systems in Cumbria serving as the principal contractor. The non-major defence equipment items covered under this deal include ancillary items, spares, repair and return services, training programmes, technical assistance, field service representatives, and depot capability enhancement. India inducted 145 M777 howitzers, which weigh just 4.2 tonnes and can be airlifted by Chinook helicopters for rapid deployment in high-altitude terrain along the Line of Actual Control with China.
• Strategic and Security Objectives: The US Department of State stated that both proposed sales will support US foreign policy and national security objectives by strengthening the US-India strategic relationship. The approval recognises India as a major defence partner and an important force for political stability, peace, and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific and South Asia regions. The deals are expected to improve India's capability to meet current and future threats, strengthen its homeland defence, and deter regional threats.
• Foreign Military Sale (FMS) Framework: Both transactions will be conducted through the FMS channels, the US Government's official programme for defence sales to allied and partner nations. FMS transactions involve direct government-to-government transfers with US Department of Defense oversight, ensuring quality control, technology protection, and strategic alignment. The Department of State confirmed that the proposed sales will not alter the basic military balance in the region and will have no adverse impact on US defence readiness.
• Broader US-India Defence Cooperation: The approvals continue a trajectory of accelerating defence ties between Washington and New Delhi, with bilateral defence trade exceeding USD 20 billion over the past decade. Major previous acquisitions by India from the US include C-130J transport aircraft, P-8I maritime patrol aircraft, CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopters, and the M777 howitzers themselves. The Apache sustainment deal represents a shift from one-off equipment purchases to a long-term partnership model encompassing maintenance, upgrades, training, and technology transfer.

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Creates IPL History with Most Sixes by an Indian in a Single Season

In the News: Rajasthan Royals' 15-year-old opener Vaibhav Sooryavanshi created IPL history by smashing 43 sixes in the 2026 season, surpassing Abhishek Sharma's previous Indian record of 42 sixes set during the 2024 edition. He achieved the milestone during a quick-fire knock of 46 off 21 balls against Delhi Capitals, featuring five fours and two sixes.

Key Points:

• Record-Breaking Achievement: Sooryavanshi became the holder of the all-time Indian record for the most sixes in a single IPL season, overtaking Abhishek Sharma's mark of 42 set in 2024. He reached the landmark with his second six against Delhi Capitals in his 12th match of IPL 2026. The feat placed him ahead of prominent Indian names such as Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, and Shreyas Iyer in single-season six-hitting tallies.
• Season Performance and Strike Rate: Sooryavanshi finished among the top run-scorers for Rajasthan Royals, accumulating 486 runs in the season at a remarkable strike rate of 234.78. His tally included one century and two half-centuries, establishing him as the primary scoring threat in the RR batting lineup. His aggressive approach at the top of the order consistently set the tone for the team's innings throughout the tournament.
• Position in All-Time IPL Six-Hitting Records: Despite his record-breaking Indian tally, Sooryavanshi's 43 sixes still trail the overall IPL record of 59 sixes, set by Chris Gayle during the 2012 season. Other players ahead of him in the all-time list include Andre Russell with 52 sixes in 2019, Gayle again with 51 in 2013, and Jos Buttler with 45 for Rajasthan Royals in 2022. With at least two matches remaining, and more if RR qualify for the playoffs, Sooryavanshi has the opportunity to climb further up this elite list.
• Youngest Player to Hold the Indian Record: At just 15 years of age, Sooryavanshi became the youngest cricketer ever to hold the Indian record for most sixes in an IPL season. His precocious talent and fearless strokeplay have signalled a generational shift in aggressive batting standards within the IPL. The achievement has drawn widespread attention to his potential as a future mainstay in Indian white-ball cricket.
• Match Context Against Delhi Capitals: In the match where Sooryavanshi broke the record, Rajasthan Royals posted 193 for 8, with contributions from Dhruv Jurel (53) and Riyan Parag (51) complementing his explosive start. Delhi Capitals' bowling attack, led by Mitchell Starc with four wickets and supported by Lungi Ngidi and Madhav Tiwari, managed to check RR's scoring after the initial onslaught. The result kept Rajasthan Royals in contention for a playoff berth in IPL 2026.