UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 18 August 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 18 August 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 18 August 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE)

August 18, 2026
Rotating Detonation Engine

Rotating Detonation Engine Latest News

Recently, India-based defence start-up D-Propulse announced that it had successfully demonstrated a rotating detonation engine at a Defence Research & Development Organisation facility in Hyderabad.

About Rotating Detonation Engine 

  • It is a type of propulsion system that differs from conventional gas turbines and ramjets in the way it uses fuel. 
  • Usually, engines use deflagration, which is a subsonic, steady way of burning fuel through a flame. 
  • On the contrary, an RDE uses detonation, wherein the fuel burns faster as rapid supersonic explosions rotate through the chamber of the engine. 
  • This rapid detonation produces more thrust for the same amount of fuel.  
  • This volume savings can be used to increase fuel and/or payload volume, providing potential range, speed, and affordability benefits compared to rockets, ramjets, and gas-turbines. 
  • These mechanically simple RDEs have no moving parts, making them less complex than gas turbine engines and therefore potentially lower cost and simpler to manufacture. 

News: TH

Rotating Detonation Engine FAQs

Q1: What is a Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE)?

Ans: An RDE is a type of propulsion system that uses rotating supersonic detonations to burn fuel and generate thrust.

Q2: How does an Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE) differ from conventional gas turbines and ramjets?

Ans: It differs in the way it burns fuel, using detonation instead of conventional deflagration.

Q3: What is a major advantage of the rapid detonation used in an Rotating Detonation Engine (RDE)?

Ans: It produces more thrust for the same amount of fuel.

Q4: What potential benefits can Rotating Detonation Engines (RDEs) provide in terms of propulsion performance?

Ans: They can potentially provide greater range, higher speed, and improved affordability.

Medak Fort

August 18, 2026
Medak Fort

Medak Fort Latest News

In a rare honour, the postal department launched a postal cover and a postal stamp on the historical Medak fort recently.

About Medak Fort

  • It is a historic hill fort located in Medak town, Telangana. 
  • The fort was built during the 12th century under the reign of the Kakatiya ruler, Pratapa Rudra, and it was initially called ‘MethukuDurgam’ in Telugu. 
  • It served as a command post for the Kakatiyas and later for the Qutub Shahis. 

Medak Fort Features

  • Spread over 100 acres at an average elevation of 90 metres from ground level, the fort houses a small lake, a barrack, a warehouse, and a 11-foot-long cannon from 17th Century CE. 
  • It has three main entrances, namely the “Prathama Dwaram”, the “SimhaDwaram” which features two snarling lions at the top of these entrances while the “GajaDwaram”, or the Elephant’s Entrance features a sculpture where two elephants are majestically interlocked on both sides of this entrance.
  • The main entrance features the double-headed “Gandabherundam”, the emblem of Vijayanagara Empire built by the great ruler Srikrishna Devaraya.  
  • The fort also has a 17th-century mosque on its premises built by the Qutub Shahis, as well as granaries.

News: TT

Medak Fort FAQs

Q1: Where is Medak Fort located?

Ans: Medak Fort is located in Medak town, Telangana.

Q2: Under whose reign was Medak Fort built?

Ans: The fort was built during the 12th century under the reign of the Kakatiya ruler, Pratapa Rudra.

Q3: What role did Medak Fort serve during the Kakatiya period?

Ans: It served as a command post for the Kakatiyas.

Q4: Which dynasty later used Medak Fort as a command post?

Ans: The Qutub Shahis.

National Anubhav Awards

August 18, 2026
National Anubhav Awards

National Anubhav Awards Latest News

Recently, the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions confered the National Anubhav Awards, 2026 to 15 selected awardees in New Delhi. 

About National Anubhav Awards

  • It was launched in March 2015 by the Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW), Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions.
  • It was introduced to recognize and incentivize outstanding contributions.
  • Eligibility: The employees of Central Government, Central Public Sector Enterprises (CPSEs) and Public Sector Banks who are going to retire in the next 8 months or who have retired within 3 years are the ‘eligible employees’ for the submission of Anubhav write-ups. 
  • Objectives
    • It aims to create a database of significant suggestions and work experiences.
    • It channels the human resource of retiring employees for nation building.
    • Enable Ministries/ Departments to take crucial steps while considering useful and replicable suggestions.
  • Each ANUBHAV Awardees will be felicitated with a medal and certificate and a Prize of 10,000 rupees, whereas a Jury certificate Winner will be presented with a medal and a certificate.

Source: News On Air

National Anubhav Awards FAQs

Q1: Who is eligible to submit entries for Anubhav Awards?

Ans: Central Govt employees 8 months before retirement to 1 year after retirement

Q2: Which Ministry administers Department of Pension & Pensioners’ Welfare (DoPPW)?

Ans: Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances & Pensions

Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal

August 18, 2026
Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal

Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal Latest News

Recently, the Central Information Commission (CIC) launched its upgraded Appeal and Complaint Management System (AppCoMS 2.0). 

About Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal

  • It is an online web application portal, initially introduced by the Central Information Commission in September 2016.
  • It enables citizens to file Second Appeals and Complaints online and facilitates end-to-end digital processing of cases.
  • It includes registration, scheduling of hearings, issuance and uploading of decisions and other related processes.

Key Facts about Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal 2.0

  • It has been developed as a technologically upgraded platform with enhanced security standards, improved functionalities and streamlined workflows.
  • Key feature of AppCoMS 2.0
    • It has introduced a feature of user accounts for Applicants, Central Public Information Officers (CPIOs) of the Public Authorities and other stakeholders, linked with their e-mail ID and mobile number.
    • In the upgraded system, applicants will be able to submit Second Appeals and Complaints through their user accounts.
    • Under this version, applicants can view case timelines, access documents, download hearing notices and decisions/ orders.
    • It has the facility for use of Digital Signature Certificates (DSCs) for digitally signing and issuing notices/orders by the Commission.

Source: PIB

Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal FAQs

Q1: Appeal and Complaint Management System Portal was initially introduced by which organisation?

Ans: Central Information Commission in September 2016

Q2: Who is the appellate authority for second appeal under RTI Act?

Ans: Central Information Commission

Lake Powell

August 18, 2026
Lake Powell

Lake Powell Latest News

Lake Powell, one of the largest reservoirs in the United States, has fallen to its lowest level since it began filling, deepening concerns over the future of the Colorado River and the millions of people who rely on it.

About Lake Powell

  • It is a huge man-made lake located on the Colorado River and stretches across parts of Utah and Arizona in the United States.  
  • The lake was created by building the Glen Canyon Dam, which flooded Glen Canyon.   
  • It's the second-largest reservoir in the United States by volume (second only to Lake Mead). 
  • When full, it is designed to hold more than 26 million acre-feet (MAF) of water that originates from snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
  • It acts like a giant water bank for states in the Upper Colorado River Basin. 
  • Lake Powell is an oligotrophic reservoir, which means that nutrient concentrations and algal production are generally low. This often results in very clear-water conditions.
  • The lake is also a major recreation area, known for magnificent sandstone canyons and rock formations.

News: MC

Lake Powell FAQs

Q1: What is Lake Powell?

Ans: Lake Powell is a huge man-made reservoir located on the Colorado River in the United States.

Q2: How was Lake Powell created?

Ans: It was created by constructing the Glen Canyon Dam, which flooded Glen Canyon.

Q3: Which reservoir is larger than Lake Powell in the United States by volume?

Ans: Lake Mead.

Q4: Where does much of the water stored in Lake Powell originate?

Ans: From snowpack in the Upper Colorado River Basin.

INS Imphal

August 18, 2026
INS Imphal

INS Imphal Latest News

More than 200 students from Indian schools in Muscat recently visited the indigenously built warship INS Imphal while it was berthed at Sultan Qaboos Port in the Omani capital.

About INS Imphal

  • It is an indigenously built stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.
  • It is the third ship to be built under the Project P-15B series of stealth destroyers, otherwise known as the Visakhapatnam-class.
  • It was commissioned into the Indian Navy in December 2023.
  • The Navy’s Warship Design Bureau designed the ship in-house, and Mazagon Dock Ltd. (MDL) was responsible for its construction.
  • It is the first warship to be named after a city in the Northeast, Imphal — the capital of Manipur.
  • It was the first naval warship commissioned with accommodation for women officers and sailors.
  • It is a unit of the Indian Navy’s Western Fleet.
  • Missions include anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

INS Imphal Features

  • The ship boasts a high indigenous content of approximately 75 percent.
  • The ship measures 163m in length, 17m in breadth with a displacement of 7,400 tonnes and is amongst the most potent warships built in India.  
  • The ship has a total complement of about 315 personnel.
  • It is propelled by four powerful Gas Turbines, in a Combined Gas & Gas configuration, and is capable of achieving speeds in excess of 30 knots (56 km/hour).
  • It has a maximum operating endurance of 45 days.
  • It has enhanced stealth features, resulting in a reduced Radar Cross Section. 
  • The ship has BrahMos missiles, medium-range surface-to-air missiles, indigenous anti-submarine rocket launchers, and a 76 mm super-rapid gun mount.
  • It has modern surveillance radar, which provides target data to the gunnery weapon systems.
  • It has a total atmospheric control system (TACS) that offers protection to the crew from chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.

News: ANI

INS Imphal FAQ's

Q1: What is INS Imphal?

Ans: INS Imphal is an indigenously built stealth guided missile destroyer of the Indian Navy.

Q2: Under which project was INS Imphal built?

Ans: It was built under Project P-15B.

Q3: When was INS Imphal commissioned into the Indian Navy?

Ans: It was commissioned in December 2023.

Q4: What are the major warfare roles of INS Imphal?

Ans: Its major roles include anti-air warfare (AAW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), and anti-submarine warfare (ASW).

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

August 18, 2026
Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme Latest News

Recently, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has approved 31 more applications under the Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS). 

About Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme

  • It was launched in 2025 by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
  • Objective: To develop a robust component manufacturing ecosystem by attracting investments (global / domestic) across the value chain by integrating its domestic electronic industry with the Global Value Chains (GVCs).
  • The scheme will offer three incentive structures
    • Turnover-linked incentive (based on revenue)
    • Capex-linked incentive (for investments in plants & machinery)
    • Hybrid incentive model (a combination of both)
  • Employment generation will be a mandatory requirement for all applicants, including both component manufacturers and capital equipment producers.
  • Tenure: It has a six-year tenure with a one-year gestation period for the Turnover Linked Incentive and the Capex Incentive is available for a five-year period. 
  • The scheme focuses particularly on passive electronic components. In contrast, active components fall under the purview of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).
  • Target: It promotes the manufacturing of select passive electronic components, including resistors, capacitors, speakers, microphones, special ceramics, relays, switches, and connectors.

Source: IE

Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme FAQs

Q1: Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme - ECMS was launched by which ministry?

Ans: Ministry of Electronics & IT

Q2: What is the primary objective of Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme?

Ans: Build domestic ecosystem for electronic components

Huntington’s Disease

August 18, 2026
Huntington’s Disease

Huntington's Disease Latest News

New treatments for Huntington's disease could be on the horizon following research led by scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, United States.

About Huntington's Disease

  • It is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that changes brain functioning over time.  
  • It is a rare hereditary disorder in which brain cells, or neurons, in certain areas of your brain start to break down. 
    • The destruction of nerve cells happens in the basal ganglia, or the region of your brain that regulates your body’s movements.
    • It also affects the brain cortex (surface of your brain) that regulates your thinking, decision-making, and memory.
  • As the neurons degenerate, the disease can lead to emotional disturbances, loss of intellectual abilities, and uncontrolled movements.

What causes Huntington's Disease?

  • A genetic mutation of the HTT gene causes HD. If one of your parents has HD, you have a 50% chance of also developing it.
  • The HTT gene makes a protein called huntingtin. The exact function of this protein is not yet known, but researchers believe it plays a role in supporting the function of nerve cells in the brain.  
  • If you have HD, your DNA doesn’t have all the information needed to make the huntingtin protein.
  • As a result, these proteins grow in an abnormal shape and destroy your neurons.
  • Your neurons die because of this genetic mutation.

How common is HD?

HD affects an estimated 3 to 7 out of every 100,000 people, most often people of European ancestry (biological family comes from European descent).

Huntington's Disease Symptoms

  • HD symptoms can begin at any age but usually first appear between the ages of 30 and 50 years. 
  • About 5-10% of people have symptoms before age 20 (Juvenile HD) and 10% have onset after age 60 (late onset).  
  • Common symptoms include uncontrollable dance-like movements (chorea) and abnormal body postures, as well as problems with behavior, emotion, thinking, and personality.
  • Other symptoms may include tremor (unintentional back-and-forth movement in the person’s muscles) and unusual eye movements. The eye movements can happen early in the disease.
  • These symptoms get worse over time.
  • As HD progresses, you will need constant assistance and supervision because of the debilitating nature of the disease.

Huntington's Disease Treatment

  • There is no cure for HD. 
  • Medicines can help manage some of the symptoms, but cannot slow down or stop the disease. 
  • People usually die from the disease within 15 to 20 years of developing symptoms.

News: MED

Huntington's Disease FAQs

Q1: What is Huntington's disease?

Ans: Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that affects brain functioning over time.

Q2: What are the major effects of neuronal degeneration in Huntington's disease?

Ans: It can cause emotional disturbances, loss of intellectual abilities and uncontrolled movements

Q3: Which gene mutation causes Huntington's disease?

Ans: A mutation in the HTT gene causes Huntington's disease.

Q4: Is there a cure for Huntington's disease?

Ans: No, there is currently no cure for Huntington's disease.

Exercise MAITREE

August 18, 2026
Exercise MAITREE

Exercise MAITREE Latest News

Recently, the Indian Army contingent departed for Thailand to participate in the 15th edition of the India-Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026). 

About Exercise MAITREE

  • It is the joint military exercise between India and Thailand.
  • It was instituted in 2006.
  • It is an important platform for sharing best practices and strengthening military cooperation between India and Thailand.
  • In Exercise MAITREE 2026, the Indian Army contingent is represented primarily by troops from 9 Gorkha Rifles.
  • Focus:  The exercise will involve company-level joint training focused on operations in jungle and semi-urban terrain.
  • Aim: Aim of the exercise is to foster Military Cooperation between India and Thailand.
  • The Exercise will enhance combined capabilities in executing Joint Counter Insurgency/ Terrorist Operations in Jungle and semi-urban Environment under Chapter VII of United Nations Charter.
  • The training will include field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and a culminating validation exercise.
  • The contingents will also exchange operational experience and showcase contemporary equipment and technologies employed during joint operations.
  • Significance: It will further reinforce the longstanding bilateral relations between the two nations.

Source: PIB

Exercise MAITREE FAQs

Q1: Exercise MAITREE involves which forces of both countries?

Ans: Army

Q2: Exercise MAITREE is a bilateral military exercise between which two countries?

Ans: India and Thailand

Mount Kanlaon

August 18, 2026
Mount Kanlaon

Mount Kanlaon Latest News

A recent emission from Kanlaon Volcano produced a grayish plume that rose approximately 200 meters above the summit crater before drifting north.

About Mount Kanlaon

  • It is an active stratovolcano located in the Philippines. 
  • It is the tallest mountain on Negros Island and the highest peak in the Visayas region, standing about 2,465 meters (8,087 feet) above sea level.  
  • It is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
  • It is dotted with fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters, many of which are filled by lakes. 
  • The summit contains a broad elongated northern caldera with a crater lake and a smaller, but higher, historically active crater to the south.  
  • The base of Kanlaon covers an area of 30 km x 14 km. 
  • It is underlain by tropical volcanic materials composed of sheeted lava flows, lahar deposits, airfall tephra, and apron pyroclastic materials.
  • It is biologically diverse; and home to a number of species of flora and fauna.
  • The slopes are also headwater catchments of major river systems on the entire Negros Island.
  • Volcanic Activity:
    • It has erupted more than 30 times since 1819. 
    • Most of its eruptions are phreatic, which means they are caused by steam and produce small to medium amounts of ash. 
    • This ash usually falls around the volcano.

News: REUT

Mount Kanlaon FAQs

Q1: What is Mount Kanlaon?

Ans: Mount Kanlaon is an active stratovolcano located in the Philippines.

Q2: On which island is Mount Kanlaon located?

Ans: Mount Kanlaon is located on Negros Island.

Q3: What geological features dot Mount Kanlaon?

Ans: Fissure-controlled pyroclastic cones and craters.

Q4: What type of eruptions are most common at Mount Kanlaon?

Ans: Most of its eruptions are phreatic, which means they are caused by steam and produce small to medium amounts of ash.

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