UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 18 September 2026

Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency Amid Sharp Rise in HIV Infections

September 18, 2026

Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency after a sharp rise in HIV infections, prompting the government to expand testing, treatment and prevention measures. The development has brought renewed attention to the growing HIV burden in the Pacific island nation and the gaps in diagnosis and treatment.

Why Did Fiji Declare a National HIV Emergency?

Fiji declared a national HIV emergency as the country faces a rapid rise in new infections alongside significant gaps in HIV diagnosis and treatment. New HIV infections increased 12-fold between 2010 and 2025, while around 9,100 people were estimated to be living with HIV in 2025 in a country with a population of less than one million.

Key Factors Behind Fiji’s HIV Crisis

Several factors are contributing to the rapid spread of HIV in Fiji.

Injecting drug use: Sharing contaminated needles and syringes can transmit HIV directly through blood. More than 42% of cases with a known mode of transmission were linked to injecting drug use.
Sexual transmission: More than half of cases with a known mode of transmission were linked to sexual transmission, making testing and prevention services particularly important.
Limited testing: A large proportion of people living with HIV do not know their status, reducing the likelihood of early diagnosis and treatment.
Low treatment coverage: Only 22% of people living with HIV were accessing antiretroviral treatment in 2025, limiting the health benefits of treatment and its role in preventing further transmission.
Stigma and discrimination: Fear of stigma can discourage people from getting tested or accessing treatment, allowing infections to remain undiagnosed.

What Measures Has Fiji Announced?

Fiji's response focuses on expanding access to testing, treatment, prevention and harm reduction.

Free HIV testing: The government plans to expand testing so that more infections can be identified at an early stage.
Free treatment: People who test positive will be provided access to HIV treatment.
Needle and syringe programme: Fiji plans to introduce a programme providing clean needles and syringes to people who inject drugs, with legislative amendments being considered to facilitate its implementation.
Expanded prevention: The government is strengthening access to HIV prevention services, including preventive medicines.
Community-based response: Community organisations and peer workers are being involved in reaching vulnerable groups and connecting them with health services.
Action against stigma: The government has emphasised that people should not be excluded or discouraged from seeking HIV services because of their HIV status.

What is HIV?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a virus that attacks the body's immune system, particularly CD4 cells, which help the body fight infections.

Without treatment, HIV can progressively weaken the immune system and may lead to Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS), the most advanced stage of HIV infection.

Antiretroviral treatment can suppress HIV and help people living with the virus lead healthy lives.

How is HIV Transmitted?

HIV is transmitted through certain body fluids when they enter the body of another person.

Sexual transmission: Through exposure to infected sexual fluids.
Blood transmission: Through infected blood.
Injecting drug use: Through sharing contaminated needles or syringes.
Mother-to-child transmission: During pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

HIV is not transmitted through ordinary social contact, such as hugging, shaking hands or sharing everyday spaces.

Fiji Declares National HIV Emergency FAQs

Q1: Why did Fiji declare a national HIV emergency?

Ans: Fiji declared a national HIV emergency following a 12-fold increase in new HIV infections between 2010 and 2025, along with significant gaps in HIV testing and treatment.

Q2: How many people are living with HIV in Fiji?

Ans: Around 9,100 people were estimated to be living with HIV in Fiji in 2025, in a country with a population of less than one million.

Q3: What are the major factors driving Fiji’s HIV crisis?

Ans: The major factors include sexual transmission, injecting drug use, limited access to testing and treatment, and stigma and discrimination that can discourage people from seeking HIV services.

Q4: What measures has Fiji announced to tackle the HIV crisis?

Ans: Fiji is expanding HIV testing, treatment and prevention services and plans to introduce a needle and syringe programme for people who inject drugs.

Q5: What is HIV and how is it transmitted?

Ans: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the immune system and is mainly transmitted through sexual contact, infected blood, sharing contaminated needles or syringes, and from mother to child during pregnancy, childbirth or breastfeeding.

Global Gender Gap Index 2026

September 18, 2026

Global Gender Gap Index Latest News

India retained the 131st rank on the Global Gender Gap Index 2026 released by the World Economic Forum recently, with Iceland, Finland and Norway maintaining their top three slots respectively.

About Global Gender Gap Index 2026

It is an annual index designed to measure gender equality.
It is released by the World Economic Forum (WEF).
It benchmarks the current state and evolution of gender parity across four key dimensions (subindexes): Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.
Since launching in 2006, it is the longest-standing index tracking the progress of numerous countries’ efforts towards closing these gaps over time.

Global Gender Gap Index 2026 Highlights

Globally, 69.2 percent of the gender gap has now been closed, up by 0.4 percentage points over the last year.
Iceland is still the world’s number one, with 93 percent of its gender gap closed.
Finland and Norway follow with 87.2 percent and 85.7 percent, respectively.
Namibia is fourth with 84.5 percent, followed by the UK, New Zealand, Sweden, Australia, Germany, and Ireland.
Australia cracked the top 10 for the first time.
Across the 143 economies covered in both the 2025 and 2026 editions, the overall score increased by 0.4 percentage points.
Education recorded the largest increase year on year, rising from 95.3 percent to 96.9 percent.
Economic participation score increased from 61.3 percent to 61.7 percent, and health and survival improved from 96.1 percent to 96.2 percent.
Political empowerment, however, moved in the opposite direction, sliding down from 22.5 percent to 22.1 percent.
India stands at 131st spot, with 64.5 percent.
Only 14 countries ranked below India on the index of 145 countries. These include Papua New Guinea, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Tajikistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Morocco, Mali, Algeria, and Congo.
Chad was the lowest-ranked country in the index, with Iran and Pakistan joining it in the bottom three.
Overall, India's gender parity increased by 4.3 percentage points since 2006, primarily due to gains in educational attainment.
In the Economic Participation and Opportunity subindex, India reported a 41.2 percent parity score, 0.5 higher than the previous edition but 3.5 percentage points lower from its best result in 2013.

News: TH

Global Gender Gap Index FAQs

Q1: What is the Global Gender Gap Index?

Ans: It is an annual index released by the World Economic Forum (WEF) to measure gender equality across countries.

Q2: What are the four key dimensions measured by the Global Gender Gap Index?

Ans: Economic Participation and Opportunity, Educational Attainment, Health and Survival, and Political Empowerment.

Q3: What percentage of the global gender gap was closed according to the Global Gender Gap Index 2026?

Ans: 69.2 percent.

Q4: Which country ranked first in the Global Gender Gap Index 2026?

Ans: Iceland.

Q5: What was India's rank in the Global Gender Gap Index 2026?

Ans: 131st.

Leopardus Tilcayo

September 18, 2026

Leopardus Tilcayo Latest News

Recently, a new cat species was identified in Bolivia, first in over a century and researchers named it as Leopardus Tilcayo.

About Leopardus Tilcayo

It is a type of tiger cat, a group of small felines in the genus Leopardus that are native to South America.
It was found in Bolivia’s ⁠lush Yungas forest, a mountainous region where forests are often covered by clouds and surrounded by high humidity.
The cat is called Tilcayo by local communities.
Appearance: It measures about 18 inches (46 cm) long and weighs around 3 pounds (1.4 kg), making it smaller than the average domestic cat.
Its fur is light brown with irregularly shaped rosettes across its body.

Key Facts about Yungas Forest

The Yungas forest, also known as Nuboselva or Selva Tucumano-Oranense, is a unique ecosystem.
It is located on the eastern edge of the Andes, this mountain forest extends from Venezuela to Argentina.
Fauna: Over 200 species of trees, 80 species of ferns, over 100 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, and around 30 species of toads and frogs, some of which are endemic to this forest.

Source: TH

Leopardus Tilcayo FAQs

Q1: What is Leopardus Tilcayo?

Ans: A species of tiger cat.

Q2: Where was Leopardus Tilcayo discovered?

Ans: Bolivia

Vasai Fort

September 18, 2026

Vasai Fort Latest News

Several Ganesh idols immersed in an artificial pond were allegedly found dumped near the jetty at Vasai Fort recently, sparking outrage among residents.

About Vasai Fort

Vasai Fort, also known as the Bassein Fort, is an ancient fort located at Vasai in the suburbs of North Mumbai, Maharashtra.
It overlooks the confluence of the Ulhas River.

Vasai Fort History

Vasai was known as a place for shipbuilding in the 15th Century.
Bahadur Shah, a Mughal Emperor, had built the Bassein Fort in the 1530s.
The Portuguese conquered and destroyed most of the fort a year after it was built.
The Portuguese remodeled the fort into a flourishing city by building a citadel inside.
The fort was under Portuguese control till 1739 AD.
In the 18th century, the fort was raided and overtaken by the Maratha army under Chimaji Appa. They stood strong for 3 long years, and then the British took over the fort in the First Anglo-Maratha War.

Vasai Fort Architecture

The fort covers an area of around 110 acres.
Surrounded by the sea on three sides and protected by a strategically designed moat on the landward side, its defenses were nearly impenetrable.
The fort’s walls, stretching over 4.5 kilometers, are fortified with eleven towering bastions, each echoing the echoes of battles fought long ago.
Within its expanse, remnants of once-majestic churches, intricate archways, and Portuguese-style facades still stand, albeit weathered by time.
Three old churches are recognisable in the fort. The southernmost chapel has a well-preserved barrel-vaulted ceiling, and the walls are covered with tree roots and palm groves.

News: TOI

Vasai Fort FAQs

Q1: Where is Vasai Fort located?

Ans: At Vasai in the northern suburbs of Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Q2: Who built the Bassein Fort in the 1530s?

Ans: Bahadur Shah, a Mughal emperor.

Q3: Until when did the Portuguese control Vasai Fort?

Ans: Until 1739 AD.

Q4: Which Maratha military leader led the capture of Vasai Fort from the Portuguese?

Ans: Chimaji Appa.

Djibouti

September 18, 2026

Djibouti Latest News

The Republic of Djibouti became the 72nd nation and eighth African country to sign the Artemis Accords during a ceremony at NASA Headquarters in Washington.

About Djibouti

Location: It is an East African country located in the Horn of Africa.
It is nestled at a triple juncture of the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, and East African rift systems.
Bordering countries: It is bordered by three countries namely Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the south, and Ethiopia to the south and west.
Water Bodies: The country also has coastlines on the Red Sea and the Gulf of Eden to the east.
Capital City: Djibouti

Geographical Features of Djibouti

Climate: Djibouti has a dry tropical climate characterized by high year-round temperatures and evaporation rates.
Highest Point: Its highest point is Mount Moussa Ali, reaching an elevation of about 2,028 meters (6,654 feet).
- The Danakil Depression, located in the central and southern parts of Djibouti, is a stark and harsh landscape.
It does not have significant rivers, the presence of temporary watercourses or wadis is notable, especially during the rainy seasons.
Natural Resources: Its key natural resources include salt, petroleum, gold, clay, marble, pumice, gypsum and diatomite.

Source: NASA

Djibouti FAQs

Q1: Where is Djibouti located?

Ans: It is an East African country located in the Horn of Africa.

Q2: Djibouti is bordered by which three countries?

Ans: It is bordered by three countries namely Eritrea to the north, Somalia to the south, and Ethiopia to the south and west.

Indravati Tiger Reserve

September 18, 2026

Indravati Tiger Reserve Latest News

The Indravati Tiger Reserve in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh will reopen to tourists on November 1, allowing organised wildlife tourism in one of the state’s most remote and least-explored forests for the first time in four decades.

About Indravati Tiger Reserve

Location: It is located in the state of Chhattisgarh.
The tiger reserve and the Bhairamgarh and Pamed Wildlife Sanctuaries constitute the Indravati landscape.
It has connectivity with several tiger reserves, viz. Kawal (Telangana), Tadoba (Maharashtra), and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh).
River: The River ‘Indravati’ forms the boundary of the reserve on the northern and western sides, which also happens to be the interstate boundary between Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.
Vegetation: Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest with Teak, Southern Moist Mixed Deciduous Forest without Teak, and Southern Dry Mixed Deciduous Forest are the major forest types found in the Reserve.
Flora: It is home to teak, achar, karra, kullu, shisham, semal, haldu, arjun, bel, and Jamun.
Fauna: It is home to one of the last populations of rare wild buffalo, the state animal of Chhattisgarh.
Other animals include Nilgai, Black Buck, Sambar, Gaur, Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Sloth bears, etc.

Source: HT

Indravati Tiger Reserve FAQs

Q1: Where is Indravati Tiger Reserve located?

Ans: Chhattisgarh

Q2: Indravati Tiger Reserve connects which tiger reserves?

Ans: It has connectivity with several tiger reserves, viz. Kawal (Telangana), Tadoba (Maharashtra), and Kanha (Madhya Pradesh).

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana

September 18, 2026

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana Latest News

The Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) has been framed in the national interest to provide for the welfare of mining-affected areas with a minimum standard of social and physical infrastructure to people.

About Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana

It was launched in 2015.
It aims to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).
Objectives
- To implement various developmental and welfare projects in mining affected areas, complementing the existing ongoing schemes of State and Central Government;
- To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts; and
- To ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas.
Implementation: It is implemented by the District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) of the respective districts using the funds accruing to the DMF.
- The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 requires States to incorporate PMKKKY into their DMF rules.
Utilization of Funds
- At least 60% of the funds on High Priority areas like: drinking water supply, environment preservation and pollution control measures, health care, education, welfare of women and children.
- Up to 40% on Other Priority areas like: physical infrastructure, irrigation, energy and watershed development; and any other measures for enhancing environmental quality in mining districts.

Source: PIB

Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana FAQs

Q1: What is the aim of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: It aims to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

Q2: Who implements Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana?

Ans: It is implemented by the District Mineral Foundations.

Vaitarna River

September 18, 2026

Vaitarna River Latest News

Two teenagers recently drowned in the Vaitarna River in Maharashtra’s Palghar district while attempting a reel during the Ganeshotsav holiday.

About Vaitarna River

It is one of the west-flowing rivers in the region north of Mumbai and south of the Tapi River.
Course:
- It originates from the southern slopes of the Triambak-Anjaneri hills near Trimbakeshwar in the Nashik district of Maharashtra.
- These hills are part of the Sahyadri ranges (Western Ghats) and are also the origin point of the Godavari River.
- The river flows in a generally westward direction, traveling around 154 kilometers before emptying into the Arabian Sea.
- The river passes through the districts of Nashik, Palghar, and Thane, making it an essential water body for multiple regions.
Jhow and Wadhiv islands lie in its estuary. Arnala Island lies off its mouth.
It receives most of the rainfall from the Southwest monsoon during June to October. Almost 98% of the annual rainfall of the basin is received during this period, making it a highly seasonal river in terms of water volume.
Major Tributaries:
- Alvand River
- Tansa River
- Pinjal River
- Surya River
- Dahanu River
- Ganjai River
Urban Utility: Over 60% of Mumbai’s water comes from the Vaitarna and its associated dams.

News: HT

Vaitarna River FAQs

Q1: Where does the Vaitarna River originate?

Ans: It originates from the southern slopes of the Triambak-Anjaneri Hills near Trimbakeshwar in Nashik district, Maharashtra.

Q2: What is the approximate length of the Vaitarna River?

Ans: Approximately 154 km.

Q3: Where does the Vaitarna River ultimately drain?

Ans: It empties into the Arabian Sea.

Q4: What are the major tributaries of the Vaitarna River?

Ans: Alvand, Tansa, Pinjal, Surya, Dahanu and Ganjai rivers.

Sanjay Gandhi National Park

September 18, 2026

Sanjay Gandhi National Park Latest News

Bijalee, an 18-year-old tigress and one of the major crowd-pullers at Mumbai’s Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), has died due to age-related health issues recently, taking the tiger count in the national park to 11.

About Sanjay Gandhi National Park

It is located near Borivali in the northern part of Mumbai, Maharashtra.
It covers an expansive area of 103 sq.km., making it one of the largest parks in the world located within city limits. It forms roughly 20% of Mumbai city’s geographical area.
In the early days, the park was known as Krishnagiri National Park. However, in 1974 the name of this park was changed to ‘Borivali National Park’ and in 1981 to ‘Sanjay Gandhi National Park’.
The Kanheri Caves in the center of the park were an important Buddhist learning center and pilgrimage site sculpted by Buddhist monks between the 9th and the 1st centuries BCE.
- They were chiseled out of a massive basaltic rock outcropping.
- Caves feature viharas, stupas, prayer halls, and other structures of old-style Buddhist architecture.
There is a Jain Temple with three huge carved idols situated on the way to the caves.
Besides, the park also has two lakes, namely Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake, the deer park, the lion safari, and the Samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi.
Flora:
- Kadamba, teak, karanj, shisam, and species of acacia, ziziphus, euphorbia, flame of the forest, red silk cotton and a number of other varieties of flowers.
- Karvi, or karvy, a flowering plant that flowers once in seven years, can be found in the park.
Fauna:
- Leopard, sambar, chital, barking deer, rusty spotted cat, hyena, common palm civet, small Indian civet, Indian crested porcupine, Indian hare, Indian flying fox, common langur, and bonnet macaque.
- The park also boasts 251 species of birds and a large variety of butterflies.

News: IE

Sanjay Gandhi National Park FAQs

Q1: Where is Sanjay Gandhi National Park located?

Ans: Near Borivali in northern Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Q2: Which ancient Buddhist site is located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park?

Ans: The Kanheri Caves.

Q3: Which two lakes are located within Sanjay Gandhi National Park?

Ans: Tulsi Lake and Vihar Lake.

Doppler Weather Radar

September 18, 2026

Doppler Weather Radar Latest News

Recently, the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Earth Sciences virtually inaugurated India's 51st state-of-the-art Doppler Weather Radar at Sambalpur, Odisha.

About Doppler Weather Radar

It is a specialized radar that uses the Doppler Effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.
These radar systems can provide information regarding the movement of targets as well as their position.
Types of weather Radar Bands: Varying frequencies like S-band, C-band and X-band — are commonly used by the IMD in India.

Working of Doppler weather Radars

In radars, a beam of energy, called radio waves, is emitted from an antenna.
When this beam strikes an object in the atmosphere, the energy scatters in all directions, with some reflecting directly back to the radar.
The larger the object deflecting the beam, the greater is the amount of energy that the radar receives in return.
Observing the time required for the beam to be transmitted and returned to the radar allows weather forecasting departments to “see” raindrops in the atmosphere, and measure their distance from the radar.

Applications of Doppler weather Radars

Weather System: It is used to track the movement of weather systems and cloud bands, and gauge rainfall over its coverage area of about 500 km.
X-band radar is used to detect thunderstorms and lightning, whereas a C-band radar helps in cyclone tracking.

Source: PIB

Doppler Weather Radar FAQs

Q1: What is Doppler Weather Radar ?

Ans: It is a specialized radar that uses the Doppler Effect to produce velocity data about objects at a distance.

Q2: What type of information is provided by the Doppler Weather Radar ?

Ans: These radar systems can provide information regarding the movement of targets as well as their position.

Patriot Missile System

September 18, 2026

Patriot Missile System Latest News

Lockheed Martin recently announced it received a shipment of critical components from General Motors for Patriot interceptors, emphasizing the urgency to ramp up production amid ongoing international conflicts.

About Patriot Missile System

Patriot, short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a mobile surface-to-air missile defense system.
It was originally developed by U.S. weapons maker Raytheon Technologies.
The system can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles, and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.
It is the United States Army’s most advanced air defense system.
The system was first used in combat during the 1991 Gulf War, with batteries protecting Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Israel, and later used during the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Nineteen countries now operate the Patriot system, including the U.S., Germany, Poland, Ukraine, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.

Patriot Missile System Features

A Patriot battery (i.e., the basic firing unit) consists of a phased array radar, an engagement control station, computers, power generating equipment, and up to eight launchers, each of which holds four ready-to-fire missiles.
There are about 90 soldiers assigned to a battery, but three soldiers in the engagement control station are the only personnel required to operate the battery in combat.
It is equipped with a track-via-missile (TVM) guidance system. Midcourse correction commands are transmitted to the guidance system from the mobile engagement control centre.
The system's radar has a range of over 150 km and can simultaneously track up to 100 potential targets.
The system has different capabilities depending on the type of interceptor used.
The PAC-2 interceptor uses a blast-fragmentation warhead, while the newer PAC-3 missile uses more advanced hit-to-kill technology.
Depending on the version in use, the interceptor missiles can reach an altitude of more than 24 kilometers.

News: DEVD

Patriot Missile System FAQs

Q1: What type of defence system is the Patriot?

Ans: It is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system.

Q2: Which country developed the Patriot Missile System?

Ans: The United States.

Q3: What types of threats can the Patriot Missile System intercept?

Ans: Aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used.

Q4: What is the approximate range of the Patriot system's radar?

Ans: More than 150 km.