Daily Current Affairs – April 18, 2026

The Reserve Bank of India has opened a special foreign exchange window to supply dollars to state-run refiners, easing pressure on the rupee. This move, likely routed through state-run lenders, aims to reduce the significant daily dollar demand from oil companies. Analysts expect this intervention to lead to rupee appreciation.

Ship safety in the Strait of Hormuz draws attention to vessel flagging. India is boosting its flagged fleet. The Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 targets a significant increase in the global share of Indian-flagged ships. This initiative aims to enhance the utilization of these vessels by 2047. Indian flagged ships receive advantages in domestic waters.

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi had accused the government of “hiding behind women” to alter the country’s electoral map.

The central government recently initiated steps to relocate the border fencing closer to the international boundary, a move expected to provide significant relief to farmers who have for decades operated under stringent Border Security Force (BSF) regulations

Costa Rica is one of a growing number of countries across Africa and the Americas that have signed contentious, often secretive agreements with the U.S. to accept deportees from other countries

Most of these ships are critical to India’s energy needs and are carrying crude oil

Major US stock indices, including the S&P 500 and Nasdaq, closed at record highs Friday, fueled by optimism over Iran's decision to open the Strait of Hormuz and potential peace talks with the US. This development eased inflation concerns as oil prices plummeted, boosting consumer discretionary and industrial sectors while energy stocks slid.

The Bombay High Court has ordered social media platforms and domain registrars to remove fake accounts and websites impersonating the National Stock Exchange (NSE). The court granted interim relief to NSE, directing platforms like X and Google-owned YouTube to take down infringing content. This action aims to protect unsuspecting investors from fraudulent stock market guidance.

Bank holiday today, 3rd Saturday: Banks are open today, Saturday 18 April, as it falls on the third Saturday of the month. Check the RBI holiday calendar for upcoming April 2026 closures and find out which transactions you can still do on a bank holiday.

Organised jewellers promote lightweight designs, price-lock plans and new launches to sustain demand before Akshaya Tritiya, as consumers shift toward smaller, affordable purchases amid volatile gold prices.

Meanwhile, Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty, who had played a pivotal role in India’s 2022 victory, will travel early to Denmark to train ahead of the Thomas Cup Finals