UPSC Current Affairs, 18 September 2026
6 stories from the news of the day, each in short with why it matters for Prelims and Mains. Practise their UPSC-style questions and take the daily quiz in CAShorts.
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World & IRGS3Prelims
US Bill threatens up to 100% tariffs on buyers of Russian oil
The US Congress passed the Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026, providing for duties of up to 100% on all goods from the five biggest buyers of Russian crude or gas that keep buying. India imports over 88% of its oil needs; in August, Russia supplied nearly half its crude imports. The Bill became law on 18 September.
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EconomyGS3Prelims
UPI gets a 0.4% merchant fee above ₹2,000
From 15 October, UPI payments above ₹2,000 to merchants will attract a 0.4% Merchant Discount Rate, capped at ₹300 for payments of ₹75,000 and above. Person-to-person transfers stay free. Payments above ₹2,000 were 4% of merchant transactions by volume but 67% by value in August, NPCI data show. MDR on UPI was cut to zero in January 2020.
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EnvironmentGS3Prelims
Report: a fifth of India's GDP rests on the Himalayas
In September, Systemiq and the Integrated Mountain Initiative released 'Prosperous and Resilient Himalayas', estimating that ₹64.8 lakh crore, or 21.5% of India's FY24 GDP, depends on Himalayan water. The report warns that the Hindu Kush Himalaya could lose up to 80% of its present glacier volume by 2100, with most river basins expected to reach 'Peak Water' around mid-century.
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World & IRPrelimsGS1
Shaksgam Valley and the 1963 pact: India rejects China-Pakistan boundary commission
The Ministry of External Affairs has rejected the “so-called” Pakistan-China Boundary Joint Commission as “without any legal basis”, stating that there is no boundary between Pakistan and China and that the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh are integral and inalienable parts of India. The commission would coordinate the Khunjerab crossing and CPEC-linked trade.
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EconomyGS3Prelims
EPFO wage ceiling raised to ₹25,000 after 12 years
The Ministry of Labour and Employment has raised the EPFO wage ceiling from ₹15,000 to ₹25,000 a month from 17 September, the first revision in 12 years. Over 51 lakh more workers are expected to come under mandatory coverage, and the maximum monthly employer pension contribution rises from ₹1,250 to ₹2,083.
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PolityGS2Prelims
Centre proposes Article 371K for Ladakh
The Union government has proposed a new Article 371K giving Ladakh special constitutional safeguards, after an in-principle understanding with the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance. It would create a directly elected Union Territory-level body with powers over land, culture and language, forests and natural resources.
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