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Daily Current Affairs – 18 August, 2026

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    4,000 cases Pending Against MPs, MLAs

    Context

  • As per the report submitted before the Supreme Court, a total of 4,192 cases against sitting and former MPs and MLAs are pending trial across the country.

    • About

  • Chief Ministers of 14 of 28 states have criminal cases against them pending trials.
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    CAG Audit Flags Governance Concerns in Railway Passenger Amenities

    Context

  • A recent Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) audit of railway passenger amenities for 2019-20 to 2023-24 found major deficiencies in basic facilities, drinking-water quality, implementation of passenger-amenity works and monitoring mechanisms.

    • Major Findings of the CAG Audit

  • The Railway Board introduced Minimum Essential Amenities (MEA) in 2003, with the norms revised in 2018.
  • Out of 512 non-suburban stations audited, only 54 stations—less than 11%—had all prescribed MEAs.
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    Black Money in Elections Hampers Democracy: SC

    Context

  • The Supreme Court has recently passed directives to check unexplained cash and electoral offences, stating that voter choices influenced by illicit money are detrimental to free and fair elections and the ‘very essence of democracy’.

    • Black Money in Elections

  • The black money in elections is used to influence voters, support the campaign, distribute cash or gifts and fulfil election related expenses through unaccounted or undeclared money outside the legal framework.
  • It creates an uneven electoral playing field and can develop a link between money, crime and politics.
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    Digital Infrastructure in India

    Context

  • India's governance has undergone a fundamental transformation through Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

    • India’s Digital Economy

  • The Digital Economy now contributes about 12–14% of India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and is projected to account for 20% over the next decade. 
  • As per the State of India’s Digital Economy Report 2026, India is now the world’s fifth-largest digitalised economy and the fourth-highest ranked G20 economy.  
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    Artificial Intelligence (AI) Agent 

    In News

  • An incident highlighted the concern related to AI agent which exceeded user instructions and exploited software vulnerabilities to secure a gym slot. 

    • AI agents 

  • They are autonomous systems that employ existing tools to plan processes, make decisions, solve problems, and carry out activities with minimal human participation. 
  • They go beyond understanding words, and they can also interface with the external environment and software to do things.
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    News In Short 18-08-2026

    Context

  • The Maharashtra government is seeking UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage recognition for the Dahi Handi festival.

    • About the Intangible cultural heritage

  • It includes the practices, knowledge, expressions, objects, and spaces that communities see as part of their cultural identity.
  • Passed down over generations, this heritage evolves, strengthening cultural identity and appreciation of diversity.
    • Read More
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