29 September 2026
Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan announced on 29 September 2026, World Heart Day, that the Troponin T test will be given free of cost to Below Poverty Line families from 1 October 2026.
The facility will be available at government health institutions ranging from primary health centres to district hospitals and general hospitals.
The Troponin T test helps detect heart-muscle injury and aids in diagnosing a suspected heart attack.
The minister said the test is particularly useful when ECG findings are inconclusive.
The stated purpose of the measure is to ensure that the cost of the test does not delay treatment.
Test:
Troponin T
Free from:
1 October 2026
Beneficiaries:
BPL families
Why it matters for exams: A new state health measure with a clear start date, beneficiary group and diagnostic test name.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Justice C.S. Dias of the Kerala High Court on 29 September 2026 dismissed a petition seeking transfer of the Shuhaib murder trial from the Additional Sessions Judge-III, Thalassery.
The petition was filed by Akash M.V. and others under Section 447 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, in Tr.P(Crl.) 38/2026 and Crl.MC 4292/2026.
The petitioners had sought the transfer citing a reasonable apprehension that they would not get a fair and impartial trial before that court.
Justice Dias directed the trial court to give the accused a full and effective opportunity to participate, including by suo motu reopening the evidence and permitting cross-examination of witnesses.
The court also directed that the proceedings be expedited, as the case arose from the death of Youth Congress activist Shuhaib at Mattanur in Kannur district on 12 February 2018.
The order is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 534.
Judge:
Justice C.S. Dias
Provision:
Section 447, BNSS 2023
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 534
Why it matters for exams: Links a current Kerala High Court order to the transfer-of-cases provision in the new criminal procedure code.
Kerala PSCUPSC
29 September 2026
Votes for local body bypolls in 38 wards across 12 districts of Kerala were counted on 29 September 2026.
The UDF tally in these wards fell from 22 to 19 and the LDF tally rose from 15 to 18, while the NDA retained one seat.
The recorded turnout was 58.81 per cent and 126 candidates were in the fray.
The wards included divisions in the Kochi and Kozhikode corporations, municipal wards in Mattannur, Chittur-Thathamangalam and Chalakudy, district and block panchayat wards, and 23 grama panchayat wards.
Kannur recorded the highest turnout and Kottayam the lowest.
The UDF lost seven sitting wards and the LDF four, with the LDF picking up seven new seats.
Wards:
38
Districts:
12
Turnout:
58.81%
Candidates:
126
Why it matters for exams: Fresh, precise numbers on a state-wide local body bypoll round, useful for polity and current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Kerala Transport Department has directed the State Transport Authority to reconsider its decision of 11 August 2021 that fixed a uniform colour scheme for contract carriages other than light motor vehicles.
Under the existing code such buses must have the body painted white, with a violet stripe running horizontally across the middle and a thin golden stripe above it.
The government order notes that the All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023, issued by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, do not prescribe a specific colour for the body of tourist vehicles.
Operators had argued that the state restriction puts Kerala-registered buses at a disadvantage against tourist vehicles registered in other states.
Any revision must still comply with a 2019 Kerala High Court judgment restricting displays on buses in the interest of road safety.
The existing colour code is not scrapped by the order; a change will depend on the decision of the State Transport Authority.
Decision to be reviewed:
11 August 2021
Central rules cited:
All India Tourist Vehicles (Permit) Rules, 2023
Reviewing body:
State Transport Authority
Why it matters for exams: Shows how a state transport rule interacts with central permit rules and an earlier High Court direction.
Kerala PSCSSC
29 September 2026
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M. of the Kerala High Court on 29 September 2026 directed the Secretary of the Department of Backward Classes Development to file an affidavit on the steps taken for a socio-economic caste survey in Kerala.
The affidavit must be filed within four weeks and the matter was posted for hearing on 5 November 2026.
The direction came in a contempt case, Con. Case (C) 2097/2026, filed by the Minority Indians Planning and Vigilance Commission Trust.
The proceedings relate to compliance with an earlier judgment on inadequate representation of backward classes in public services and a survey under the Kerala State Commission for Backward Classes Act, 1993.
The court asked the Additional Advocate General to examine a 2024 Telangana government order on a door-to-door household survey of socio-economic and caste data and to suggest what may be adopted in Kerala.
The departmental Secretary was newly added as a respondent in the case.
Affidavit deadline:
Four weeks
Next hearing:
5 November 2026
Case number:
Con. Case (C) 2097/2026
Why it matters for exams: Connects a live High Court proceeding with the 1993 state Act that governs backward class identification.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The 18th International Documentary and Short Film Festival of Kerala announced a screening schedule for 23 newly cleared films.
The screenings were fixed between 27 and 30 September 2026 at the Kairali, Sree and Nila theatres.
Three of the cleared films belong to the Competition Short Fiction section.
The other cleared titles were placed in Focus Short Fiction, International Fiction, International Non-Fiction, Festival Winners and a special Nepali films section.
The organisers asked all delegates to check the revised schedule carefully.
Edition:
18th
Newly cleared films:
23
Screening dates:
27-30 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's documentary and short film festival, its edition number and venues, is a recurring art and culture question.
Kerala PSC
29 September 2026
The Kerala State Electricity Board said on 29 September 2026 that partial power restrictions were likely between 6.45 pm and midnight because of a projected shortage of 600 to 800 MW.
Consumption in Kerala this September rose by about 1,200 MW over earlier years.
The Board attributed the rise to a rain deficit caused by the El Nino phenomenon and persistently high atmospheric temperatures.
The 200 MW that Kerala receives from Madhya Pradesh under a swap arrangement was not available between 6 pm and 8 pm, though an additional 50 MW was arranged from Haryana.
Grid India reported that national demand could rise by 5,000 MW alongside a 5,000 MW fall in wind generation.
Deficit:
600 to 800 MW
Restriction window:
6.45 pm to midnight
Swap power unavailable:
200 MW from Madhya Pradesh
Why it matters for exams: A current state power-supply figure tied to weather and inter-state exchange arrangements.
Kerala PSCSSC
31 August 2026
The Kerala Public Service Commission published an extraordinary gazette dated 31 August 2026 carrying notifications from Category No. 130/2026 to Category No. 150/2026.
The last date for submitting applications against this gazette is 7 October 2026.
The posts notified include Beat Forest Officer in the Forest and Wildlife Department, Fire and Rescue Officer (Trainee) in Fire and Rescue Services, and Assistant Prison Officer in Prisons and Correctional Services.
Other posts include Police Constable (Band, Bugler and Drummer) in the Police Band Unit, Conservation Officer in the State Archives Department and Lecturer in Arabic under Kerala General Education for DIETs.
Public sector and corporation posts in the list include Plumber in the Kerala Water Authority, Compounder Gr.IV in Malabar Cements Ltd., Junior Assistant Part-II in the Kerala Co-operative Milk Marketing Federation Limited and Assistant Project Engineer in the Kerala Land Development Corporation Limited.
Gazette date:
31/08/2026
Categories:
CAT.NO 130/2026 to 150/2026
Last date:
07-10-2026
Why it matters for exams: Category numbers and closing dates of Kerala PSC gazettes are directly examinable and immediately useful to aspirants.
Kerala PSC
Background
Pathanamthitta is the thirteenth revenue district of the State of Kerala, with headquarters at Pathanamthitta.
It was formed with effect from the 1st November, 1982 vide G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD dated 29.10.1982.
The district was carved out of erstwhile Alleppey, Quilon and Idukki districts.
At its inception it comprised five taluks: Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Ranni, Kozhenchery and Adoor.
The North Pamba Valley area and the area around Sabarimala Sannidhanam in Peerumade Taluk of Idukki were also included in its jurisdiction.
The district lies on the slopes of the Western Ghats, with the State of Tamil Nadu on its east.
Position among revenue districts:
Thirteenth
Headquarters:
Pathanamthitta
Formed with effect from:
1st November, 1982
Government order:
G.O. (M.S) No.1026/82/RD
Why it matters for exams: District formation details are a staple of Kerala PSC geography questions.
Kerala PSC
Background
Kasaragod district, at the northern end of Kerala, was formed on 24th May, 1984.
It was formed on the basis of the order of 19.05.1984, GO (MS) number 520/84 / RD.
The district comprised the Hosdurg and Kasaragod taluks, which were part of undivided Kannur District.
It has Kodagu and Dakshina Kannada districts of Karnataka to its east and the Arabian Sea to its west.
Anantha Padmanabhaswamy temple in Ananthapuram near Kumbala is the only lake temple in Kerala.
Formed on:
24th May, 1984
Government order:
GO (MS) number 520/84 / RD
Taluks at formation:
Hosdurg and Kasaragod
Parent district:
Kannur
Why it matters for exams: District formation dates and parent districts are frequently asked in Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSC
Background
Kerala has 44 perennial rivers, of which three flow eastward and 41 drain into the Lakshadweep Sea.
The four medium rivers are Chaliyar, Bharathapuzha, Periyar and Pamba.
Their lengths are 169 km, 209 km, 244 km and 176 km respectively.
Their total drainage area is only 8250 km2.
The remaining rivers range from 16 km to 130 km in length, with an average of 62 km.
About 30 reservoirs, mostly in the highlands, modulate the river flow.
The rivers have steep gradients and swift flow, lack delta formation and mainly follow a dendritic drainage pattern.
Periyar:
244 km
Bharathapuzha:
209 km
Pamba:
176 km
Chaliyar:
169 km
Perennial rivers:
44
Why it matters for exams: River lengths and rankings recur in Kerala PSC and state-level geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kerala has more than 200 wetland areas, covering about one-fifth of the State's land area.
Vembanad-Kole, Ashtamudi and Sasthamcotta lakes are designated as Ramsar sites.
Wetland types include marshes, polders (paddy fields) bordering backwaters, lakes and the Myristica Swamps of the Western Ghats.
The State Wetland Authority Kerala (SWAK), established under the Department of Environment, oversees wetland management.
The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has developed management plans for Vembanad, Sasthamcotta and Ashtamudi.
The main threats are pollution, eutrophication, encroachment, reclamation, mining and biodiversity loss.
Ramsar-designated lakes:
Vembanad-Kole, Ashtamudi, Sasthamcotta
Wetland areas:
More than 200
Share of State land area:
About one-fifth
Oversight body:
SWAK
Why it matters for exams: Ramsar sites and the wetland authority are standard environment topics for Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
State animal: Indian elephant (Elephas maximus indicus).
State bird: Great hornbill (Buceros bicornis).
State fish: Green chromide (Etroplus suratensis).
State flower: Kanikonna (Cassia fistula).
State tree: Coconut tree (Cocos nucifera); state fruit: Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus).
State butterfly: Malabar banded peacock (Papilio buddha); state dance form: Kathakali.
The name "Keralam" reflects the abundance of coconuts, with 'Kera' meaning coconut and 'alam' signifying land.
State bird:
Great hornbill
State fish:
Green chromide
State flower:
Kanikonna
State butterfly:
Malabar banded peacock
State dance form:
Kathakali
Why it matters for exams: State symbols are a reliable one-mark topic in Kerala PSC general knowledge papers.
Kerala PSC
Background
Kerala Kalamandalam was founded in 1930 by the poet Padmabhooshan Vallathol Narayana Menon and his associate Manakkulam Mukundaraja, under the patronage of Kakkad Karanavappad.
At the beginning it was exclusively a training centre for Kathakali.
Its first venue was Madappattil, at Kunnamkulam near Thrissur.
In 1936 it moved to its own plot on the banks of the river Bharathapuzha in Cheruthuruthy village of Thrissur District.
It is a residential institution following the Gurukula Sampradaya, teaching Kathakali, Mohiniyattam, Thullal, Kutiyattam, Panchavadyam and Carnatic Music among other disciplines.
In 1975 it began functioning as a grant-in-aid institution, and in 1990 formal schooling from the 8th grade was introduced.
Founders:
Vallathol Narayana Menon and Manakkulam Mukundaraja
Present campus:
Cheruthuruthy, Thrissur District
River:
Bharathapuzha
Original discipline:
Kathakali
Why it matters for exams: Founders and locations of Kerala's cultural institutions are regular Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA) has been engaged in capacity building for local governance in Kerala since its establishment in 1990.
It is the Government of Kerala's nodal agency for training, research and consultancy for local self-government institutions, both rural and urban.
Its objectives include training programmes for elected representatives and officials.
It also aims to strengthen the process of de-centralized planning and to undertake action-oriented research.
It documents best practices on local governance for wider dissemination and organises seminars, workshops and discussions.
KILA is listed among the allied institutions of the Local Self Government Department.
Established:
1990
Role:
Nodal agency for training, research and consultancy
Parent department:
Local Self Government Department
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's decentralisation institutions and their roles are recurring Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSC
Background
The Ombudsman for LSGI began functioning in the year 2000 as a 7 member body with a retired High Court judge as its Chairman.
It was made a single member body through an amendment of the Panchayath Raj Act in the year 2001.
It is a high powered quasi judicial body functioning at the state level with its Head Quarters in the State Capital.
Under the present law, only a former judge of the High Court can be appointed as Ombudsman.
It can conduct investigations and enquiries into mal administration, corruption, favouritism, nepotism, lack of integrity, excessive action, inaction and abuse of position.
The department's page notes that possibly no other State in India has such an institution to oversee local self-government institutions.
Started functioning:
2000
Made single-member:
2001
Who can be appointed:
Only a former judge of the High Court
Headquarters:
State Capital
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's oversight bodies and their qualifications are a recurring Kerala PSC theme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The State Election Commission is an institution formed under Article 243 (k) of the Constitution of India to conduct elections to local bodies in the State.
Elections to local bodies are conducted under its direct control and supervision.
It holds general elections to all local bodies at the end of the five-year term and also conducts by-elections to fill vacancies.
It also handles the election of Chairpersons and Vice-Chairmen and of members of the Standing Committee.
Proceedings on no-confidence motions against the Chairmen, Vice-Chairmen and Standing Committee Chairmen are governed by an official authorized by the Commission.
Reservation positions of members and councilors in local bodies are determined under its supervision.
The Secretary of the Commission is at Janahitham, Vikas Bhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram.
Constitutional basis:
Article 243 (k)
General election cycle:
Five-year term
Office:
Janahitham, Vikas Bhavan P.O., Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: Constitutional articles for local-body institutions are standard polity questions in Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Payyannur was the main venue of the Salt Satyagraha, a major turning point in the Indian Freedom Movement, in Malabar.
On 13 April 1930, a batch of Congress volunteers under the leadership of K. Kelappan started on foot from Kozhikode to the beaches of Payyannur.
They broke the salt laws there on April 21.
The Satyagraha camp at Payyannur was raided and the campers were beaten up.
The Uliyath Kadav Payyanur incident became a turning point in the history of the freedom struggle in Kerala.
Kannur District also saw the revolt led by Pazhassi Raja in the 1792-1806 period, one of the longest and bloodiest resistances to British rule in India.
Main Malabar venue:
Payyannur
Leader of the march:
K. Kelappan
Route:
Kozhikode to Payyannur
Revolt in Kannur District:
Led by Pazhassi Raja
Why it matters for exams: Malabar's role in the freedom movement is a recurring Kerala PSC history topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Arogya Keralam is the Kerala unit of the National Health Mission, with its office at General Hospital Junction in Thiruvananthapuram.
Dr. Renu Raj IAS is the State Mission Director, and Dr. Sharmila Mary Joseph IAS is the Principal Secretary of the Health and Family Welfare Department.
The Health and Devaswom portfolio in the state is held by Minister K. Muraleedharan.
Programmes run through the mission include Aardram, Sampushta Keralam, the Family Health Centres and eSanjeevani, the teleconsultation service.
The mission also implements quality frameworks such as the National Quality Assurance Standards and the Mother and Baby Friendly Hospital Initiative.
It is this network of government health institutions that will deliver the free Troponin T test announced for Below Poverty Line families.
State Mission Director:
Dr. Renu Raj IAS
Teleconsultation service:
eSanjeevani
Office:
General Hospital Junction, Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: Names the office-holders and programme names behind Kerala's public health delivery, which the current free-test announcement runs through.
Kerala PSC