2 October 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan launched 'Nirmalam - A New Era of Clean Keralam', a five-year waste management campaign, at a function in Kochi.
The campaign fixes March 30, 2031 as the date on which Keralam is to be declared a fully waste-free State.
Satheesan said the State should set up two or three model plants for plastic waste disposal and four or five plants for converting ordinary waste into power.
A new project on 12 acres in the Kochi Corporation area was announced, along with large projects in Kozhikode and Kochi supported by Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited.
Waste dumping sites across the State are to be identified within 100 days, and the campaign will run in three phases.
Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji said the department will set up a dedicated authority for waste disposal, give every local body its own website and put QR codes at local institutions for public feedback.
Campaign:
Nirmalam - A New Era of Clean Keralam
Duration:
Five years
Target date:
March 30, 2031
Plastic waste model plants:
2 to 3
Waste-to-energy plants:
4 to 5
New Kochi project area:
12 acres
Why it matters for exams: A flagship State campaign with a named target date and institutional machinery is standard material for Kerala PSC current affairs and for UPSC questions on urban sanitation.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
LSGD Local Self-Government Department — The Kerala department in charge of panchayats and municipalities, and of waste management under them.
BPCL Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited — A central public sector oil company; it is backing the large waste projects in Kochi and Kozhikode.
2 October 2026
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar directed the Travancore Devaswom Board to exercise greater care while procuring materials for Sabarimala prasadam.
The Bench said future e-tender documents must carry conditions requiring that materials meet quality standards as well as the religious customs and requirements of the temple.
The petition, S J R Kumar v The Travancore Devaswom Board, WP(C) 25645/2021, concerned jaggery carrying a Halal certification mark that was used in Aravana Payasam and Unniyappam.
The supplier, Vardhan Agro Processing Limited of Maharashtra, told the court the marking was affixed for export to West Asia and did not reflect the product's composition.
Testing by the Food Safety Officer found the jaggery satisfactory and free of any substance that made it unsuitable for prasadam.
The petition was disposed of, the court recording the Board's undertaking to be more careful in future procurement. The ruling is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 541.
Bench:
Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar
Case:
WP(C) 25645/2021
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 541
Prasadam items involved:
Aravana Payasam and Unniyappam
Why it matters for exams: Devaswom bench rulings on temple procurement combine Article 25-26 questions with the statutory framework of Kerala's Devaswom Boards.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TDB Travancore Devaswom Board — The statutory board that administers temples of the erstwhile Travancore region, including Sabarimala.
WP(C) Writ Petition (Civil) — A petition filed in a High Court under Article 226 of the Constitution.
2 October 2026
Justice Jobin Sebastian, in an order dated September 26, 2026, held that a DNA test of a child born during a valid marriage is not to be directed routinely merely because paternity is disputed.
The court was hearing Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 2332/2026, filed after a Magistrate refused a husband's request for a DNA test.
The wife and her minor child had moved proceedings under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, seeking maintenance and the return of gold ornaments.
Section 112 of the Indian Evidence Act, 1872 makes birth during a valid marriage conclusive proof of legitimacy unless it is shown that the spouses had no access when the child could have been conceived.
The court said that without specific pleadings and prima facie material on non-access, a DNA test cannot be ordered, and that the presumption rests on public policy which parties cannot set aside by consent or settlement.
The petition was dismissed and the Magistrate's refusal upheld. The ruling is reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 542.
Judge:
Justice Jobin Sebastian
Order dated:
September 26, 2026
Case:
Criminal Miscellaneous Case No. 2332/2026
Provision:
Section 112, Indian Evidence Act, 1872
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 542
Why it matters for exams: Section 112 and the limits on DNA evidence are recurring questions in law and general studies papers alike.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Non-access Absence of opportunity for marital intercourse — Under Section 112 the presumption of legitimacy falls only if the spouses had no access when the child could have been conceived.
PWDV Act Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005 — The law under which the wife sought maintenance and return of her ornaments.
2 October 2026
Health Minister K Muraleedharan announced that Kerala will bring in legislation to regulate treatment costs in private hospitals.
A four-member committee headed by the Principal Secretary, Health, will prepare the draft Bill. Its other members are the Director of Health Services, the Director of Medical Education and the Managing Director of Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd.
The proposed law will cover medicine prices, charges for laboratory tests, CT and MRI scans, room rent and the cost of procedures and interventions.
Patients are to be told the expected cost of treatment in advance, and bills must set out every charge item by item.
Medicines supplied by private hospitals are to be priced below the maximum retail price.
The Minister said some hospitals are exploiting poor people excessively, and that many people approach the government for help after receiving private hospital bills they cannot pay.
Committee size:
Four members
Chair:
Principal Secretary, Health
Minister:
K Muraleedharan
Medicine pricing rule proposed:
Below maximum retail price
Why it matters for exams: Price regulation of private healthcare is a live governance theme and the committee's composition is an easy factual question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KMSCL Kerala Medical Services Corporation Ltd — The State agency that procures medicines and equipment for government hospitals.
MRP Maximum retail price — The highest price at which a packaged product may legally be sold to a consumer.
2 October 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan will perform the State-level inauguration of the She Scooter distribution at the Jimmy George Indoor Stadium, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram on October 5, 2026.
The electric scooters go to women fisher entrepreneurs, and the programme is part of the government's 100-day action agenda.
V E Abdul Gafoor, Minister for Fisheries, Social Justice and Harbour Engineering, will preside over the function.
Health Minister K Muraleedharan will release the logo and Transport Minister C P John will hand over financial assistance to enterprises.
Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor will conduct the first sale of the branded clothing line.
The Information and Public Relations Department release, P.N.X. 4087/2026 dated October 1, 2026, names MLAs M Vincent, N Shakthan, Ramya Haridas, V Joy and V Muraleedharan, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V V Rajesh and District Panchayat President V Priyadarshini among those taking part.
Date of inauguration:
October 5, 2026
Venue:
Jimmy George Indoor Stadium, Vellayambalam, Thiruvananthapuram
Beneficiaries:
Women fisher entrepreneurs
Programme:
100-day action agenda
Why it matters for exams: Scheme name, beneficiary group and the department behind it are the three things PSC asks about any new State programme.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
I&PRD Information and Public Relations Department — The Kerala department that issues official press releases for the government.
2 October 2026
The last date for submitting expressions of interest for the Kerala River Museum has been extended to 5 pm on October 15, 2026.
The museum is planned as an interpretation centre on rivers at Vallakkadavu, under the Kerala State Biodiversity Museum.
Expressions of interest are invited from government institutions, autonomous bodies and other eligible agencies.
The work covers design, development, construction, installation and commissioning of the museum.
The notice was issued by the Information and Public Relations Department as release P.N.X. 4089/2026 dated October 1, 2026.
New deadline:
5 pm on October 15, 2026
Location:
Vallakkadavu
Parent institution:
Kerala State Biodiversity Museum
Release number:
P.N.X. 4089/2026
Why it matters for exams: New State museums and biodiversity institutions are frequently asked about by name and location in Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
EoI Expression of Interest — A preliminary call inviting eligible agencies to show willingness before a formal tender.
2 October 2026
The Kerala government has set up a help desk through NORKA Roots for Malayali students at Lovely Professional University in Punjab, where a clash took place.
The help desk will function 24 hours a day.
Students and families can reach it on the toll-free number 1800 425 3939, and a missed call facility is available on +91 8802 012345.
Support is also available through the NORKA NRK Development Office at Kerala House, New Delhi, on 011 2336 0350 and 011 2334 9202.
The arrangement was announced by the Information and Public Relations Department on October 1, 2026.
Toll-free number:
1800 425 3939
Missed call facility:
+91 8802 012345
Working hours:
24 hours
Delhi office:
NORKA NRK Development Office, Kerala House, New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: NORKA Roots and its helpline machinery are standard Kerala PSC questions on the State's non-resident welfare system.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
NORKA Non-Resident Keralites Affairs — The Kerala government department for Keralites living outside the State and the country.
2 October 2026
Applications for the Master of Public Health course may be submitted until October 17, 2026.
The entrance examination will be held on October 24, 2026 at Thiruvananthapuram.
The application fee is Rs 1,800 for general candidates and Rs 900 for candidates in the scheduled categories, payable online or by challan at Federal Bank branches.
Eligibility is a minimum of 50 per cent marks in a medical degree such as MBBS, BDS, BAMS, BHMS, BUMS or BSMS with State Council registration, or in B.Sc Nursing, B.Pharm or B.Sc Allied Medical with State Council registration, or a regular B.Sc Veterinary degree from Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University or another recognised university, or a pass with 50 per cent marks from the Kerala University of Health Sciences having studied public health as a subject at degree or postgraduate level.
Details are published on www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in and enquiries are taken on 0471 2560361 to 364.
Last date to apply:
October 17, 2026
Entrance examination:
October 24, 2026, Thiruvananthapuram
Application fee, general:
Rs 1,800
Application fee, scheduled categories:
Rs 900
Why it matters for exams: Admission notifications with dates and fee slabs are routinely lifted into Kerala PSC and State-level current affairs sets.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
MPH Master of Public Health — A postgraduate course on population health, epidemiology and health administration.
LBS Centre LBS Centre for Science and Technology — A Kerala government autonomous body that conducts entrance examinations and professional courses.
1 October 2026
The Kerala Public Service Commission's extraordinary gazette dated 30/09/2026 carries Category Numbers CAT.NO.151/2026 TO CAT.NO.161/2026 for the year 2026.
The last date shown against the gazette is 04-11-2026.
The posts notified include Draftsman Grade-II in the Kerala Ports service (Hydrographic Survey Wing) as Cat.No.151/2026 and Forest Boat Driver (Part-I) under Forest & Wildlife as Cat.No.153/2026.
Forest Boat Driver (Part II-By Transfer) under Forest & Wildlife is Cat.No.154/2026.
Higher Secondary School Teacher - Statistics (SR for ST Only) under Kerala Higher Secondary Education is Cat.No.155/2026, and Draftsman Grade-II / Town Planning Surveyor Grade-II (SR for SC/ST) under the LSG Department (Group IV Planning Wing) is Cat.No.156/2026.
Higher Secondary School Teacher (Jr.) Arabic (VII NCA-SC&ST) is notified as Cat.No.157&158/2026, and Police Constable Driver / Woman Police Constable Driver (I NCA-LC/AI) under Kerala Police as Cat.No.159/2026.
Three entries are for Peon/Watchman posts by direct recruitment from among the part-time employees in KSFE Ltd - Cat.No.152/2026, Cat.No.160/2026 and Cat.No.161/2026.
The Commission's head office is at Thulasi Hills, Pattom Palace P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695 004.
Gazette:
EXTRA ORDINARY GAZETTE DATE 30/09/2026
Category Numbers:
CAT.NO.151/2026 TO CAT.NO.161/2026
Last date:
04-11-2026
Year:
2026
Head office:
Thulasi Hills, Pattom Palace P.O., Thiruvananthapuram 695 004
Why it matters for exams: Kerala PSC aspirants are asked which gazette carried which category number and by when applications close, and the same list shows which service each post belongs to.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KPSC Kerala Public Service Commission — The State recruitment body that issues these category-numbered notifications through extraordinary gazettes.
KSFE Kerala State Financial Enterprises Ltd — The State-owned chit and loan company whose part-time employees are the feeder group for three of these Peon/Watchman notifications.
Background
The new State waste management campaign launched this week is to be carried out through local self-government bodies, where doorstep waste collection is done by the Haritha Karma Sena, so its structure is worth knowing.
The Haritha Karma Sena works in the field of sanitation and waste management in local self-government bodies in Kerala, collecting cleaned non-organic waste, and in some cases organic waste, from the doorstep of households and institutions.
It was established in 2017 under the Haritha Keralam Mission project.
Haritha Keralam Mission, Kudumbashree, Suchitwa Mission, Clean Kerala Company and the Local Self-Government bodies are the partners in the venture.
Local self-government bodies provide vehicles, uniforms and identity cards to the workers.
Residents pay a user fee fixed by the local self-government body on the basis of a Government Order.
Waste collected is taken to material collection facilities, sorted, and sent on to resource recovery centres for reuse or recycling.
Established:
2017, under the Haritha Keralam Mission project
Partners:
Haritha Keralam Mission, Kudumbashree, Suchitwa Mission, Clean Kerala Company, Local Self-Government bodies
Funding from households:
User fee fixed by the local self-government body
Waste routed to:
Material collection facilities, then resource recovery centres
Why it matters for exams: The partner agencies, the founding year and the user fee model of the Haritha Karma Sena are frequently asked in Kerala PSC and local governance papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MCF Material Collection Facility — A local shed where collected non-biodegradable waste is stored and sorted.
RRF Resource Recovery Facility — A larger centre where sorted waste is prepared for reuse or recycling.