1 October 2026
Separate official websites are now live for all 1,200 local self-government institutions in Kerala.
They cover 941 grama panchayats, 152 block panchayats, 14 district panchayats, 87 municipalities and six municipal corporations.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the websites and a QR-code citizen feedback system, part of the government's 100-day action programme; Local Self-Government Minister K M Shaji was present.
Citizens can scan the QR code shown at a local body's front office to rate staff conduct, waiting time, cleanliness and facilities such as forms, stationery and internet.
The sites link to K-SMART and other digital systems for certificates, property tax, licences and complaint redressal.
Local bodies with websites:
1,200
Grama panchayats:
941
Municipal corporations:
6
Launched by:
V D Satheesan
Why it matters for exams: Local self-government structure and e-governance reforms are standing topics in Kerala PSC and UPSC polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
K-SMART Kerala Solutions for Managing Administrative Reformation and Transformation — The State's integrated digital platform for local body services such as certificates and property tax.
Municipal corporation — The highest tier of urban local body, found in Kerala's six largest cities.
1 October 2026
Inaugurating the State-level International Day of Older Persons event at Ayyankali Hall, Thiruvananthapuram, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said a comprehensive law will be introduced in the Assembly to secure senior-citizen care as a legal right.
He noted that Kerala is the first State in the country to form a separate department for senior citizens, and cited a study projecting about 38 per cent of the population as senior citizens by 2036.
A Governing Council chaired by the Chief Minister, an expert technical advisory committee, a directorate and district-level Senior Citizens Cells will be set up.
A digital registry from a State-wide survey, a Vulnerability Registry, a 24-hour helpline, a Dementia-Friendly Kerala project and caregiver courses in medical institutions from the next academic year were also announced.
Retired experts will serve as Techno Mentors in startups and MSMEs under the 'silver economy' approach.
Projected senior share by 2036:
about 38 per cent
Council chaired by:
Chief Minister
Helpline:
24 hours
Venue:
Ayyankali Hall, Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: Welfare departments, legislation and ageing-population data feature regularly in Kerala PSC general knowledge and social-justice questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Silver economy — An approach that treats older people's experience and spending as an economic resource.
Vulnerability Registry — A planned list of older people who need special attention and care.
3 October 2026
On the evening of Thursday, 1 October, sudden rain and strong winds dislodged tin roofing at the Thrissur Aquatic Complex during a swimming relay at the State School Games, injuring five student athletes.
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights registered a suo motu case and sought explanations from the Director of General Education, the Thrissur District Police Chief, the Deputy Director of Education, Thrissur, and the District Child Protection Officer.
General Education Minister N Shamsudheen directed the Director of General Education to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report.
The Sports Council says the Education Department did not seek permission for the temporary roofing and did not stop the event after the first lightning strike; the General Education Department says the organisers acted promptly when the weather worsened.
The swimming events have been postponed, with a new date and venue to be fixed.
Venue:
Thrissur Aquatic Complex
Student athletes injured:
five
Case registered by:
Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights
Inquiry directed by:
General Education Minister N Shamsudheen
Why it matters for exams: Statutory child-protection bodies and their suo motu powers are a regular Kerala PSC and polity topic.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Suo motu — Action taken by a court or commission on its own, without a complaint being filed.
3 October 2026
According to the New Indian Express, the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board has agreed to supply 600 MW during peak hours from October 1 to May 31, 2027, and KSEB began receiving it on Thursday, avoiding power cuts for two days.
The Hindu, reporting on 1 October, said KSEB officials had ensured 600 MW to 800 MW from Himachal Pradesh for October, with talks on for November and December.
The rate is Rs 14.5 per unit; KSEB had rejected an earlier offer of 210 MW round the clock at Rs 10 per unit as daytime power was in surplus and available on the exchange at about Rs 2.
With the deal, peak-hour availability has risen to 4795 MW against average consumption of 4500 to 5000 MW.
The report says Chief Minister V D Satheesan's intervention helped clinch the deal, and a Super El Nino forecast also weighed on the decision.
KSEB chairman M G Rajamanickam said the Chief Minister has directly asked Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to reduce the rate.
Peak-hour supply:
600 MW
Rate:
Rs 14.5 per unit
Peak-hour availability after deal:
4795 MW
Supply period:
October 1 to May 31, 2027
Why it matters for exams: Power purchase, peak demand and the role of KSEB are recurring Kerala PSC economy and current-affairs topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MW Megawatt — A unit of electrical power equal to one million watts.
KSEB Kerala State Electricity Board — The State's public power utility.
3 October 2026
Kerala's decision on arranging its share of the Angamaly-Erumeli Sabari rail project cost is still pending.
The State had told the Centre that half the cost would be raised through the Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB), but the plan is in doubt after the change in government and the appointment of a committee to examine KIIFB's functioning.
Kerala must provide around Rs 1,900 crore, of which around Rs 1,300 crore is needed for land acquisition.
The proposed plan envisages Rs 300 crore each in the first two years, with further allocations in 2028-29.
The Railways is examining whether land acquisition can be completed at least up to Thodupuzha in the first phase; the line is to add 14 new railway stations.
Kerala's share:
around Rs 1,900 crore
Needed for land acquisition:
around Rs 1,300 crore
New railway stations:
14
Planned yearly release (first two years):
Rs 300 crore
Why it matters for exams: Centre-State cost sharing and KIIFB financing are frequent Kerala PSC topics on infrastructure and State finance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KIIFB Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board — The State body that raises money for infrastructure projects.
3 October 2026
Between April and September 2026, Kerala's GST revenue after IGST settlement rose 18.8% to Rs 19,583 crore, from Rs 16,482 crore a year earlier.
Across all states the increase was 16%, with combined collections of Rs 5.79 lakh crore.
Kerala's own SGST collections grew 13.8% to Rs 8,970 crore, against 5.8% nationally.
In September 2026, post-settlement revenue rose 9% to Rs 3,451 crore and own SGST rose 8% to Rs 1,481 crore.
April-September 2026 is the first April-September period fully under the revised GST rate structure introduced in September 2025, so it is compared with a year-earlier period wholly under the old structure; the figures are provisional.
Post-settlement GST revenue, April-September:
Rs 19,583 crore
Growth over a year earlier:
18.8%
Own SGST collections:
Rs 8,970 crore
September 2026 post-settlement revenue:
Rs 3,451 crore
Why it matters for exams: GST revenue sharing, SGST and IGST settlement and State finances are recurring topics in Kerala PSC and UPSC economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IGST Integrated Goods and Services Tax — Tax on inter-State supplies and imports, apportioned to the State where the goods are consumed.
SGST State Goods and Services Tax — The State's share of GST on supplies made within the State.
3 October 2026
The proposed All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Kerala could come up at Velloor in Vaikom, according to MLA K. Binimon, as Mathrubhumi reported on 2 October 2026.
He cited information from Health Minister K. Muraleedharan's office that it is likely to be set up on land owned by Kerala Paper Products Limited (KPPL).
Velloor and Koratty in Thrissur district are among the four locations in the final list the State submitted to the Centre.
Of the 692 acres KPPL owns at Velloor, 227.18 acres can be made available free of cost; an AIIMS needs around 200 acres.
The site has enough space without evicting anyone, and its location in central Kerala counts in its favour.
Malayala Manorama had reported in July that 200 acres could be acquired from KPPL's land at Velloor without difficulty.
Proposed site:
Velloor, Vaikom
KPPL land at Velloor:
692 acres
Available free of cost:
227.18 acres
Land an AIIMS needs:
around 200 acres
Why it matters for exams: Health infrastructure, institutions of national importance and Centre-State project planning are common in Kerala PSC and UPSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AIIMS All India Institute of Medical Sciences — A central institute of national importance for medical education, research and tertiary care.
KPPL Kerala Paper Products Limited — The company that owns 692 acres at Velloor, from which land is proposed for the AIIMS.
3 October 2026
A 1-kg mass of hair was removed from the stomach and small intestine of a nine-year-old girl in a rare surgery at NIMS Medicity, Neyyattinkara, near Thiruvananthapuram.
She was admitted with persistent abdominal pain and vomiting; ultrasound and CT scans showed severe intestinal obstruction and an endoscopy confirmed the hair mass.
The surgery was led by Dr Biju I G Nair, senior consultant in the Department of Paediatric Surgery; the girl recovered and was discharged.
A trichobezoar, or hairball, forms when a person repeatedly pulls out and swallows hair, which cannot be digested.
Rapunzel syndrome is the extremely rare condition in which a trichobezoar extends from the stomach into the small intestine; the hospital said fewer than 100 cases have been reported worldwide.
Mass removed:
1 kg of hair
Patient's age:
9 years
Hospital:
NIMS Medicity, Neyyattinkara
Cases reported worldwide:
fewer than 100
Why it matters for exams: Medical terms such as trichobezoar and Rapunzel syndrome appear in general-science and health sections of Kerala PSC and SSC papers.
Kerala PSCSSC
In plain words
Trichobezoar — A hairball formed when swallowed hair accumulates in the stomach.
Rapunzel syndrome — A trichobezoar that extends from the stomach into the small intestine.
3 October 2026
Retired DGP R. Sreelekha has resigned as a councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, officials said on Saturday, 3 October 2026.
Mayor V.V. Rajesh said he had received her resignation letter, which cited personal inconveniences, and that discussions on the matter were under way.
She won the Sasthamangalam ward on a BJP ticket and tendered her resignation on 30 September; a copy is to be handed to the District Collector on 5 October.
The BJP came to power in the 101-member Corporation for the first time with 51 councillors including the support of an Independent; her exit brings the ruling front's strength down to 50.
She contested the April Assembly election from Vattiyoorkavu and lost to Congress leader K. Muraleedharan.
Sreelekha is Kerala's first woman IPS officer and the first woman to hold the rank of DGP in the State.
Ward:
Sasthamangalam
Council size:
101
Ruling front's strength after resignation:
50
Mayor:
V.V. Rajesh
Why it matters for exams: Composition of urban local bodies and Kerala's 'first woman' firsts in the civil services are standing Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DGP Director General of Police — The highest rank in a State police force.
IPS Indian Police Service — The All India Service from which senior State police officers are drawn.
Background
This matters now because the Chief Minister inaugurated five new Kerala Forest Development Corporation (KFDC) projects on 30 September, led by the SHOLA workation brand.
SHOLA, short for Seek-Hike-Observe-Lodge-Absorb, offers workation facilities at Gavi and Suryanelli, the first such idea in the government sector in Kerala.
KFDC also released 'Atma', a brand for tea and coffee from its plantations, and began work on a premium pod stay at Vagamon, where four pods are due by December.
The 'Travel Today Pay Tomorrow' instalment tour scheme and eco-guide training also began.
Forest Minister Shibu Baby John said sandalwood from KFDC trees will be released under the 'Kalabham' brand.
Workation locations:
Gavi and Suryanelli
Pods at Vagamon:
four
Tea and coffee brand:
Atma
Sandalwood brand:
Kalabham
Why it matters for exams: Forest-department schemes, brand names and eco-tourism locations such as Gavi and Vagamon are staple Kerala PSC facts.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Workation — Working remotely while staying at a holiday destination.
KFDC Kerala Forest Development Corporation — A State corporation that runs plantations and forest-based enterprises.
Background
This matters now because on Tuesday, 29 September the Kerala High Court appointed former judge Justice V G Arun as observer for the selection of Melsanthies (head priests) of the Sabarimala and Malikappuram temples.
A Division Bench of Justice Raja Vijayaraghavan V and Justice K V Jayakumar acted in a suo motu case arising from the Sabarimala Special Commissioner's report.
The Travancore Devaswom Board received 78 applications, 48 for Sabarimala and 30 for Malikappuram; after a vigilance enquiry five candidates were recommended for Sabarimala and three for Malikappuram.
Interviews are set for October 5 at the Board's headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, and the observer is to be present at Sabarimala for the draw of lots.
The Court ordered marks to be entered with a ball point pen, mark sheets countersigned by the observer and the whole proceedings videographed.
Applications received:
78 (48 Sabarimala, 30 Malikappuram)
Candidates recommended for interview:
5 Sabarimala, 3 Malikappuram
Observer:
Justice V G Arun
Interview venue:
Travancore Devaswom Board headquarters, Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: The Travancore Devaswom Board, Sabarimala customs and the High Court's supervisory role are frequent Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Melsanthi — The head priest of a temple such as Sabarimala, chosen by a draw of lots from a shortlist.
Suo motu — Action taken by a court on its own, without a petition.
Background
The High Court of Kerala came into being on November 1, 1956, the day the State of Kerala itself was formed, as the immediate successor of the Travancore-Cochin High Court.
Its line runs back to the High Court of Travancore, established in 1887, to the Court of Appeal in Cochin, and to the Madras High Court, under whose jurisdiction the Malabar region then lay.
The court was inaugurated at Kochi on November 5, 1956 at Ram Mohan Palace, and Justice KT Koshi, the last Chief Justice of the High Court of Thiru-Kochi, became the first Chief Justice of Kerala.
It sat at Ram Mohan Palace for 50 years, until it was moved to its current home in 2006.
Its authority does not stop at the State border. The district court and courts subordinate to it in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep are under the supervision of the High Court of Kerala.
The court has held that, by virtue of Article 235 of the Constitution, the High Court of Kerala has got the power to initiate disciplinary proceedings against the presiding officers of those courts in the Lakshadweep Islands.
Justice Anna Chandy of this court was the first woman judge to a High Court, and Justice M.Fathima Beevi, who also served here, became the first woman judge in the Supreme Court.
Day the High Court of Kerala came into being:
November 1, 1956
Court it immediately succeeded:
Travancore-Cochin High Court
Year the High Court of Travancore was established:
1887
Date of its inauguration at Kochi:
November 5, 1956
Building it was inaugurated in:
Ram Mohan Palace
Why it matters for exams: This court delivers a reportable judgment most weeks, and the two facts examiners keep returning to are which court it succeeded and which Union Territory sits under it.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Thiru-Kochi Travancore-Cochin — The State formed by uniting the princely states of Travancore and Cochin, before Kerala was created.
Presiding officer Presiding officer of a court — The judge or magistrate who heads a particular court.