13 October 2026
On 12 October 2026 a Kerala High Court Division Bench admitted the State's appeals.
The appeals challenge a Single Judge's decision quashing the government order that reorganised three recognised police associations into two.
The order abolished the Kerala Police Officers' Association and redistributed its members between the Kerala Police Association and the Kerala Police Senior Officers' Association.
The Single Judge found the order contrary to the bylaws and legally invalid; the associations rely on Article 19(1)(c).
The State relies on Article 33, the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, and Section 109 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011.
The State says the change followed service-structure changes under the Grade Promotion Scheme, 2008.
The State Police Chief had submitted the proposal on 1 July 2026.
Court:
Kerala High Court Division Bench
Appeals admitted on:
12 October 2026
Associations reorganised:
3 into 2
Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act:
1966
Why it matters for exams: Live case on Article 19(1)(c), the freedom to form associations, and Article 33, which allows restrictions on police and armed forces.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Article 19(1)(c) Freedom to form associations or unions — The police associations argue that it protects their chosen membership.
Article 33 Power of Parliament to modify fundamental rights of armed forces and similar forces — The State relies on it to say police associations are subject to restrictions.
13 October 2026
On 12 October 2026 the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The resolution was passed by a show of hands, with BJP MLAs the only members opposing it, PTI reported.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan moved the resolution under Rule 118.
The resolution deals with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seeks urgent restoration of voting rights of eligible voters excluded from the rolls.
It seeks the initiation of proceedings to remove the Chief Election Commissioner.
It seeks reconstitution of the selection committee for Election Commissioners to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
The resolution states that the exclusion of eligible voters violated the guarantee of universal adult suffrage under Article 326.
Passed on:
12 October 2026
Moved under:
Rule 118
Constitutional provision cited:
Article 326
Vote:
Show of hands; BJP MLAs opposed
Why it matters for exams: Article 326 (adult suffrage) and the selection of Election Commissioners are core polity topics, now tied to a state-level resolution.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SIR Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls — The revision of voter lists that the resolution seeks to address.
Article 326 Elections to Lok Sabha and Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage — It gives every citizen aged 18 or above the right to vote, subject to disqualifications.
13 October 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan told the Assembly that the government is considering extending the term of the current Pay Revision Commission.
The extension is meant to help the commission do its work and collect information more effectively.
The preceding commission's term expired in July 2024; the present commission was constituted in February 2026 and its terms of reference were finalised in March.
The Chief Minister put outstanding dearness allowance (DA) arrears at Rs 21,670 crore and dearness relief (DR) arrears at Rs 14,387 crore.
He said the government is examining whether interim relief can be given until the next pay revision.
The earlier government's order on leave surrender benefits has been kept in abeyance.
DA arrears:
Rs 21,670 crore
DR arrears:
Rs 14,387 crore
Previous commission's term ended:
July 2024
Present commission constituted:
February 2026
Why it matters for exams: Pay Revision Commissions, DA and DR are recurring Kerala PSC topics on service and state finance.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DA Dearness Allowance — An allowance paid to employees to offset the rise in the cost of living.
DR Dearness Relief — The corresponding relief paid to pensioners.
13 October 2026
As part of phasing out outdated Kerala Police vehicles, 164 new vehicles bought for various police units will be flagged off on 14 October 2026.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will perform the ceremony at 5 pm at the Thaikkad Police Training College in Thiruvananthapuram.
Four Kerala Police athletes who represented India will be felicitated: Manu T. S., Sajan Prakash, Ansa Babu and Erin Varghese.
Manu T. S. played a key role in the relay silver and bronze medals at this year's Asian Games.
Ansa Babu performed well in relay events at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.
Erin Varghese won bronze for India at this year's Asian Volleyball Championship and took part in the Asian Games.
New vehicles:
164
Flag-off date:
14 October 2026
Time:
5 pm
Athletes felicitated:
4
Why it matters for exams: Kerala Police fleet renewal and the state's athletes at the Asian Games are typical Kerala PSC current-affairs material.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Relay Team track event run in legs — Manu T. S. and Ansa Babu were honoured for relay performances.
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 Chief Minister V D Satheesan introduced the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 in the Assembly.
PTI reported Keralam as the first state to introduce a comprehensive Bill to protect senior citizens from abuse and exploitation.
The Bill proposes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for physical or mental abuse or cruelty against a senior citizen by a family member, relative, legal heir, the authority in charge of a care centre, its staff or a caregiver.
Elderly care homes, day-care centres, respite care centres, hospices, home-care service agencies and caregiver training centres would have to register; registration certificates would be valid for four years and subject to renewal.
It proposes a State Senior Citizens Protection Unit and district-level protection forums and units.
Satheesan said the proposed department would also build a 'silver economy' using the experience of people aged 60 and above.
Bill:
Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026
Introduced on:
13 October 2026
Maximum imprisonment for abuse or cruelty:
3 years
Maximum fine:
Rs 50,000
Validity of registration certificate:
4 years
Why it matters for exams: A first-of-its-kind state law on elder care; Bill provisions, penalties and new bodies are likely Kerala PSC and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Silver economy Economic activity built on the needs and experience of older people — Satheesan said the proposed department would focus on it for people aged 60 and above.
13 October 2026
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed duty bearers working with children, and child protection institutions, to follow guidelines issued by the central Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The guidelines and the standard operating procedure are available on the State Commission's website.
They include child-friendly directions on the POCSO Act 2012, the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the RTE Act 2009.
They also cover cyber safety and the protection of children who have to live on the streets.
The Information Public Relations Department issued the release on 13 October 2026 (PN 4296/2026).
POCSO Act:
2012
Juvenile Justice Act:
2015
RTE Act:
2009
Release:
PN 4296/2026, 13 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: POCSO 2012, the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the RTE Act 2009 are core child-law topics for Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
POCSO Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 — A child-protection law covered by the guidelines.
RTE Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 — It guarantees free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14.
12 October 2026
President Droupadi Murmu on Monday ordered changes of Governors in six States, a Rashtrapati Bhavan communique said.
Om Prakash Mathur, who was Governor of Sikkim, has been appointed Governor of Kerala.
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who held Kerala along with additional charge of Tamil Nadu, becomes the full-time Governor of Tamil Nadu.
Sudha Yadav goes to Karnataka, Braj Mohan Ram to Odisha, Dhal Singh Bisen to Uttarakhand and former BJP general secretary Dushyant Gautam to Sikkim.
The communique said each term would run from the date the appointee takes charge, and no date was specified for the swearing-in.
New Governor of Kerala:
Om Prakash Mathur
Moved out of Kerala:
Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, to Tamil Nadu
States covered by the reshuffle:
6
Term begins:
From the date of taking charge
Why it matters for exams: The holder of the Governor's office in Kerala is a standing question in Kerala PSC and UPSC papers, and this reshuffle changes it.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Rashtrapati Bhavan communique — The formal notice issued from the President's official residence announcing appointments made by the President.
Raj Bhavan — The official residence and office of a State's Governor.
Additional charge — An arrangement in which one Governor temporarily looks after a second State as well.
13 October 2026
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan tabled the Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026, in the Legislative Assembly on Tuesday and said it is the first legislation of its kind in the country.
The Bill provides for a State Senior Citizen Protection Unit and, in each district, a Senior Citizen Protection Forum with a Protection Unit to assist it.
Registered medical practitioners and senior care centres must report abuse, neglect or exploitation to the District Level Senior Citizen Protection Unit within 48 hours.
Cruelty towards a senior citizen carries a jail term of up to three years, and running an unregistered care centre is also made punishable.
Other provisions include a Senior Citizen Cyber Fraud Cell in every cyber police station, a Keralam Geriatric Care Certification Framework for caregivers, a State Register of Caregivers and a State reserve fund.
After the debate the Bill was referred to the Assembly's Subject Committee for detailed scrutiny.
Bill:
Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026
Tabled by:
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan
Mandatory reporting window:
48 hours
Punishment for cruelty:
Jail term of up to three years
Referred to:
Assembly Subject Committee
Why it matters for exams: A new State Bill with named institutions, a reporting deadline and a punishment is exactly the kind of detail Kerala PSC asks about.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Subject Committee — A standing committee of the Kerala Assembly that examines a Bill clause by clause before the House takes it up again.
Living will — A document in which a person records in advance what medical care they want, or refuse, near the end of life.
Geriatric care — Health care planned for the specific needs of old age.
13 October 2026
A Division Bench of Justices K. Natarajan and Johnson John of the Kerala High Court on Tuesday reserved its order on a plea for leave to appeal against a single Bench direction to register a first information report in the CMRL-Exalogic pay-off case.
The Bench declined to stay the operation of the single Bench judgment before deciding whether to grant leave, saying the court must follow procedure before considering a stay.
The appeals, numbered WA 2121/2026 and WA 2122/2026, were filed by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter T. Veena and former Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas, who said they were not heard by the single judge.
Advocate General K. Jaju Babu told the court that the State was conducting a preliminary inquiry on information passed by the Enforcement Directorate, and that the single judge set that inquiry aside.
The single Bench had directed the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act, and the Bureau has since registered two cases.
Bench:
Justices K. Natarajan and Johnson John
Appeals:
WA 2121/2026 and WA 2122/2026
Appeared for the State:
Advocate General K. Jaju Babu
Cases registered by the VACB:
2
Why it matters for exams: It shows the difference between leave to appeal, an interim stay and the final verdict in a writ appeal before a High Court Division Bench.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
VACB Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau — Kerala's agency for investigating corruption by public servants.
Leave to appeal — Permission a court must give before a person who was not a party to a case can appeal the order in it.
Advocate General — The senior-most law officer of a State, who appears for the State government in its High Court.
Preliminary inquiry — A check made before registering an FIR to see whether a cognizable offence appears to exist.
12 October 2026
Kerala announced the G.V. Raja Awards for 2025-26, given in 14 fields covering lifetime contribution, the best athletes and coaches.
Triple jumper Eldhose Paul won in the men's section for performances that include a Commonwealth Games gold, and badminton player Treesa Jolly won in the women's section for an Asian Women's Championship gold, a Commonwealth Games team silver, a women's doubles bronze and an Asian mixed team bronze.
The award for the best athletes carries ₹3 lakh with a plaque and a certificate.
The Olympian Suresh Babu Memorial Lifetime Achievement Award, carrying ₹2 lakh with a plaque and certificate, went to Dr. P.T. Joseph, and Anoop Joseph was chosen the best sports coach, an award of ₹1 lakh with a plaque and certificate.
Other winners are Dr. C.S. Sadanandan as the best college sports teacher, Edwin Paul Sibi and P. Anamika as sports hostel athletes, Ajay Ben of Malayala Manorama as the best sports journalist, Sravan Krishna of Asianet News for a visual media programme, K.K. Santhosh of Mathrubhumi for photography and B.T. Sijin for the sports book 'Unaru Aradhakare Unaru'.
Para powerlifter Jobi Mathew and former India footballer Victor Manjila received special recognition.
The winners were chosen by a committee of Olympians Anju Bobby George, P.R. Sreejesh, Dr. Binu George Varghese and Sanil P. Thomas with the Sports Department's Special Secretary and Director.
Best athlete, men:
Eldhose Paul, triple jump
Best athlete, women:
Treesa Jolly, badminton
Best athlete award:
₹3 lakh with a plaque and certificate
Fields covered:
14
Lifetime Achievement Award:
Dr. P.T. Joseph, ₹2 lakh
Best coach:
Anoop Joseph, ₹1 lakh
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's highest sports honour and its current winners are a standard awards question for Kerala PSC.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
G.V. Raja Award — Kerala's State sports award, named after G.V. Raja, who built up organised sport in Travancore.
Triple jump — An athletics event in which the competitor makes a hop, a step and a jump in one run.
Para powerlifting — Competitive bench press for athletes with physical impairments.
13 October 2026
The Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association said on Tuesday that its members will stop accepting UPI payments above ₹2,000 from 15 October.
The announcement came over a 0.4% merchant discount rate set for person-to-merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000 at medium and large merchant establishments, which was to take effect on 15 October; small vendors are exempt.
Association president G. Jayapal said customers will have to pay in cash for transactions above that amount, and that the charge adds to a cost burden on small establishments.
In a joint statement, Mr. Jayapal and general secretary N. Abdul Razak asked that the charge be scrapped, or that the threshold be raised from ₹2,000 to ₹10,000.
Later the same day the National Payments Corporation of India said the charge would be implemented immediately after Diwali, on a date to be notified separately, putting off the 15 October rollout.
Traders in Tamil Nadu, under the Vanigar Sangangalin Peramaippu, had called a one-day UPI boycott on 12 October, with a mixed response in Chennai.
Body:
Kerala Hotel and Restaurant Association
Effective from:
October 15
Transaction threshold:
₹2,000
Merchant discount rate:
0.4% on person-to-merchant transactions above ₹2,000 at medium and large merchants
Threshold the association wants:
₹10,000
Rollout of the charge:
Put off by NPCI from 15 October to immediately after Diwali
Why it matters for exams: MDR on UPI is a live banking and economy topic, and this gives the exact rate, threshold and the trade body involved.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
MDR Merchant Discount Rate — The fee a merchant pays, as a share of the bill, for accepting a digital payment.
UPI Unified Payments Interface — India's instant bank-to-bank payment system worked through mobile applications.
Person-to-merchant — A payment made by a customer to a shop or business, as against one person paying another.
13 October 2026
Excise and Cooperation Minister M. Liju told the Kerala Legislative Assembly on Tuesday that the government will take stringent action against bars that serve liquor to people below the legal age of 23.
He was replying to a question by Ernakulam MLA T.J. Vinod, who pointed out that the Abkari Act prescribes 23 years as the minimum age for consuming liquor at a bar and that the rule is often broken.
The Minister said the Excise Department has registered cases against three bars after a fatal road crash at Nedumbassery near Kochi in which three young people died.
He said he had directed senior Excise officials to act immediately and that the department moved against the three establishments.
The government is considering additional guidelines to make age verification stricter and to penalise establishments that serve people below 23.
Minister:
Excise and Cooperation Minister M. Liju
Minimum age at a bar:
23 years
Law:
Abkari Act
Bars booked:
3
Question raised by:
T.J. Vinod, Ernakulam MLA
Why it matters for exams: The minimum drinking age of 23 under Kerala's Abkari Act is a frequently asked State-specific legal fact.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Abkari Act — Kerala's liquor law, inherited from the princely states, that governs the making, sale and consumption of liquor.
Excise Department — The Kerala department that enforces the liquor and narcotics laws and collects duty on liquor.