17 October 2026
The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs has approved more than 1.93 lakh additional houses under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Urban 2.0.
The approval came at the tenth meeting of the Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee in New Delhi, chaired by Secretary Satendra Singh.
With this, the total number of houses sanctioned under the mission now exceeds 20 lakh.
The houses were cleared under the Beneficiary-Led Construction and the Affordable Housing in Partnership verticals.
Eleven States are covered: Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Mizoram, Odisha, Sikkim, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
The houses are meant for eligible urban families in the Economically Weaker Section.
Houses approved now:
Over 1.93 lakh
Total sanctioned under mission:
Over 20 lakh
Committee meeting:
10th Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee
States covered:
11
Why it matters for exams: Scheme targets and the committee that sanctions houses under PMAY-U are standard objective-question material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BLC Beneficiary-Led Construction — A PMAY-U vertical under which a beneficiary builds or improves a house on land they own, with central assistance.
EWS Economically Weaker Section — The lowest income category recognised for urban housing assistance.
17 October 2026
India has approved the Maldives government's request to roll over the first drawdown of ₹30 billion under the Indian rupee currency swap arrangement.
Maldivian Foreign Minister Iruthisham Adam thanked External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Government of India in a post, saying the decision reaffirms longstanding bonds of friendship.
The facility falls under the Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries.
It was signed by the Reserve Bank of India and the Maldives Monetary Authority during President Mohamed Muizzu's state visit to India in October 2024.
The ₹30 billion was first extended to the Maldivian government on 23 April 2026.
The arrangement gives the Maldives access to Indian rupees to support liquidity and financial stability, and is presented as part of India's Neighbourhood First policy.
Amount rolled over:
₹30 billion
Framework:
Framework on Currency Swap Arrangement for SAARC countries
Signed during:
President Muizzu's state visit, October 2024
First drawdown date:
23 April 2026
Why it matters for exams: The SAARC currency swap framework and the RBI's role in it are frequently asked in banking and UPSC economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Currency swap Currency swap arrangement — An agreement by which two central banks exchange their currencies for an agreed period to ease a partner's liquidity needs.
MMA Maldives Monetary Authority — The central bank of the Maldives.
17 October 2026
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has notified that beneficiaries of the Special Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES for Children must complete Aadhaar authentication or furnish proof of possession of an Aadhaar number.
The scheme supports continuing education from Class 1 to Class 12.
The notification states that no child will be denied the benefit for failing Aadhaar authentication or for not holding an Aadhaar number.
In such cases the child's identity and the relationship with a parent or legal guardian are verified through specified documents.
For beneficiaries below 18, an enrolment acknowledgement carrying the Enrolment ID and a proof of age such as a birth certificate, Indian passport or a Class 10 or Class 12 certificate may be used.
For those aged 18 and above without Aadhaar, a Voter ID card issued by the Election Commission, a driving licence, an Indian passport or a ration card may be accepted.
Where Aadhaar authentication fails, biometric or one-time password verification may be used wherever feasible.
Ministry:
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Scheme:
Special Scholarship Scheme under PM CARES for Children
Classes covered:
Class 1 to Class 12
Why it matters for exams: The pattern of making Aadhaar mandatory while barring denial of benefits is a recurring governance and rights question.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Proof of possession Proof of possession of Aadhaar number — A document showing a person holds an Aadhaar number, accepted where online authentication is not completed.
17 October 2026
The Supreme Court on 16 October 2026 stayed the demolition of a Church of South India structure at Thippanampatti village in Tenkasi district, Tamil Nadu, and issued notice on the trust's petition.
The bench comprised Justice Vikram Nath, Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice Aparesh Singh. Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi appeared for the trust.
The case is Tirunelveli Diocesan Trust Association v. District Collector, SLP(C) No. 37197/2026.
The trust had received permission in 2014 to build a community hall named the Church of South India Community Hall; the building was later used as a church and a spire was erected without approval.
The District Collector rejected the trust's application for recognition as a place of worship on 25 June 2024, and the Madras High Court dismissed the challenge and directed demolition of the unapproved structure within four weeks.
The State relied on Rule 4(3) of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats Building Rules, 1997, under which prior approval of the Collector is mandatory for sites used for public worship.
The trust argues that the directions violate Articles 14, 25 and 26 of the Constitution.
Case:
Tirunelveli Diocesan Trust Association v. District Collector, SLP(C) No. 37197/2026
Rule relied on by the State:
Rule 4(3), Tamil Nadu Panchayats Building Rules, 1997
Articles invoked by the trust:
Articles 14, 25 and 26
Why it matters for exams: Articles 25 and 26 and the rules governing permission for places of worship are examined together in polity and law papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SLP Special Leave Petition — A petition under Article 136 asking the Supreme Court for leave to appeal against any judgment or order.
CSI Church of South India — A united Protestant church formed in 1947 covering much of southern India.
17 October 2026
On 15 October 2026 a bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi issued notice on a challenge to Section 172 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, limited to its constitutionality.
The case is Samriddhi Das v. Union of India, Diary No. 64055/2026. Notice is returnable on 19 November 2026 and the Union must reply within two weeks.
Section 172 has no counterpart in the Code of Criminal Procedure. It lets a police officer require compliance with lawful directions given while performing preventive duties, and detain or remove a person who resists, who must then be produced before a Magistrate or, in petty cases, released within 24 hours.
The Court declined to examine the validity of Section 163 BNSS, which corresponds to Section 144 CrPC and allows executive magistrates to pass prohibitory orders, holding the question settled by Babulal Parate v. State of Maharashtra (1961).
Two petitions against Section 163 orders were adjourned to 19 November 2026.
The Court directed the Union to place on record the Section 163 orders issued in New Delhi, including one dated 23 August 2026, and directed all law enforcement agencies to preserve CCTV footage and other digital evidence relating to the protests.
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Section 163 BNSS corresponds to:
Section 144 of the CrPC
Precedent cited:
Babulal Parate v. State of Maharashtra (1961)
Returnable on:
19 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: The BNSS replaced the CrPC, and section-to-section correspondence plus the Babulal Parate precedent are high-value facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BNSS Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita — The 2023 law that replaced the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.
17 October 2026
On 14 October 2026 the Supreme Court directed the Election Commission of India to produce video records of the counting of votes in the 2023 Sringeri Assembly election in Karnataka.
The bench of Justice Sanjay Kumar and Justice Sanjeev Sachdeva was hearing TD Rajegowda v. DN Jeevaraja & Ors., C.A. No. 7369/2026.
The Commission produced a sealed-cover video of the 2026 recount but no video of the original 2023 postal vote counting; its counsel said the footage could not be traced because the officers responsible had been transferred.
The bench observed that the Commission cannot act so irresponsibly and that such conduct does not inspire confidence.
The Karnataka High Court had ordered reverification of 279 rejected postal ballots in April 2026; the recount was held on 2 May 2026 and Jeevaraja was declared elected by a margin of 52 votes on 3 May 2026.
The appellant argued that the Returning Officer also recounted 562 already valid postal ballots, going beyond the High Court's order; the Supreme Court had earlier kept all steps from the recount in abeyance.
Constituency:
Sringeri, Karnataka
Winning margin at the 2026 recount:
52 votes
Rejected postal ballots ordered reverified:
279
Valid postal ballots also recounted:
562
Why it matters for exams: Election petitions, postal-ballot reverification and the Commission's record-keeping duties are tested in polity and current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Returning Officer Returning Officer — The officer responsible for conducting an election in a constituency and declaring its result.
17 October 2026
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta told the Supreme Court on 16 October 2026 that rules regulating airfare pricing have been finalised and have received administrative approval, and will be published within two weeks.
The bench of Justice Vikram Nath, Justice R. Mahadevan and Justice Aparesh Singh listed the matter for 16 November 2026 and directed that the published rules be placed before it by then.
The case is S. Laxminarayanan v. Union of India, W.P.(C) No. 1124/2025, a public interest petition on excessive airfares charged by private airlines.
The Centre had given the Court a draft of the rules in a sealed cover on 17 August; the Court examined it, returned it, and the Centre then sought three weeks to finalise.
The rules are expected to address airfare pricing, surge pricing and excess baggage charges.
The petition challenges algorithm-based dynamic pricing, steep short-notice fare increases, and the reduction of free check-in baggage from 25 kg to 15 kg.
Counsel for the Centre:
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta
Next listing:
16 November 2026
Free baggage cut challenged:
25 kg to 15 kg
Why it matters for exams: Consumer regulation of a deregulated sector, and the court-monitored route by which rules are framed, are useful governance examples.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Dynamic pricing Algorithm-based dynamic pricing — A practice in which fares change automatically with demand, time and seat availability.
17 October 2026
A bench of Justice Manoj Misra and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan held on 15 October 2026 that non-compliance with the Court's 2025 directions on the Central Armed Police Forces appeared stark.
The contempt petition is Mahendra Singh Deo v. Govind Mohan and others, Contempt Petition (C) No. 37/2026 in C.A. No. 13106/2024.
The underlying judgment of 23 May 2025, by Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, had directed a cadre review of all CAPFs within six months, amendment of each force's recruitment rules within six months in line with the Department of Personnel and Training memorandum of 12 July 2019 recognising CAPFs as Organised Group-A Services, and an end to IPS deputations to CAPFs.
Paragraph 45 of that judgment required a progressive reduction of deputation posts up to the Senior Administrative Grade level, with an outer limit of two years.
The Home Ministry wrote to all CAPFs on 26 December 2025 and 3 February 2026 inviting cadre review proposals, which petitioners said came after the six-month deadline.
The CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026, Act No. 9 of 2026, was notified on 8 October 2026; separate petitions challenging its validity are pending.
The Court directed the Centre to produce files on action taken under the 2025 order and listed the matter on 28 October 2026.
Underlying judgment:
23 May 2025
DoPT memorandum relied on:
12 July 2019
New Act:
CAPF (General Administration) Act, 2026 (Act No. 9 of 2026), notified 8 October 2026
Next listing:
28 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: CAPF cadre structure, the Organised Group-A Service status and IPS deputation are standing questions in polity and internal security.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CAPF Central Armed Police Forces — The central forces under the Ministry of Home Affairs, including the BSF, CRPF, CISF, ITBP and SSB.
Cadre review Cadre review — A periodic exercise to restructure the posts and promotion ladder of a government service.
17 October 2026
The National Investigation Agency has filed a charge-sheet against five accused, including Paresh Baruah, chief of the banned terrorist outfit ULFA (I), in an Assam improvised explosive device case.
The charge-sheet was filed before the NIA special court at Guwahati.
The case concerns the recovery of an IED at Motilal Nehru Road, Panbazar, Guwahati, on 15 August 2024.
It was first registered at Panbazar police station in Guwahati on 16 August 2024 and re-registered by the NIA on 27 February 2025.
The accused have been charge-sheeted under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act, 1967, and the Explosive Substances Act, 1908.
Accused charge-sheeted:
Five
Date of IED recovery:
15 August 2024
Re-registered by NIA on:
27 February 2025
Statutes invoked:
BNS 2023, UAPA 1967, Explosive Substances Act 1908
Why it matters for exams: The NIA's jurisdiction, the UAPA and the three statutes used together are standard internal-security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
IED Improvised Explosive Device — A home-made bomb assembled outside standard military production.
UAPA Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act — The 1967 law under which organisations can be declared unlawful or terrorist.
17 October 2026
Union Minister for Ports, Shipping and Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal has said that Indian seafarers on two tankers struck in separate incidents are safe, with no casualties or injuries.
The crude oil tanker MT ST 3, carrying 15 Indian seafarers, was struck by a projectile in the Strait of Hormuz on 15 October 2026.
The chemical tanker YARA J, carrying nine Indian seafarers, was hit by a drone at Sulina Anchorage in Romania on 14 October 2026.
In all, 24 Indian seafarers were on board the two vessels.
The Minister said the government is monitoring both incidents and coordinating with ship management companies on crew safety.
India condemned attacks on maritime navigation and commercial shipping, and Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni, India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, called for de-escalation at a Security Council debate on the Middle East.
Indian seafarers on MT ST 3:
15
Indian seafarers on YARA J:
9
Location of the second attack:
Sulina Anchorage, Romania
India's Permanent Representative to the UN:
Ambassador Harish Parvathaneni
Why it matters for exams: The Strait of Hormuz, India's seafarer workforce and India's position at the Security Council connect geography with foreign policy.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Strait of Hormuz Strait of Hormuz — The narrow sea passage between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman through which much of the world's oil moves.
Anchorage Anchorage — A designated area of water where ships wait at anchor before entering port.
17 October 2026
A bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi has said the Supreme Court will step in if frequent protests and security restrictions around Connaught Place adversely affect businesses.
The observation came on a plea challenging the New Delhi Municipal Council's decision to close Central Park for two days ahead of a protest.
Counsel appearing for traders argued that the protests were causing major business losses and that the restrictions were disproportionate, especially ahead of the festival season covering Karva Chauth, Dussehra, Diwali and Chhath.
The Chief Justice acknowledged the hardship faced by small shopkeepers, hawkers and stall owners whose livelihoods and families are affected.
The bench said it would use its constitutional and public law powers if the restrictions unlawfully harmed businesses.
The report records no formal order or interim relief at this stage.
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi
Body whose decision was challenged:
New Delhi Municipal Council
Area concerned:
Connaught Place and Central Park
Why it matters for exams: The balance between Article 19(1)(b) assembly and Article 19(1)(g) trade is a classic fundamental rights question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NDMC New Delhi Municipal Council — The civic body that administers the New Delhi area, distinct from the Municipal Corporation of Delhi.
17 October 2026
The Board of Control for Cricket in India has announced India's squads for the one-day international and Test series in New Zealand.
The five-match ODI series begins at Auckland on 4 November 2026, with the last two matches at Mount Maunganui on 13 and 15 November.
Shubman Gill will lead India in the first three ODIs and will then leave to prepare for the Tests; Shreyas Iyer, vice-captain for the first three matches, will captain the final two.
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli are in both ODI squads. Anshul Kamboj is picked for the first three ODIs and wicketkeeper-batter Kumar Kushagra joins for the last two.
Prasidh Krishna's place in the first three ODIs depends on his passing a fitness test.
Jasprit Bumrah is rested from the ODIs and Ravindra Jadeja is left out of both ODI squads.
For the Tests, Shubman Gill is captain, KL Rahul is vice-captain and Jasprit Bumrah is in the squad.
ODI series length:
Five matches
First ODI:
Auckland, 4 November 2026
Captain of the last two ODIs:
Shreyas Iyer
Test vice-captain:
KL Rahul
Why it matters for exams: Captaincy appointments and tour venues are routine one-mark sports questions in PSC and SSC papers.
Kerala PSCSSC
In plain words
BCCI Board of Control for Cricket in India — The national governing body for cricket in India.