25 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's newly established Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The Press Information Bureau said the Data Centre will support more efficient and reliable banking, while the training institute will help build skilled cybersecurity personnel. In his address the Prime Minister said the past decade was spent bringing banking to the unbanked and the coming decade will be about making banking more efficient and reliable. He described cyber threats to the financial system as a national security concern. He said nearly 60 crore Jan Dhan accounts have been opened and the Atal Pension Yojana now covers 9 crore citizens, including 38 lakh in Odisha. He also said the Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana gives accident cover of Rs 2 lakh for an annual premium of Rs 20.
Jan Dhan accounts:
Nearly 60 crore
Atal Pension Yojana coverage:
9 crore citizens
PM Suraksha Bima Yojana premium:
Rs 20 a year for Rs 2 lakh cover
Why it matters for exams: Examiners regularly ask where the Reserve Bank is headquartered, the Act under which it was set up, and the financial inclusion schemes named here.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
RBI Reserve Bank of India — India's central bank and the regulator of the banking system.
14 October 2026
The Union Cabinet approved the Department of Rural Development's proposal to continue the National Social Assistance Programme for five years from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs. 53,428 crore, covering 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 States and Union Territories. The programme has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana. Its sub-schemes have also been renamed: the Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, the widow pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, the disability pension scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme becomes Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. The disability pension will be Rs. 375 for beneficiaries aged 0 to 79 and Rs. 625 for those aged 80 and above, and the benchmark disability criterion is lowered to 40 per cent from 80 per cent at present. New guidelines are to be issued and implemented within three months. The programme was launched on 15 August 1995.
Outlay:
Rs. 53,428 crore
Period:
2026-27 to 2030-31
Beneficiaries:
3.20 crore
Benchmark disability:
40%, down from 80%
Why it matters for exams: Scheme renamings, the department that runs a central scheme and the Act behind disability benchmarks are all heavily asked.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NSAP National Social Assistance Programme — The central umbrella programme of social pensions, now renamed.
25 October 2026
In S. Gururaj v. The Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner of Land Administration, a Supreme Court bench of Justice SVN Bhatti and Justice NV Anjaria declined to disturb the cancellation of a ryotwari patta over land that the earliest revenue and settlement records showed to be a government water body. The Court held that zoning rules permitting residential development do not extinguish the government's rights over poramboke land or water bodies. It relied on Section 14-A of the Tamil Nadu Estates (Abolition and Conversion into Ryotwari) Act, 1948, which bars the grant of a ryotwari patta over private tanks or ooranis and provides for cancellation. The Court also found that the flat buyers had relied on official building approvals and revenue records. It directed the Tamil Nadu government to allot them a vacant site of commensurate value, preferably within six months, before the apartments on 0.22 acres are demolished.
Area involved:
0.22 acres
Time for alternative site:
Preferably within six months
Why it matters for exams: The ryotwari settlement, the Supreme Court's special leave jurisdiction and Tamil Nadu land law are all standard examination material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Poramboke Poramboke land — Land kept in revenue records as unassessed government land, such as a tank bed or a channel.
Oorani Oorani — A village drinking water pond in Tamil Nadu.
Background
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) is the Union Government's institution for preventive vigilance and anti-corruption measures.
The Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003, provides for the appointment of a Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners.
Appointments are made by the President of India under the power vested by Section 4 (1) of that Act.
The tenure of the Vigilance Commissioner is of four years or till the incumbent attains the age of 65 years.
A new Vigilance Commissioner makes and subscribes oath before the Central Vigilance Commissioner, who is authorised by the President under Section 5 (3).
The Commission observes Vigilance Awareness Week every year during the week in which the birthday of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel falls.
Its outreach includes the Integrity Pledge, Integrity Clubs in schools and colleges and Awareness Gram Sabhas in Gram Panchayats.
Parent Act:
Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003
Composition:
One Central Vigilance Commissioner and two Vigilance Commissioners
Tenure:
Four years or age 65
Appointing authority:
President of India
Why it matters for exams: The parent Act, the composition and the tenure of the Central Vigilance Commission are standard objective questions, and Vigilance Awareness Week comes round every year in late October.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CVC Central Vigilance Commission — The Union Government's body for preventive vigilance and anti-corruption oversight.
Background
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) works under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and is the National Meteorological Service of India.
IMD was established in 1875, after a tropical cyclone struck Calcutta in 1864 and the monsoon failures of 1866 and 1871 showed the need for one central weather authority.
Its work covers meteorology, seismology and allied disciplines.
At the 150th Foundation Day celebrations the Government launched Mission Mausam, meant to make India a weather-ready and climate-smart nation, and released the IMD Vision-2047 document.
Mausamgram is IMD's interactive and dynamic meteogram, giving location specific weather forecast information.
IMD has replaced all Mercury Barometers with Digital Barometers at its Class I observatories, under the UNEP Minamata Convention on mercury, as mercury is hazardous to human health.
Established:
1875
Ministry:
Ministry of Earth Sciences
Role:
National Meteorological Service of India
Mission launched at 150 years:
Mission Mausam
Why it matters for exams: The founding year, the parent Ministry and the flagship weather mission of IMD are asked in every general studies paper that touches disaster management.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
IMD India Meteorological Department — India's national weather, climate and seismology service, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Background
The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) steers Project Tiger under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Its 28th meeting was chaired by the Union Environment Minister at the Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, alongside the 22nd Steering Committee Meeting of Project Elephant.
The Authority approves Tiger Conservation Plans and gives inputs on project proposals to the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL).
The sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation is under way, with ground surveys and landscape level training programmes.
A project called Management of Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves was launched to deal with human-tiger conflict.
Project Cheetah has been extended to Gandhisagar Wildlife Sanctuary and the Banni Grassland in Gujarat.
STRIPES is the NTCA's outreach journal.
Ministry:
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Outreach journal:
STRIPES
Meeting venue:
Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, West Bengal
Estimation cycle under way:
Sixth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation
Why it matters for exams: Examiners ask which body runs Project Tiger, what its journal is called and which board it advises, because these are fixed and verifiable.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NTCA National Tiger Conservation Authority — The statutory authority that runs Project Tiger and approves Tiger Conservation Plans.
Background
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) is mandated to lay down science-based standards for articles of food and to regulate their manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import, to ensure availability of safe and wholesome food for human consumption.
It works under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Implementation and enforcement of the Food Safety and Standards (FSS) Act, 2006 is a shared responsibility between the Central and State Governments.
Around 98% of Food Business Operators fall within the jurisdiction of the State and Union Territory Food Safety Authorities.
FSSAI regularly reviews the performance and vacancies of Food Safety Officers of all States and Union Territories through forums such as Central Advisory Committee (CAC) meetings and Inter-State Zonal Council Meetings.
It has notified 259 NABL-accredited food testing laboratories and 24 Referral Food Laboratories, and has deployed 305 Mobile Food Testing Laboratories known as Food Safety on Wheels.
Its DART (Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test) book covers 44 tests that can be done at home with water and simple solutions, and the Food Safety Magic Box is a school kit of rapid tests.
Parent Act:
Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006
Ministry:
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Referral Food Laboratories:
24
Mobile Food Testing Laboratories:
305, called Food Safety on Wheels
Why it matters for exams: The Act behind FSSAI and the names of its public tools are asked because food safety is a recurring policy topic in both State and Union papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
FSSAI Food Safety and Standards Authority of India — The national regulator that sets food standards and licenses food businesses.
DART Detect Adulteration with Rapid Test — An FSSAI book of simple household tests for common food adulterants.
Background
The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory organisation under Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises.
The Government monitors the production, sales and employment of Khadi Institutions through the Commission.
Under the Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate (ISEC), credit is provided to Khadi institutions at a concessional interest rate of 4% per annum for both Capital Investment and Working Capital.
Modified Market Development Assistance (MMDA) pays for modernization and computerization of sales outlets, value addition by adopting latest technologies in the post fabric stage, and technology up-gradation.
The Workshed Scheme for Khadi Artisans gives spinners and weavers improved workspaces with storage for raw materials and finished goods.
Weak, sick, problematic or D-category Khadi institutions that have the potential to revive and become self-sustaining get need-based infrastructural assistance.
KVIC operates its own e-commerce portal and organises exhibitions at national, zonal, State and district level, and it promotes the brand 'Khadi India' by sponsoring events conducted by other entities.
Ministry:
Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises
Status:
Statutory organisation
ISEC concessional rate:
4% per annum
Brand promoted:
Khadi India
Why it matters for exams: KVIC's parent Ministry, its statutory character and the abbreviations of its credit schemes are standard questions in State and bank papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
KVIC Khadi and Village Industries Commission — The statutory body that funds and promotes khadi and village industries.
ISEC Interest Subsidy Eligibility Certificate — A certificate issued by KVIC that lets a khadi institution borrow at a concessional rate.
Background
The Lokpal of India is the country's anti-corruption Ombudsman.
It was established on 16 January 2014 by virtue of the coming into force of Section 3 of the Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013.
The Lokpal marks 16 January as its Foundation Day; the first such function was held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, with the Chief Justice of India as chief guest.
The Chairperson described the Lokpal as an autonomous, independent and sui generis institution born out of a civil society movement demanding an Ombudsman to Combat Corruption.
The institution works in collaboration with the Central Bureau of Investigation, the Central Vigilance Commission, Chief Vigilance Officers of public sector undertakings, other law enforcing agencies and the Judiciary.
Its stated priorities include simplifying the process of registering a complaint and using forensic accounting and cyber investigation expertise.
Parent Act:
Lokpal and Lokayuktas Act, 2013
Enabling provision:
Section 3
Character:
Anti-corruption Ombudsman
Foundation Day venue of first function:
Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi
Why it matters for exams: The Act, the enabling Section and the Ombudsman character of the Lokpal are the three things an examiner can ask without ambiguity.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Lokpal Lokpal of India — The national anti-corruption Ombudsman set up under its own Act, with Lokayuktas as the counterpart in States.
Background
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), under the Ministry of Mines, has commemorated 175 years of service to the nation.
Its work covers mineral exploration, baseline and thematic geoscience surveys, geohazard studies and geotechnical appraisal of infrastructure projects.
The National Geoscience Data Repository (NGDR) hosts its reports and has been integrated with the Bhoonidhi platform for geoscientific and satellite data.
Its National Landslide Forecasting Centre (NLFC) issues landslide early warning bulletins through the Bhusanket Portal and the Bhooskhalan mobile application.
GSI reported the discovery of naturally occurring hydrogen in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
A National Geoscience Hub is being developed in Bengaluru, and a Next Generation GSI Portal is being rolled out.
It works with the British Geological Survey and Geoscience Australia on critical minerals.
Ministry:
Ministry of Mines
Years of service commemorated:
175
Data repository:
National Geoscience Data Repository
Landslide warning app:
Bhooskhalan
Why it matters for exams: Which Ministry the Geological Survey of India belongs to, and the names of its landslide warning tools, are repeat questions in geography and disaster sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GSI Geological Survey of India — The national organisation for geoscientific survey and mineral exploration.
NLFC National Landslide Forecasting Centre — The GSI centre that issues daily landslide early warning bulletins for selected districts.
Background
Aadhaar is the world's largest biometric identity system maintained by Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which works under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
There are about 134 crore live Aadhaar holders, and more than 17,000 crore authentication transactions have been completed.
Over 3,100 Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes and more than 360 public services use Aadhaar-based authentication or verification.
UIDAI does not collect, retain or maintain any information about the purpose for which an authentication was carried out.
To reduce failures it has enabled multi-modal authentication, that is biometric, OTP and face authentication.
The Aadhaar Act, 2016 provides that no eligible beneficiary shall be denied welfare benefits or services because of non-assignment of Aadhaar or an authentication failure, and alternate means of identification must then be offered.
Parent Act:
Aadhaar Act, 2016
Ministry:
Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology
Authentication modes:
Biometric, OTP and face authentication
Live Aadhaar holders:
About 134 crore
Why it matters for exams: The Act behind Aadhaar, the Ministry that houses UIDAI and the permitted modes of authentication are asked in polity, welfare and banking papers alike.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
UIDAI Unique Identification Authority of India — The authority that issues Aadhaar numbers and runs the authentication system.
DBT Direct Benefit Transfer — Transfer of a scheme benefit straight into the beneficiary's bank account.