6 November 2026
The Supreme Court has clarified its ruling on how creamy layer status is worked out for Other Backward Classes candidates. Justices P S Narasimha and R Mahadevan heard a Miscellaneous Application filed by the Centre in Union of India v. Rohith Nathan and Anr. The bench had held on 11 March 2026 that a parent's salary by itself cannot push a candidate into the creamy layer. The status and the category of the post the parent holds must also be weighed. The Court read the Office Memorandum of 8 August 1993 as not making salary the test, and said a clarificatory letter of 14 October 2004 could not add a condition the 1993 policy never carried. Shutting out children of public sector and private sector employees on salary alone could become hostile discrimination under Articles 14 and 16. In the clarification the Court said selections and appointments already completed will not be reopened, while the allocation of services in the Civil Services Examination 2025 must follow the ruling.
Case:
Union of India v. Rohith Nathan and Anr.
Policy document:
Office Memorandum dated August 8, 1993
Articles cited:
Articles 14 and 16
Why it matters for exams: The creamy layer test for OBC reservation, the 1993 Office Memorandum of the Department of Personnel and Training and Articles 14 and 16 of the Constitution are repeatedly asked in Polity and reservation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OBC Other Backward Classes — A category of socially and educationally backward classes entitled to reservation in central jobs and seats.
Creamy layer Creamy layer — The better-off section within OBCs that is kept out of reservation benefits.
6 November 2026
The Supreme Court has closed a dispute over dues from projects run by the Bhakra Beas Management Board since 1966. Punjab and Haryana are to supply Himachal Pradesh 11,973 million units of electricity over 20 lean seasons, close to 598 million units a year. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant accepted the Centre's cashless plan to settle the arrears as energy. The starting entitlement was 13,066 million units, as worked out by the Central Electricity Authority. An amount of ₹420.77 crore that Himachal owed towards capital cost was set off against it. A 2011 verdict had already fixed the share of the State at 7.19%, and this order puts that ruling into effect. Himachal must still pay the yearly charges of the board for the power it takes
Energy to Himachal:
11,973 million units
Himachal share:
7.19%
Period:
20 lean seasons
Why it matters for exams: Inter-state river and power sharing, the Bhakra Beas Management Board and the Sutlej are recurring Polity and Geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
6 November 2026
The Centre has agreed to five State Governments imposing stock limits on rice and paddy. These are Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Telangana. The limits stay in force up to 31st January next year. The aim is to keep rice available at reasonable prices in the southern States and to prevent hoarding. Traders, wholesalers, big chain retailers and processors in all States and Union Territories must also declare their stocks every Friday on the Food Stock Portal. An entity found unregistered, or breaching the set limits, faces action under the Essential Commodities Act. The Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry issued the direction
Portal:
Food Stock Portal
Disclosure:
every Friday
States allowed stock limits:
5
Why it matters for exams: The Essential Commodities Act and the Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Ministry are regular questions on food policy.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
7 November 2026
The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India seized 3,280 tonnes of banned and non-compliant food in a countrywide drive that began on September 1. The goods were worth ₹82 crore and included paneer, ghee, milk and sweets. About 56,431 food establishments were inspected between September 1 and November 5. The regulator cancelled 52 licences, suspended 1,133 and sealed 314 establishments. More than 10,000 improvement notices went out to food business operators. The Authority gave the figures in a social media post on Saturday
Seized:
3,280 tonnes
Value:
₹82 crore
Licences cancelled:
52
Why it matters for exams: FSSAI, the statutory food regulator, and the Food Safety and Standards Act are frequent questions on health governance.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
7 November 2026
Ayodhya held the tenth edition of Deepotsav on the eve of Diwali. More than 30 lakh earthen lamps were lit across 56 ghats on the banks of the Saryu. Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan was the chief guest at the event. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and Governor Anandiben Patel of Uttar Pradesh also took part. A laser show and cultural programmes were held at Ram Ki Paidi. The Chief Minister described Ayodhya as first among the seven sacred cities that form the Sapta Puri. The annual event has been held since 2017, the year Yogi Adityanath became Chief Minister
Edition:
10th
Lamps:
over 30 lakh
Ghats:
56
Why it matters for exams: Deepotsav, the Saryu and the Sapta Puri are favourites in culture and State GK sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
8 November 2026
A new State Bank of India branch has come up in Texas in the United States. It is the first physical expansion of its California-based subsidiary beyond that state. The subsidiary now runs eight locations across the country. SBI Group Chairman Challa Sreenivasulu Setty led the inauguration. India's Consul General in Houston, D C Manjunath, was present. Apart from the subsidiary, SBI has full-service branches in New York, Chicago and Los Angeles. It also keeps a representative office in Washington
New branch:
Texas
Locations of the subsidiary:
eight
Chairman:
Challa Sreenivasulu Setty
Why it matters for exams: The holder of the SBI chairman's office and India's largest lender are regular banking-awareness questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
7 November 2026
The Delhi Government has said that its winter restriction on vehicles below BS-VI registered in other States will now apply every year. It will run from November 1 to January 31, according to a notification of the Transport Department. BS-IV and lower commercial goods vehicles and buses from outside Delhi cannot enter during this period. Buses under the All India Tourist Permit are covered as well. Vehicles running on compressed natural gas and electric power are exempt. Around 250 enforcement personnel have been placed at entry points, toll plazas and pollution hotspots. The step had first been announced this year under the Winter Action Plan. The Commission for Air Quality Management has also put Stage III of the Graded Response Action Plan in force across the region
Period:
November 1 to January 31
Barred:
BS-IV and below from other States
Exempt:
CNG and electric vehicles
Why it matters for exams: Bharat Stage emission norms and Delhi's winter pollution rules are regular Environment questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
7 November 2026
Fast bowler Mohammed Shami has announced his retirement from Test cricket. His Test career ran for 13 years and brought 229 wickets from 64 matches. He finished with a bowling average of 27.71 and six five-wicket hauls. Shami retires as India's sixth-highest wicket-taker among fast bowlers in Tests. Only five stand ahead of him: Jasprit Bumrah, Zaheer Khan, Kapil Dev, Javagal Srinath and Ishant Sharma. The 36-year-old made the announcement in a social media post. He will go on playing limited-overs cricket for India
Test wickets:
229
Matches:
64
Average:
27.71
Why it matters for exams: Retirements, wicket records and milestones in Indian cricket are common sports questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank