16 October 2026
Justice V. Lakshminarayanan of the Madras High Court decided V.G. Jagadeesan v. The State of Tamil Nadu, W.P. (Crl.) No. 2790 of 2026 with W.P.M.P. (Crl.) No. 1021 of 2026, reported as 2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 507.
The petitioner is V.G. Jagadeesan, State Secretary of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh for North Tamil Nadu, who had applied to the Director General of Police on 3 October 2026 after local applications were rejected.
The Court directed that police must process route march applications and try to approve them rather than look for defects to reject them.
It held that processions scheduled for 25 October and 1 November 2026 may proceed, subject to local modifications by district police, with organisers giving advance intimation of route, schedule and contact details.
The Court held that the right under Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution can be restricted only by legislation conforming to Article 19(3), and that the Tamil Nadu police law could not be used to deny route marches.
The petitioner filed an undertaking to comply with the 'Do's and Don'ts' guidelines framed on 5 January 2024, and the petition and the connected miscellaneous petition were closed.
Case:
W.P. (Crl.) No. 2790 of 2026
Marches cleared for:
25 October and 1 November 2026
Citation:
2026 LiveLaw (Mad) 507
Why it matters for exams: Links Article 19(1)(b) and Article 19(3) to a live Tamil Nadu order on processions, with the exact case number and dates.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Article 19(1)(b) Article 19(1)(b) of the Constitution of India — The fundamental right to assemble peaceably and to form associations or unions.
15 October 2026
Justice D. Bharatha Chakravarthy of the Madras High Court decided K. Sivakumar v. R. Rajendran and Others, an election petition relating to the Salem North Assembly Constituency in the 2026 Tamil Nadu elections.
R. Rajendran of the TVK was declared elected with 85,710 votes, against K. Sivakumar of the DMK with 71,676 votes.
The Court allowed an application under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure and dismissed the election petition, holding that it disclosed no triable cause of action even if its claims were taken as true.
Involving children in politically motivated reels was described as bad taste, but the Court held it did not amount to undue influence unless the free will of adult voters was overpowered.
A violation of the Election Commission's circular dated 5 February 2024 would not entitle the petitioner to have the election set aside, because the circular is not an 'Order' under the Act.
Sections 83, 100(1)(d)(iv) and 123(2) of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 were considered. No costs were awarded and the petitioner's security deposit was ordered refunded.
Constituency:
Salem North Assembly Constituency
Winning votes:
85,710
Petitioner's votes:
71,676
Why it matters for exams: Gives the Representation of the People Act sections on undue influence and election petitions with a current Tamil Nadu constituency result.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Undue influence Undue influence under Section 123(2), Representation of the People Act, 1951 — A corrupt practice involving interference with the free exercise of an electoral right.
21 October 2026
The advancing Northeast Monsoon has brought widespread rain to many coastal and interior parts of Tamil Nadu, according to the Regional Weather Department.
Fishermen have been warned not to venture into the sea because squally weather is likely along and off the Kerala coast, in the Lakshadweep area, and in the Gulf of Mannar adjoining the Comorin area.
Rain has been forecast for many coastal and interior parts of Tamil Nadu over the next few days.
A weather trough over the southwest Bay of Bengal and the Tamil Nadu coast has become less marked.
The Northeast Monsoon is the main rainfall season for Tamil Nadu, unlike most of India, which depends on the Southwest Monsoon.
Sea areas under warning:
Kerala coast, Lakshadweep area, Gulf of Mannar adjoining Comorin area
System:
Trough over southwest Bay of Bengal and Tamil Nadu coast
Why it matters for exams: The Northeast Monsoon and Tamil Nadu's dependence on it, with the named sea areas under a squally weather warning.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Northeast Monsoon Northeast Monsoon — The retreating monsoon that brings the main rains to Tamil Nadu and the southeast coast between October and December.
Background
Thanjavur is called The Rice Bowl of Tamil Nadu because of its river delta agriculture. River Cauvery is the main source of irrigation. The district covers 3396.57 sq km, with three divisions (Thanjavur, Kumbakonam, Pattukottai) and nine taluks. Nagapattinam district was carved out in 1991 and Thiruvarur was separated from Nagapattinam in 1997. Monuments include the Grand Anaicut, the Big Temple and the Saraswathi Mahal Library.
Area:
3396.57 sq km
Taluks:
9
Main irrigation source:
River Cauvery
Why it matters for exams: Epithets and delta geography of Tamil Nadu are common comparative-geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Delta River mouth plain — Fertile plain formed where a river splits before reaching the sea.
Background
Mudumalai National Park lies on the western side of Tamil Nadu and shares borders with the States of Kerala and Karnataka. It is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve. The park has 55 species of mammals, 227 species of birds, 50 species of fishes, 21 species of amphibians and 34 species of reptiles. Elephants, tigers, gaur and Indian leopards are among its endangered species. It borders other parks including Bandipur, Nagarhole, Wayanad, Mukurthi and Silent Valley.
Mammal species:
55
Bird species:
227
Reptile species:
34
Why it matters for exams: Questions link parks to the biosphere reserve and to neighbouring parks.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Biosphere reserve Protected area for conservation and sustainable use — A designated region that conserves biodiversity while supporting local communities.
Background
The Great Living Chola Temples are a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Tamil Nadu, inscribed in 1987 with boundary modifications in 2004. They comprise the Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur, the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholisvaram and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram. The Thanjavur temple was erected under King Rajaraja I and has a 59.82-metre vimana. The Gangaikondacholisvaram temple was completed in 1035 by Rajendra I. The Darasuram temple was built by Rajaraja II and has a 24-metre vimana.
Components:
3 temple complexes
Thanjavur vimana height:
59.82 m
Darasuram vimana height:
24 m
Inscribed:
1987
Why it matters for exams: UNESCO World Heritage sites and Dravida temple architecture are staple questions in state-level and UPSC culture papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kalakad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve is in Tamil Nadu. Its area is 1601.542 km2, including a pristine core area of 895 km2. The reserve has 14 rivers flowing through it, including the Thamirabarani. Its three major watershed areas are the Upper Kodayar, the Manimuthar and the Thamirabarani. Tigers are the primary focus, and the reserve also supports elephants, gaur, wild boars, leopards and spotted deer.
Area:
1601.542 km2
Core area:
895 km2
Rivers flowing through:
14
State:
Tamil Nadu
Why it matters for exams: Tiger reserves and their rivers and watersheds are regular environment and geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Indian Institute of Technology Madras traces its origin to German assistance offered to Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru during a visit to West Germany. The first Indo-German Agreement for establishing an Indian Institute of Technology at Madras was signed in Bonn in 1959. The institute was inaugurated in 1959. In 1961 Parliament declared it an Institute of National Importance. It is located in South Chennai on a campus spanning 630 acres.
Agreement signed at:
Bonn
Campus:
630 acres
Foreign partner:
West Germany
Why it matters for exams: Premier institutions and their founding history feature in science, education and general studies questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Akashvani, the public broadcaster, records that after Independence on 15 August 1947 the Madras Presidency became the Madras Province. Madras State was formed on 26 January 1950. A resolution to rename Madras State as Tamil Nadu was moved in the State Assembly in 1967 by the then Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai. Tamil Nadu is thus the successor to the old Madras Presidency.
Predecessor:
Madras Presidency
Madras State formed:
1950
Rename resolution moved:
1967
Why it matters for exams: State formation, presidencies and basic state facts are routine questions in PSC and UPSC general studies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The hook is the Madras High Court's dismissal of the Salem North election petition in K. Sivakumar v. R. Rajendran and Others.
Section 83 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 sets out what an election petition must contain.
Section 100(1)(d)(iv) allows an election to be declared void where the result has been materially affected by non-compliance with the Constitution, the Act or any rules or orders made under the Act.
Section 123(2) of the Act defines undue influence as a corrupt practice, being direct or indirect interference with the free exercise of an electoral right.
The Election Commission of India draws its authority to issue instructions during elections from Article 324 of the Constitution.
A circular issued by the Commission is not an 'Order' under the Act for the purposes of Section 100(1)(d)(iv).
Contents of an election petition:
Section 83
Undue influence:
Section 123(2)
Election Commission's authority:
Article 324
Why it matters for exams: Section numbers for election petitions, voiding an election and undue influence, all in one place.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Corrupt practice Corrupt practice — Conduct listed in Section 123 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951 that can void an election.
Background
The Great Living Chola Temples are a UNESCO World Heritage property in Tamil Nadu comprising three temples built under the Chola empire.
The Brihadisvara Temple at Thanjavur was declared a World Heritage property in 1987, and the extended property added two more temples.
The other two are the Brihadisvara Temple at Gangaikondacholapuram, in Perambalur district, and the Airavatesvara Temple at Darasuram.
The property is inscribed under criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv).
It is a single serial property listed for the architectural achievement of Chola temple building in Tamil Nadu.
Temples in the property:
3
Thanjavur temple declared:
1987
Criteria:
(i), (ii), (iii), (iv)
Why it matters for exams: The three temples of the Great Living Chola Temples and the 1987 Thanjavur listing are standard Tamil Nadu heritage questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Serial property Serial World Heritage property — A single World Heritage listing made up of more than one separate site.
Background
The Group of Monuments at Mahabalipuram, in Tamil Nadu on the Coromandel Coast of southeastern India, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1984.
The monuments were carved by the Pallava dynasty, which ruled the area between the sixth and ninth centuries, with the carving dated to the seventh and eighth centuries.
The property includes five monolithic temples, each hewn from a single boulder and locally called a ratha, meaning chariot.
It also includes rock-cut cave temples or mandapas, among them Konerimandapa, the Mahishmardhini cave and Varahamandapa.
The structural temples are Mukundanayanar, Olakkanesvara and the Shore Temple, which UNESCO describes as the most refined example of a Dravida vimana layout, fringing the sea; excavated remains have been uncovered from the sand around it.
Inscribed:
1984
Dynasty:
Pallava
Monolithic rathas:
Five
Criteria:
(i), (ii), (iii), (vi)
Why it matters for exams: The Pallava date, the rathas and the Shore Temple are the three facts asked about Mahabalipuram.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Ratha Ratha — A monolithic temple at Mahabalipuram hewn from a single boulder, named after a chariot.
Mandapa Mandapa — A rock-cut cave temple hall at Mahabalipuram.