9 October 2026
The National Statistical Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, released draft guidelines for compiling expenditure-side estimates of Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) with base year 2022-23.
The guidelines cover concepts, coverage, data sources, estimation procedures and methodology for the expenditure components of GSDP.
The components covered are private final consumption expenditure (PFCE), government final consumption expenditure (GFCE), gross fixed capital formation (GFCF), changes in inventories, valuables and net exports.
Some States and Union Territories currently estimate GFCF and GFCE, but none estimates PFCE at present. The draft provides a framework and methodological guidance for these estimates at State and Union Territory level.
Where direct State-level data are not available, the draft recommends allocation methods and relevant indicators so that State-wise estimates remain comparable.
Comments and suggestions may be sent by 28 October 2026. The draft is available on the MoSPI website.
Base year:
2022-23
Last date for comments:
28 October 2026
Issuing body:
National Statistical Office, MoSPI
Why it matters for exams: GSDP, its base year and the expenditure method of national accounting are standard economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GSDP Gross State Domestic Product — The total value of goods and services produced within a State in a year.
PFCE Private Final Consumption Expenditure — Spending by households and non-profit institutions on final goods and services.
9 October 2026
The 15th meeting of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) Joint Committee was held from 6 to 9 October 2026 at the ASEAN Secretariat in Jakarta, Indonesia, in hybrid format.
It was co-chaired by Shri Nitin Kumar Yadav, Additional Secretary in the Department of Commerce, India, and Ms. Mastura Ahmad Mustafa, Deputy Secretary-General (Trade) in Malaysia's Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry.
The Joint Committee works through eight sub-committees. Three of them met during this session, including the Sub-Committee on Legal and Institutional Issues (SC-LII) and the Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin (SC-ROO).
The Joint Committee directed all sub-committees to coordinate closely, close pending chapters of the AITIGA review quickly and set concrete time-bound targets.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to a balanced, constructive and forward-looking agreement and to modernising it within a mutually beneficial framework.
The next Joint Committee meeting is scheduled for January 2027 in India, in hybrid mode.
Meeting dates:
6 to 9 October 2026
Venue:
ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia
Sub-committees:
Eight
Next meeting:
January 2027, in India
Why it matters for exams: AITIGA and its review process are standard material for questions on India's regional trade agreements.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AITIGA ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement — The goods trade agreement between India and the ASEAN member states, now under review.
SC-ROO Sub-Committee on Rules of Origin — Rules of origin decide which country a traded good counts as coming from, and so what tariff applies.
9 October 2026
The Bank of Russia's official exchange rate for 09.10.2026 is 85.4173 roubles to one US dollar and 95.4709 roubles to one euro. The rates for the previous day, 08.10.2026, were 85.4811 to the dollar and 96.3287 to the euro. The central bank's key rate stands at 14.00 per cent, in force from 27.07.2026. International reserves of the Russian Federation were US$733.2 billion as of 02.10.2026. Inflation was 6.3 per cent in August 2026, against the Bank of Russia's inflation target of 4.0 per cent.
Rouble per US dollar, 09.10.2026:
85.4173
Rouble per euro, 09.10.2026:
95.4709
Key rate:
14.00%, from 27.07.2026
International reserves:
US$733.2 billion as of 02.10.2026
Why it matters for exams: Banking and UPSC papers ask for a major economy's policy rate, its currency's level against the dollar and its reserve position together, and the central bank's own indicators page is the authority on all three.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Key rate Bank of Russia key rate — The Bank of Russia's main policy interest rate, the equivalent of the RBI's repo rate.
International reserves International reserves of the Russian Federation — The foreign currency, gold and IMF assets a central bank holds to back its currency and payments.
Inflation target Inflation target — The rate of price rise a central bank publicly commits to keeping inflation near.
9 October 2026
A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M directed the Railways to prepare the detailed project report for the Nilambur-Nanjangud railway line by October 14.
On that date the Railways must file an affidavit stating whether the report has been placed before the competent authority for approval and sanction.
The plea was moved by C N Vijayakrishnan, chairman of the Kozhikode-based Cancer and Allied Ailment Research Foundation, which runs the MVR Cancer Centre and Research Institute.
He argued that Malabar needs railway connectivity and that the authorities had not considered his representations.
The Railways' affidavit of July 27, 2026 said the Railway Board had sanctioned a final location survey and that a LIDAR survey and a traffic survey were under way.
The proposed line would connect Nilambur in Keralam with Nanjangud in Karnataka.
Deadline for the report:
October 14
Route:
Nilambur to Nanjangud
Why it matters for exams: The Nilambur-Nanjangud proposal is a standing Kerala infrastructure question, and the stages from final location survey to detailed project report are often asked.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DPR Detailed Project Report — The full technical and financial report prepared before a project is sanctioned.
FLS Final Location Survey — The survey that fixes the exact alignment of a proposed railway line.
9 October 2026
The National Highways Authority of India had decided to start toll collection at the Nattika plaza on NH 66 in Thrissur district from October 8.
Keralam Public Works Minister P K Basheer directed the District Collector to stop the collection temporarily.
Basheer said the work on the service road and the approach road to the bridge has not been completed.
The District Collector was directed to hold a meeting of all stakeholders and take a decision within a week.
Congress and Indian Union Muslim League workers had marched to the toll plaza at about 7.30 am before collection began.
Police removed some of those taking part, some policemen were injured, and a large police force remained deployed at the plaza.
Highway:
NH 66
Toll plaza:
Nattika, Thrissur district
Decision deadline:
Within a week
Why it matters for exams: Toll plazas on NH 66 and the division of work between NHAI and the State Public Works Department come up in Kerala PSC infrastructure questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
NHAI National Highways Authority of India — The central authority that develops and maintains national highways and collects user fees on them.
9 October 2026
The Centre for Trade and Investment Law (CTIL) held its 9th Anniversary Celebration on 7 October 2026 at the Prime Minister's Museum and Library in New Delhi.
CTIL functions within the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade and was established to strengthen India's trade capacity.
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, in a video address, said rigorous legal thinking was more important than ever as sustainability-linked trade measures and digital trade reshape the global trade agenda.
Prof. James J. Nedumpara, Head of CTIL and WTO India Chair, said the Centre has provided more than 4,000 legal opinions and taken part in negotiations on nearly 10 free trade agreements.
Justice P. S. Narasimha of the Supreme Court of India said international investment law has shifted from protecting foreign investment towards recognising States' regulatory freedom.
Yashvir Singh, Additional Secretary in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, highlighted CTIL's support for India's engagement in the G20 and BRICS.
The ninth anniversary issue of the CTIL Magazine, 'The Emerging Sustainability Landscape: Responding to Shifting Winds', and a special edition of the newsletter Investment Law Compass were released.
Legal opinions provided:
more than 4,000
Free trade agreements:
nearly 10
Host institution:
Indian Institute of Foreign Trade
Head of CTIL:
Prof. James J. Nedumpara
Why it matters for exams: CTIL is the Government's dedicated trade law centre and is asked about alongside India's free trade agreements and WTO work.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CTIL Centre for Trade and Investment Law — The Commerce Ministry's trade law centre housed at the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade.
IIFT Indian Institute of Foreign Trade — A deemed university set up by the Government for research and training in international trade.
FTA Free trade agreement — A treaty between countries to reduce tariffs and other barriers to trade between them.
WTO India Chair World Trade Organization India Chair — A WTO-supported academic chair for teaching and research on trade policy in India.
9 October 2026
The seven OPEC+ countries that had announced additional voluntary adjustments in April and November 2023 met virtually on 4 October 2026 to review global market conditions and outlook.
The seven are Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria and Oman.
They decided to maintain September 2026 required production for November 2026.
The countries reiterated their collective commitment to achieve full conformity with the Declaration of Cooperation.
They will continue to hold monthly meetings to review market conditions.
The next meeting will be held on 1 November 2026.
Countries meeting:
Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iraq, Kuwait, Kazakhstan, Algeria, Oman
Date of meeting:
4 October 2026
Decision:
Maintain September 2026 required production for November 2026
Next meeting:
1 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: OPEC+ output decisions move crude prices and are regularly asked in economy and current affairs sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
OPEC Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries — An intergovernmental organisation of oil-exporting states, with its secretariat in Vienna.
Declaration of Cooperation Declaration of Cooperation — The agreement under which OPEC and non-OPEC producers coordinate output.
9 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has imposed a monetary penalty of ₹5 lakh (Rupees Five Lakh only) on The Monghyr-Jamui Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar.
The penalty is for non-compliance with the Reserve Bank's Know Your Customer (KYC) directions.
The order was passed on September 25, 2026.
The action followed a statutory inspection by the National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development with reference to the bank's financial position as on March 31, 2026.
The penalty was imposed under the powers vested in the Reserve Bank under Section 47A(1)(c) read with Sections 46(4)(i) and 56 of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.
The Reserve Bank said the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and is not intended to pronounce upon the validity of any transaction or agreement the bank has entered into with its customers.
Penalty:
₹5 lakh
Bank:
The Monghyr-Jamui Central Co-operative Bank Limited, Bihar
Date of order:
September 25, 2026
Inspection reference date:
March 31, 2026
Why it matters for exams: The sections of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 used for penalties and NABARD's inspection role are regular banking awareness questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KYC Know Your Customer — The Reserve Bank's customer identification and verification requirements for banks.
NABARD National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development — The apex development bank that inspects co-operative and regional rural banks.
Section 47A Section 47A of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 — The provision that empowers the Reserve Bank to impose monetary penalties on banks.
9 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India will conduct a 10-day Variable Rate Reverse Repo (VRRR) auction for a notified amount of ₹1,50,000 crore on Friday, October 09, 2026.
The auction window is from 09:30 AM to 10:00 AM and the date of reversal is Monday, October 19, 2026.
The Reserve Bank said the decision follows a review of liquidity conditions in the banking system.
The auction is conducted under the Liquidity Adjustment Facility, through which the Reserve Bank absorbs or injects funds.
A reverse repo auction absorbs surplus liquidity from banks, with the rate discovered through competitive bidding rather than fixed in advance.
Operational guidelines remain those set out in the Reserve Bank's press release of February 13, 2020.
The release carries the reference 2026-2027/1288 and is dated October 08, 2026.
Notified amount:
₹1,50,000 crore
Tenor:
10 days
Auction window:
09:30 AM to 10:00 AM
Date of reversal:
October 19, 2026
Why it matters for exams: VRRR auctions are the Reserve Bank's main tool for absorbing surplus liquidity and are asked as a monetary policy instrument.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
VRRR Variable Rate Reverse Repo — An auction in which banks park surplus funds with the Reserve Bank at a rate set by bidding.
LAF Liquidity Adjustment Facility — The Reserve Bank's window for daily absorption and injection of liquidity in the banking system.
Reverse repo Reverse repurchase agreement — A transaction in which the central bank borrows from banks against government securities.
9 October 2026
The Ministry of Coal has said that daily supplies of coal to the power sector have risen by around 36% from the September low.
October is averaging about 9% higher than September in despatch to the power sector.
Rail loading is averaging over 465 rakes per day in October, and the target of 470 rakes was met on three consecutive days.
The depletion of coal stock at power plants slowed from 0.243 MT/day in September to 0.116 MT/day in October.
The drawdown of stock has therefore fallen by more than half.
The Ministry notes that rebuilding of coal stock at the plants has not yet started.
Rise from September low:
around 36%
October over September:
about 9% higher
Rail loading in October:
over 465 rakes per day
Stock depletion:
0.243 MT/day in September to 0.116 MT/day in October
Why it matters for exams: Coal despatch and rake movement figures are the standard measures of India's power fuel logistics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Rake Railway rake — A full train load of wagons used to move bulk cargo such as coal.
MT Million tonnes — The unit in which bulk coal volumes are reported.
9 October 2026
Union Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman is on a visit to Singapore from 9 to 11 October.
She will meet President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong and Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
A Roundtable with Hedge Fund and Portfolio Fund Managers and a series of Government-to-Business meetings are part of the programme.
One-to-one meetings are planned with GIC, Temasek, DBS Bank, Standard Chartered Bank, British International Investment, IHH Healthcare and MUFG.
Singapore is India's largest source of foreign direct investment, with cumulative inflows of USD 194.68 billion from April 2000 to March 2026.
The discussions cover trade and investment, digital financial connectivity, capital markets, taxation, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, skilling and aviation.
The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund and GIFT City are cited as routes for Singaporean capital into India.
Visit dates:
9 to 11 October 2026
Cumulative FDI from Singapore:
USD 194.68 billion (April 2000 to March 2026)
President of Singapore:
Tharman Shanmugaratnam
Why it matters for exams: India-Singapore economic ties and the FDI figure are standard questions on India's external sector.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GIC Government of Singapore Investment Corporation — Singapore's sovereign wealth fund that manages the government's foreign reserves.
Temasek Temasek Holdings (P) Limited — A Singapore state-owned investment company with large holdings in Indian companies.
NIIF National Investment and Infrastructure Fund — India's sovereign-backed fund set up to channel domestic and foreign capital into infrastructure.
GIFT City Gujarat International Finance Tec-City — India's international financial services centre at Gandhinagar in Gujarat.
9 October 2026
The Madhya Pradesh Ease of Doing Business Bill, 2026 has become law in the state.
The Assembly's own bills record shows it was introduced on 20 July 2026 and discussed and passed on 21 July 2026.
The Governor's assent is recorded as 17 August 2026.
It is listed as Act No. 09 of 2026.
The Madhya Pradesh Workplace Empowerment Code, also called the Shram Shakti Code, of the same session is listed as Act No. 07 of 2026, with assent on 7 August 2026.
Act number:
09 of 2026
Passed:
21/07/2026
Governor's assent:
17/08/2026
Shram Shakti Code:
Act No. 07 of 2026
Why it matters for exams: State ease-of-doing-business and labour codes are asked in economy and governance sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Ease of doing business Ease of doing business — A set of measures meant to simplify approvals, inspections and compliance for enterprises.
9 October 2026
The Bank of Russia's monthly series on the international reserves of the Russian Federation records 731,760 million US dollars for the close of September 2026.
The corresponding figure for the close of August 2026 is 769,022 million US dollars.
International reserves consist of highly liquid foreign assets held by the Bank of Russia and the Government.
They include monetary gold, foreign exchange, Special Drawing Rights and the reserve position in the IMF.
The Bank of Russia publishes the series monthly on its own website.
Reserves, close of September 2026:
731,760 million US dollars
Reserves, close of August 2026:
769,022 million US dollars
Why it matters for exams: Foreign exchange reserve figures of major economies are a standard comparative question.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
International reserves International reserves of the Russian Federation — Highly liquid foreign assets available to the central bank and the government, including monetary gold.
9 October 2026
The World Bank's country overview for Russia states that growth is projected to remain at around 1% during 2026 and 2027.
The overview links the projection to the Bank's Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, listed as October 2026.
The same overview gives an average of 1.3% for 2025 and 2026 taken together.
Russia is classified by the World Bank among high-income economies.
The World Bank is one of the Bretton Woods institutions founded in 1944.
Projected growth:
around 1% during 2026-2027
Average for 2025 and 2026:
1.3%
Report:
Europe and Central Asia Economic Update, October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Growth projections for major economies from the World Bank are asked directly in economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ECA Economic Update Europe and Central Asia Economic Update — The World Bank's twice-yearly regional report on economies in Europe and Central Asia.
9 October 2026
The Bank of Russia Board of Directors decided on 11 September 2026 to keep the key rate at 14.00% per annum.
The bank states that as of 7 September 2026 annual inflation stood at 6.3%.
It describes the Russian economy as growing at a moderate pace in the third quarter of 2026.
The Board's next key rate meeting is set for 23 October 2026.
The key rate is the Bank of Russia's main monetary policy instrument.
Key rate:
14.00% per annum
Annual inflation:
6.3%
Next rate meeting:
23 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Central bank rate decisions of major economies are standard questions in banking and civil service papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Key rate Bank of Russia key rate — The main policy rate through which the Bank of Russia steers borrowing costs and inflation.
Background
The Federal Reserve is the central bank of the United States, created by the Federal Reserve Act.
The Federal Reserve System has two parts: the Board of Governors, a federal agency located in Washington, D.C., and 12 Federal Reserve Banks around the nation, which together have 24 Branches.
The Board is run by 7 members, or "governors", serving staggered 14-year terms, who are nominated by the President of the United States and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The Federal Open Market Committee, or FOMC, is a 12-person group that sets monetary policy at meetings held at least 8 times each year; its 12 voting members are the 7 governors, the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and 4 of the remaining 11 Reserve Bank presidents on one-year rotating terms.
The Federal Reserve Board is the issuing authority for Federal Reserve notes; the Federal Reserve Banks distribute, receive, and process those notes.
More than 99 percent of all U.S. currency in circulation is in the form of Federal Reserve notes.
The notes themselves are printed to the Board's order by the Treasury's Bureau of Engraving and Printing, whose facilities are in Washington, D.C., and Fort Worth, Texas.
Coins are separate: as the issuing authority for coins, the United States Mint determines annual coin production and moves coin from its production facilities in Philadelphia and Denver.
Capital:
Washington, D.C.
Issuing authority for notes:
The Federal Reserve Board
Reserve Banks and Branches:
12 Federal Reserve Banks, 24 Branches
Board of Governors:
7 members, staggered 14-year terms
FOMC voting members:
12, meeting at least 8 times each year
Share of currency as Federal Reserve notes:
More than 99 percent
Cash offices and institutions served:
28 Federal Reserve Bank cash offices serving approximately 8,400 banks, savings and loans, and credit unions
System began operations:
1914
Why it matters for exams: A country profile is almost always asked through its capital, its currency and the body that issues that currency, and the Federal Reserve's two-part structure is a standard comparison with the Reserve Bank of India.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
FOMC Federal Open Market Committee — The 12-person committee of Federal Reserve officials that decides the stance of United States monetary policy.
BEP Bureau of Engraving and Printing — The United States Treasury body that prints Federal Reserve notes to the order placed by the Federal Reserve Board.
Background
Article 75 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation establishes the special legal status of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation and gives it the exclusive right to issue currency.
The same article makes it the bank's main function to protect the ruble and ensure its stability.
The bank's status, goals, functions and powers are defined by Federal Law No. 86-FZ, dated 10 July 2002, on the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia).
Article 3 of that law sets four goals: to protect the ruble and ensure its stability; to develop and strengthen the banking system of the Russian Federation; to ensure stability of and develop the national payment system; and to develop the financial market and ensure its stability.
The Bank of Russia is a special public legal institution and is not a body of state power, yet its authorised capital and other property are federal property.
It is accountable to the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation.
Among its listed functions, it is the sole issuer of cash money, it approves the graphic sign of the ruble, it organises the digital ruble platform, and it sets and publishes the official exchange rates of foreign currencies against the ruble.
Its head office stands at 12 Neglinnaya Street, Moscow.
Currency:
ruble
Constitutional basis:
Article 75 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation
Governing statute:
Federal Law No. 86-FZ, dated 10 July 2002
Accountable to:
State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation
Head office:
12 Neglinnaya Street, Moscow, 107016 Russia
Why it matters for exams: A central bank's constitutional basis, its governing statute and the house it answers to are the three facts examiners pair with India's own banking questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
State Duma State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation — It is the house of the Russian legislature to which the Bank of Russia is accountable.
Federal Assembly Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation — It is the national legislature of the Russian Federation, and the State Duma is one of its houses.
8 October 2026
In a session reported by the Department of Space on 8 October 2026, Union Minister of State Dr Jitendra Singh said India's space economy is about USD 9 billion and that if the current momentum continues it could reach USD 45 to 46 billion within 8 to 10 years. He said opening the space sector to private players has given young scientists and engineers opportunities at home and reduced the need to seek jobs abroad, naming the startup Skyroot as an example. He said government, industry, startups, academia and research institutions must work together, summing it up as 'The age of silos is over'. He said Indian satellites provide flood and disaster information to Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. He said gross expenditure on research and development rose from about ₹46,000-47,000 crore in 2013-14 to about ₹2-2.5 lakh crore. He also referred to the opening of the nuclear sector to private participation and a target of 100 GW of nuclear capacity by 2047, and cited Chandrayaan-3 as an example of a cost-efficient mission. He was speaking at the NaMo Book Fest in Varanasi.
Space economy now:
about USD 9 billion
Projected size:
USD 45-46 billion within 8-10 years
Nuclear capacity target:
100 GW by 2047
Gross expenditure on R&D:
about ₹46,000-47,000 crore in 2013-14 to about ₹2-2.5 lakh crore
Why it matters for exams: The size of India's space economy and its projected size are standard figures in science and technology questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
GERD Gross Expenditure on Research and Development — The total money a country spends on research and development from all sources in a year.
Department of Space Department of Space — The central department under which ISRO and the other Indian space bodies function.
8 October 2026
The World Trade Organization released its Global Trade Outlook and Statistics update.
It raised its forecast for world merchandise trade volume growth in 2026 to 3.9 per cent, from 1.9 per cent in the earlier estimate.
For 2027 it expects merchandise trade volume to grow 4.1 per cent.
The forecast for commercial services trade volume in 2026 was cut to 3.3 per cent, from 4.8 per cent in the March forecast.
Services trade volume is expected to expand 6.4 per cent in 2027.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said an integrated global economy and a rules-based trading system gave economies the flexibility to keep essential goods flowing.
Merchandise trade volume growth, 2026:
3.9%
Earlier 2026 estimate:
1.9%
Merchandise trade volume growth, 2027:
4.1%
Commercial services trade volume growth, 2026:
3.3%
Services growth expected in 2027:
6.4%
Why it matters for exams: Trade body forecasts and the name of the WTO Director-General are standard economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
WTO World Trade Organization — The intergovernmental body that administers the rules of international trade and settles trade disputes.
Trade volume Trade measured in quantity terms — Trade counted by quantity rather than by value, so price changes do not distort the growth figure.
8 October 2026
The Venad Express, which runs between Thiruvananthapuram and Shoranur, will soon be extended to Nilambur, Palakkad Divisional Railway Manager Madhukar Rohit has said.
He announced this at Nilambur station at a meeting with Nilambur municipal chairperson Padmini Gopinath and office-bearers of the Nilambur-Mysuru Railway Action Council.
The train reaches Shoranur at 12 noon and leaves on its return journey at 3 p.m., and the Railways plans to use that three-hour window for a Nilambur service.
The extension would fill the gap in train services on the Nilambur route between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.
A platform able to take 24 coaches has been completed at Melattur station, and a crossing station is due to be commissioned next month.
The DRM also said the discontinued parcel service at Nilambur could resume if profitability is assured, and promised steps to secure stops at Cherukara for the Kottayam Express and the Nilambur-Shoranur MEMU.
Train:
Venad Express, Thiruvananthapuram-Shoranur
Proposed extension:
To Nilambur
Idle window at Shoranur:
12 noon to 3 p.m.
Platform at Melattur:
24 coaches
Why it matters for exams: The Nilambur-Shoranur line and the Palakkad railway division recur in Kerala geography and infrastructure questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DRM Divisional Railway Manager — The officer in charge of a railway division; Nilambur and Shoranur fall in the Palakkad division of Southern Railway.