8 October 2026
Fishermen who are not receiving pension can complete Aadhaar authentication until 15 October.
They should go to the concerned Fisheries Office with their pension book and Aadhaar card.
The announcement was issued by the Information and Public Relations Department on 8 October 2026.
The notice lists district contact numbers, including Thiruvananthapuram 9497715520 and 0471-2325483, and Kozhikode 9497715580.
Last date:
15 October
Documents:
Pension book and Aadhaar card
Where:
Concerned Fisheries Office
Why it matters for exams: Welfare-pension administration and deadlines are routine Kerala PSC current-affairs material.
Kerala PSC
8 October 2026
On 8 October 2026 the US Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) sanctioned Iran's remaining shadow fleet of ageing tankers and the companies behind it.
The action was taken under Executive Order 13902, which targets Iran's petroleum sector and other key sectors of its economy.
It designated 17 vessels carrying Iranian crude oil, petroleum and petrochemical products.
It is part of Operation Economic Outcast, which Secretary Scott Bessent announced on 24 August 2026.
OFAC also removed two vessels, HAKUNA MATATA and PINOCCHIO, from the SDN List after they were sold to non-sanctioned operators.
Vessels designated:
17
Authority:
Executive Order 13902
Operation announced:
24 August 2026
Vessels delisted:
2
Why it matters for exams: Economic sanctions, OFAC and sanctions lists are recurring topics in international relations and current affairs.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
OFAC Office of Foreign Assets Control — The US Treasury office that administers and enforces economic sanctions.
SDN List Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List — OFAC's list of sanctioned persons, companies and vessels.
8 October 2026
On 8 October 2026 Federal Reserve Governor Christopher Waller gave a speech titled "The Signaling Value of the Summary of Economic Projections".
In September the FOMC raised the policy rate 25 basis points to 3.75 to 4 percent, ending nine months of holding steady.
He said August core PCE inflation was 0.25 percent for the month and 3 percent over 12 months.
In the Summary of Economic Projections, 16 of 18 participants expected at least one more hike this year.
Waller named the Middle East conflict and high energy prices, the AI buildout and trade-related tariffs as upward pressures on prices.
Policy rate:
3.75 to 4 percent
September hike:
25 basis points
SEP participants expecting another hike:
16 of 18
August core PCE, 12-month:
3 percent
Why it matters for exams: Policy-rate moves of the US Federal Reserve move global capital flows and the rupee, so exams ask about FOMC, basis points and PCE.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
FOMC Federal Open Market Committee — The Federal Reserve committee that votes on the policy rate.
Basis point One hundredth of a percentage point — A 25 basis point move equals 0.25 percentage point.
PCE Personal Consumption Expenditures — The price index the Federal Reserve uses to judge its 2 percent inflation goal.
8 October 2026
The Department of Telecommunications held a ministerial session at India Mobile Congress 2026 titled 'Scale Without Boundaries: Investing in the Next Billion Digital Connections'.
Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia said the next billion to be connected will be the hardest to reach.
Speakers included Estonia's Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa-Ly Pakosta and Japan's Vice-Minister for International Affairs Hideo Fuseda.
Seizo Onoe of the ITU and John Giusti of the GSMA Foundation also spoke.
The discussion covered 5G-Advanced, 6G, satellite networks and AI, with a stated focus on advancing digital connectivity towards 2030.
Session title:
Scale Without Boundaries: Investing in the Next Billion Digital Connections
Chaired by:
Jyotiraditya M. Scindia
Technologies discussed:
5G-Advanced, 6G, satellite networks, AI
Stated focus:
Advance digital connectivity towards 2030
Why it matters for exams: Telecom policy, 6G and international cooperation through bodies like the ITU feature in science-tech and economy sections.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
ITU International Telecommunication Union — The UN agency for information and communication technologies.
GSMA GSM Association — The industry body representing mobile network operators worldwide.
8 October 2026
The Ministry of Cooperation opened its 9th National Review Workshop in Bastar, Chhattisgarh, on 8 and 9 October 2026.
The theme is 'Sahkar se Samriddhi — The Road Ahead: Scaling Impact through Cooperative Transformation'.
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah suggested Bastar, a district long affected by Left-Wing Extremism.
Secretary Ashish Kumar Bhutani urged better governance and accountability in cooperative banks.
The Ministry is working with the RBI to help cooperative banks raise funds.
The workshop will draft an action plan for the next three months.
Workshop:
9th National Review Workshop
Venue:
Bastar, Chhattisgarh
Dates:
8 and 9 October 2026
Action plan horizon:
Next three months
Why it matters for exams: The Ministry of Cooperation, PACS reforms and the cooperative sector are frequent polity and economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PACS Primary Agricultural Credit Societies — Village-level cooperative societies that give short-term credit to farmers.
NCDC National Cooperative Development Corporation — The statutory corporation that finances cooperative development.
8 October 2026
The new fishing harbour at Vizhinjam is required as part of the environmental clearance for the Vizhinjam International Port.
Its estimated construction cost is ₹260 crore, funded by the state government under the concession agreement signed with Adani Vizhinjam Port Pvt. Ltd.
The existing fishing harbour will be renovated for ₹90 crore, to be completed in two years; the state government bears the cost through VISL and the Harbour Engineering Department carries out the work.
A new breakwater costing ₹125 crore will reduce wave turbulence inside both fishing harbours.
Compensation for the extra fuel burnt on longer trips caused by the international port's breakwater construction had lapsed. About 2000 beneficiaries will now get compensation as livelihood assistance in place of kerosene, by DBT, and the government has earmarked ₹35 crore for it.
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan will lay the foundation stone of the new harbour, inaugurate the renovation and distribute the assistance on 9 October at 3 p.m. at Thennoorkonam on the Vizhinjam–Poovar road, with Fisheries Minister V. E. Abdul Gafoor presiding.
New fishing harbour:
₹260 crore
Renovation of existing harbour:
₹90 crore
New breakwater:
₹125 crore
DBT assistance:
₹35 crore
Why it matters for exams: Links a major port project to coastal livelihoods; environmental-clearance conditions and compensation are recurring Kerala PSC and UPSC themes.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DBT Direct Benefit Transfer — Money paid straight into the beneficiary's bank account.
VISL Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited — The state company (Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited) through which the state government meets the renovation cost.
8 October 2026
On Day 2 of Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue 2026, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal held bilateral meetings.
With the Saudi Ports Authority (Mawani) he discussed Saudi participation in port projects such as Vadhavan and Galathea Bay; Saudi Arabia expressed interest in investing in India's port projects and the Maritime Development Fund.
With Flemish Minister Annick De Ridder of Belgium he proposed a green shipping corridor linking Indian ports with Antwerp-Bruges; VOC Port signed an agreement with the Port of Antwerp on green shipping and training.
With Bhutan's Lyonpo Chandra Bahadur Gurung he discussed National Waterway-2 and the Jogighopa terminal as Bhutan's gateway to global trade.
Indian seafarers rose from 1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh in twelve years, making India the world's second-largest seafarer supplier.
Indian seafarers:
1.27 lakh to 3.23 lakh in twelve years
Port capacity:
1,561 to 2,817 million tonnes per year
Inland waterway cargo:
29 to 218 million tonnes
Container vessel turnaround:
35 hours to 23 hours
Why it matters for exams: India's maritime diplomacy, port-led development and bilateral cooperation with Bhutan, Saudi Arabia and Belgium are regular current affairs areas.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Sagarmanthan Sagarmanthan: The Great Oceans Dialogue — India's annual maritime dialogue that brings together countries and industry on ocean affairs.
Mawani Saudi Ports Authority — The authority that manages ports in Saudi Arabia.
8 October 2026
The Centre will cap trade margins at 30% of the maximum retail price (MRP) for non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs.
The cap covers branded and generic, domestic and imported, patented and non-patented products.
Officials estimate MRP cuts of up to 70% and savings of about ₹2,500 crore a year.
An NPPA analysis found an average trade mark-up of about 170%, with some reaching 700%.
Non-scheduled drugs sit outside price ceilings under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013.
In 2019 the NPPA capped trade margins on 42 anti-cancer drugs.
Margin cap:
30% of MRP
Expected MRP cut:
Up to 70%
Estimated annual saving:
About ₹2,500 crore
Average trade mark-up:
About 170% (up to 700%)
Why it matters for exams: Drug price control, NPPA and the DPCO schedule system are standard health-policy and economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NPPA National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority — The body that fixes and monitors prices of medicines under the DPCO.
DPCO 2013 Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 — The order that sets price ceilings for scheduled medicines.
MRP Maximum Retail Price — The highest price at which a product may be sold to consumers.
8 October 2026
The 57th GST Council meeting, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, took up compliance reforms.
The Council recommended removing the power of arrest under GST.
The prosecution threshold rises from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore.
The general penalty falls from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000.
No notice will be issued where the amount involved is below ₹10,000.
The refund acknowledgement period drops from 15 days to 10 days.
Prosecution threshold:
₹1 crore to ₹5 crore
General penalty:
₹25,000 to ₹10,000
Notice floor:
Below ₹10,000: no notice
Refund acknowledgement:
15 days to 10 days
Why it matters for exams: GST Council decisions, Article 279A and the shift to decriminalised tax compliance are frequent economy and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
GST Council Goods and Services Tax Council — The constitutional body under Article 279A that recommends GST rates and rules, chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
ITC Input Tax Credit — Credit for tax paid on inputs that a business can set off against its output tax.
Background
On 7 October 2024 India and Maldives issued the vision document 'India and Maldives: A Vision for Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership'.
India is providing USD 400 million and INR 30 billion through a bilateral currency swap agreement.
India will fully support timely completion of the Greater Malé Connectivity Project, with a study on extending the link to Thilafushi and Giraavaru.
India is helping develop Hanimaadhoo airport.
The RuPay card was launched in Maldives, and the two sides will begin discussions on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement.
Currency swap (USD):
USD 400 million
Currency swap (INR):
INR 30 billion
Flagship project:
Greater Malé Connectivity Project
Why it matters for exams: India's neighbourhood financial support and flagship connectivity projects are staple international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Currency swap Bilateral currency swap — An arrangement letting one central bank draw foreign currency in exchange for its own.
GMCP Greater Malé Connectivity Project — An India-supported link project connecting Malé with nearby islands.
Background
Britannica describes the Maldives as an independent island country in the north-central Indian Ocean.
It consists of about 1,200 low-lying small coral islands and sandbanks, only some 200 of which are inhabited.
The Commonwealth Secretariat likewise says it is made up of around 1,200 small coral islands and sandbanks, with around 200 inhabited.
The country's largest industries include fishing, tourism and shipping.
Islands and sandbanks:
about 1,200
Inhabited islands:
about 200
Largest industries:
fishing, tourism, shipping
Why it matters for exams: Island counts, inhabited islands and the main industries of neighbour countries are standard geography and neighbour facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Atoll Atoll — A ring-shaped coral reef or chain of coral islands enclosing a lagoon.
8 October 2026
Dr Jitendra Singh spoke at the NaMo Book Fest in Varanasi on 8 October 2026; the fest ran on 7 and 8 October.
He said opening the space sector to private players has helped reduce brain drain and created opportunities for young talent, citing Skyroot.
The space economy is around USD 9 billion and could reach USD 45-46 billion over the next 8-10 years.
Gross expenditure on R&D rose from around ₹46,000-47,000 crore in 2013-14 to around ₹2-2.5 lakh crore.
He spoke of a target of 100 GW of nuclear energy capacity by 2047.
Space economy:
around USD 9 billion
Projection in 8-10 years:
USD 45-46 billion
Nuclear capacity target by 2047:
100 GW
R&D spending now:
around ₹2-2.5 lakh crore
Why it matters for exams: Space-economy size, R&D spending and nuclear targets feature in science-policy and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GERD Gross Expenditure on Research and Development — The total national spending on research and development in a year.
Brain drain Brain drain — The departure of skilled people to work abroad.
8 October 2026
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal spoke in New Delhi on 8 October 2026 at the curtain raiser for the 31st CII Partnership Summit.
India's exports last year were USD 863 billion; the target for the current year is USD 1 trillion, nearly 16% growth.
Global trade is expected to grow around 2.5 to 3%, and global growth below 3%.
He said India is about a USD 4 trillion economy with potential to reach USD 30 trillion by 2047.
The export effort involves 63 million MSMEs and around 250,000 startups.
The summit will be held in Visakhapatnam on 12 and 13 November.
Exports last year:
USD 863 billion
Export target this year:
USD 1 trillion
Economy size:
around USD 4 trillion
Summit venue and dates:
Visakhapatnam, 12-13 November
Why it matters for exams: Export figures, targets and growth outlooks are regular economy and current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CII Confederation of Indian Industry — An industry body that organises the annual Partnership Summit.
MSME Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises — Firms classified by investment and turnover; a large part of India's exporters.
8 October 2026
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the 8th edition of Windergy India 2026 in Chennai on 8 October 2026; the event runs from 7 to 9 October.
India's installed wind capacity was 59.20 GW as on 30 September 2026.
FY2026 saw the highest-ever annual installation, 6.05 GW.
The national target is 100 GW of wind capacity by 2030.
About 400 exhibitors from more than 20 countries and 500 delegates took part, with pavilions from Denmark, Germany and Spain.
State governments were felicitated for land facilitation, timely clearances and Right-of-Way resolution.
Installed wind capacity:
59.20 GW (30 Sep 2026)
Record annual addition, FY2026:
6.05 GW
Target by 2030:
100 GW
Exhibitors:
about 400
Why it matters for exams: Renewable capacity figures and the 2030 targets are frequently asked in economy and environment sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Repowering Repowering — Replacing old wind turbines with newer, higher-capacity ones at the same site.
Right-of-Way Right-of-Way — The legal permission to lay lines or roads across land owned by others.
8 October 2026
Shripad Yesso Naik, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy, spoke for India at the 20th East Asia Summit Energy Ministers' Meeting in Manila, Philippines, on 8 October 2026.
He cited installed capacity of 558.8 GW and non-fossil capacity of 308 GW, 55% of the total, as on 30 September 2026.
India and Singapore are exploring options for a proposed 2,000 MW cross-border power interconnection.
One option is a land corridor of about 3,000 km from Imphal to Singapore via Myanmar, Thailand and Malaysia.
He welcomed the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation 2026-2030 and reaffirmed India's support for ASEAN's efforts on the ASEAN Power Grid.
Installed capacity:
558.8 GW (30 Sep 2026)
Non-fossil capacity:
308 GW, 55%
India-Singapore interconnection:
2,000 MW
Land corridor option:
about 3,000 km
Why it matters for exams: India-ASEAN links, Act East Policy and installed power capacity figures are standard polity, economy and international relations material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ASEAN Power Grid ASEAN Power Grid — A plan to link the electricity networks of ASEAN members for cross-border power trade.
East Asia Summit East Asia Summit — A leaders' forum of ASEAN members and partner countries, including India.
8 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on 8 October 2026.
He said 5G networks run from over 5.5 lakh base stations and have reached every district.
Over ₹50 lakh crore has gone directly to beneficiaries through mobile platforms, with ₹5 lakh crore of leakage prevented.
Commercial semiconductor production is live at five locations.
He called for a global framework against cyber fraud and deepfakes and asked the GSMA to help build fraud-prevention mechanisms.
The event coincided with India hosting the GSMA Board meeting.
Venue:
Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
5G base stations:
over 5.5 lakh
Transfers through mobile platforms:
over ₹50 lakh crore
Semiconductor production sites:
five
Why it matters for exams: Questions on telecom milestones, 5G reach and digital governance figures recur in current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GSMA GSM Association — The global industry body of mobile network operators.
Deepfake Deepfake — Synthetic media that imitates a real person's face or voice using AI.
8 October 2026
The World Bank's Afghanistan Development Update (Spring 2026) was released on 26 May 2026, with a special focus on private sector development.
It estimates real GDP growth at 4.8 per cent, with the outlook for 2026 at about 4 per cent.
GDP per capita fell 5.6 per cent, because the return of around 3.7 million Afghans outpaced economic expansion, with population growth of around 11 per cent in 2025.
Inflation averaged 3.6 per cent and then rose to 7.6 per cent by March 2026.
Domestic revenue was 19.8 per cent of GDP in 2025 and the current account deficit was an estimated 36.1 per cent of GDP.
Faris Hadad-Zervos, World Bank Country Director for Afghanistan, said the economy 'is showing resilience in the face of significant headwinds, but growth alone is not enough'.
Real GDP growth:
4.8 percent
Change in GDP per capita:
Down 5.6 percent
Afghans returned:
Around 3.7 million
Inflation by March 2026:
7.6 percent
Domestic revenue, 2025:
19.8 percent of GDP
Why it matters for exams: The gap between headline growth and falling per capita income is a clean illustration of how population change can cancel out GDP gains.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GDP per capita Gross domestic product divided by population — It can fall even when total output grows, if population grows faster.
Current account deficit Excess of payments abroad over receipts on current transactions — Estimated at 36.1 per cent of GDP for Afghanistan in 2025.
8 October 2026
The Kozhikode district committee of the Kerala Headload Workers Welfare Board has extended the deadline for annual mustering of scattered sector pension beneficiaries to 31 October.
Beneficiaries whose pensions are sanctioned up to 31 December must complete mustering before 31 October.
The welfare board chairman issued the announcement, which gives 0495 2366382 as the contact number.
Mustering is the periodic verification a pensioner must undergo for the pension to continue.
New mustering deadline:
31 October
Covers pensions sanctioned up to:
31 December
District committee:
Kozhikode
Why it matters for exams: Kerala's welfare fund boards and their mustering rules are standard labour welfare questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Mustering Mustering — The periodic physical verification a welfare fund pensioner must complete for the pension to continue.
Scattered sector Scattered sector — Headload workers who are not attached to a particular establishment or pool and are registered separately.
8 October 2026
European Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, who also handles economic security, is meeting Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao in Beijing for two-day talks on 8 and 9 October 2026.
The European Commission announced the dates on 18 September after a video call of more than an hour between the two ministers.
The European Union's trade deficit with China exceeds one billion euros, about 1.12 billion US dollars, every day.
The agenda covers the management of Chinese exports to Europe, European firms' access to the Chinese market, and China's export controls on rare earths and other critical minerals.
Brussels wants the round to produce the first concrete outcomes under the EU-China Trade and Investment Consultations framework.
A majority of EU lawmakers backed a non-binding resolution on a tougher trade stance towards Beijing the day before the talks, and China's commerce ministry has warned of a resolute response to new EU restrictions.
EU negotiator:
Maros Sefcovic, European Trade Commissioner
Chinese negotiator:
Wang Wentao, Commerce Minister
Dates:
8-9 October 2026, Beijing
EU trade deficit with China:
more than €1 billion a day
Why it matters for exams: EU-China trade friction, rare earth export controls and critical minerals are live economy and international relations topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Rare earths Rare earth elements — A group of seventeen metals used in magnets, electronics and defence equipment.
Trade deficit Trade deficit — The amount by which a country's imports exceed its exports.
8 October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India has placed on its website the report of the Advisory Committee on Ways and Means Advances to State Governments.
The committee was chaired by Shri I S N Prasad, former Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka.
Its terms of reference included a review of state-wise Ways and Means Advances limits and of the other financial accommodation facilities available to States.
The report was released on the Reserve Bank's website on September 29, 2026.
The Reserve Bank has said the committee has made various recommendations, which shall be examined by it.
Ways and Means Advances are temporary advances the Reserve Bank gives a State to bridge mismatches between its receipts and payments.
Chairman:
Shri I S N Prasad
Chairman's former post:
Additional Chief Secretary, Government of Karnataka
Report placed on website:
September 29, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Ways and Means Advances and the RBI's role as banker to the States are recurring questions in economy and polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
WMA Ways and Means Advances — Temporary advances from the Reserve Bank to the Centre or a State to tide over short-term mismatches in cash flow.