4 October 2026
Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan handed over the first instalment of 3 lakh houses worth Rs 3,600 crore to Andhra Pradesh under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin 2.0 at Burripalem village in Guntur district on 4 October 2026.
The State's original allocation was 76,000 houses; it was raised to 3 lakh.
He laid the foundation stone for the country's first pilot housing project using 3D concrete printing technology - 177 houses at a cost of Rs 14 crore in Burripalem and Obulnayudupalem villages of Guntur district, to be completed within six months.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Union Minister of State Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani were present.
The release notes that PM-KISAN's Rs 6,000 a year and the State's Annadata Sukhibhava's Rs 14,000 a year together give a farmer Rs 20,000 a year.
It also sets a Lakhpati Didi target of 60 lakh women in the State, against 23 lakh at present.
Houses handed over (first instalment):
3 lakh
Worth:
Rs 3,600 crore
Original allocation:
76,000 houses
3D-printed houses:
177
Cost of 3D project:
Rs 14 crore
Why it matters for exams: Scheme name with version, the exact outlay and a first-of-its-kind construction technology make this a ready one-mark question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PMAY-G Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin — The Centre's rural housing scheme that gives assistance to build a pucca house to eligible rural households.
Lakhpati Didi Lakhpati Didi initiative — A rural livelihoods push to raise self-help group women's annual household income to at least one lakh rupees.
Background
The State's urban population is about 1.59 crore, or 47.7 per cent of the total, while the rural population is about 1.74 crore (52.3 per cent).
Kerala is among the most urbanised States of India and also leads in the pace of urbanisation.
Ernakulam has the highest share of urban population among the districts, about 68 per cent.
The Government of Kerala State Profile page carries these figures.
Urban population share:
47.7 per cent
Urban population:
about 1.59 crore
Most urbanised district:
Ernakulam (about 68 per cent)
Why it matters for exams: Urban-rural population shares and district rankings are frequent Kerala PSC demography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The World Trade Organization (WTO) is located in Geneva, Switzerland, and was established on 1 January 1995. It was created by the Uruguay Round negotiations (1986-94). It has 166 members representing 98 per cent of world trade. Its top decision-making body is the Ministerial Conference, which usually meets every two years; below it is the General Council, which meets several times a year in Geneva. Decisions are normally taken by consensus.
Headquarters:
Geneva, Switzerland
Members:
166
Share of world trade:
98 per cent
Why it matters for exams: WTO headquarters, membership and decision-making structure are standard economy and international-organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Uruguay Round Trade negotiations (1986-94) — The negotiations that created the WTO.
Background
Under the National Food Security Act (NFSA), foodgrain is distributed in Kerala mainly through the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories.
An AAY family gets 35 kg of foodgrain a month, and a PHH member gets 5 kg a month at subsidised rates.
About 13,858 fair price shops operate across the State.
The Government of Kerala State Profile page carries these figures.
Fair price shops:
about 13,858
AAY entitlement:
35 kg per family per month
PHH entitlement:
5 kg per person per month
Why it matters for exams: PDS categories and entitlements are asked in both Kerala PSC and UPSC welfare questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AAY Antyodaya Anna Yojana — The NFSA category for the poorest households.
Background
The International Labour Organization (ILO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations based in Geneva. It is the only tripartite UN agency: since 1919 it has brought together governments, employers and workers of 187 Member States. It sets labour standards, develops policies and devises programmes promoting decent work. The ILO was created in 1919 as part of the Treaty of Versailles that ended World War I, on the belief that universal and lasting peace can be accomplished only if it is based on social justice.
Structure:
Tripartite
Member States:
187
Created as part of:
Treaty of Versailles
Why it matters for exams: ILO structure, its Versailles origin and Geneva base are frequent one-liner questions on UN specialized agencies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tripartite Three-party structure — Governments, employers and workers have an equal voice.
Background
Kerala's installed power generation capacity is about 3,300 MW, with hydroelectric projects the main source, run mainly by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB).
Because hydro output depends on rain, part of the State's demand is met by buying power from the national grid.
Transmission and distribution losses have been brought down to about 10-11 per cent, one of the lowest rates in the country.
Solar capacity has crossed 900 MW, helped by KSEB's Soura scheme, rooftop systems and solar parks.
The Government of Kerala State Profile page gives these figures.
Installed capacity:
about 3,300 MW
Solar capacity:
over 900 MW
T&D losses:
about 10-11 per cent
Why it matters for exams: KSEB, hydro dependence and rooftop solar are recurring Kerala PSC energy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ANERT Agency for Non-conventional Energy and Rural Technology — The State agency cited for renewable energy data.
4 October 2026
Kochi Water Metro has carried 77,70,326 passengers since it began service on 26 April 2023, according to figures up to 2 October 2026. Ridership was 18,44,375 in 2023-24, 21,08,148 in 2024-25 and 24,64,559 in 2025-26. The service has recorded 13,53,244 passengers so far in 2026-27. Revenue in 2025-26 was Rs 10,89,86,929, against Rs 8,13,54,933 in 2024-25. The reports were published on 3 and 4 October 2026.
Total passengers:
77,70,326
Service began:
26 April 2023
Revenue 2025-26:
₹10,89,86,929
Why it matters for exams: Kochi Water Metro is India's first water metro, a frequent Kerala PSC and UPSC infrastructure topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Background to the India-Chile CEPA talks in the news: the Indian Embassy in Santiago's brief records the standing facts of the relationship.
India and Chile celebrated 60 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2009.
Chile is the 5th largest trading partner of India in the LAC (Latin America and the Caribbean) region.
Bilateral trade increased from USD 3.84 bn in 2024 to USD 5.38 bn in 2025.
Around 4000 Overseas Indians (1850 NRIs and 2150 PIOs) live in Chile.
Bilateral trade:
USD 5.38 bn in 2025
Chile's rank among India's LAC trading partners:
5th
Overseas Indians:
around 4000
Why it matters for exams: India's relations with Latin American countries and diaspora numbers are staple international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
LAC Latin America and the Caribbean — The region of Latin America and the Caribbean.
PIO Person of Indian Origin — A foreign national of Indian descent.
4 October 2026
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal held a meeting with Paula Estévez Weinstein, Chile's Vice-Minister of International Economic Relations, in Santiago to advance negotiations on the India-Chile Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
India said it remains committed to concluding the CEPA negotiations within this year.
The Commerce Secretary highlighted the potential for economic cooperation in healthcare, pharmaceuticals, energy and other sectors.
The CEPA is expected to open new avenues for trade and investment while fostering cooperation in technology, talent and resilient supply chains.
Agreement:
India-Chile CEPA
Indian official:
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal
Chilean counterpart:
Vice-Minister Paula Estévez Weinstein
Why it matters for exams: India's trade pacts and its ties with Latin America, including critical minerals, are recurring themes in current affairs and international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
CEPA Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement — A trade pact wider than a simple tariff deal, usually covering goods, services and investment.
4 October 2026
Reserve Bank of India Governor Sanjay Malhotra spoke at the Kautilya Economic Conclave, organised by the Finance Ministry.
He said the AI investment cycle has been a major support for global markets, but any slowdown in investment or earnings could trigger a sharp repricing of financial assets.
He named five major risks: stretched AI valuations, elevated global debt, leverage in non-bank finance, private credit and cyber threats.
A correction in AI-related valuations in advanced economies could have a positive spillover for emerging markets such as India through higher capital inflows, he said.
He also flagged that bond yields are hardening globally, which has implications for real interest rates in India.
Major global risks named:
5
Why it matters for exams: RBI's financial-stability assessments and global risk factors are regular banking and economy topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Repricing Repricing of assets — A sharp change in the market value of assets.
Bond yield Bond yield — The return an investor earns on a bond; it rises as bond prices fall.
Capital inflows Capital inflows — Foreign money entering a country's markets or economy.
4 October 2026
The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways will hold Chintan Shivir 2026 on 5-6 October 2026 at Ekta Nagar, Narmada District, Gujarat.
It brings together senior representatives of the Centre, States and implementing agencies to discuss highway infrastructure delivery.
The inaugural session on 5 October will feature addresses by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and Ministers of State Ajay Tamta and Harsh Malhotra.
There will be five thematic sessions: PM GatiShakti and integrated infrastructure planning; Land Acquisition and Bhoomi Rashi; Model Concession Agreements and Ratings; Designing Safe Highways; and Quality Assurance and Project Monitoring.
State Road Transport and Public Works Ministers and senior officials of State PWDs have been invited.
Dates:
5-6 October 2026
Venue:
Ekta Nagar, Narmada District, Gujarat
Thematic sessions:
5
Why it matters for exams: PM GatiShakti and Centre-State coordination on highways are regular infrastructure and governance topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Chintan Shivir Chintan Shivir — A brainstorming conclave where officials and ministers deliberate on a policy area.
PM GatiShakti PM GatiShakti National Master Plan — A platform for coordinated and integrated planning of infrastructure projects.
PWD Public Works Department — The State department that builds and maintains roads and public buildings.
4 October 2026
Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister P. K. Mishra spoke at the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave, whose theme is 'Resilience in an Age of Flux', on Saturday (October 3, 2026).
In a session titled 'A World Priced for Risk', he said export restrictions, sanctions and tariffs become instruments of economic policy and are sometimes even weaponised.
He called the disruption around the Strait of Hormuz a clear reminder of how geography can translate into economic risk.
He said India has maintained substantial stocks, increased domestic production where possible and diversified procurement.
The number of countries from which India imports crude oil has increased from 27 to 43, he said.
Crude supplier countries (before):
27
Crude supplier countries (now):
43
Conclave edition:
5th
Why it matters for exams: Energy security, supply-chain resilience and trade weaponisation are central economy and international-relations themes.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Strait of Hormuz Strait of Hormuz — A narrow sea passage at the mouth of the Persian Gulf through which much of the world's oil moves.
Weaponisation of trade Weaponisation of trade — Using tariffs, sanctions or export curbs as tools of strategic pressure.
4 October 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar briefed a parliamentary consultative committee on India-Russia relations on Saturday (October 3, 2026).
He said Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year, especially in construction and logistics.
He spoke of expanding bilateral trade in a balanced manner, with greater Indian exports to Russia in seven areas: auto, pharma, food, marine products, engineering goods, chemicals and textiles.
On energy, he said India's priority is to safeguard the interests of Indian consumers, and its approach is to maintain multiple sources of supply.
He told the panel that around 140 Indian nationals serving in the Russian military have been discharged so far.
Skilled workers Russia will take this year:
around 70,000
Export areas named:
7
Indians discharged from Russian military:
around 140
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral agreements, labour mobility and energy diversification are standard India-and-another-country topics in current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Consultative committee Parliamentary Consultative Committee — A forum of MPs from both Houses attached to a ministry to discuss policy informally with the minister.
Bilateral trade Bilateral trade — Trade between two countries.
Background
The World Bank Group has five organizations: the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), the International Development Association (IDA), the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) and the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID).
IBRD, created in 1944 to help Europe rebuild after World War II, provides loans, guarantees and advisory services to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
IDA offers grants and low-interest loans to low-income countries; IBRD and IDA together form the World Bank.
IFC encourages the growth of the private sector in developing countries.
MIGA provides political risk insurance (guarantees) for projects in developing member countries, while ICSID is, in the World Bank's own description, the world's leading institution devoted to international investment dispute settlement.
Institutions in the Group:
5
Institutions that form the World Bank:
IBRD and IDA
Political risk insurance:
MIGA
Investment dispute settlement:
ICSID
Why it matters for exams: The five World Bank Group institutions and what each does are standard questions in economy and international-organisation papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development — The World Bank Group's lender to middle-income and creditworthy low-income countries.
IDA International Development Association — Gives grants and low-interest loans to low-income countries.
IFC International Finance Corporation — Promotes private-sector growth in developing countries.
MIGA Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency — Insures projects in developing member countries against political risk.
ICSID International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes — The World Bank Group institution devoted to international investment dispute settlement.
Background
The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code was passed by Parliament and published in the Official Gazette in 2016, consolidating insolvency laws for companies, limited liability entities, partnership firms and individuals into a single law.
When a corporate entity defaults on its debt, control shifts from the shareholders and promoters to a committee of creditors.
The creditors have 180 days, extendable in deserving cases, to evaluate proposals to resolve the default; the outer limit is 330 days in specified circumstances.
Operational creditors such as workmen and suppliers can also start the process on non-payment of dues.
If insolvency cannot be resolved, the assets of the borrower may be sold to repay creditors.
The National Company Law Tribunal adjudicates for companies, and the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India regulates insolvency professionals, their agencies and information utilities.
Resolution time:
180 days, extendable up to 330 days in specified circumstances
Who takes control on default:
Committee of creditors
Adjudicating body for companies:
National Company Law Tribunal
Why it matters for exams: The IBC's time limits, committee of creditors and adjudicating bodies are standard banking and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NCLT National Company Law Tribunal — The tribunal that adjudicates corporate insolvency resolution under the Code.
Operational creditor Creditor owed for goods or services — A creditor such as a supplier or workman owed dues for operations.
Background
The Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act became law in 2003.
Its objective is inter-generational equity in fiscal management, long-run macroeconomic stability, better coordination between fiscal and monetary policy, and transparency in fiscal operations.
Its original provisions made it mandatory for the Central government to take measures to reduce the fiscal deficit, eliminate the revenue deficit and generate a revenue surplus; amendments in 2012 and 2015 revised the targets and their dates.
It bans the Reserve Bank of India from buying primary issues of Central Government securities after 2006, preventing monetisation of the government's deficit and making monetary policy independent of fiscal policy.
The government must lay three policy statements before Parliament in each financial year: the Medium Term Fiscal Policy Statement, the Fiscal Policy Strategy Statement and the Macroeconomic Framework Policy Statement.
The government can move away from the fiscal consolidation path only in case of natural calamity, national security and other exceptional grounds.
Policy statements each year:
3
Purchase of primary issues of Central Government securities by the RBI:
Banned after 2006
Departure allowed for:
Natural calamity, national security, other exceptional grounds
Why it matters for exams: The FRBM Act's aims, its ban on borrowing from the RBI and its three statements are standard economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Fiscal deficit Gap between total expenditure and total non-debt receipts — The amount the government has to borrow in a year to meet its spending.
Revenue deficit Shortfall of revenue receipts against revenue expenditure — It shows the government is borrowing even to meet day-to-day spending.
Background
Kollam, earlier Quilon, covers 2491 sq. km and is flanked by the Arabian Sea on the west and Tamil Nadu on the east.
Its heartland is veined by the Ashtamudi lake, a massive multi-branched water body dotted with islands, and the Kollam canal cuts through the city.
The district has been the centre of the cashew industry in Kerala since the Portuguese in the 16th century and is still the largest processed cashew exporter in India.
Neendakara and Thangasseri are its two fishing harbours and ports.
The district has 11 constituencies and an annual rainfall of 270 cm.
Area:
2491 sq. km
Constituencies:
11
Annual rainfall:
270 cm
Why it matters for exams: District profiles, lakes and the cashew industry are staple Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The World Trade Organization records Argentina as a WTO member since 1 January 1995.
The same WTO page records Argentina as a member of GATT since 11 October 1967.
GATT, the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, was the earlier framework for trade in goods; Argentina therefore belonged to it for decades before the WTO began work.
The WTO member page for Argentina carries trade statistics, tariff data, goods schedules and services schedules.
WTO member since:
1 January 1995
GATT member since:
11 October 1967
Why it matters for exams: Membership of GATT and the WTO and what GATT stands for are standard international-economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
GATT General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade — The earlier multilateral framework for trade in goods that preceded the WTO.
Background
The Special Drawing Right, or SDR, is an international reserve asset. The International Monetary Fund created the SDR in 1969, in a monetary system in which the link between currencies and gold set limits on how far the growing demand for reserves could be met; the Fund's founding treaty, the Articles of Agreement, authorises it to allocate special drawing rights to meet the need for a supplement to existing reserve assets. The SDR is neither money nor currency, but an international reserve asset; its value is based on a basket of five currencies, namely the US dollar, the euro, the Chinese renminbi, the Japanese yen and the British pound sterling. The SDR valuation basket is reviewed and adjusted every five years. The SDR has also been adopted as the unit of account by a number of official institutions, including the Bank for International Settlements. The IMF makes a general allocation of SDRs to its members in proportion to their existing quotas in the Fund. Under the Articles of Agreement, special drawing rights are held by members that are participants in the Special Drawing Rights Department and by the Fund itself, and only other official entities may be prescribed as further holders; individuals and private entities cannot hold SDRs, and SDRs cannot be exchanged by private entities. In 2021 the IMF's Board of Governors approved a general allocation of about SDR 456 billion, equivalent to $650 billion, the largest SDR allocation in the history of the IMF.
Year the SDR was created:
1969
Size of the valuation basket:
five currencies
Interval between basket reviews:
every five years
Largest general allocation in IMF history:
SDR 456 billion
Dollar equivalent of that allocation:
$650 billion
Why it matters for exams: The SDR's basket of five currencies, its creation and the quota-based rule for allocations are standard objective questions in economy and banking papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
SDR Special Drawing Right — An international reserve asset created by the International Monetary Fund whose value is based on a basket of five currencies.
IMF quota International Monetary Fund quota — A member country's financial share at the Fund, in proportion to which a general allocation of SDRs is distributed.
Reserve asset International reserve asset — An asset a country's monetary authority can hold and use to meet external payment needs.
Background
Colombia's central bank is the Banco de la República, and the statute that governs it is Ley 31 de 1992.
Article 7 of that law gives the Bank the state attribute of issuing legal tender — emitir la moneda legal, made up of banknotes and metal coin — en forma exclusiva e indelegable: the power is the Bank's alone, and it cannot be delegated to anyone else.
Article 6 of the same law names the peso as the country's unidad monetaria, its monetary unit and unit of account.
Article 1 places the Bank's central-banking functions under the Constitution together with that law, and article 373 of the Constitution, promulgated in 1991, charges the State, acting through the Bank, with maintaining the purchasing power of the currency.
The Bank pursues that mandate through an inflation-targeting framework, and its policy target is recorded as an inflation target of 3%.
It keeps a range between 2% and 4% around that target; the range is a band around the target and not a target in itself, and the target is measured as the year-over-year change in total CPI.
Law on the issue of currency:
Ley 31 de 1992
Nature of the issuing power:
exclusiva e indelegable
Monetary unit and unit of account:
peso
Year of the Constitution that set the Bank's mandate:
1991
Constitutional article on that mandate:
373
Inflation target:
3%
Range around the target, not a target in itself:
between 2% and 4%
Index the target is measured on:
total CPI
Why it matters for exams: A central bank's issuing monopoly and its numerical inflation target are the two facts most often asked about any country's monetary framework.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
moneda legal legal tender — The money a state recognises for the settlement of debts, which in Colombia only the Banco de la República may issue.
exclusiva e indelegable exclusive and not capable of being delegated — The form in which Ley 31 de 1992 vests the issue of legal tender in the Banco de la República: the power belongs to the Bank alone and it cannot hand that power to anyone else.