30 September 2026
On 30 September 2026 five new projects of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation were inaugurated at the Mascot Hotel, Thiruvananthapuram.
The SHOLA brand (Seek-Hike-Observe-Lodge-Absorb) offers workation facilities at Gavi and Suryanelli, described as the first workation in the government sector in Kerala.
The corporation also launched ATMA, a brand for tea and coffee grown on its plantations.
Work began on a premium pod stay at Vagamon, where four pods are due by December.
A 'Travel Today Pay Tomorrow' instalment scheme for trips and eco-guide training for nature interpretation also started.
Brand:
SHOLA
Workation sites:
Gavi and Suryanelli
Tea and coffee brand:
ATMA
Vagamon pods:
Four, due December
New projects launched:
Five
Why it matters for exams: Forest-based tourism schemes and the role of the Kerala Forest Development Corporation are recurring Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Workation Work + vacation — Working remotely from a holiday destination.
KFDC Kerala Forest Development Corporation — A State public sector body that runs forest plantations and forest-based ventures.
30 September 2026
A new bowstring steel arch bridge at Neriamangalam across the Periyar River on the Kochi-Dhanushkodi National Highway is in its final stage, with opening promised before 15 October 2026.
The bridge is 214 metres long and 13 metres wide, with five spans of 42 metres each.
It has been built parallel to the old British-era arch bridge, which is being retained.
Onmanorama calls it Kerala's first bowstring steel arch bridge, named for the steel rods that resemble a bow.
The aim is to ease traffic congestion on the highway stretch at Neriamangalam.
Length:
214 metres
Width:
13 metres
Spans:
5 of 42 metres each
River:
Periyar
Highway:
Kochi-Dhanushkodi
Why it matters for exams: Bridge and highway infrastructure on the Periyar is a staple Kerala geography and development question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Bowstring arch Bowstring arch bridge — A bridge whose arch is tied at its ends so that it works like a drawn bow.
Periyar Periyar River — Kerala's longest river, which flows through Idukki and Ernakulam districts.
30 September 2026
The Controller General of Accounts released the Centre's accounts for April-August of 2026-27 on Wednesday.
The fiscal deficit stood at Rs 7,10,249 crore, or 41.9 per cent of the full-year target.
The full-year target is 4.3 per cent of GDP, or Rs 16.96 lakh crore.
Net tax revenue was Rs 8.38 lakh crore, or 29.2 per cent of the Budget Estimate.
Total expenditure was Rs 20.78 lakh crore, or 38.9 per cent of the Budget Estimate.
In April-August of 2025-26 the deficit was 38.1 per cent of the Budget Estimate.
Fiscal deficit, April-August 2026-27:
Rs 7,10,249 crore
Share of full-year target:
41.9 per cent
Full-year target:
4.3 per cent of GDP (Rs 16.96 lakh crore)
Net tax revenue:
Rs 8.38 lakh crore
Why it matters for exams: Fiscal deficit, its target as a share of GDP and the role of the CGA are staple topics in Indian economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Fiscal deficit Total expenditure minus total receipts excluding borrowings — It is the amount the government must borrow in a year.
CGA Controller General of Accounts — The Finance Ministry's principal accounting adviser, which publishes monthly Union accounts.
BE Budget Estimate — The figure for a year projected in the Union Budget.
30 September 2026
Kerala expects to end night-time power restrictions from 1 October after a month in which restrictions were imposed on 24 of 30 days.
Peak-hour shortage reached 611 MW on 29 September.
Short-term open access (STOA) availability rises from 200 MW in September to 600 MW from October, an addition of at least 400 MW.
The Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government has agreed to supply peak-time power in October according to Kerala's requirement; the price is not yet fixed, and a KSEB official said it might be slightly over Rs 10 per unit.
Payback power returned to other states, just under 4 million units a day in September, virtually comes to a stop in October.
STOA contracts from October:
600 MW (from 200 MW in September)
Peak-hour shortage on 29 September:
611 MW
Days with restrictions in September:
24 of 30
Why it matters for exams: A state-level power purchase and supply issue is a live Kerala governance topic, and terms like STOA and payback power appear in economy and administration questions.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
STOA Short-term open access — A way for a state to buy power for short periods from another supplier over the grid.
KSEB Kerala State Electricity Board — The state utility that generates, buys and distributes electricity in Kerala.
Payback power Power returned under a swap arrangement — Electricity a state returns later to another state that supplied it earlier under a swap.
Background
Greece's EU accession date is 1 January 1981. It adopted the euro on 1 January 2001 and joined Schengen on 1 January 2000. The capital is Athens and the official language is Greek. Greece is a parliamentary republic in which the prime minister, as head of government, holds the most political power. It sends 21 members to the European Parliament and covers 131,694 km².
Capital:
Athens
Currency:
Euro (since 1 January 2001)
Official language:
Greek
EU accession:
1 January 1981
MEPs:
21
Why it matters for exams: Capital, currency, language and EU accession year are standard country-profile questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
Nathu La Pass sits at 4,310 metres in the Dongkya Range of the Himalayas. It bridges China's Yadong County in Tibet and the Indian state of Sikkim. The pass marks the India-China frontier and facilitates Indo-Chinese border trade. It was historically a part of the ancient Silk Route. The pass is open from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM and closed on Mondays.
Altitude:
4,310 metres
Range:
Dongkya Range
Connects:
Sikkim and Yadong County, Tibet
Closed on:
Mondays
Why it matters for exams: Mountain passes and border trade points are standard geography and security questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department observed World Tourism Day 2026 at the DAC conference hall in Gangtok on 27 September 2026. The theme was 'Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Re-design Tourism'. The Sikkim Darshan App offers multilingual guides for 50+ destinations. Other e-services are the Sikkim Tourism Portal, SikkimGo Single Sign-On and the Atithi Guest Information System. Sikkim Adventure Tourism Fest 2026 is set for 1-7 November 2026 at Linkeytar, Namthang in Namchi district.
Venue:
DAC conference hall, Gangtok
Destinations on Sikkim Darshan App:
50+
Adventure Tourism Fest:
1-7 November 2026, Linkeytar, Namthang
Why it matters for exams: Days, themes and state tourism initiatives are regular short-answer material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang inaugurated Sikkim's first Udyami Bharosa Sammelan 2026 at Manan Kendra on 28 September 2026. The Commerce and Industries Department organised it. The Chief Minister promoted the 'One Family, One Entrepreneur' vision. MoUs were signed with IIM Calcutta Innovation Park, Amazon and Flipkart. Cheques were given to 80 beneficiaries under the Mukhya Mantri Udyamshilta Yojana. The Temi Tea Catalogue and the Government Fruit Preservation Factory were launched.
Organiser:
Commerce and Industries Department
Venue:
Manan Kendra
Beneficiaries given cheques:
80
Vision promoted:
One Family, One Entrepreneur
Why it matters for exams: State schemes, entrepreneurship policy and departmental mandates are common in state-level and general-awareness papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
A study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), formally released on 23 September 2026 at the 11th Ayurveda Day in Nagpur and publicised by the Ministry of AYUSH on 30 September 2026, estimates the AYUSH service sector at US$ 36.92 billion in FY 2024-25.
The sector has grown at 16.91% CAGR since FY 2022-23 and supports 1.76 million livelihoods.
Medical value travel brings in US$ 1.77 billion.
Ayurveda is the largest single system at US$ 17.73 billion, about 48% of the total.
Women make up 43% of the workforce overall.
The survey covered 15,914 institutions across all six AYUSH systems.
The sector could reach US$ 216-318 billion by 2047.
Sector size, FY 2024-25:
US$ 36.92 billion
Growth since FY 2022-23:
16.91% CAGR
Livelihoods supported:
1.76 million
Institutions surveyed:
15,914
Why it matters for exams: Sector-size figures from national studies and the role of AYUSH in the economy are asked in economy and health papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet approved higher Minimum Support Prices for six rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season on 30 September 2026.
Wheat rises by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal, gram by ₹83 to ₹5,958 and barley by ₹136 to ₹2,286.
Masur (lentil) rises by ₹390 to ₹7,390, rapeseed and mustard by ₹413 to ₹6,613 and safflower by ₹675 to ₹7,215.
Safflower gets the highest increase of ₹675 per quintal.
Expected margin over the cost of production ranges from 50 per cent for safflower to 106 per cent for wheat.
The revised prices follow the Union Budget 2018-19 principle of fixing MSP at least 1.5 times the all-India weighted average cost of production.
Wheat MSP 2027-28:
₹2,610 per quintal
Safflower increase:
₹675 per quintal
Gram MSP:
₹5,958 per quintal
Estimated procurement payout:
₹90,962 crore
Why it matters for exams: MSP figures, the cost-plus 1.5 times principle and the rabi crop list are staple questions in economy and agriculture papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
30 September 2026
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved the Green Energy Corridor Phase-III scheme for development of the intra-state transmission system with Battery Energy Storage Systems on 30 September 2026.
Total project cost is ₹1,86,405 crore: ₹1,36,378 crore for intra-state transmission systems and ₹50,000 crore for battery energy storage systems.
Central financial support is ₹54,082 crore.
The scheme targets evacuation of 135 GW of renewable energy and deployment of 50 GWh of battery storage by FY 2032-33.
Greenfield projects use Tariff Based Competitive Bidding and brownfield work uses Cost Plus Basis.
State Transmission Utilities implement it, with Transmission Service Providers taking part under the Build-Own-Operate-Maintain model.
It supports the target of 900 GW installed non-fossil capacity by 2035.
Total project cost:
₹1,86,405 crore
Central financial support:
₹54,082 crore
Renewable evacuation target:
135 GW
Battery storage:
50 GWh
Why it matters for exams: Green Energy Corridor phases, outlays and the 900 GW non-fossil target for 2035 are staple economy and energy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
30 September 2026
Kerala Blasters FC announced on 29 September 2026 that its owner Magnum Sports Private Ltd has signed a definitive agreement to sell 100% of the club, the Kochi-based Indian Super League side, to Dubai-based Al Fursan Group.
The transfer will be completed in phases over eight months.
The group is led by Sheikh Ahmad bin Faisal Al Qasimi, and Ofioh Sporty has been appointed operational partner.
Ashley Westwood continues as head coach for the 2026-27 season.
Buyer:
Al Fursan Group
Seller:
Magnum Sports Private Ltd
Stake:
100%
Time to complete:
Eight months
Head coach:
Ashley Westwood
Why it matters for exams: Ownership of Kerala's flagship ISL club and sports-business developments feature in Kerala PSC sports and current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is an apex development financial institution in India.
It was established on 12 July 1982.
Its headquarters are in Mumbai.
Its mission is to promote sustainable and equitable agriculture and rural prosperity.
It works through credit support, related services, institutional development and other innovative initiatives.
Established:
12 July 1982
Headquarters:
Mumbai
Nature:
Apex development financial institution
Focus:
Agriculture and rural prosperity
Why it matters for exams: NABARD's role, headquarters and founding are regular banking and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
Background
Kollam, earlier Quilon, lies 70 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
The heart of the district is the Ashtamudi lake, a multi-branched water body dotted with islands.
Kollam has been the centre of the cashew industry in Kerala since the Portuguese in the 16th century.
It is still the largest processed cashew exporter in India.
Neendakara and Thangasseri are its two fishing harbours and ports.
Distance from capital:
70 km north
Water body:
Ashtamudi lake
Fishing harbours:
Neendakara and Thangasseri
Why it matters for exams: Cashew and Ashtamudi link Kollam to standard economy and geography questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
ASEAN was founded on 8 August 1967 in Bangkok, Thailand, through the ASEAN Declaration, also called the Bangkok Declaration.
The founding members were Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand.
Brunei Darussalam joined in 1984, Viet Nam in 1995, Lao PDR and Myanmar in 1997, and Cambodia in 1999.
Timor-Leste joined on 26 October 2025, making eleven member states.
The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Founded:
8 August 1967, Bangkok
Member states:
11
Secretariat:
Jakarta, Indonesia
Why it matters for exams: ASEAN's founding date, founding members, membership and headquarters are frequently asked in general-knowledge papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
OPEC was established at the Baghdad Conference held from 10 to 14 September 1960.
The five founding members were Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela.
The OPEC Secretariat was first based in Geneva, Switzerland.
In April 1965 the OPEC Conference decided to move the headquarters to Vienna, Austria.
Its purpose is to unify and co-ordinate the petroleum policies of its member countries.
Founded at:
Baghdad Conference, 1960
Founding members:
5
Headquarters:
Vienna, Austria
Why it matters for exams: OPEC's founding members, founding city and headquarters are classic general-knowledge questions, and OPEC+ decisions keep it in the news.
UPSCSSCBank
Background
The Swiss National Bank is tasked with ensuring price stability, while taking due account of economic developments.
Its monetary policy strategy has three elements: a definition of price stability, a medium-term inflation forecast and the SNB policy rate.
It implements policy by setting the SNB policy rate, keeping short-term Swiss franc money market rates close to it.
The SNB commenced operations in 1907.
Central bank of:
Switzerland
Commenced operations:
1907
Why it matters for exams: The mandate and tools of a central bank, and the currency it manages, are classic static economy questions.
UPSCSSCBank
Background
Switzerland has been a WTO member since 1 July 1995 and a member of GATT since 1 August 1966.
The WTO's headquarters are in Geneva, where its General Council meets several times a year.
The WTO has 166 members, accounting for 98% of world trade.
WTO member since:
1 July 1995
GATT member since:
1 August 1966
WTO headquarters:
Geneva
Why it matters for exams: Headquarters of international organisations and a country's memberships are staple static questions.
UPSCSSCBank
Background
The India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) was signed on 10 March 2024 at New Delhi and came into effect on 1 October 2025.
Among EFTA countries, Switzerland is the largest trading partner of India, followed by Norway.
Switzerland made 128 services commitments, against 114 for Norway, 110 for Iceland and 107 for Liechtenstein.
TEPA incorporates, for the first time in any FTA signed by India, a commitment linked to investment and job creation.
TEPA signed:
10 March 2024
TEPA in effect:
1 October 2025
Swiss services commitments:
128
Why it matters for exams: The India-EFTA agreement and which member is India's biggest partner are recurring international-relations and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
30 September 2026
Switzerland's GDP, adjusted for sporting events, grew by 1.5% in the second quarter of 2026, after 0.5% growth in the previous quarter.
This is the strongest GDP growth recorded since the third quarter of 2021, according to the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO).
The chemical and pharmaceutical industry made the largest contribution, while value added also rose across a wide range of other sectors.
Exports excluding transit trade rebounded by 9.7%, following a 1.2% decline in the first quarter.
Q2 2026 GDP growth:
1.5%
Previous quarter growth:
0.5%
Exports excluding transit trade:
9.7%
Why it matters for exams: Quarterly GDP growth of a major European economy, and which sector drove it, is a typical economy current-affairs question.
UPSCSSCBank