29 September 2026
External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar co-chaired the India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Troika Ministerial Meeting in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. In a social media post, he said the meeting reviewed progress of the India-GCC Joint Action Plan 2024-28 and discussed ways to advance the partnership. He welcomed the launch of negotiations for the India-GCC Free Trade Agreement. India looks forward to strengthening ties in trade, investment, energy, food security, health, new technologies, culture and people-to-people exchanges. Dr Jaishankar also reiterated India's strong commitment to freedom of navigation and the safety of seafarers and commercial shipping.
Meeting:
India-GCC Troika Ministerial Meeting, New York
Plan reviewed:
Joint Action Plan 2024-28
Held alongside:
81st Session of the UN General Assembly
Why it matters for exams: India-GCC ministerial mechanisms, the Joint Action Plan and FTA talks are frequent international-relations topics; the Gulf is central to Kerala's expatriate economy.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
During Prime Minister Narendra Modi's May 2026 visit, India and the Netherlands elevated ties to a Strategic Partnership.
A Roadmap of the India-Netherlands Strategic Partnership for 2026-2030 was adopted.
Diplomatic relations date from 1947; in FY 2024-2025 merchandise trade was USD 27.779 billion.
The Netherlands is India's 3rd largest export destination globally and the largest in Europe, and the fourth largest investor in India, with cumulative Dutch investment of about USD 55.6 billion since 2000.
Diplomatic relations since:
1947
Merchandise trade FY 2024-25:
USD 27.779 billion
Cumulative Dutch investment in India (2000 onwards):
approx. USD 55.6 billion
Netherlands as investor in India:
Fourth largest
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral relations with a major European trade and investment partner are a staple of international-affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
29 September 2026
The Kerala Cabinet meeting of 23 September 2026 decided to dissolve the existing Loka Kerala Sabha and bring in a more efficient alternative mechanism for expatriate welfare. A sub-committee chaired by the Chief Minister, with the Ministers for Industries, Home, Health and Irrigation, will study and prepare a plan to convert the 'remittance economy' into an 'investment economy'. The Cabinet also decided that the state will submit proposals to the Centre on the Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area issue. The state government is now led by Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan.
Cabinet meeting:
23 September 2026
Sub-committee chair:
Chief Minister
Why it matters for exams: Cabinet decisions on Kerala's expatriate policy and Loka Kerala Sabha are standard Kerala PSC current-affairs material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Raja Mircha, also referred to as king chilli, is a Geographical Indications (GI) product of Nagaland. It got GI certification in 2008. The chilli from Nagaland is also referred to as Bhoot Jolokia and Ghost pepper. Nagaland King Chilli belongs to the genus Capsicum of the family Solanaceae. Naga king chilli has been considered as the world's hottest chilli and is constantly on the top five in the list of the world's hottest chilies based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs). The first consignment of fresh King Chilli exported from Nagaland to London, via Guwahati by air, was sourced from Tening, part of Peren district, Nagaland. That export was coordinated by APEDA in collaboration with the Nagaland State Agricultural Marketing Board (NSAMB).
GI certification:
2008
Other names:
Bhoot Jolokia, Ghost pepper
Genus and family:
Capsicum, Solanaceae
Source of first London consignment:
Tening, Peren district
Why it matters for exams: GI products by State and the Scoville scale are regular questions, and Naga king chilli is the standard Nagaland GI example.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
Background
Dimapur district was inaugurated as the eighth district of Nagaland in December, 1997, through a Government of Nagaland Home Department notification no. GAB-5/29/78(pt) dated 02-12-1997. Earlier it was a sub-division under Kohima district. The only railhead and airport of the State is located in Dimapur, the district headquarter, and the main commercial activities of the State are centred around it. National Highway 29 connects Dimapur to the State capital Kohima and to Manipur, Tripura and Mizoram. A large area of the district is plains with an average elevation of 260 m above sea level, and the average annual rainfall is 1504.7 mm. By Census 2011 the district stands 1st in population (378811), 10th in area (927 sq. km.), 11th in density (409 persons per sq. km) and 5th in literacy rate (84.8 %) in the State.
Formation notification:
GAB-5/29/78(pt) dated 02-12-1997
Area rank:
10th place (927 sq. km.)
Population rank:
1st Place (378811)
Literacy rate:
84.8 %
Why it matters for exams: Dimapur as Nagaland's only railhead and airport, and its 1997 formation as the eighth district, are frequently asked Northeast connectivity and administration facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
As per the provisions of the RBI Act, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) consists of six members: three Members from RBI and three are appointed by the Central Government.
The Central Government constitutes the Committee in exercise of the powers conferred by section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934.
The Governor of the Reserve Bank of India is Chairperson, ex officio.
The Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India in charge of Monetary Policy is a Member, ex officio.
One officer of the Reserve Bank of India, to be nominated by the Central Board, is a Member, ex officio.
The Members appointed by the Central Government hold office for a period of four years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
In the reconstitution notified by the Government, the three appointed Members were Prof. Ram Singh of the Delhi School of Economics, Shri Saugata Bhattacharya, Economist, and Dr. Nagesh Kumar of the Institute for Studies in Industrial Development, New Delhi.
Total members:
six members
From RBI:
three Members from RBI
Enabling provision:
section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Term of appointed Members:
a period of four years
Why it matters for exams: The MPC's six-member structure, the enabling section of the RBI Act and the four-year term of external members are core Kerala PSC, UPSC and bank exam facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
Background
NITI Aayog was constituted through a resolution of the Union Cabinet dated 1st January 2015.
It serves as the Government of India's apex policy think tank, mandated to provide directional and policy inputs.
Besides formulating long-term strategies, policies and programmes for the Government of India, it offers strategic and technical advice to the Centre, State Governments and Union Territories.
It functions as an institutional platform to foster cooperative federalism by facilitating collaborative engagement among the States in pursuit of national development objectives.
Its first stated objective is to evolve a shared vision of national development priorities, sectors and strategies with the active involvement of States.
It is to foster cooperative federalism through structured support initiatives and mechanisms with the States on a continuous basis, recognizing that strong States make a strong nation.
It is also to ensure, on areas specifically referred to it, that the interests of national security are incorporated in economic strategy and policy.
Another objective is to pay special attention to the sections of society that may be at risk of not benefiting adequately from economic progress.
Constituted by:
a resolution of the Union Cabinet dated 1st January 2015
Character:
apex policy think tank of the Government of India
Guiding phrase:
strong States make a strong nation
Why it matters for exams: NITI Aayog's founding instrument, its think-tank character and its cooperative-federalism mandate are directly asked in Kerala PSC and UPSC polity papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
As per clause (1) of article 280 of the Constitution, the Finance Commission is to be constituted every fifth year or earlier.
It recommends the distribution between the Union and the States of the net proceeds of taxes which are to be, or may be, divided between them, and the allocation between the States of their respective shares.
It recommends the principles which should govern the grants-in-aid of the revenues of the States out of the Consolidated Fund of India under article 275.
Its third term of reference is the measures needed to augment the Consolidated Fund of a State to supplement the resources of the Panchayats and Municipalities in the State.
The Sixteenth Finance Commission is chaired by Dr. Arvind Panagariya.
Smt. Annie George Mathew and Dr. Manoj Panda are full-time Members; Dr. Soumya Kanti Ghosh, Group Chief Economic Adviser of SBI, is a Member; Mr T Rabi Sankar, Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank of India, is a part-time Member.
The Advance Cell of the 16th FC was formed in the Ministry of Finance on 21.11.2022 to oversee preliminary work.
A Finance Commission normally takes about two years to make its recommendations.
Constitutional provision:
article 280
Interval of constitution:
every fifth year or earlier
Chairman, 16th Finance Commission:
Dr. Arvind Panagariya
Advance Cell formed:
21.11.2022
Why it matters for exams: The Finance Commission's constitutional basis and terms of reference are a standing favourite in Kerala PSC and UPSC polity and economy papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
Background
The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) is an inter-governmental body which sets standards, and develops and promotes policies to combat money laundering and terrorist financing.
Its Forty Recommendations and Nine Special Recommendations provide a complete set of counter-measures against money laundering, covering the criminal justice system and law enforcement, the financial system and its regulation, and international co-operation.
India became a member of the FATF in 2010.
The Financial Intelligence Unit-India (FIU-IND) is a member of the Egmont Group, an international organization for stimulating co-operation among Financial Intelligence Units. India became member of the Egmont Group in May, 2007.
The Department of Revenue records that FIU-IND has signed bilateral Memorandum of Understanding with fifteen countries, including Mauritius, Philippines, Brazil, Malaysia, Russia, Australia, Canada, USA and Japan.
India's FATF membership:
India became a member of the FATF in 2010
Egmont Group membership:
May, 2007
FATF standards:
Forty Recommendations and Nine Special Recommendations
FIU-IND bilateral MoUs:
fifteen countries
Why it matters for exams: FATF and Egmont Group membership years are standard one-mark questions in economy and internal security sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
28 September 2026
Delhi's winter pollution plan fixes two separate construction-ban windows.
From 1 November to 31 January, dust-generating demolition and outdoor civil construction are barred.
From 10 December to 20 January there is a complete construction ban, and vehicles carrying construction material are also restricted from entering Delhi.
Essential public infrastructure projects are exempted.
Government and private offices are to operate at 50 per cent physical attendance from 1 November to 31 January, with the remaining staff working from home; essential services are exempt.
Enforcement is to be stepped up against vehicles registered outside Delhi, and parking charges raised to discourage private vehicle use on peak pollution days.
Dust-generating work banned:
1 November to 31 January
Complete construction ban:
10 December to 20 January
Office attendance:
50 per cent
Why it matters for exams: The dates of Delhi's construction bans and the 50 per cent work-from-home rule are the kind of specific administrative measures asked in current affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
28 September 2026
The IMF Executive Board has concluded the 2026 Article IV consultation with Cambodia (Press Release No. 26/307). The IMF says growth is projected to slow to 3 percent in 2026. It cites higher energy costs, weaker tourism and remittances, slowing garment exports, subdued domestic demand and tighter financial conditions. The review covers fiscal stabilisation, inflation and energy prices.
Projected growth in 2026:
3 percent
IMF press release number:
26/307
Why it matters for exams: IMF surveillance and Article IV consultations are standard international-economy material.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Article IV consultation IMF bilateral surveillance of a member's economy — A regular review of a member country's economic and financial policies by IMF staff and the Executive Board.
28 September 2026
On 28 September 2026 the Portuguese Government began meetings with representatives of the parliamentary groups on the State Budget for 2027. Joaquim Miranda Sarmento, Minister of State and Finance, and Carlos Abreu Amorim, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, are to present and discuss the general lines of the budget. CHEGA and PS were received on 28 September; PSD and CDS-PP, LIVRE, PCP and the sole deputies of BE, PAN and JPP on 29 September; and IL on 30 September. The meetings come before the formal budget proposal goes to the Assembleia da República.
Minister of State and Finance:
Joaquim Miranda Sarmento
Minister of Parliamentary Affairs:
Carlos Abreu Amorim
Meetings held:
28 to 30 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: How a parliamentary democracy prepares and consults on its annual budget, and the names of its parliament and ministers, are typical polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Assembleia da República Assembly of the Republic — Portugal's parliament, which votes on the State Budget.
Orçamento do Estado State Budget — The annual budget law of the Portuguese state.
28 September 2026
The Supreme Court refused to stay the levy of Merchant Discount Rate on person-to-merchant UPI transactions above ₹2,000.
The charge is set to take effect from 15 October 2026.
The Court observed that the issue is less legal and more technical.
It directed the Centre and the other respondents to file counter-affidavits within four weeks.
Merchant Discount Rate is the fee a merchant pays to the payment service provider on a digital transaction.
Transaction threshold:
₹2,000
Effective from:
15 October 2026
Time given for counter-affidavits:
Four weeks
Why it matters for exams: MDR on UPI is a live banking and digital-payments question and the threshold and effective date are examinable facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
Background
Lakadong turmeric, grown in Meghalaya, has been registered as a Geographical Indication (GI) under Class 30, covering agricultural goods. The application, numbered 741, was filed by the Director of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya, on 15 February 2021. The product's registration status is recorded as 'Registered', with the certificate issued on 30 March 2024 and the registration valid up to 14 February 2031.
GI application number:
741
GI class:
Class 30 (Agriculture)
Applicant:
Director of Horticulture, Government of Meghalaya
Registration valid till:
14 February 2031
Why it matters for exams: Meghalaya's GI-tagged agricultural produce such as Lakadong turmeric are frequently asked in Kerala PSC and UPSC current-affairs sections on geographical indications.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The World Bank classifies the world's economies into four income groups using Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, calculated by the World Bank Atlas method. Under the current classification, based on 2025 GNI data, low-income economies are those with a GNI per capita of $1,175 or less. Lower-middle-income economies have a GNI per capita between $1,176 and $4,635. Upper-middle-income economies have a GNI per capita between $4,636 and $14,375. High-income economies have a GNI per capita of more than $14,375. These thresholds are updated every year and used for the World Bank's operational and analytical country classification.
Low-income threshold:
$1,175 or less
High-income threshold:
More than $14,375
Why it matters for exams: The exact GNI per capita thresholds for the World Bank's income groups, and India's position among them, are a standard economy-section question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
28 September 2026
India and the United Arab Emirates held the 14th meeting of the India-UAE High Level Joint Task Force on Investments in Mumbai. Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Abu Dhabi Investment Authority Managing Director Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan co-chaired the talks. The two sides noted that bilateral trade between India and the UAE reached 101.25 billion US dollars in financial year 2025-26, while non-oil trade stood at 76.2 billion US dollars in 2025. The UAE has invested around 25 billion US dollars in India, with plans for another 25 billion US dollars, working toward a long-term target of 100 billion US dollars, while the two countries aim to take overall bilateral trade toward 200 billion US dollars by 2032.
Bilateral trade, FY 2025-26:
US$ 101.25 billion
Non-oil trade, 2025:
US$ 76.2 billion
2032 trade target:
US$ 200 billion
Task force meeting:
14th, Mumbai
Why it matters for exams: The India-UAE bilateral trade figures and the CEPA-driven investment task force are frequently tested in economy and international relations sections.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Kudumbashree, Kerala's poverty eradication and women empowerment mission, was inaugurated on 17 May 1998 at Malappuram, in the presence of Chief Minister E. K. Nayanar and Minister for Local Administration Paloli Mohammed Kutty. It was registered in November 1998 under the Travancore-Cochin Literary, Scientific and Charitable Societies Act, and began full operations on 1 April 1999. The mission grew out of the People's Plan Movement, with a three-member task force of S. M. Vijayanand, T. M. Thomas Isaac and Dr Prakash Bakshi recommending a state-level mission for poverty eradication. Its community organisation follows a three-tier structure: Neighbourhood Groups (NHGs) of 15-20 households, Area Development Societies (ADS) at the ward level, and Community Development Societies (CDS) at the local government level. Kudumbashree functions as a community network working in tandem with Kerala's local self-government institutions, and achieved statewide coverage by 2003 after phased expansion.
Inaugurated:
17 May 1998, Malappuram
Structure:
NHG - ADS - CDS
Why it matters for exams: Kudumbashree's three-tier structure and its link to Kerala's local self-government system are staple Kerala PSC questions on state welfare schemes.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Ministry of External Affairs publishes a List of Labour Mobility Agreements, marked As on May 2026. The list is grouped under the Gulf Region, Europe and Oceania/South East Asia. In the Gulf Region the oldest is the Agreement on Regulation of the Employment of Indian Manpower with Qatar, signed 11-04-1985. Oman signed an MOU in the field of Manpower on 08-11-2008 and the UAE an MOU on cooperation in the field of Manpower on 11-02-2018. In Europe, Germany signed an Agreement on Comprehensive Migration and Mobility Partnership on 05.12.2022 and Finland a Migration and Mobility Partnership Agreement on 05.03.2026. A Memorandum of Understanding Between the EU and India on a Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility is dated 27/01/2026.
List position:
As on May 2026
Qatar agreement signed:
11-04-1985
EU–India mobility MoU:
27/01/2026
Finland agreement signed:
05.03.2026
Why it matters for exams: Labour mobility and migration partnership agreements are frequently asked in Kerala PSC questions on Gulf migration.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Ministry of External Affairs lists India's Social Security Agreements country by country. Agreements with Belgium, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Hungary, Denmark and the Czech Republic are shown as Active. Also Active are the agreements with South Korea, Norway, Germany, Finland, Canada, Japan, Sweden, Austria, Portugal, Australia, Brazil and the United Kingdom. An Understanding on Social Security between India And Quebec is listed separately under Canada (Quebec). The agreements with Argentina and Poland are shown as Signed and Yet to enter into force. Such agreements protect the social security contributions of Indian professionals posted abroad.
Status of MoU/Agreement:
Active
Argentina and Poland:
Signed and Yet to enter into force
Listed separately:
Canada (Quebec)
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral social security agreements recur in UPSC international relations and in Kerala PSC questions on migrant welfare.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
IWAI has constructed 9nos. Inland Water Transport (IWT) terminals cum godowns for cargo handling at Kottapuram, Aluva, Maradu, Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha, Thrikunnapuzha, Kayamkulam and Kollam.
It has built 2nos. Roll on - Roll off (Ro-Ro) terminals at Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3 for Ro-Ro service to de-congest Kochi city traffic.
02 nos. Ro-Ro vessels were constructed through Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi and operate between Bolgatty and Willington Island through Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation, Kochi.
Navigational buoys have been installed in NW-3 (312 nos.), NW-8 (15 nos.) and NW-9 (25 nos.) for 24 hours of safe navigation of vessels.
Construction of 04 nos. HDPE jetties is planned at the IWT terminals at Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha and Kayamkulam for River Cruise Tourism in NW-3.
Feasibility studies on Urban Water Transport at Alappuzha and Kollam have been undertaken through Kochi Water Metro Ltd.
IWT terminals cum godowns:
9nos.
Ro-Ro terminals:
Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3
Ro-Ro vessels built by:
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL), Kochi
Navigational buoys in NW-3:
312 nos.
Why it matters for exams: The terminal list, the Bolgatty–Willington Island Ro-Ro link and the buoy counts are the kind of specific waterway facts Kerala PSC sets questions on.
Kerala PSCUPSC