Background
Cochin Port Authority functions under the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Government of India.
The Ernakulam Channel has 5 general cargo, 1 fertilizer and 3 oil berths.
The Mattancherry Channel has 1 general cargo berth, one Boat Train Pier and two jetties for miscellaneous cargo.
The port authority's own portal publishes Berth Information, Ships in Port and the Port Layout for users of the port.
It also publishes Energy Reports, Performance Reports and the Administration Report.
Ernakulam Channel:
5 general cargo, 1 fertilizer and 3 oil berths
Mattancherry Channel:
1 general cargo berth, one Boat Train Pier and two jetties
Ministry:
Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways
Why it matters for exams: Cochin Port's channel-wise berth break-up is a factual detail that recurs in Kerala PSC geography and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Guided by the development priorities of partner countries, the Government of India extends grant assistance across sectors such as physical and social infrastructure, energy including clean energy transition, connectivity, healthcare and education, disaster resilience and Digital Public Infrastructure.
Over 80 projects have been completed in the last decade across countries in the neighbourhood, the Indian Ocean Region, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
Major projects include the Afghan-India Friendship Dam and the Parliament Building in Afghanistan.
In Mauritius they include the Metro Express, the Supreme Court Building, a Civil Services College and a social housing project.
In Nepal they include the Jayanagar-Bardibas Cross Border Rail Link and Integrated Check Posts at Nepalgunj and Birgunj.
In Sri Lanka they include the Indian Housing Project, a multi-specialty hospital in Dickoya and a cultural centre in Jaffna; in Maldives, the National College for Police and Law Enforcement and the Ministry of Defence building.
In Myanmar, India built Sittwe port under the Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor and the Myanmar Institute of Information Technology.
Other projects include the Gandhi Mandela Centre of Specialization for Artisan Skills in South Africa.
Projects completed in last decade:
over 80 projects
Afghanistan:
Afghan-India Friendship Dam, Parliament Building
Mauritius:
Metro Express, Supreme Court Building
Nepal:
Jayanagar-Bardibas Cross Border Rail Link
Myanmar:
Sittwe port under Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Corridor
Why it matters for exams: Matching Indian-built projects to the correct partner country is a standard question format in international relations.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Development assistance in the form of concessional Lines of Credit (LOCs) is extended by the Government of India under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) through the Exim Bank of India.
In total, more than 260 LOCs worth over US$ 26 billion have been extended to nearly 62 countries across the world.
These LOCs cover around 600 projects in sectors like railways, roads, agriculture, industry, airport, sports stadiums, port, hospitals, disaster management, hydroelectricity, power transmission and Information Technology.
In keeping with the high priority attached to neighbouring countries under India's Neighbourhood First Policy, India has extended LOCs worth US$ 7.86 billion to Bangladesh, more than US$ 2 billion to Sri Lanka, US$ 1.43 billion to Maldives, over US$ 1 billion to Mauritius, US$ 750 million to Nepal and US$ 745 million to Myanmar.
More than 160 LOCs worth nearly US$ 10 billion have gone to Africa and around 60 LOCs to Asia.
Commitment across Latin America stands above US$ 715 million, and that to Oceania and the Commonwealth of Independent States at around US$ 155 million each.
Number of LOCs:
more than 260 LOCs
Total value:
over US$ 26 billion
Countries covered:
nearly 62 countries
Projects:
around 600 projects
Largest neighbourhood recipient:
Bangladesh, US$ 7.86 billion
Implementing bank:
Exim Bank of India
Why it matters for exams: IDEAS, the Exim Bank's role and the biggest recipients of Indian Lines of Credit are frequently asked in economy and international relations sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
Background
The Inland Waterways Authority of India has undertaken works in the declared National Waterways in Kerala, namely NW-3, NW-8 and NW-9.
Nine Inland Water Transport terminals cum godowns have been constructed for cargo handling at Kottapuram, Aluva, Maradu, Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha, Thrikunnapuzha, Kayamkulam and Kollam.
Two Roll on - Roll off (Ro-Ro) terminals have been built at Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3 for a Ro-Ro service to de-congest Kochi city traffic.
Two Ro-Ro vessels were constructed through Cochin Shipyard Limited, Kochi, and are operated between Bolgatty and Willington Island in NW-3 through the Kerala Shipping and Inland Navigation Corporation, Kochi.
Navigational buoys have been installed for 24 hours of safe navigation - 312 in NW-3, 15 in NW-8 and 25 in NW-9.
Four HDPE jetties are planned at the Vaikom, Thaneermukam, Alappuzha and Kayamkulam terminals for river cruise tourism in NW-3.
National Waterways in Kerala:
NW-3, NW-8, NW-9
IWT terminals cum godowns:
9
Ro-Ro terminals on NW-3:
Bolgatty and Willington Island
Navigational buoys in NW-3:
312
Why it matters for exams: The numbering of National Waterways in Kerala and the Ro-Ro terminals on NW-3 are standard Kerala PSC geography and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
The Vizhinjam International Seaport Project is being developed under the Public Private Partnership (PPP) model between the Government of Kerala and Adani Vizhinjam Port Private Limited, for which a concession agreement was signed on 17.08.2015.
Phase I of the project became operational on 03.12.2024 with an annual handling capacity of 1 million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs).
Through a supplementary concession agreement dated 28.11.2024, the Government of Kerala and the concessionaire decided to implement Phases II, III and IV together as a single capacity augmentation phase, with a completion target of December 2028.
This will increase capacity to 3 million TEUs per annum, with a potential to handle up to 5.7 million TEUs per annum through enhanced automation and operational efficiencies.
The information was given by the Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in a written reply in the Lok Sabha.
Development model:
Public Private Partnership (PPP)
Phase I annual capacity:
1 million TEUs
Capacity after augmentation phase:
3 million TEUs per annum
Potential capacity:
upto 5.7 million TEUs per annum
Why it matters for exams: Vizhinjam's model, concessionaire and capacity figures are asked directly in Kerala PSC and in UPSC infrastructure questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The Kerala Finance Department has issued a government order giving special permission to use MLA constituency Asset Development Fund money of 2026-27 to buy new KSRTC buses.
Each MLA can fund a maximum of three buses.
The KSRTC Chairman and Managing Director was to give MLAs the cost statements by 30 September, and MLAs must send proposals to district collectors by 15 October.
District collectors grant administrative sanction within seven days of receiving a proposal.
KSRTC bears the whole cost of running the buses, including fuel, staff salaries and maintenance, and can redeploy them across services.
Maximum buses per MLA:
3
Proposal deadline to collectors:
15 October
Collector's sanction time:
7 days
Why it matters for exams: A fresh Finance Department order that links legislators' constituency funds to public transport is a typical Kerala PSC polity and administration question.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KSRTC Kerala State Road Transport Corporation — The state-owned corporation that runs public buses in Kerala.
Asset Development Fund MLA Constituency Asset Development Fund — A yearly fund through which each MLA proposes works that create public assets in the constituency.
27 September 2026
The United States and China agreed to reduce tariffs on $30 billion of goods and to launch a dialogue on artificial intelligence, following President Xi Jinping's visit to Washington. A White House statement said the two countries reached consensus on recommendations for more favourable tariff treatment for $30 billion of non-sensitive goods in each direction. The reductions cover US exports such as agricultural goods, wood and cosmetics, and US imports including small appliances, toys and decorations. The three-day summit between Xi and President Donald Trump ended on Friday. The two sides also agreed to set up a trade council and to extend the outcomes of earlier talks held in Kuala Lumpur. On artificial intelligence they agreed to hold a dialogue on the technology's risks and benefits, with the next round set for November, and to set up a communication channel for AI-related incidents. Both sides agreed to support each other in hosting the APEC leaders' meeting and the G20 summit.
Value of goods covered:
$30 billion in each direction
Next AI dialogue round:
November
New mechanism agreed:
A trade council
Summits both sides will support:
APEC leaders' meeting and the G20 summit
Why it matters for exams: US-China trade and technology understandings shape world trade questions and the G20 and APEC calendar.
UPSCSSCBank
27 September 2026
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said India and Canada were preparing to take their relationship "to a higher level" after a discussion with his Canadian counterpart Anita Anand on the sidelines of the 81st UN General Assembly. In a post on X he described the meeting as a productive discussion held as the two sides prepare to raise the relationship. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney had said at the UN that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to visit Canada around December, and that Ottawa was making good progress in its trade negotiations with India towards a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement. On the same UNGA sidelines Jaishankar met Venezuela's Foreign Minister Felix Plasencia Gonzalez and said energy ties were gaining momentum. He also met Belarus Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and Mexico's Foreign Minister Roberto Velasco Alvarez.
Canadian Foreign Minister:
Anita Anand
Canadian Prime Minister:
Mark Carney
Trade agreement under negotiation:
Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
Other ministers met:
Venezuela, Belarus and Mexico
Why it matters for exams: The India-Canada trade negotiation and the CEPA framework are current bilateral-relations topics for UPSC and PSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The Ministry of Finance directed that all Public Sector Banks and Regional Rural Banks, along with their branches, ATMs and currency chests, would function normally on Sunday, 27 September 2026. The step was taken because the United Forum of Bank Unions called a three-day nationwide strike from 28 to 30 September 2026, which would otherwise have combined with the weekend to shut banking services for an extended stretch. The Reserve Bank of India approved the special working day. The government said the priority was customer convenience and appealed to the unions to defer the strike.
Special working Sunday:
27 September 2026
Strike period:
28–30 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Tests awareness of banking-sector labour relations and the government/RBI's administrative response, a recurring current-affairs theme in banking exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
The Ministry of Tourism celebrated World Tourism Day 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat launched the National Digital Tourism Stack and the National Mission for Alternative Destinations — Dekho Apna Desh Campaign 2.0.
The Ministry also exchanged five Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with industry partners for joint tourism promotion and marketing.
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, delivered the welcome address.
Dr. Vivek Raghavan, Co-Founder, Sarvam AI, delivered the keynote address on this year’s World Tourism Day theme, “Digital Agenda and Artificial Intelligence to Redesign Tourism”.
The Union Minister said the next phase of India’s tourism journey must ensure that growth reaches beyond popular destinations, creating opportunities for local communities, entrepreneurs, women and youth.
World Tourism Day 2026:
Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs):
five
Union Minister for Tourism and Culture:
Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat
Secretary, Ministry of Tourism:
Shri Bhuvnesh Kumar
Why it matters for exams: New national tourism missions, portals and the World Tourism Day theme are standard scheme-and-theme questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
The three-day 4th edition of the Bharat CPSEs' Consultative Conclave 2026 on Project and Asset Management concluded on 26 September 2026 at Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara. It was organised by the Capacity Building Commission and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya for senior CPSE executives of the Infrastructure, Transportation, Logistics and Telecom sectors. Deliberations covered strengthening project execution, asset management and organisational excellence across Central Public Sector Enterprises. GSV and the Capacity Building Commission will publish a Bharat CPSE Compendium of Best Practices and a Reform Agenda based on the recommendations emerging from the Conclave. The thematic focus draws on the Prime Minister's 'Saptadhara' vision, the Seven Streams of Strength for Viksit Bharat, set out in his Independence Day 2026 address, in which Gati Shakti was identified as the creation of multimodal world-class quality infrastructure.
Edition:
4th Bharat CPSEs' Consultative Conclave 2026
Venue:
Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya (GSV), Vadodara
Concluded:
26 September 2026
Organisers:
Capacity Building Commission and Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya
Why it matters for exams: Gati Shakti Vishwavidyalaya, the Capacity Building Commission and the 'Saptadhara' vision from the Independence Day 2026 address are examinable governance and economy links.
Kerala PSCUPSC
27 September 2026
On the occasion of NPS Diwas 2026, the NPS Van Yatra will be flagged off at 10:00 A.M. on 1 October 2026 by the Finance Minister of India from New Delhi. The Yatra will simultaneously commence from designated locations in four cities in India, including Ahmedabad. In Gujarat, the NPS Van Yatra will be flagged off from the SLBC Office, Ahmedabad, and will travel across various cities and regions of the State from 1 October to 15 October 2026. The Yatra will spread awareness about the National Pension System and the importance of pension planning for a financially secure future. Outreach activities are planned at urban and rural centres, markets, cooperative institutions, dairy and artisan clusters and other important locations. The announcement was made by the Ministry of Finance on 27 September 2026.
Occasion:
NPS Diwas 2026
Flag-off:
10:00 A.M. on 1 October 2026, from New Delhi
Launch cities:
Four cities, including Ahmedabad
Gujarat leg dates:
1 October to 15 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: NPS Diwas, the date of the Van Yatra and the number of launch cities are examinable facts on pension and financial-inclusion outreach.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
Union Minister for Finance and Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman is on an official visit to Qatar from 27th to 29th September, 2026.
She will attend the 11th Annual Meeting of Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in Doha on 28th September 2026.
She attends as the Indian Governor to the AIIB. India is the second largest shareholder of the bank.
She is scheduled to meet the AIIB President and her counterparts from Jordan, Switzerland, Algeria, Saudi Arabia and Nepal.
She is also expected to meet Qatar's government leadership and engage with Qatari business leaders and investors.
AIIB annual meeting:
11th
Date and city:
28th September 2026, Doha
India's position among AIIB shareholders:
Second largest shareholder
Why it matters for exams: Multilateral development banks, where India ranks among their shareholders and who represents India on their boards are asked in both PSC and banking exams.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
NMDC has commissioned a Rs 5,427-crore integrated project in Bastar, Chhattisgarh.
The project includes a 2 million tonne per annum (MTPA) pellet plant at Nagarnar in Chhattisgarh.
A 135 km slurry pipeline with a capacity of 15 MTPA has also been commissioned.
The slurry pipeline passes through 61 villages in Bastar and Dantewada districts.
Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC Ltd., described the day as one of immense pride for NMDC.
NMDC is a public sector undertaking under the Ministry of Steel.
Project cost:
Rs 5,427 crore
Pellet plant capacity:
2 MTPA at Nagarnar
Slurry pipeline:
135 km, 15 MTPA
Villages covered:
61
Why it matters for exams: Questions on public sector undertakings ask which ministry they fall under and where their new capacity is located.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying announced on 27 September 2026 that the Livestock Insurance Portal will be launched in New Delhi the next day.
Union Minister for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying Rajiv Ranjan Singh will launch the portal.
The portal will be a single, integrated digital platform for livestock insurance, covering policy issuance, claim processing, monitoring and reporting for animals covered under the Livestock Insurance Scheme.
It will be available in 11 regional languages in addition to Hindi and English.
Launch date:
28 September 2026
Languages:
11 regional languages in addition to Hindi and English
Department:
Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying
Why it matters for exams: Scheme questions pair the Livestock Insurance Scheme with the ministry that runs it and the digital platform built for it.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
27 September 2026
Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel flagged off the country's first LNG-powered train at Sabarmati station on 27 September 2026.
Railway development projects worth over 1,500 crore rupees were taken up at the same event.
The WAG-12 locomotive maintenance shed and automatic signalling systems were inaugurated, and the foundation was laid for the indigenous Kavach safety system.
Annual diesel consumption by the railways has come down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres.
Railway electrification has risen from 75 kilometres a year in 2010-11 to about 7,188 kilometres a year, and 99.6 per cent of the network has been electrified.
Value of railway projects:
over 1,500 crore rupees
Annual diesel use:
down from 293 crore litres to 108 crore litres
Network electrified:
99.6 per cent
Why it matters for exams: A first-of-its-kind traction technology, the Kavach safety system and railway electrification figures are all frequently asked facts.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
26 September 2026
ALUMINIUM BHARAT 2026, an exhibition of India's aluminium industry and value chain, opened at the Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar, on Saturday, 26 September 2026.
The four-day event runs from 26 to 29 September alongside ALUMEX INDIA 2026.
It is organised by the Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India (ALEMAI) and supported by the Ministry of Commerce & Industry.
It covers over 30,000 square metres with more than 500 exhibitors and an expected 50,000+ visitors; buyer-seller meetings are planned with 200 overseas buyers.
ALEMAI put installed extrusion capacity at about 30 lakh tonnes a year against domestic production of about 10–12 lakh tonnes.
It estimated downstream aluminium imports at 12–15 lakh tonnes a year.
Dates:
26–29 September 2026
Venue:
Helipad Exhibition Centre, Gandhinagar
Organiser:
ALEMAI
Exhibitors:
more than 500
Installed extrusion capacity:
about 30 lakh tonnes a year
Why it matters for exams: Industrial capacity, import dependence and trade-promotion events in Gujarat's manufacturing economy are useful for economy papers.
UPSCSSCBank
In plain words
ALEMAI Aluminium Extrusion Manufacturers Association of India — The industry body of companies that make aluminium extrusions.
Extrusion — Shaping metal by forcing it through a die to make profiles such as window frames.
Downstream — Products made further along the value chain from a basic raw material.
26 September 2026
Union Minister for Home Affairs and Cooperation Amit Shah inaugurated initiatives of the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) at Kundara, near Kollam, on 26 September 2026.
He released the logo of 'Vanitham – She Mart Store', a women-led cooperative marketing venture, and launched NCCF's new 'Jana' brand products.
Sales of Bharat Atta and Bharat Rice and of onions at subsidised prices were launched, and free mini-seed kits were given to women farmers.
Shah said NCCF will open more than 25,000 retail outlets and that the blue economy holds immense potential for Kerala's cooperative sector.
According to Asianet Newsable, Shah said She-Mart will grow into a network of 300 outlets across Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, and noted that Kerala has more than 23,000 cooperatives.
Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi and State Ministers M. Liju and P.C. Vishnunadh attended.
Venue:
Kundara, near Kollam
Organisation:
National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF)
NCCF retail outlets planned:
more than 25,000
She-Mart network planned:
300 outlets
Cooperatives in Kerala:
more than 23,000
Why it matters for exams: Cooperative-sector institutions such as NCCF, the Ministry of Cooperation and the blue economy are frequent UPSC and Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NCCF National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India — The national apex body of consumer cooperatives, which also sells subsidised essentials such as Bharat Atta.
Blue economy — Economic activity based on oceans, coasts and other water resources, such as fisheries and shipping.
Sahkar se Samriddhi Prosperity through cooperation — The Union government's guiding slogan for the cooperative sector.
26 September 2026
Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla addressed the UN General Assembly on 26 September 2026. He described United States measures, including what he called an "energy blockade" and new restrictions on goods and services destined for the island, and said more than 7,000 containers were stranded in ports, including shipments of food, medicines and medical equipment. He said Havana remained ready for dialogue with Washington based on sovereign equality, non-interference and no preconditions. He pointed to a new programme adopted by Cuba's National People's Power Assembly to change the country's economic and social model. He rejected the Monroe Doctrine and recalled the region's 2014 proclamation as a Zone of Peace. "The law of the jungle cannot be the future of humanity," he said.
Speaker:
Bruno Eduardo Rodríguez Parrilla
Containers stranded:
More than 7,000
Zone of Peace proclaimed:
2014
Why it matters for exams: The US embargo on Cuba, the Monroe Doctrine and Latin America's Zone of Peace are recurring world-affairs topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Monroe Doctrine Monroe Doctrine — The 1823 United States policy opposing European intervention in the Americas.
26 September 2026
Wage Order No. NCR-28 took effect in the Philippines' National Capital Region on 26 September 2026, raising the daily minimum wage by P60. The minimum for non-agricultural workers rose from P695 to P755. Workers in agriculture, in retail and service establishments with 15 or fewer workers, and in manufacturing establishments regularly employing fewer than 10 workers now receive P718, up from P658. The increase covers about 1.1 million minimum wage earners. The order came from the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board-NCR and was affirmed by the National Wages and Productivity Commission. Labor Secretary Francis Tolentino urged employers to strictly comply with the new rates. The earlier Wage Order NCR-27 remains under challenge in court.
Wage order:
Wage Order No. NCR-28
Daily increase:
P60
Non-agricultural minimum:
P695 to P755
Agriculture and small establishments:
P658 to P718
Workers covered:
About 1.1 million
Why it matters for exams: Shows how the Philippines fixes minimum wages region by region through tripartite boards, a useful comparison with wage-setting in India.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
RTWPB Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board — A regional body of government, employer and worker representatives that sets minimum wages in each Philippine region.
NWPC National Wages and Productivity Commission — The national body under the Department of Labor and Employment that reviews regional wage orders.
NCR National Capital Region — The Metro Manila region, made up of Manila and its neighbouring cities and one municipality.