24 September 2026
The Captain of Ports Department of Goa issued a clarification on its tender for operating and maintaining the Captain of Ports Terminal Building and allied jetty facilities.
It said there is no proposal to sell or privatise the terminal building or government jetties; ownership stays with the government.
The operator will handle maintenance, housekeeping, passenger facilities, security and digital monitoring, and give real-time access to a Jetty Operations Management Dashboard.
Statutory wharfage and berthing charges will continue to go to the Authority, and casino operators are barred from bidding.
Under the PPP model the operator will pay an Annual Licence Fee and a share of gross revenue.
Model:
PPP
Barred from bidding:
Casino operators
Why it matters for exams: PPP models for public infrastructure, and the difference between operation contracts and privatisation, are common governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PPP Public-Private Partnership — An arrangement where a private party runs a public asset under contract while the government keeps ownership.
Wharfage — A charge levied for goods or passengers using a wharf or jetty.
24 September 2026
The Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) set out on 24 September 2026 the measures it has taken to control flooding at Jangwani in Dar es Salaam.
Engineer Samueli Nyari said a diversion road has been raised to about 7 metres above sea level.
A new bridge has been built to a height of about 8.4 metres, compared with 6 metres for the old bridge, and with a span that lets large volumes of water pass quickly.
TANROADS is clearing the river upstream and downstream, demolishing the old bridge, and has built culverts with six openings in two places.
The agency asked the public not to dump waste in rivers and drains and to follow official instructions during heavy rains.
New bridge height:
About 8.4 metres
Old bridge height:
6 metres
Diversion road level:
About 7 metres above sea level
Culvert openings:
Six, in two places
Why it matters for exams: Urban flood management and climate-resilient infrastructure are recurring environment and disaster-management topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Culvert Culvert — A pipe or channel that carries water under a road or embankment.
Diversion road Diversion road — A temporary or alternative road that carries traffic around works.
24 September 2026
Tanzania's Minister of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Paul Makonda, said on 24 September 2026 in Dar es Salaam that about two billion shillings in royalties are due to be paid to the country's artists.
The money has been collected from the use of artists' works.
He said the law sets out, through COSOTA, how copyright is protected and how royalties are shared.
The government aims to make the arts a lasting source of jobs and income for creators.
The minister also said preparations for AFCON 2027 are under way, covering transport, accommodation, broadcasting and medical services.
Royalties due to artists:
About TSh 2 billion
Administering body:
COSOTA
Minister:
Paul Makonda
Why it matters for exams: Copyright collecting societies and the creative economy are tested under intellectual property; AFCON 2027 co-hosting is a sports current-affairs staple.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
COSOTA Copyright Society of Tanzania — Tanzania's body that registers copyright and collects and distributes royalties.
Royalty Royalty — A payment made to a creator each time their work is used.
AFCON Africa Cup of Nations — Africa's main international football championship, run by CAF.
24 September 2026
Tanzania's Land Transport Regulatory Authority (LATRA) reported its five-year achievements on 24 September 2026 at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam.
Director General CPA Dr Habibu Suluo spoke at a meeting of editors and journalists organised by the Office of the Treasury Registrar.
Transport licences issued rose by 146.1 per cent, from 239,953 in 2021/22 to 590,468 in 2025/26, an average annual growth of 27.2 per cent.
Between 2022/23 and 2025/26, 15,547 drivers were registered and tested through the Drivers Testing System, and 8,642 passed and were certified.
LATRA said 4,664 crew members were registered in 2025/26.
Licences, 2021/22:
239,953
Licences, 2025/26:
590,468
Increase:
146.1%
Average annual growth:
27.2%
Drivers certified:
8,642
Why it matters for exams: Regulatory bodies and their mandates, with headline growth figures, are common in economy and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
LATRA Land Transport Regulatory Authority — Tanzania's regulator for road and rail transport services, including licensing of commercial vehicles.
JNICC Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre — A major conference venue in Dar es Salaam named after Tanzania's first President.
Treasury Registrar Office of the Treasury Registrar (OTR) — Tanzanian office that oversees government investments in public institutions and state firms.
24 September 2026
Construction of infrastructure at Msalato International Airport in Dodoma has reached 89.02 per cent, the Tanzania National Roads Agency (TANROADS) said on 24 September 2026.
TANROADS Chief Executive Eng. Mohamed Besta gave the figures to journalists in Dodoma.
The runway is 98 per cent complete and the taxiways and apron 99 per cent; the buildings package stands at 78.37 per cent, with the passenger terminal at 81 per cent and the control tower at 74 per cent.
Infrastructure works are expected to be completed on 27 November 2026 and the buildings on 30 December 2026.
The project has created 9,059 jobs.
Infrastructure progress:
89.02%
Buildings progress:
78.37%
Infrastructure completion:
27 November 2026
Buildings completion:
30 December 2026
Jobs created:
9,059
Why it matters for exams: A flagship project of Tanzania's capital, Dodoma, often asked alongside the shift of government from Dar es Salaam.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
TANROADS Tanzania National Roads Agency — Government agency that builds and maintains Tanzania's trunk roads and also executes airport works.
Apron Apron — The area of an airport where aircraft are parked, loaded and refuelled.
ILS Instrument Landing System — Ground radio equipment that guides aircraft to the runway in poor visibility.
24 September 2026
UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) said on 24 September 2026, in its annual report on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, that people in Gaza now earn just 58 cents a day. The report found that 92 per cent of Gaza's businesses are damaged or destroyed and that more than nine in 10 working-age adults are out of work. Housing has suffered more damage than any other sector, and rebuilding homes alone will cost an estimated $19 billion, said UNCTAD Coordinator Mutasim Elagraa in Geneva. He said the population is condemned to multidimensional poverty — lacking shelter and access to health, education and sanitation as well as income. According to the Board of Peace, around $71 billion will be needed over the next decade to rebuild Gaza.
Daily earnings in Gaza:
58 cents
Businesses damaged or destroyed:
92 per cent
Cost of rebuilding homes:
$19 billion
Ten-year rebuilding need (Board of Peace):
around $71 billion
Why it matters for exams: UNCTAD's reports and the concept of multidimensional poverty are frequently tested in economy and international-organisation questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
UNCTAD UN Trade and Development (formerly UN Conference on Trade and Development) — The UN body on trade, investment and development, based in Geneva.
Multidimensional poverty — Poverty measured by deprivations in health, education and living standards, not income alone.
24 September 2026
Sveriges Riksbank, Sweden's central bank, announced on 24 September 2026 that its policy rate is held unchanged at 1.75 per cent, applying from 30 September 2026. It said GDP has grown faster than expected and the Swedish economy is approaching normal conditions. Measured inflation is low, but stronger economic activity, a weaker krona and higher energy prices mean it is expected to rise. The decision was taken at the monetary policy meeting held on 23 September 2026 and published with the September Monetary Policy Report. The next monetary policy meeting is on 3 November 2026, with the decision communicated on 4 November 2026.
Policy rate:
1.75 per cent (unchanged)
Applies from:
30 September 2026
Next decision communicated:
4 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: Central-bank policy rate decisions, and the factors such as currency moves and energy prices that drive inflation forecasts, are standard monetary policy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Riksbank Sveriges Riksbank — Sweden's central bank, which sets the policy rate at its monetary policy meetings.
Krona — The currency of Sweden.
24 September 2026
Norway's central bank, Norges Bank, published on 24 September 2026 its decision to raise the policy rate from 4.25% to 4.50%, taken by its Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee at a meeting on 23 September. The new rate is effective from 25 September 2026. Governor Ida Wolden Bache said inflation has been above target for several years and that the Committee is prepared to raise the rate further if needed to bring inflation down to the 2% target. CPI inflation has been higher than projected, while underlying inflation measured by the CPI-ATE has been lower than projected. The Committee cited uncertainty from the conflict in the Middle East and higher oil, gas and commodity prices. The next decision will be published on 5 November.
Policy rate:
4.25% to 4.50%
Effective from:
25 September 2026
Inflation target:
2%
Next decision:
5 November
Why it matters for exams: A rate hike by a major oil-exporting economy's central bank illustrates how monetary tightening is used against inflation.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Norges Bank — Norway's central bank; its Monetary Policy and Financial Stability Committee sets the policy rate.
CPI-ATE CPI adjusted for tax changes and excluding energy products — Norway's main measure of underlying inflation.
Policy rate — The interest rate a central bank sets to steer borrowing costs and inflation.
24 September 2026
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) left the SNB policy rate unchanged at 0% in its monetary policy assessment of 24 September 2026. The discount on banks' sight deposits above a threshold stays at 0.25 percentage points, and the SNB remains willing to act in the foreign exchange market as necessary. Swiss inflation rose from 0.6% in May to 0.8% in August, mainly because of higher prices for oil products. The conditional inflation forecast puts average annual inflation at 0.7% for 2026, 0.8% for 2027 and 0.8% for 2028. The SNB expects GDP growth of between 1.5% and 2% in 2026 and around 1.5% in 2027, and named the situation in the Middle East as the main source of uncertainty.
SNB policy rate:
0% (unchanged)
Inflation, August 2026:
0.8%
Inflation forecast 2026 / 2027 / 2028:
0.7% / 0.8% / 0.8%
GDP growth forecast 2026:
1.5% to 2%
Why it matters for exams: Central-bank policy rates of major economies, and why energy prices move inflation, are regular economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SNB Swiss National Bank — Switzerland's central bank, responsible for monetary policy and the Swiss franc.
Sight deposits — Balances that commercial banks hold at the central bank and can withdraw at any time.
Conditional inflation forecast — An inflation projection that assumes the policy rate stays at a given level.
24 September 2026
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), by an order dated September 24, 2026, imposed a monetary penalty of ₹3.10 lakh on Ola Financial Services Private Limited for non-compliance with certain directions on 'Know Your Customer (KYC)'. The penalty was imposed under section 30(1) read with section 26(6) of the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007. RBI's statutory inspection covered the company's operations from January 2025 to November 2025. After a show-cause notice and a personal hearing, RBI found sustained the charge that the company failed to carry out risk categorisation of certain customers. RBI said the action is based on deficiencies in regulatory compliance and does not pronounce on the validity of any transaction with customers.
Penalty:
₹3.10 lakh
Law invoked:
Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007
Inspection period:
January 2025 to November 2025
Why it matters for exams: RBI's enforcement powers and the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 are common banking-awareness topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KYC Know Your Customer — Rules requiring financial firms to verify and assess the identity and risk profile of customers.
PSS Act Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007 — The law under which RBI regulates and supervises payment systems in India.
Risk categorisation — Classifying customers as low, medium or high risk for money-laundering checks.
24 September 2026
The Government of India reduced the Basic Customs Duty (BCD) on major imported crude edible oils, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution announced on 24 September 2026. BCD on Crude Sunflower Oil was cut from 10% to Nil. BCD on Crude Soybean Oil and Crude Palm Oil was reduced from 10% to 5%. Duty on the respective refined oils was also lowered, while an import duty differential of 19.25% between crude and refined edible oils was maintained to support domestic refining. The step is meant to moderate domestic edible oil prices after a sharp rise in international prices. Industry was asked to revise the Price to Distributors (PTD) and Maximum Retail Price (MRP) so that the benefit reaches consumers.
BCD on crude sunflower oil:
10% to Nil
BCD on crude soybean and palm oil:
10% to 5%
Crude–refined duty differential:
19.25%
Why it matters for exams: Customs duty on edible oils is a recurring question on inflation control and India's dependence on imported vegetable oils.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
BCD Basic Customs Duty — The basic duty levied on goods imported into India under the Customs Tariff.
MRP Maximum Retail Price — The highest price at which a packaged product may be sold to consumers.
Landed cost — The total cost of an imported good once it reaches the country, including duties and freight.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 decided to supply subsidised sugar at Rs 30 to National Food Security Act (NFSA) beneficiaries for October 2026.
Beneficiaries will get both masur dal and sugar for Rs 100 in October, the Chief Minister said.
The Cabinet approved granting the minimum of the pay scale to an additional 166 muster roll, casual and fixed-pay workers with effect from 1 September 2026.
It also gave ex post facto approval to an executive order allowing Aadhaar enrolment of eligible women members of Self-Help Groups until March 31.
Sugar price for October:
Rs 30
Masur dal + sugar:
Rs 100
Workers brought to pay scale:
166
Why it matters for exams: Shows how states top up the NFSA public distribution system with their own subsidies — a food-security and federalism theme.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NFSA National Food Security Act, 2013 — The law entitling eligible households to subsidised foodgrains through ration shops.
Muster roll worker — A daily-wage worker whose attendance is kept on a muster roll rather than a regular post.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved state guidelines for financial assistance towards the promoter's contribution under the central sector scheme 'Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)'.
For collective entities — FPOs, FPCs, PACS and cooperatives — the state will bear the entire 10 per cent mandatory promoter's contribution.
For individual beneficiaries such as farmers, agri-entrepreneurs, startups and SHGs, the state will bear 5 per cent and the beneficiary the remaining 5 per cent.
The Cabinet also approved a rent-based or pro bono model for a state-of-the-art Spices Board laboratory at Ulubari in Guwahati.
State share for collectives:
entire 10%
State share for individuals:
5%
Spices Board lab site:
Ulubari, Guwahati
Why it matters for exams: The Agriculture Infrastructure Fund and the role of FPOs and PACS are standard agriculture-economy topics in UPSC and state exams.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AIF Agriculture Infrastructure Fund — A central financing facility for post-harvest and farm infrastructure projects.
FPO Farmer Producer Organisation — A collective of farmers registered to market produce and buy inputs together.
PACS Primary Agricultural Credit Society — A village-level cooperative that gives short-term farm credit.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved a 20 per cent Durga Puja bonus for eligible workers and employees of tea gardens under the state-owned Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL).
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said 548 of the state's 807 tea gardens had already announced a 20 per cent bonus.
The Cabinet also added 17 October 2026 as an additional Durga Puja holiday for state government employees.
The Chief Minister said the Durga Puja holiday will now run from October 17 to October 20.
Bonus:
20 per cent
Gardens already paying 20%:
548 of 807
Additional holiday:
17 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Assam is India's largest tea-producing state; tea-garden labour welfare and state PSUs like ATCL are recurring state-focus topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ATCL Assam Tea Corporation Limited — A state-owned company that runs tea estates in Assam.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 decided to give Rs 1,500 to Orunodoi beneficiaries for October instead of the regular Rs 1,250.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma described the extra amount as a gift on the occasion of Durga Puja.
The meeting was held at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati.
Orunodoi is the state's flagship scheme, launched in 2020, providing monthly direct benefit transfers to women from economically disadvantaged families.
The Chief Minister said a similar initiative will be taken for Rongali Bihu in April.
October payment:
Rs 1,500
Regular monthly amount:
Rs 1,250
Scheme launched:
2020
Why it matters for exams: State direct benefit transfer schemes for women, such as Orunodoi, are frequently compared in state-focus and welfare questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DBT Direct Benefit Transfer — Payment of welfare money straight into beneficiaries' bank accounts.
Orunodoi — Assam's monthly cash-support scheme for women of poor families.
24 September 2026
The Assam Cabinet on 24 September 2026 approved a proposed investment of Rs 11,000 crore by JK Lakshmi Cement Limited.
The company will set up a clinker manufacturing unit and four associated cement grinding units in Assam.
The project is expected to generate direct employment of around 2,000 people.
The Cabinet also approved a State Capital Investment Subsidy for manufacturing units eligible under the Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme (UNNATI), 2024 that could not register within the extended deadline of 30 September 2026.
It allotted 504 bighas of land at Niz-Gondhmow in the Hajo revenue circle for an industrial estate in Kamrup district.
Investment:
Rs 11,000 crore
Units:
1 clinker unit + 4 grinding units
Direct jobs:
around 2,000
Industrial estate land:
504 bighas, Hajo
Why it matters for exams: Large private investments in the North-East and the Centre's UNNATI 2024 industrial scheme are relevant for economy and regional development questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Clinker — The nodular intermediate product of a cement kiln, ground to make cement.
UNNATI Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialization Scheme, 2024 — A central scheme of incentives for new industrial units in the North-Eastern states.
Bigha — A traditional unit of land area used in Assam.
24 September 2026
Cochin Shipyard Limited (CSL) executed agreements on 24 September 2026 to acquire a 23 per cent equity stake in Conoship International Holding BV of the Netherlands.
The deal comprises a Share Purchase Agreement and a Shareholders' and Cooperation Agreement.
The stake costs 2.3 million euros; CSL put the expense at Rs 25.10 crore.
The acquisition is meant to help CSL enter the European green coastal and short-sea shipping market.
The two firms will jointly explore alternative fuels for short-sea vessels, coastal shipping and inland waterways.
The transaction has DIPAM clearance, followed board approval in January 2026, and is expected to be completed within two months.
Stake acquired:
23 per cent
Price:
2.3 million euros
Expense stated by CSL:
Rs 25.10 crore
Target company:
Conoship International Holding BV
Why it matters for exams: Kochi-based CSL is India's largest public sector shipyard; its overseas acquisitions link to the maritime and green-shipping agenda.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CSL Cochin Shipyard Limited — A public sector shipbuilder headquartered in Kochi.
DIPAM Department of Investment and Public Asset Management — Union finance ministry department that manages government equity in public sector companies.
Short-sea shipping — Movement of cargo by sea over short distances along coasts, without crossing oceans.
24 September 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the 13th edition of the Kerala Travel Mart (KTM 2026) in Kochi on 24 September 2026.
He said the state has set a target of five million foreign tourist footfall and 100 million domestic tourist arrivals in five years.
In 2025 Kerala recorded 8,21,999 foreign tourist visits, up 11.33 per cent over 2024, and 2,50,58,366 domestic tourist visits, up 12.64 per cent.
The government has approved a cruise terminal at Cochin Port, and another is planned at Kozhikode.
The CM said the government is considering acquiring permanent venues for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale and the International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK).
Tourism Minister P C Vishnunadh said KTM 2026 had more than 3,000 buyer registrations and more than 400 seller stalls.
KTM edition:
13th
Foreign tourist visits 2025:
8,21,999
Growth in foreign visits:
11.33 per cent
Domestic tourist visits 2025:
2,50,58,366
Why it matters for exams: Tourism arrival figures, growth rates and flagship events such as KTM and the Biennale are standard Kerala PSC data points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KTM Kerala Travel Mart — A trade fair where Kerala's tourism sellers meet buyers from India and abroad.
IFFK International Film Festival of Kerala — The state's annual international film festival held in Thiruvananthapuram.
Kochi-Muziris Biennale — A contemporary art exhibition held in Kochi every two years.
24 September 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan addressed the 32nd Annual General Meeting of Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) in Kochi on 24 September 2026.
CIAL launched Aviation Consultancy and Expert Services (ACES), a new division offering airport planning, runway development, cargo, ground handling and commercial services.
The first CIAL ACES project is the passenger verification system at Durgapur Airport in West Bengal.
The AGM approved a 55% dividend to shareholders.
CIAL recorded total revenue of Rs 1,220 crore and a profit of Rs 502 crore in 2025-26, handling 73,134 aircraft movements and 1.14 crore passengers.
The CM also inaugurated the Bridge Mounted Equipment (BME) service that supplies electricity to parked aircraft.
Dividend approved:
55%
Revenue 2025-26:
Rs 1,220 crore
Profit 2025-26:
Rs 502 crore
Passengers 2025-26:
1.14 crore
Why it matters for exams: CIAL is India's first airport built under the public-private participation model, and its results and new ventures recur in Kerala PSC questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CIAL Cochin International Airport Limited — The company that owns and runs the airport at Nedumbassery near Kochi.
ACES Aviation Consultancy and Expert Services — CIAL's new division that sells airport consultancy to other airports.
AGM Annual General Meeting — The yearly meeting at which a company's shareholders approve accounts and dividends.
24 September 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan inaugurated the valedictory function of the World Maritime Day celebrations in Kochi on 24 September 2026.
He spoke on 'Mission Samudra', the state's initiative to turn Kerala into a port city and an international maritime hub, which the government had launched in August 2026.
He announced that June 19 will be observed every year as 'Kerala Maritime Day'.
An Admiralty Court will be set up in Kochi for maritime law disputes and arbitration, along with a maritime academy.
The mission plans to integrate Kerala's two international ports and 18 mini ports, including the inland port at Kottayam.
Cochin airport's cargo capacity is to rise from 1.25 lakh tonnes to five lakh tonnes; India's first oceanarium and a maritime museum are planned in Kochi.
Kerala Maritime Day:
June 19
Mini ports to be integrated:
18
Coastline cited:
600 km
Cochin airport cargo target:
five lakh tonnes
Why it matters for exams: A new state observance day, a proposed Admiralty Court and the blue-economy push are typical Kerala PSC current-affairs points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Admiralty Court Court with admiralty (maritime) jurisdiction — A court that hears disputes about ships, cargo, collisions and other maritime claims.
Blue economy Ocean-based economy — Economic activity that uses ocean and coastal resources sustainably.
Muziris Ancient port near present-day Kodungallur — An ancient Kerala port linked to Roman and Arab trade.