Background
In the news: Odisha's campuses head into student union elections on 15 October, across 13 universities and 347 colleges; Utkal University is one of the prominent centres of student politics.
Until 1936, when Odisha became a separate province, its colleges came under Patna University or Andhra University.
The Odisha Legislative Assembly passed the Utkal University Bill on 30 June 1943, and the Utkal University Act, 1943 came into force after the Governor's assent on 2 August 1943.
The University was founded on 27 November 1943 and began functioning in room no. 15 of Ravenshaw College, Cuttack.
Dr. Pranakrushna Parija, then Principal of Ravenshaw College, was its first Vice-Chancellor.
Its first constituent college, now Madhusudan Law College, Cuttack, was established in 1949.
Universities at Sambalpur and Berhampur came into existence from 1 January 1967. The University describes itself as the oldest university in the state of Odisha and the seventeenth oldest university in India.
Founded:
27 November 1943
First Vice-Chancellor:
Dr. Pranakrushna Parija
Began in:
Ravenshaw College, Cuttack
Student union polls:
15 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: Firsts and founding dates of a state's institutions, and the 1936 formation of Odisha province, are staple state-level questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Constituent college Constituent college — A college run directly by the university itself, as opposed to an affiliated college.
11 October 2026
The Railway Ministry said on 11 October 2026 that Indian Railways has announced 3,548 graduate-level vacancies under the Non-Technical Popular Categories (NTPC–Graduate).
The posts are notified through Centralised Employment Notification (CEN) No. 06/2026 issued by the Railway Recruitment Boards.
Goods Train Manager has 2,750 posts, Senior Clerk Cum Typist 371, Junior Accounts Assistant Cum Typist 300 and Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor 127.
Chief Commercial Cum Ticket Supervisor starts at ₹35,400 a month (Pay Level 6); the other three start at ₹29,200 (Pay Level 5).
Applications opened on 8 October and close on 6 November 2026; the age limit is 18-33 years as on 1 January 2027.
Selection is through two Computer-Based Tests, document verification and medical examination; the typing skill test is dispensed with for the two typist posts.
Total vacancies:
3,548
Goods Train Manager:
2,750
Notification:
CEN No. 06/2026
Last date to apply:
6 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: Railway recruitment notifications, pay levels under the Seventh Pay Commission and the role of RRBs are useful for job aspirants and general awareness.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NTPC Non-Technical Popular Categories — The Railway Recruitment Boards' category of non-technical posts such as clerks, ticket supervisors and train managers.
CEN Centralised Employment Notification — A single recruitment notification issued jointly by all Railway Recruitment Boards.
11 October 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi took part in the golden jubilee celebrations of Jaigopal Garodia Hindu Vidyalaya Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chennai on 11 October 2026.
He said the Vishwa Hindu Vidya Kendra began as a small school in West Mambalam, Chennai, in 1975 with seven students, and now has 15 institutions in Tamil Nadu.
He recalled that children inspired by Girija Amma saved one rupee a day for soldiers and raised forty lakh rupees, a story he had mentioned in 'Mann Ki Baat'.
Quoting Thiruvalluvar, he called the Tirukkural a guide for lifelong learners and said he had recently presented its Russian translation to President Putin.
He said India is preparing to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games and is moving forward with the dream of hosting the 2036 Olympics.
School began:
1975, West Mambalam, with seven students
Institutions now:
15 in Tamil Nadu
Raised for soldiers by children:
Forty lakh rupees
Why it matters for exams: India's hosting of the 2030 Commonwealth Games and its 2036 Olympic bid are recurring sports and current affairs questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tirukkural Tirukkural — A classical Tamil work of 1,330 couplets attributed to Thiruvalluvar.
11 October 2026
Tripura Governor Indra Sena Reddy Nallu addressed a cultural programme and Indigenous Baul Festival in Sepahijala district. He stressed shaping students' character and values through education. He asked students to keep order, show deference to seniors, use their time wisely and stay in control under pressure. He urged rural students to avoid distractions, including heavy mobile phone use, and to keep their goals in focus. Tribal Welfare Minister Bikash Debbarma and other dignitaries attended.
Governor:
Indra Sena Reddy Nallu
District:
Sepahijala
Event:
Indigenous Baul Festival
Tribal Welfare Minister:
Bikash Debbarma
Why it matters for exams: Who holds a Governor's office and where he spoke are common state-affairs facts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
Background
Nagaland University marked its 33rd Foundation Day this September with a stated focus on research and innovation, which has brought the State's only central university back into the news.
It was set up by the Nagaland University Act, 1989, which is Act No. 35 of 1989 and received the assent of the President of India on 20 October 1989.
The university became functional on 6 September 1994.
It is the 13th central university in the country and the only central university in Nagaland.
Its headquarters is at Lumami in Zunheboto district; until the middle of 2010 the university worked from Kohima as an interim headquarters.
The Kohima campus is at Meriema, and the School of Agricultural Sciences is at Medziphema in Dimapur district.
The university has 44 departments.
Act:
Nagaland University Act, 1989 (No. 35 of 1989)
Became functional:
6 September 1994
Rank among central universities:
13th
Headquarters:
Lumami, Zunheboto district
Departments:
44
Why it matters for exams: Central universities and the Acts that created them are routine objective questions, and the campus towns of Nagaland University are easily confused.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Central university Central university — A university set up by an Act of Parliament and funded by the Union government.
10 October 2026
Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Goa International Airport, Dabolim, intercepted two domestic departure passengers carrying concealed Bluetooth devices meant for malpractice in competitive examinations on 10 October 2026. The first passenger, booked on Air India Express flight IX-1340 from Goa to Delhi, was found with three electronic devices, two SIM cards and three Bluetooth earpieces at X-ray screening. His associate was offloaded from the same flight and was carrying a similar device and an admit card for the post of Administrative Assistant in the IIT Goa Non-Teaching Staff Recruitment examination held that day. Both were handed over to the local police and a case has been registered.
Flight:
Air India Express IX-1340
Examination:
IIT Goa Non-Teaching Staff Recruitment
Why it matters for exams: Exam integrity and the role of CISF in aviation security are relevant to recruitment-exam aspirants.
Kerala PSCSSC
In plain words
CISF Central Industrial Security Force — A Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs that guards airports and key installations.
10 October 2026
The Robotics for Good Youth Challenge India 2026–2027 was held on 10 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on the sidelines of India Mobile Congress 2026.
It was organised by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and the Department of Telecommunications, with the I-Hub Foundation for Cobotics, the Technology Innovation Hub of IIT Delhi.
57 teams took part – 28 Junior and 29 Senior – with students aged 10 to 18 from 14 States; this year's mission was public health emergency response, linked to SDG 3.
Team Ferrum Incubators (Cambridge School, Noida) won the Senior category and Team Singularity (Gopalan International School, Karnataka) the Junior category.
The two winners will represent India at the Grand Finale in Geneva during the AI for Good Global Summit in June 2027.
The challenge is a flagship of ITU's AI for Good programme; the India edition began in 2024 during WTSA-24.
Teams:
57 (28 Junior, 29 Senior)
Senior winner:
Team Ferrum Incubators
Junior winner:
Team Singularity
Linked goal:
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
Why it matters for exams: ITU's role, its AI for Good programme and India's telecom events such as IMC are useful for science and technology papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ITU International Telecommunication Union — The UN specialised agency for information and communication technologies, headquartered in Geneva.
WTSA-24 World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly 2024 — ITU's standardisation assembly, hosted by India in New Delhi in 2024.
10 October 2026
Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed the Second Convocation of the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Deoghar, Jharkhand, on 10 October 2026.
He noted that women made up 132 of the 173 graduating students.
He said the number of medical colleges in India has risen from 387 before 2014 to 846.
He described the convocation as a celebration of the aspirations of the Santhal Pargana region and called AIIMS Deoghar a symbol of balanced and inclusive development.
He recalled Bhagwan Birsa Munda, Sidho-Kanhu and Tilka Manjhi, and urged graduates to serve villages and tribal communities.
Jharkhand Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar and Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav attended.
Graduates:
173, of whom 132 women
Medical colleges (before 2014 → now):
387 → 846
Why it matters for exams: The growth in medical colleges and the AIIMS network, and tribal icons of Jharkhand, are common exam topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AIIMS All India Institute of Medical Sciences — Autonomous medical institutes of national importance; the first was set up in New Delhi in 1956.
10 October 2026
The Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed authorities to include rugby in the State School Sports Meet.
The order was issued by a full bench of members Dr F. Wilson and P. Shajesh Bhaskar.
The General Education Department must decide quickly on a separate district- or State-level competition or a transparent selection trial.
The petitioner, Ameya Sandeep of GHSS Peroorkada, Thiruvananthapuram, represented the Under-18 girls' team at the National Rugby Championship 2026.
Rugby is part of the 70th National School Games but is not in the Kerala State School Games manual.
The High Court had earlier directed the government to consider the matter seriously.
Sport to be included:
Rugby
Petitioner:
Ameya Sandeep, GHSS Peroorkada
National event featuring rugby:
70th National School Games
Why it matters for exams: Shows the role of the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights in enforcing children's right to participate in sport.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
KSCPCR Kerala State Commission for Protection of Child Rights — The statutory State body that safeguards children's rights and can issue directions to authorities.
10 October 2026
Transport Minister C. P. John on Saturday, 10 October, honoured three teachers of Government UP School, Ponmudi, in Thiruvananthapuram district.
The teachers — P. Nimisha, Jayasree Devan and Shalu Paulose — commute daily under the Priyadarshini free travel scheme.
They set aside the fare they save to provide meals to children of plantation workers.
The school began an evening meal programme three years ago because many parents in the plantations return home late; it was first run with sponsors' help.
When sponsors ran into financial difficulty, the three teachers kept the meals going.
The minister invited the teachers and students to his official residence and felicitated them.
School:
Government UP School, Ponmudi
Teachers honoured:
3
Evening meal programme began:
Three years ago
Why it matters for exams: The Priyadarshini free travel scheme and school meal initiatives are State welfare topics in Kerala PSC general knowledge.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Priyadarshini scheme Priyadarshini free travel scheme — A Kerala government free bus travel scheme that the three Ponmudi teachers use for their daily commute.
10 October 2026
Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, chaired the Fourth All Science and Technology Clusters' Meet on 9 and 10 October 2026 at Panjab University, Chandigarh.
The meet was hosted by PI-RAHI, the PU-IIT Ropar Regional Accelerator for Holistic Innovations Foundation.
Representatives of all eight S&T Clusters took part, including the Pune Knowledge Cluster, DRIIV of Delhi, the Bengaluru Science and Technology Cluster and the Research and Innovation Circle of Hyderabad.
Prof. Sood said the clusters are increasingly acting as National Technology Accelerators and called for stronger inter-cluster collaboration.
The clusters hold 12 international MoUs, and a collaboration with the UK Catapult Network in healthcare, emerging technologies and net-zero technologies was announced.
Launches at the meet included an Automatic Weather Station, the Kalaanubhav portal for artisan crafts of Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir, SPARKS 2.0, IGNITE 2.0 and GINI 2.0.
The EVChargex battery-swapping station at Panchkula was presented as moving indigenous battery-swapping technology from pilot to commercial use.
A Digital Podiatric Clinic using AI-powered foot screening for diabetic foot conditions was inaugurated at the Panjab University Health Centre.
The S&T Clusters programme was conceived in 2020 on the recommendations of the Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council.
Chaired by:
Prof. Ajay Kumar Sood, Principal Scientific Adviser
Venue and dates:
Panjab University, Chandigarh, 9-10 October 2026
Clusters represented:
8
International MoUs held:
12
Host:
PI-RAHI
Why it matters for exams: The S&T Clusters programme, the office of the Principal Scientific Adviser and PM-STIAC are standard science and governance questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PSA Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India — The senior science adviser who heads the office coordinating cross-ministry science programmes.
PM-STIAC Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council — The council whose recommendations shaped the S&T Clusters programme in 2020.
10 October 2026
Applications were invited for temporary vacancies at the Punalur Taluk Headquarters Hospital in Kollam district.
The posts are Dialysis Technician and Lab and Blood Bank Technician.
Applicants must hold registration with the Kerala State Paramedical Council.
The upper age limit is 40 years.
Applications will be received until 3 pm on October 19.
The telephone number 0475 2228702 was given for further information.
The notice was issued through the Information and Public Relations Department of the Government of Kerala.
Hospital:
Punalur Taluk Headquarters Hospital
Posts:
Dialysis Technician; Lab and Blood Bank Technician
Required registration:
Kerala State Paramedical Council
Age limit:
40 years
Last date:
October 19, 3 pm
Why it matters for exams: Paramedical posts in Kerala's taluk hospitals require Kerala State Paramedical Council registration, a condition Kerala PSC general awareness papers test.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Taluk Headquarters Hospital Taluk Headquarters Hospital — A government hospital at the taluk level, above a community health centre and below a district hospital.
10 October 2026
The LBS Centre announced a spot allotment for M.Sc. (M.L.T.) admissions for the 2026 academic year, to be held on October 13, 2026.
The allotment is for seats in the Medical Trust Institute and MIMS Allied Health Sciences College, both self-financing colleges.
It will be held at the LBS district facilitation centres, and candidates on the rank list published at www.lbscentre.kerala.gov.in must attend in person and register by 11 am.
Candidates who have already taken admission in a self-financing college through an earlier allotment must bring a No Objection Certificate.
A token fee is payable if a seat is allotted at the spot allotment.
Vacancy details are to be published on the LBS Centre website. The announcement carries the contact numbers 0471-2560361, 362, 363 and 364.
Spot allotment date:
October 13, 2026
Course:
M.Sc. (M.L.T.)
Colleges:
Medical Trust Institute; MIMS Allied Health Sciences College
Reporting deadline:
11 am, in person
Why it matters for exams: The LBS Centre is the Kerala agency that conducts allied health sciences and paramedical admissions, a recurring Kerala PSC general awareness point.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
M.L.T. Medical Laboratory Technology — The discipline covering clinical laboratory testing of blood and other samples.
NOC No Objection Certificate — A letter from the college already holding a candidate's admission, allowing a move to another seat.
10 October 2026
Scole Kerala published the results of the Diploma in Computer Application course, covering the main examination and the supplementary examination of the eleventh batch held in June-July 2026.
446 candidates secured an A+ grade in every subject.
The results can be seen on the Scole Kerala website, www.scolekerala.org.
Candidates can download a copy of the mark list from their student login from October 12.
Applications for re-valuation, scrutiny or a photocopy of the answer script can be submitted through the Scole Kerala website from October 12 to October 24, with the fee paid online.
The fee is ₹500 per paper for re-valuation, ₹200 per paper for scrutiny and ₹300 per paper for a photocopy.
The original fee challan and a copy of the mark list certified by the principal of the examination centre must reach the Secretary, Board of DCA Exam, Vidyabhavan, Poojappura P.O., Thiruvananthapuram-12, by 5 pm on October 24.
All-subject A+ holders:
446
Batch and exam months:
11th batch, June-July 2026
Re-valuation fee:
₹500 per paper
Scrutiny fee:
₹200 per paper
Photocopy fee:
₹300 per paper
Application window:
October 12 to October 24
Why it matters for exams: Scole Kerala is the state's open and lifelong education body, and its examination cycle and fee structure are standard Kerala PSC general awareness material.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DCA Diploma in Computer Application — A short computer course offered through Scole Kerala study centres.
Scole Kerala State Council for Open and Lifelong Education, Kerala — The Kerala body that runs open schooling and lifelong education courses and their examinations.
10 October 2026
The Executive Committee of the Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) has renamed the post heading its Adult Education Department.
The post of District Adult Education Officer (DAEO) is now District Council Adult Education Officer (DCAEO).
The notice cites the administrative structure of Autonomous District Councils and the interest of public service.
The notice was posted on the CADC website on 5 October.
Old designation:
District Adult Education Officer (DAEO)
New designation:
District Council Adult Education Officer (DCAEO)
Decided by:
CADC Executive Committee
Notice date:
5 October
Why it matters for exams: Questions on Sixth Schedule bodies and how they structure their own departments recur in polity papers.
UPSCSSC
In plain words
ADC Autonomous District Council — A district-level self-governing body in tribal areas under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.
Background
Background to Mizoram's literacy: the Chakma Autonomous District Council has resolved that a literacy programme be undertaken in a coordinated manner, subject to its Executive Committee's decision and availability of funds, and the state itself has been declared fully literate.
Chief Minister Lalduhoma declared Mizoram fully literate at a function in Aizawl.
Full literacy is defined by the Ministry of Education as above 95 per cent; the PFLS 2023-24 literacy rate was 98.20 per cent.
A door-to-door survey identified 3,026 non-literates, and 292 volunteer teachers led the effort under ULLAS (New India Literacy Programme).
Full-literacy threshold:
Above 95 per cent
PFLS 2023-24 literacy rate:
98.20 per cent
Non-literates identified:
3,026
Volunteer teachers:
292
Why it matters for exams: Full-literacy declarations, the 95 per cent benchmark and the ULLAS scheme are recurring education and states topics.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ULLAS Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram (New India Literacy Programme) — The adult-literacy programme under which Mizoram's volunteer teachers worked.
10 October 2026
The Chakma Autonomous District Council (CADC) held an education meeting on 27 September at the CADC Rest House Conference Hall, Kamalanagar.
It decided to adopt and implement the National Education Policy (NEP) from the 2027-28 academic session, in line with Government of Mizoram guidelines.
Every Wednesday will be a Mizo Speaking Day in Primary and Middle Schools.
Ten minutes of Anapana Meditation will be held every Friday in all Primary and Middle Schools under CADC.
The draft CADC (Transfer and Posting of Elementary School Teachers) Rules 2026 were approved in principle, and a review committee is to finalise them by 10 October.
NEP adoption from:
2027-28 academic session
Mizo Speaking Day:
Every Wednesday
Anapana Meditation:
10 minutes every Friday
Meeting place:
Kamalanagar
Why it matters for exams: Sixth Schedule councils and their role in education and language policy are tested in polity and state current-affairs papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NEP National Education Policy — The national framework for school and higher education that CADC will adopt from 2027-28.
DSEB District School Education Board — The district-level school education board whose officials took part in the meeting.
10 October 2026
The Health and Family Welfare Department of Meghalaya released on 30 September 2026, by No. Health.91/2025/59, a review of operationalising Tura Medical College and strengthening Tura Civil Hospital infrastructure.
Only 37 teaching faculty have been mapped as on date, against the 97 that the National Medical Commission requires for an annual intake of 50 MBBS seats.
The effort has run for more than a year, with repeated exercises to identify willing and qualified in-service doctors, three rounds of advertisements, and consultations with doctors in Tura on the shortage of specialists.
The review recommends completing and commissioning the 150-bedded and 80-bedded blocks under construction on the Civil Hospital, Tura campus, so that patients can use them sooner.
That would add to the bed capacity of Tura Civil Hospital, which is to serve as the teaching hospital for the college.
Teaching faculty mapped:
37
Faculty the NMC requires:
97
Annual intake proposed:
50 MBBS seats
Blocks under construction:
150-bedded and 80-bedded
Rounds of advertisement:
Three
Why it matters for exams: The faculty norms of the National Medical Commission and the gap between sanctioned seats and available teachers are a live policy question in medical education.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
NMC National Medical Commission — The regulator that sets faculty, infrastructure and seat norms for medical colleges in India.
Background
The National Testing Agency's notice inviting applications for the SWAYAM July 2026 semester examination puts the platform itself in the news. SWAYAM is an initiative of the Ministry of Education, described as designed to achieve the three cardinal principles of Education Policy, and it aims to give free learning resources to all learners including the most disadvantaged. Courses run from Class 9 through postgraduate education, and more than 1,000 faculty and teachers have helped prepare them. Every course is built on four quadrants: video lectures, reading material that can be downloaded or printed, self-assessment tests and quizzes, and an online discussion forum for clearing doubts. Ten National Coordinators handle different segments: AICTE for self-paced and international courses, NPTEL for engineering, UGC for non-technical postgraduate education, CEC for undergraduate education, NCERT and NIOS for school education, IGNOU for out-of-school students, IIMB for management studies, NITTTR for teacher training and INI for non-technical courses. A learner who wants a SWAYAM certificate must register for a fee-based proctored final examination held in person at designated centres, and universities and colleges that approve credit transfer can use those marks or certificates.
National Coordinators:
10
Quadrants in each course:
4
Levels covered:
Class 9 to postgraduate
Ministry:
Ministry of Education
Why it matters for exams: Which body coordinates which segment of SWAYAM, and the four-quadrant design, are frequently asked in education questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
NPTEL National Programme on Technology Enhanced Learning — The SWAYAM National Coordinator for engineering courses.
CEC Consortium for Educational Communication — The SWAYAM National Coordinator for undergraduate education.
NITTTR National Institute of Technical Teachers Training and Research — The SWAYAM National Coordinator for teacher training courses.
10 October 2026
The State Minority Welfare Department issued a notice on 9 October 2026 for the post of Principal, on contract, at the minority youth training centres it runs.
A walk-in interview with submission of documents will be held on 17 October 2026 at 10 a.m.
The venue is the Scholarship Section on the first floor of Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram.
The age limit is 25 to 67 years, calculated as on 1 September 2026.
Candidates must bring complete biodata, mark lists and originals with photocopies of certificates for qualification, age and experience.
Further details are available at www.mwdscholarship.kerala.gov.in.
Interview date:
17 October 2026, 10 a.m.
Venue:
Scholarship Section, first floor, Vikas Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram
Age limit:
25 to 67 years as on 1 September 2026
Why it matters for exams: Walk-in notices from Kerala departments carry the dates, venues and age limits that recruitment questions turn on.
Kerala PSC