13 October 2026
A Comptroller and Auditor General report on roadworks under the Rebuild Kerala Initiative found deficiencies in project planning, deviations from contractual provisions and irregular payment arrangements that gave contractors undue financial benefit and added to the State's financial burden.
Under the initiative, 29 roads spanning 718.94 km across 13 districts were selected for reconstruction during 2019-20 and 2020-21 at a sanctioned cost of Rs 5,119.54 crore.
The CAG examined 10 of the 29 roadworks, implemented by the Kerala State Transport Project, as part of its compliance audit.
On the Alappuzha-Changanassery road the audit identified an undue benefit of Rs 39.27 crore to the contractor after deviations in the procedure for approving changes to bridge-widening works.
A further Rs 28.22 crore of undue benefit was attributed to the splitting of payment stages for earthwork and ground-improvement works, which in some cases allowed payments between 333 and 911 days ahead of the scheduled completion of the stage.
The Uruvachal-Maruthayi road contract, awarded for Rs 100.43 crore in October 2020, was entirely subcontracted for Rs 93.67 crore in August 2021, contrary to the agreement conditions.
The audit observed that this undermined the tendering process, which required bids to be considered only from contractors who had qualified through technical evaluation.
Undue benefit flagged:
Rs 67.49 crore
Roads selected:
29 roads, 718.94 km, 13 districts
Sanctioned cost:
Rs 5,119.54 crore
Roadworks audited:
10 of 29
Why it matters for exams: CAG findings with exact figures on a named State programme are classic report-and-index questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CAG Comptroller and Auditor General of India — The constitutional authority that audits the accounts of the Union and the States.
RKI Rebuild Kerala Initiative — The State programme for reconstruction after the floods and landslides of 2018.
KSTP Kerala State Transport Project — The State agency that implemented the audited roadworks.
13 October 2026
Justice P. V. Kunhikrishnan directed the Director of the Directorate of Social Justice to disburse Rs 21,000 to a transgender person as financial assistance for post-operative treatment and care after sex reassignment surgery.
Under the State scheme the petitioner was entitled to Rs 36,000 in all; he had received Rs 15,000 and the balance of Rs 21,000 had not been paid.
The scheme rests on a government order dated 14 November 2018, which provides Rs 3,000 a month for twelve months after the surgery.
The petitioner had earlier been given Rs 62,563 as assistance for the surgery itself.
The Government Pleader told the Court that steps were being taken to release the amount and that approval from the concerned authority was awaited.
The Court disposed of the writ petition with a direction to pay the amount as expeditiously as possible and in any case within two months of receipt of a certified copy of the judgment.
Advocates P. V. Uttara and Sarath K. P. appeared for the petitioner and Government Pleader Laya Mary Joseph for the State.
Amount directed to be paid:
Rs 21,000
Total entitlement under the scheme:
Rs 36,000
Monthly assistance:
Rs 3,000 a month for twelve months
Deadline fixed:
Two months
Why it matters for exams: Welfare schemes with exact amounts and the court's enforcement of them are frequently asked together in Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SRS Sex Reassignment Surgery — Surgery undergone by a transgender person to change physical sex characteristics.
13 October 2026
A Division Bench of Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar upheld the constitutional validity of Section 69 of the Indian Succession Act, 1925.
Section 69 provides that a will is revoked by the maker's marriage, except a will made in exercise of a power of appointment in the circumstances the section specifies.
The provision does not apply to Hindus, Buddhists, Sikhs and Jainas, and the reference asked whether its restriction to Christians, Parsis and Jews violated Part III of the Constitution.
The Court held the classification was reasonable and had a nexus with the object sought to be achieved, and rejected the challenge under Articles 14 and 15.
The Court said the object of Section 69 is to protect the new family, and that the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act sufficiently takes care of that obligation for Hindus.
It also held that Section 69 does not conflict with Section 20 of the Act, as it neither creates an interest in a spouse's property upon marriage nor restricts the power of disposal.
The matter came before the Court as a suo motu civil reference with connected proceedings.
Provision upheld:
Section 69, Indian Succession Act, 1925
Bench:
Justice Sathish Ninan and Justice P. Krishna Kumar
Articles challenged under:
Articles 14 and 15
Why it matters for exams: Personal law provisions tested against Articles 14 and 15 are standard material for law and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Suo motu Suo motu reference — A matter taken up on the court's own motion, without a party asking for it.
Will Testamentary document — A document by which a person directs how their property is to pass after death.
13 October 2026
The Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 was tabled in the Kerala Legislative Assembly on 13 October 2026 and referred to the Subject Committee.
The Legislature lists it as Bill No. 15 of the Sixteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly, published on 12 October 2026.
The Bill rests on the principles of dignity, the best interest of the senior citizen, ageing in place with home-based care, safety and a social care ecosystem, independence, and participation in policy-making.
It provides for a State Senior Citizen Protection Unit, a District Senior Citizen Protection Forum in every district, and a District Senior Citizen Protection Unit to assist the forum.
The forum will monitor government policies and schemes, the working of care centres, and may take action on complaints on its own motion.
Cruelty towards a senior citizen carries imprisonment of up to three years.
Registered medical practitioners and care centres must report abuse, neglect or exploitation to the district level protection unit within 48 hours, with evidence.
The Bill also provides for the registration and regulation of senior citizen care centres and for capacity-building for families and caregivers.
Bill number:
Bill No. 15 of the Sixteenth Kerala Legislative Assembly
Guiding principles:
Six
Maximum imprisonment for cruelty:
Three years
Time to report abuse:
48 hours
Why it matters for exams: A new State Bill with named institutions, time limits and penalties is the kind of detail Kerala PSC asks directly.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Subject Committee Subject Committee of the Legislative Assembly — A committee of the Assembly to which a Bill is referred for detailed scrutiny before the House takes it up for passing.
13 October 2026
The Council of the European Union updated the EU list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes on 9 October 2026.
Panama and Viet Nam were removed from the list, and no jurisdiction was added.
Both were moved to Annex II, the state of play document: Panama pending a new review by the OECD Global Forum, and Viet Nam until its review is carried out.
Belize was removed from Annex II.
Eight jurisdictions remain on the list: American Samoa, Anguilla, Guam, Palau, Russia, the Turks and Caicos Islands, the US Virgin Islands and Vanuatu.
The list, often called the EU blacklist, is reviewed twice a year and covers jurisdictions that have not met EU standards on tax transparency, fair taxation and anti-base-erosion measures.
Updated on:
9 October 2026
Removed:
Panama and Viet Nam
Jurisdictions remaining on the list:
8
Why it matters for exams: The EU list of non-cooperative tax jurisdictions is a standard question on international tax cooperation, and the membership changes each review.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Annex II — The EU's state of play list of jurisdictions that have given commitments on tax reform and are being monitored.
OECD Global Forum Global Forum on Transparency and Exchange of Information for Tax Purposes — The body that reviews whether jurisdictions exchange tax information to agreed standards.
13 October 2026
The Council of the European Union on 12 October 2026 adopted a decision establishing the European Union Support Mission in Lebanon, known as EUSM Lebanon.
The mission is set up under the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and is given an initial mandate of three years.
Its purpose is to strengthen Lebanese defence and security institutions.
The establishing act is Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2296.
A separate Council decision will launch the mission once operational planning is complete.
The decision was taken at the Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by High Representative Kaja Kallas.
Mission:
EUSM Lebanon
Established on:
12 October 2026
Initial mandate:
three years
Legal act:
Council Decision (CFSP) 2026/2296
Why it matters for exams: A new named CSDP mission, with its legal basis and mandate length, is the kind of fact asked about EU external action.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CSDP Common Security and Defence Policy — The part of EU foreign policy under which the Union runs civilian and military missions abroad.
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 the Supreme Court sought the Intelligence Bureau's assessment of the security and law-and-order risks of transferring a convict from Tihar Jail in Delhi to a high-security prison in Punjab.
The case is Jagtar Singh Hawara v. Government of NCT of Delhi and Ors., W.P.(Crl.) No. 403/2024, Diary No. 36064/2024, before Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale.
Hawara is a convict in the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh.
His counsel said the plea is only for a transfer, so that he can meet his elderly and seriously ill mother, and is not a request for release.
The Delhi and Punjab governments opposed the transfer, citing security concerns and a Ministry of Home Affairs advisory on moving high-risk prisoners between States.
The Court said it would decide the plea after receiving the Intelligence Bureau's inputs, and passed no final order.
Case:
Jagtar Singh Hawara v. Government of NCT of Delhi and Ors.
Case number:
W.P.(Crl.) No. 403/2024
Bench:
Justice MM Sundresh and Justice PB Varale
Agency asked for inputs:
Intelligence Bureau
Why it matters for exams: Inter-state transfer of prisoners, the role of the Intelligence Bureau and Ministry of Home Affairs advisories are examinable internal-security and governance points.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
IB Intelligence Bureau — India's internal intelligence agency, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Writ petition (criminal) — A petition in a constitutional court seeking relief in a matter arising from criminal law or custody.
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 the Supreme Court dismissed a petition filed under Article 32 in Waiz Khan v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors., Diary No. 42099/2026.
The bench of Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana gave the petitioner liberty to approach the Allahabad High Court.
The petitioner said Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad personnel entered his house without proper uniform or identification, although no criminal proceedings were pending against him.
The order recorded: no case to entertain the petition made out, dismissed, and the petitioner if so advised may approach the High Court.
Justice Bagchi observed that Articles 32 and 226 overlap in their jurisdiction over breaches of fundamental rights, and that the court of first instance should take cognizance of such violations.
When counsel cited DK Basu v. State of West Bengal, Justice Bagchi said that case treats the High Court as the appropriate forum for a person claiming illegal arrest.
Case:
Waiz Khan v. State of Uttar Pradesh and Ors.
Diary number:
42099/2026
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana
Forum directed to:
Allahabad High Court
Why it matters for exams: The relationship between Article 32 and Article 226, and the practice of approaching the High Court first, are standard questions on writ jurisdiction.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Article 32 — It lets a person move the Supreme Court directly for enforcement of fundamental rights.
Article 226 — It gives every High Court the power to issue writs, including for fundamental rights.
ATS Anti-Terrorist Squad — A specialised police unit of a State government for terrorism-related investigation.
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 the Supreme Court issued notice to the Union and the Election Commission on a petition by the Association for Democratic Reforms challenging Section 16 of the Chief Election Commissioner and Other Election Commissioners (Appointment, Conditions of Service and Term of Office) Act, 2023.
The bench comprised Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice V Mohana.
Section 16 bars courts from entertaining or continuing civil or criminal proceedings against any person who is or was a Chief Election Commissioner or Election Commissioner, for acts done or purportedly done in the discharge of official duty.
The petition argues the provision creates lifelong blanket immunity with no good-faith condition, no sanction mechanism and no saving clause, and seeks a declaration that it is unconstitutional for violating Articles 14 and 21 and the basic structure of the Constitution.
It also seeks revival of proceedings that ended when Section 16 took effect.
Senior Advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan appeared for the petitioner, and the case was tagged with a pending petition by Lok Prahari on the same immunity.
Provision challenged:
Section 16, CEC and Other ECs Act, 2023
Petitioner:
Association for Democratic Reforms
Bench:
CJI Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, Justice V Mohana
Articles invoked:
Articles 14 and 21
Why it matters for exams: Section 16 of the CEC Act, 2023 and Articles 14 and 21 together make this a direct polity question on election administration and judicial review.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ADR Association for Democratic Reforms — A non-governmental organisation that litigates and publishes on electoral transparency in India.
Notice — A court order asking the other side to respond before the case is heard further.
13 October 2026
Israel's general election is fixed for 27 October 2026. Under Basic Law: the Knesset, a Knesset's term runs four years from the day on which it is elected, and elections fall on the third Tuesday of the Hebrew month of Heshvan, usually in October or November, subject to adjustment in a leap year. The Knesset, Israel's parliament, dissolved on 17 July 2026. The Knesset is a single-house parliament of 120 members, chosen by proportional representation from party lists. A list must cross an electoral threshold currently set at 3.25 per cent of the total valid votes to win any seat. Seats are allotted by dividing the total valid votes by 120 to fix a quotient, with leftover votes going to surplus-vote agreements. A government takes office only after a confidence vote by at least 61 of the 120 members, and the outgoing government continues in office until the new one is formed.
Election date:
27 October 2026
Knesset dissolved:
17 July 2026
Seats:
120, single house
Electoral threshold:
3.25 per cent of total valid votes
Confidence needed:
At least 61 of 120 members
Term under Basic Law: the Knesset:
Four years from the day of election
Why it matters for exams: Israel's 120-member Knesset, its 3.25 per cent threshold and the 61-vote confidence rule are standard comparative-polity questions, and the 27 October 2026 poll date makes them current.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Knesset Knesset — Israel's single-chamber parliament, with 120 members.
Electoral threshold Electoral threshold — The minimum share of valid votes a party list must win before it can be given any seat.
Surplus-vote agreement Surplus-vote agreement — A pact between two lists to pool their leftover votes when the last seats are shared out.
Background
The Constitution of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization was adopted in London on 16 November 1945.
Its purpose is to contribute to peace and security by promoting collaboration among the nations through education, science and culture.
The Organization includes a General Conference, an Executive Board and a Secretariat.
The General Conference consists of the representatives of the Member States and determines the policies and main lines of work of the Organization.
The General Conference meets in ordinary session every two years.
The Executive Board is elected by the General Conference and consists of fifty-eight (58) Member States.
The English and French texts of the Constitution are equally authoritative.
Constitution adopted:
London, 16 November 1945
Organs:
General Conference, Executive Board, Secretariat
General Conference sessions:
Every two years
Executive Board:
58 Member States
Why it matters for exams: UNESCO's founding instrument, its organs and the cycle of its General Conference are standard UPSC and Kerala PSC topics on UN specialised agencies.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
General Conference Assembly of all Member States — It determines the policies and main lines of work of UNESCO.
Executive Board 58-member governing body — It is elected by the General Conference from among Member States.
Secretariat Administrative arm — The third organ of the Organization, alongside the General Conference and Executive Board.
Background
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) is composed of 15 judges elected to nine-year terms of office.
The UN General Assembly and the Security Council vote simultaneously but separately, and a candidate must receive an absolute majority in both bodies.
One third of the Court is elected every three years, and judges are eligible for re-election.
The Court may not include more than one national of the same State.
The judges elect a President and a Vice-President to hold office for three years.
The Court has its seat in The Hague and is the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.
Judges:
15
Term of office:
Nine years
Renewal:
One third of the Court every three years
Seat:
The Hague
Why it matters for exams: The composition, seat and election of the ICJ judges are standard questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers on international institutions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Absolute majority More than half — A candidate needs more than half of the votes in both the General Assembly and the Security Council.
Principal judicial organ Main court of the UN — The ICJ is the main judicial body of the United Nations.
Permanent Court of Arbitration Hague-based arbitration body — Groups of its members nominate candidates for the Court's elections.
Background
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the National Standard Body of India, established under the BIS Act 2016.
It was established for the harmonious development of the activities of standardization, marking and quality certification of goods.
Through standardization, certification and testing, BIS provides safe, reliable quality goods, minimizes health hazards to consumers, promotes exports and import substitution, and controls the proliferation of varieties.
BIS has its Headquarters at New Delhi.
Its 5 Regional Offices are at Kolkata (Eastern), Chennai (Southern), Mumbai (Western), Chandigarh (Northern) and Delhi (Central).
Branch Offices, including one at Kochi, offer certification services to industry and serve as a link between State Governments, industries, technical institutions and consumer organizations.
Established under:
BIS Act 2016
Headquarters:
New Delhi
Regional Offices:
5
Southern Regional Office:
Chennai
Branch Office in Kerala:
Kochi
Why it matters for exams: BIS's statutory basis, its role in standards and certification, and its regional structure are common questions on economic institutions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Standardization Setting common quality norms — One of the activities for whose harmonious development BIS was established.
Marking Placing a standards mark on goods — One of the activities BIS was established to develop, along with quality certification.
Branch Office Local office under a Regional Office — BIS Branch Offices, including Kochi, offer certification services to industry.
Background
Article 39A of the Constitution of India provides for free legal aid to the weaker sections of society, to promote justice on the basis of equal opportunity.
Articles 14 and 22(1) also make it obligatory for the State to ensure equality before law.
The Legal Services Authorities Act was enacted by Parliament in 1987 and came into force on 9 November 1995, to establish a nationwide uniform network for free and competent legal services.
The Chief Justice of India is the Patron-in-Chief and the seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court of India is the Executive Chairman of the National Legal Services Authority (NALSA).
NALSA's principal objective is to provide free and competent legal services to the weaker sections and to organise Lok Adalats for amicable settlement of disputes.
Its functions also include spreading legal literacy and awareness and undertaking social justice litigation.
Constitutional basis:
Article 39A
Act enacted:
1987
Act came into force:
9 November 1995
Patron-in-Chief:
Chief Justice of India
Executive Chairman:
Seniormost Judge of the Supreme Court
Why it matters for exams: Article 39A, the Legal Services Authorities Act and the role of Lok Adalats are recurring polity and judiciary questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Article 39A Equal justice and free legal aid — The Directive Principle that provides for free legal aid so that justice is not denied by economic or other disabilities.
Lok Adalat People's court for amicable settlement — A forum organised by the legal services authorities for amicable settlement of disputes.
Patron-in-Chief Head patron of the Authority — The Chief Justice of India holds this position in NALSA.
Background
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established on 18 October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
It was set up for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
The Tribunal is mandated to endeavour to dispose of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting; Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four places of sitting.
The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and is guided by principles of natural justice; Section 19 of the Act lets it regulate its own procedure.
It is vested with the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, and it entertains letter petitions that bring to light substantial environmental damage.
Established on:
18 October 2010
Established under:
National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
Target for final disposal:
6 months from filing
Principal Place of Sitting:
New Delhi
Other places of sitting:
Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai
Why it matters for exams: The NGT's statutory basis, benches and procedure are staple environment-law questions in UPSC and Kerala PSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Principal Place of Sitting Main seat of the Tribunal — New Delhi is the Tribunal's main seat; the four other places of sitting are Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
Principles of natural justice Fair-hearing standards — The standards that guide the Tribunal in place of strict civil procedure.
Letter petition Complaint made by letter — A letter that brings substantial environmental damage to the Tribunal's notice and is entertained as a petition.
Background
The Thrissur district profile calls it the cultural capital of Kerala, and the land of Poorams.
It is a revenue district in the central part of the State, spanning an area of about 3,032 km2 and home to over 10% of Kerala's population.
It is bordered by the districts of Palakkad and Malappuram to the north and Ernakulam and Idukki to the south; the Arabian Sea lies to the west and the Western Ghats stretch towards the east.
According to the 2011 Census the district has a population of 3,110,327, a ranking of 113th in India out of 640 districts.
The population density is 1,026 inhabitants per square kilometre, and the growth rate over 2001-2011 was 4.58%.
The sex ratio is 1109 females for every 1000 males, and the literacy rate is 95.32%.
Area:
About 3,032 km2
Population (Census 2011):
3,110,327
Rank among India's 640 districts:
113th
Sex ratio:
1109 females per 1000 males
Literacy rate:
95.32%
Why it matters for exams: Census 2011 figures such as population rank, density, sex ratio and literacy are standard Kerala PSC questions on the districts.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Pooram Temple festival of Kerala — The district page calls Thrissur the land of Poorams.
Sex ratio Females per 1000 males — Thrissur records 1109 females for every 1000 males.
Background
The State Planning Board was first constituted in September 1967 with Chief Minister E M S Namboothiripad as its Chairperson.
Four non-officials and four officials were nominated as Members; M K Hameed was Vice Chairperson and Member for Industries and Infrastructure, with T P Kuttiamu (Irrigation) and Prof Joseph Mundassery (Education and Social Services) among the Members.
The Board was constituted for the formulation and evaluation of the State's Plan programmes on a scientific basis, and the Bureau of Economics and Statistics gave it research, library and administration facilities.
It was assigned the task of preparing the Annual Economic Review and undertook the preparation of the draft Fourth Five-Year Plan for the State.
In October 1968 it convened a Seminar whose papers and conclusions were published as Alternative Policies for the Fourth Five-Year Plan.
The Board was reconstituted in 1969 with Chief Minister C Achutha Menon as Chairperson, and that Board gave the State's Fourth Five-Year Plan (1969-1974) its final shape.
First constituted:
September 1967
First Chairperson:
E M S Namboothiripad, Chief Minister
First Vice Chairperson:
M K Hameed
Members at the start:
Four non-officials and four officials
Reconstituted under C Achutha Menon:
1969
Why it matters for exams: The Planning Board's first constitution, its chairpersons and the plans it shaped are recurring Kerala PSC questions on state administration.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Annual Economic Review Yearly report on the State's economy — The Board was assigned the task of preparing it.
Bureau of Economics and Statistics State government statistics office — It gave the Planning Board research, library and administration facilities.
Background
Kasaragod district, at the northern end of Kerala, came into being on 24 May 1984.
It was formed on the basis of the order of 19 May 1984, GO (MS) number 520/84/RD, and comprised the Hosdurg and Kasaragod taluks, which were part of the undivided Kannur district.
After independence the area was a taluk on the southern edge of southern Karnataka, part of Madras state; following linguistic reorganisation Kasaragod taluk was merged with Malabar district, and the State of Kerala was formed on 1 November 1956.
The district page records that E. M. S. Namboodiripad, the first Chief Minister of Kerala, was elected from the Nileswaram constituency in Kasaragod district.
It also records the Katakam Forest Satyagraha, held against the Forest Act adopted by the British: after Gandhiji's arrest in January 1932, the leaders entered the Reserve Forest and fasted in protest.
Poet Kuttamath was president of the welcome committee for the Congress meeting at Payyannur in May 1928, which Jawaharlal Nehru attended.
Came into being:
24 May 1984
Formation order:
GO (MS) 520/84/RD of 19 May 1984
Taluks at formation:
Hosdurg and Kasaragod
Parent district:
Kannur (undivided)
Seat of E. M. S. Namboodiripad:
Nileswaram
Why it matters for exams: District formation orders, parent taluks and links to the freedom struggle and the first ministry are standard Kerala PSC topics.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Katakam Forest Satyagraha Protest against the Forest Act — Leaders entered the Reserve Forest and fasted after Gandhiji's arrest in January 1932.
GO (MS) Government Order (Manuscript) — The order that formed the district carries the number 520/84/RD.
Background
With Israel voting on 27 October 2026, the step that follows the count is worth knowing.
Israel's head of state is the President, an office separate from that of the Prime Minister.
After an election the President asks the politician best placed to form a government to assemble a coalition.
The head of government is the Prime Minister, who must command a majority in the Knesset through a coalition.
No party has won an outright majority in Israel's history, so coalition-building follows every election.
Head of state:
President
Head of government:
Prime Minister
Who asks a politician to form a government:
The President
Why it matters for exams: Distinguishing head of state from head of government, and how each takes office, is a standard comparative polity question.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
MK Member of Knesset — A member of Israel's parliament.
Coalition — Several parties acting together to hold a majority and form a government.
Background
Israel goes to the polls on 27 October 2026, which makes the shape of its parliament worth fixing.
The Knesset is Israel's parliament and has 120 members.
It is elected by nationwide proportional representation, with the whole country forming a single electoral district.
Voters cast their ballot for a party list and not for an individual candidate, so seats are shared out among lists in proportion to their votes.
The electoral threshold is 3.25 per cent of the national vote.
No party has ever won an outright majority of the 120 seats, so every Israeli government has been a coalition.
Parliament:
Knesset
Members:
120
Chambers:
One
Electoral threshold:
3.25 per cent
Electoral districts:
One, the whole country
Why it matters for exams: The name, size, threshold and voting system of a foreign legislature are classic one-mark polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Knesset — Israel's single-chamber parliament of 120 members.
Party list — The ranked line-up of candidates a party puts before voters, who vote for the list as a whole.