13 October 2026
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh held bilateral talks in New Delhi on 13 October 2026 with Karel Havlíček, 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Industry and Trade of Czech Republic. The two leaders reviewed the entire spectrum of defence industrial cooperation between the two countries. They welcomed the ongoing collaboration and the successful establishment of various joint ventures. They agreed to expand the cooperation further, including under the India-Czech Joint Defence Committee, to promote 'Make-in-India' and 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat'. Havlíček is on a four-day visit to India and is scheduled to visit industries in Bengaluru and Mumbai.
Visiting leader:
Karel Havlíček, First Deputy Prime Minister of the Czech Republic
Length of visit:
Four days
Cooperation forum:
India-Czech Joint Defence Committee
Cities on itinerary:
Bengaluru and Mumbai
Why it matters for exams: Bilateral defence ties and the institutions that carry them (such as joint committees) appear in current-affairs and international-relations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Joint Defence Committee India-Czech Joint Defence Committee — The bilateral forum under which the two sides agreed to take defence industrial cooperation forward.
Aatmanirbhar Bharat Self-reliant India — The national self-reliance campaign cited as a goal of the cooperation.
13 October 2026
Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the first meeting of BIMSTEC Home Ministers in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand took part, and the Union Home Secretary led the senior officials' meeting. The ministers approved the BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons and the BIMSTEC Plan of Action on Drug Control. They also approved an MoU on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing, a Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows, and a Plan of Action on natural disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration on security cooperation under BIMSTEC. Shah said a BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre is planned at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Chair:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Venue:
New Delhi
Declaration adopted:
Delhi Declaration
Planned BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre:
Jamnagar, Gujarat
Why it matters for exams: Regional groupings, their first-ever ministerial meetings and the places named in them are favourite questions in GK and international-relations sections.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — A regional grouping of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
MoU Memorandum of Understanding — A written understanding between parties, here on training and cooperation against financial crime.
13 October 2026
The State Commission for Protection of Child Rights has directed duty bearers working with children, and child protection institutions, to follow guidelines issued by the central Commission for Protection of Child Rights.
The guidelines and the standard operating procedure are available on the State Commission's website.
They include child-friendly directions on the POCSO Act 2012, the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the RTE Act 2009.
They also cover cyber safety and the protection of children who have to live on the streets.
The Information Public Relations Department issued the release on 13 October 2026 (PN 4296/2026).
POCSO Act:
2012
Juvenile Justice Act:
2015
RTE Act:
2009
Release:
PN 4296/2026, 13 October 2026
Why it matters for exams: POCSO 2012, the Juvenile Justice Act 2015 and the RTE Act 2009 are core child-law topics for Kerala PSC and UPSC.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
POCSO Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012 — A child-protection law covered by the guidelines.
RTE Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009 — It guarantees free and compulsory education to children aged 6 to 14.
13 October 2026
On 13 October 2026 Chief Minister V D Satheesan introduced the Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 in the Assembly.
PTI reported Keralam as the first state to introduce a comprehensive Bill to protect senior citizens from abuse and exploitation.
The Bill proposes imprisonment of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for physical or mental abuse or cruelty against a senior citizen by a family member, relative, legal heir, the authority in charge of a care centre, its staff or a caregiver.
Elderly care homes, day-care centres, respite care centres, hospices, home-care service agencies and caregiver training centres would have to register; registration certificates would be valid for four years and subject to renewal.
It proposes a State Senior Citizens Protection Unit and district-level protection forums and units.
Satheesan said the proposed department would also build a 'silver economy' using the experience of people aged 60 and above.
Bill:
Keralam Senior Citizens (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026
Introduced on:
13 October 2026
Maximum imprisonment for abuse or cruelty:
3 years
Maximum fine:
Rs 50,000
Validity of registration certificate:
4 years
Why it matters for exams: A first-of-its-kind state law on elder care; Bill provisions, penalties and new bodies are likely Kerala PSC and polity questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Silver economy Economic activity built on the needs and experience of older people — Satheesan said the proposed department would focus on it for people aged 60 and above.
13 October 2026
Chief Minister V D Satheesan told the Assembly that the government is considering extending the term of the current Pay Revision Commission.
The extension is meant to help the commission do its work and collect information more effectively.
The preceding commission's term expired in July 2024; the present commission was constituted in February 2026 and its terms of reference were finalised in March.
The Chief Minister put outstanding dearness allowance (DA) arrears at Rs 21,670 crore and dearness relief (DR) arrears at Rs 14,387 crore.
He said the government is examining whether interim relief can be given until the next pay revision.
The earlier government's order on leave surrender benefits has been kept in abeyance.
DA arrears:
Rs 21,670 crore
DR arrears:
Rs 14,387 crore
Previous commission's term ended:
July 2024
Present commission constituted:
February 2026
Why it matters for exams: Pay Revision Commissions, DA and DR are recurring Kerala PSC topics on service and state finance.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
DA Dearness Allowance — An allowance paid to employees to offset the rise in the cost of living.
DR Dearness Relief — The corresponding relief paid to pensioners.
13 October 2026
On 12 October 2026 the Kerala Legislative Assembly passed a resolution seeking the removal of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
The resolution was passed by a show of hands, with BJP MLAs the only members opposing it, PTI reported.
Chief Minister V D Satheesan moved the resolution under Rule 118.
The resolution deals with the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls and seeks urgent restoration of voting rights of eligible voters excluded from the rolls.
It seeks the initiation of proceedings to remove the Chief Election Commissioner.
It seeks reconstitution of the selection committee for Election Commissioners to include the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha and the Chief Justice of India.
The resolution states that the exclusion of eligible voters violated the guarantee of universal adult suffrage under Article 326.
Passed on:
12 October 2026
Moved under:
Rule 118
Constitutional provision cited:
Article 326
Vote:
Show of hands; BJP MLAs opposed
Why it matters for exams: Article 326 (adult suffrage) and the selection of Election Commissioners are core polity topics, now tied to a state-level resolution.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SIR Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls — The revision of voter lists that the resolution seeks to address.
Article 326 Elections to Lok Sabha and Assemblies on the basis of adult suffrage — It gives every citizen aged 18 or above the right to vote, subject to disqualifications.
13 October 2026
On 12 October 2026 a Kerala High Court Division Bench admitted the State's appeals.
The appeals challenge a Single Judge's decision quashing the government order that reorganised three recognised police associations into two.
The order abolished the Kerala Police Officers' Association and redistributed its members between the Kerala Police Association and the Kerala Police Senior Officers' Association.
The Single Judge found the order contrary to the bylaws and legally invalid; the associations rely on Article 19(1)(c).
The State relies on Article 33, the Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act, 1966, and Section 109 of the Kerala Police Act, 2011.
The State says the change followed service-structure changes under the Grade Promotion Scheme, 2008.
The State Police Chief had submitted the proposal on 1 July 2026.
Court:
Kerala High Court Division Bench
Appeals admitted on:
12 October 2026
Associations reorganised:
3 into 2
Police Forces (Restriction of Rights) Act:
1966
Why it matters for exams: Live case on Article 19(1)(c), the freedom to form associations, and Article 33, which allows restrictions on police and armed forces.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Article 19(1)(c) Freedom to form associations or unions — The police associations argue that it protects their chosen membership.
Article 33 Power of Parliament to modify fundamental rights of armed forces and similar forces — The State relies on it to say police associations are subject to restrictions.
Background
Telangana came into being on the 2nd of June, 2014 as the 29th State of India.
It has an area of 1,12,077 sq. km and a population of 3,50,03,674 (2011 Census).
The Telangana region was part of Hyderabad state from 17th September 1948 to 1st November 1956, until it was merged with Andhra State to form Andhra Pradesh.
After decades of movement for a separate State, Telangana was created by passing the AP State Reorganization Bill in both houses of Parliament.
It is surrounded by Maharashtra and Chhattisgarh in the north, Karnataka in the west and Andhra Pradesh in the south and east.
Major cities include Hyderabad, Warangal, Nizamabad, Nalgonda, Khammam and Karimnagar.
Rank among Indian States:
29th
Formed on:
2 June 2014
Area:
1,12,077 sq. km
Population (2011 Census):
3,50,03,674
Why it matters for exams: Basic Telangana facts asked repeatedly: 29th State, formed 2 June 2014, area 1,12,077 sq. km, neighbours Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
AP State Reorganization Bill Andhra Pradesh State Reorganization Bill — The Bill passed by both houses of Parliament that created the State of Telangana.
Andhra State State merged with the Telangana region — The State that the Telangana region was merged with to form Andhra Pradesh.
13 October 2026
Chief Secretary Sanjay Jaju chaired a review of drinking water supply at the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat on Tuesday, citing falling reservoir levels due to El Niño.
Hyderabad's Core Urban Region (CURE) has 560 million gallons per day (MGD) available from Osmansagar, Himayatsagar, Manjeera, Krishna and Godavari sources.
Plans are charted to utilise 60 MGD of additional water, including 15 MGD from the Krishna river and 5 MGD from Himayatsagar and Osmansagar.
Jaju said 80 MGD can be saved every day if people in the three Municipal Corporation limits conserve 20% of water.
Pipeline works to bring water from Mallanasagar, which has 56 TMC, will be completed by November, allowing an additional 20 MGD.
Officials were told to keep sewage treatment plants at gated communities and apartments fully operational and to promote treated water for non-domestic needs.
Water available in CURE sources:
560 MGD
Additional water planned:
60 MGD
Saving if 20% conserved:
80 MGD
Mallanasagar storage:
56 TMC
Extra supply from Mallanasagar pipeline:
20 MGD
Why it matters for exams: Hyderabad's water sources and the CURE concept: note the 560 MGD supply, 60 MGD planned addition and the 20% saving target.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
CURE Core Urban Region — The Hyderabad core urban area whose drinking-water supply was reviewed.
MGD Million gallons per day — A unit for the daily volume of water supplied or saved.
13 October 2026
Telangana Minister for R&B Komatireddy Venkat Reddy met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Tuesday, with Tourism and Culture Minister Jupally Krishna Rao present.
Komatireddy said Gadkari approved the LB Nagar – Hayathnagar Double Decker Elevated Corridor and the foundation-laying proposal for the Iconic Cable Bridge over the River Krishna on NH-167K.
He said five ropeways for Telangana were approved under the Parvatmala Scheme and three new ROBs were sanctioned under the Setu Bandhan Scheme.
Gadkari instructed officials to prepare a fresh DPR for the Hyderabad–Srisailam (NH-765) elevated corridor. Komatireddy sought CRIF allocations for 34 works in Telangana, and Gadkari instructed the officials concerned to examine the proposals.
Gadkari responded positively to the Hyderabad–Amaravati Greenfield Highway and to upgrading the Pullur–Alampur–Kollapur–Devarakonda–Nalgonda stretch into a National Highway.
The ministers invited him to the Indian Road Congress (IRC) in Hyderabad from Nov 19–22, 2026.
Elevated corridor approved, per Telangana R&B Minister:
LB Nagar – Hayathnagar (double decker)
Ropeways under Parvatmala Scheme:
5
New ROBs under Setu Bandhan Scheme:
3
Works for which CRIF allocation was sought:
34
Cable bridge over Krishna on:
NH-167K
Indian Road Congress in Hyderabad:
Nov 19–22, 2026
Why it matters for exams: Highway and urban-transport approvals for Hyderabad: note the scheme names (Parvatmala, Setu Bandhan), CRIF and the NH numbers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
DPR Detailed Project Report — The document that sets out a project's design, cost and plan before it is taken up.
CRIF Central Road and Infrastructure Fund — A central fund from which allocations are sought for road works in the States.
ROB Railway overbridge — A bridge that carries a road over a railway line.
13 October 2026
Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Bhatti Vikramarka announced a Dasara profit share for Singareni coal workers at a press conference in Hyderabad on Tuesday, with IT and Industries Minister D. Sridhar Babu present.
Each of the 38,737 permanent employees of Singareni Collieries Company Ltd (SCCL) will receive an average profit share of ₹1,53,912, while 29,717 contract workers will get ₹5,500 each.
The government decided to continue distributing 34% of Singareni's profits among workers.
SCCL made a net profit of ₹1,754 crore this year, of which ₹596 crore will be distributed as the workers' share.
Officials were told to expedite house-site pattas for the remaining 1,250 acres and to complete about 250–300 pending dependent employment orders within the next 15 days.
Medical board meetings will be held on designated days every month at all area hospitals, so workers need not travel to Kothagudem.
Average profit share per permanent worker:
₹1,53,912
Permanent employees benefiting:
38,737
Bonus per contract worker:
₹5,500
Net profit this year:
₹1,754 crore
Amount to be distributed:
₹596 crore
Share of profits to workers:
34%
Why it matters for exams: A recurring Telangana topic: the 34% profit share, ₹1,754 crore net profit and ₹596 crore payout for Singareni workers.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
SCCL Singareni Collieries Company Limited — The coal-mining company whose workers receive the profit share.
House-site patta Title deed for a house plot — A document giving an eligible person title to a plot on which to build a home.
Background
This explains the tripartite agreement on Tripura's indigenous people, which has also been called the Tiprasa Accord. It was signed on Saturday, 2 March 2024, at North Block, New Delhi, in the presence of Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Its parties are TIPRA Motha (Tripura Indigenous Progressive Regional Alliance), the Government of Tripura and the Government of India. It aims to resolve issues of the state's indigenous people relating to history, land and political rights, economic development, identity, culture and language. A Joint Working Group or Committee is to work out and implement the agreed points in a time-bound manner, and all stakeholders are to refrain from protest or agitation from the day of signing.
Signed at:
North Block, New Delhi
Parties:
TIPRA Motha, Government of Tripura, Government of India
Present:
Union Home Minister Amit Shah
Implementation body:
Joint Working Group or Committee
Why it matters for exams: Tripartite accords with regional parties are a frequent polity and state-affairs topic.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Tripartite agreement Agreement among three parties — Here, TIPRA Motha, the Tripura government and the Centre.
13 October 2026
The Supreme Court on 13 October 2026 asked the Delhi government to obtain Intelligence Bureau inputs on a plea by Jagtar Singh Hawara, convicted over the 1995 assassination of former Punjab Chief Minister Beant Singh, to be moved from Tihar Jail in Delhi to a prison in Punjab. A bench of Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale recorded the submission of Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati, for the Delhi government, that a decision in such a matter cannot be taken without obtaining inputs from the Intelligence Bureau; no transfer was ordered. She opposed the transfer, citing a Ministry of Home Affairs advisory on high-risk prisoners. Senior Advocate Colin Gonsalves argued for Hawara that the plea sought relocation, not release. The next hearing is on 3 November.
Case:
Jagtar Singh Hawara v. Govt. of NCT of Delhi
Bench:
Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale
Order:
Intelligence Bureau inputs sought; no transfer ordered
Next hearing:
3 November
Why it matters for exams: Prison administration, transfer of prisoners and the role of the Intelligence Bureau in court matters come under polity and governance.
Kerala PSCUPSC
13 October 2026
The 21st meeting of the Maritime State Development Council was held in Mumbai under Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal. It was the first meeting since the Council became a statutory consultative body under the Indian Ports Act, 2025, which was notified on 15 May 2026; the Council was first constituted in 1997. The meeting resolved to implement One Nation One Port Process reforms at all ports and to integrate all ports with the Maritime Single Window (Sagar Setu) by March 2027. States and Union Territories were directed to notify subordinate rules under Section 77 of the Act within three months. Sonowal also launched a Ready Reckoner for implementing ONOP, and two credit risk insurance products for shipbuilders were announced.
Meeting:
21st Maritime State Development Council, Mumbai
Governing law:
Indian Ports Act, 2025 (notified 15 May 2026)
ONOP and Sagar Setu target:
March 2027
Council first constituted:
1997
Why it matters for exams: New port legislation, Centre-State maritime coordination and the One Nation One Port reform are likely topics in economy and governance papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
ONOP One Nation One Port Process — A reform to standardise documentation and processes across ports.
13 October 2026
The Employees' Provident Fund Organisation has stepped up its drive for the Amnesty Scheme, 2026, which regularises the exempt status of Provident Fund trusts with retrospective effect. The amnesty provisions form part of the Employees' Provident Fund Scheme, 2026, notified on 29 June 2026. The window runs for six months from notification and closes on 28 December 2026. It is open to PF trusts recognised under the Income Tax Act, 1961 that lack a formal exemption order under Section 17 of the EPF and MP Act, 1952 or Section 143 of the Code on Social Security, 2020. Operational guidelines were issued in a circular dated 11 July 2026.
Scheme notified:
29 June 2026
Circular with guidelines:
11 July 2026
Window:
6 months
Closing date:
28 December 2026
Why it matters for exams: Social-security law, EPFO and the Code on Social Security, 2020 are recurring topics in economy, labour and bank-exam current affairs.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
EPFO Employees' Provident Fund Organisation — The body that administers provident fund schemes under the Labour Ministry.
13 October 2026
India hosted the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026, chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Delegations from all seven members attended: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The ministers approved a BIMSTEC Convention against Trafficking in Persons, a Plan of Action on Drug Control, an MoU on capacity building to combat money laundering and terror financing, a Plan of Action on Illicit Financial Flows and a plan on natural-disaster preparedness in the Bay of Bengal region. The meeting adopted the Delhi Declaration on security cooperation. Shah urged members to help make operational the BIMSTEC Disaster Management Centre planned at Jamnagar, Gujarat.
Meeting:
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' meeting
Chair:
Amit Shah
Members present:
7
Declaration adopted:
Delhi Declaration
Why it matters for exams: Regional groupings such as BIMSTEC and India's role in them are staple questions in both Kerala PSC and UPSC papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
BIMSTEC Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation — A seven-member grouping of countries around the Bay of Bengal.
13 October 2026
A Kerala High Court Division Bench of Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John heard appeals on Tuesday, 13 October, against the Single Judge's order of 9 October directing the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR in the CMRL-Exalogic case. The appellants include former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his daughter Veena and her husband Mohammed Riyas. They were not parties to the writ petition filed by Advocate K. M. Shajahan. The Bench reserved its verdict on whether the appellants may be heard on the main appeals.
Division Bench:
Justice K. Natarajan and Justice Johnson John
Hearing date:
13 October 2026
Single Judge's order:
9 October, Justice A. Badharudeen
Writ petitioner:
Adv. K. M. Shajahan
Why it matters for exams: Who may challenge a court's order and the PMLA route by which the ED passes information to State police are procedural points that law-linked questions pick up.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
PMLA Section 66(2) Prevention of Money Laundering Act, Section 66(2) — The provision under which the Enforcement Directorate shares information with another authority.
13 October 2026
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan tabled the Keralam Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026 in the Assembly on 13 October. The Bill has been referred to the Assembly Subject Committee. It sets up State-level and district-level Senior Citizen Protection Units. Cruelty to an elder is punishable by up to three years' imprisonment, and doctors and care centres must report abuse within 48 hours. Elders can record a living will on end-of-life care. The Bill also requires registration of care homes and home-care agencies.
Bill:
Senior Citizens' (Care and Protection of Rights) Bill, 2026
Tabled by:
Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan
Maximum jail term for cruelty:
Three years
Abuse reporting deadline:
48 hours
Why it matters for exams: A new statutory framework for elder care, with its penalties and reporting duty, is a likely Kerala PSC question on welfare legislation.
Kerala PSC
In plain words
Living will Advance declaration on end-of-life medical care — A written statement of the treatments a person would not want near the end of life.
13 October 2026
Kerala has published a revised cadastral map of the Western Ghats ecologically sensitive area, based on its recommendations to the Union Environment Ministry. The proposed area falls from 9,993.7 sq km to 8,590.69 sq km, a cut of about 1,403 sq km, and 33 villages are excluded. In Idukki, 23 of 51 villages are excluded. In Pathanamthitta, the Sabarimala temple complex, Pampa and the Nilakkal parking ground are excluded. Kerala submitted its documents to the Centre on 24 September, in response to the seventh draft notification.
Earlier proposed area:
9,993.7 sq km
Revised area:
8,590.69 sq km
Villages excluded:
33
Idukki villages excluded:
23 of 51
Why it matters for exams: The Western Ghats ESA notification is a long-running environment and federalism topic, and the area and village figures are likely recall questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
ESA Ecologically Sensitive Area — A zone where activities such as mining and large construction are restricted.
Background
General Assembly resolution 273 (III) decided to admit Israel to membership in the United Nations.
The resolution is dated 11 May 1949 and was adopted at the General Assembly's third session.
The Assembly acted after receiving the Security Council's report recommending Israel's admission.
Resolution:
273 (III)
Date:
11 May 1949
Admitting organ:
UN General Assembly
Why it matters for exams: The year and the instrument of a state's UN admission are standard international-organisations questions.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
General Assembly the main deliberative organ of the UN — Resolution 273 (III) was adopted by the General Assembly.