Background
There are four Geneva Conventions, listed by the International Committee of the Red Cross as the First, Second, Third and Fourth Convention, together with their Additional Protocols.
They are international treaties that contain the most important rules limiting the barbarity of war.
They protect people who do not take part in the fighting, such as civilians, medics and aid workers, and those who can no longer fight, such as the wounded, the sick, the shipwrecked and prisoners of war.
The Conventions and their Protocols are at the core of international humanitarian law, the body of law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects.
They call for measures to prevent or put an end to all breaches, and contain stringent rules on what are known as grave breaches.
Those who commit grave breaches must be pursued and tried or extradited, whatever their nationality.
The ICRC publishes Commentaries on each Convention and Protocol, and is updating them to reflect how the treaties are now interpreted.
Geneva Conventions:
Four
Body of law they form the core of:
International humanitarian law
Why it matters for exams: The number of Conventions, who they protect and the obligation to try or extradite for grave breaches are the standard international humanitarian law questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
IHL International humanitarian law — The law that regulates the conduct of armed conflict and seeks to limit its effects.
ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross — The body that publishes the Commentaries on the Geneva Conventions and their Protocols.
Grave breaches Grave breaches of the Geneva Conventions — The most serious violations, which States must pursue and try or extradite whatever the offender's nationality.
Background
The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea lays down a comprehensive regime of law and order in the world's oceans and seas, with rules governing all uses of the oceans and their resources.
It was opened for signature on 10 December 1982 at Montego Bay in Jamaica.
That was the culmination of more than 14 years of work involving more than 150 countries from all regions and all legal and political systems.
The Convention entered into force in accordance with its article 308 on 16 November 1994, twelve months after the sixtieth instrument of ratification or accession was deposited.
It rests on the idea that all problems of ocean space are closely interrelated and must be addressed as a whole.
Tommy T. B. Koh of Singapore, President of the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea, called it a Constitution for the Oceans.
Article under which it entered into force:
Article 308
Delay after the sixtieth ratification:
12 months
Place opened for signature:
Montego Bay, Jamaica
Countries involved in the negotiations:
More than 150
Why it matters for exams: The place of signature, the twelve-month and sixtieth-ratification rule under article 308 and the Constitution for the Oceans description are the standard UNCLOS questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
UNCLOS United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea — The treaty that sets the rules for all uses of the oceans and their resources.
Background
The GST Council approved in principle the creation of a National Bench of the Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal, to be situated at New Delhi.
The Tribunal is presided over by its President and consists of one Technical Member from the Centre and one Technical Member from the State.
All GST anti-profiteering complaints are now dealt with by the Competition Commission of India.
Earlier, the National Anti-profiteering Authority was set up to check unfair profiteering by registered suppliers and to ensure that the benefit of a reduction in GST rates and of input tax credit was passed on to consumers through lower prices; it was initially set up for two years and later extended.
Among the Council's other process decisions, the e-way bill mechanism was introduced for self-reporting businesses, and the e-invoicing system was approved, with e-invoicing made mandatory for firms with annual turnover of Rs 5 crore or more for business-to-business supplies.
The Council also records the rationalisation of rates, with the items in the 28 per cent slab brought down from 226 to 37.
Seat of the National Bench:
New Delhi
Composition of the National Bench:
President, one Technical Member (Centre), one Technical Member (State)
Anti-profiteering complaints:
Dealt with by the Competition Commission of India
E-invoicing threshold:
Annual turnover of Rs 5 crore or more, for business-to-business supplies
Items in the 28 per cent slab:
Reduced from 226 to 37
Why it matters for exams: Which body now hears anti-profiteering complaints, and the composition of the GST Appellate Tribunal's National Bench, are the kind of institutional shifts examiners test.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
GSTAT Goods and Services Tax Appellate Tribunal — The tribunal that hears appeals against orders passed under the GST laws.
Anti-profiteering Anti-profiteering under GST — The requirement that a supplier pass on a rate cut or input tax credit benefit to the consumer as a lower price.
Background
The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016 inserted Article 279A, and the GST Council had to be constituted by the President within 60 days of the commencement of that article.
Article 279A was brought into force with effect from 12th September, 2016, and the Union Cabinet approved the setting up of the Council and its Secretariat on the same date.
The Council is a joint forum of the Centre and the States: the Union Finance Minister is the Chairperson, the Union Minister of State in charge of Revenue or Finance is a Member, and the Minister in charge of finance or taxation, or any other Minister nominated by each State Government, are Members.
Every decision of the Council is taken by a majority of not less than three-fourths of the weighted votes of the members present and voting, with a weightage of one-third of the total votes cast to the Centre and two-thirds to the States.
The Secretary (Revenue) is the ex-officio Secretary to the Council, and the Chairperson of the Central Board of Excise and Customs is a permanent invitee without a vote.
The GST Council Secretariat has its office at New Delhi, and its entire cost is borne by the Central Government.
Under Article 279A(4) the Council recommends on goods and services to be taxed or exempted, model GST laws, place of supply principles, threshold limits, and GST rates including floor rates with bands.
Constitutional provision:
Article 279A
Amendment that inserted it:
The Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016
Majority needed for a decision:
Not less than three-fourths of weighted votes of members present and voting
Vote weightage:
Centre one-third, States two-thirds
Ex-officio Secretary:
Secretary (Revenue)
Why it matters for exams: The weighted voting formula and the exact composition of a constitutional body created by amendment are standard polity and economy questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
GST Goods and Services Tax — The single indirect tax on the supply of goods and services that replaced several central and state levies.
Weighted vote Weighted voting in the GST Council — A vote counted with a fixed share for the Centre and for the States rather than one member one vote.
Background
The High Court stands at the head of a State's judicial administration, and there are 25 High Courts in the country, three of them having jurisdiction over more than one State.
Among the Union Territories, Delhi and the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh have a High Court of their own, while the other five Union Territories come under the jurisdiction of different High Courts.
Each High Court comprises a Chief Justice and such other Judges as the President may appoint; the Chief Justice of a High Court is appointed by the President in consultation with the Chief Justice of India and the Governor of the State.
Judges of a High Court hold office until the age of 62 years and are removable in the same manner as a Judge of the Supreme Court.
To be eligible for appointment a person must be a citizen of India and have held judicial office in India for ten years, or have practised as an advocate of a High Court, or of two or more such courts in succession, for a similar period.
Every High Court can issue writs including habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights and for any other purpose, and has powers of superintendence over all courts within its jurisdiction.
Each State also has an Advocate General appointed by the Governor, who may speak and take part in the proceedings of the State Legislature without the right to vote.
High Courts in the country:
25
High Courts covering more than one State:
3
Retirement age of a High Court Judge:
62 years
Advocate General:
Appointed by the Governor for each State
Why it matters for exams: The count of High Courts, the retirement age of 62 and the Advocate General's right to speak without voting are recurring one-mark questions.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Superintendence Power of superintendence of a High Court — The High Court's control over all courts within its jurisdiction, including rules and returns.
Advocate General Advocate General of a State — The State's chief legal adviser, appointed by the Governor and holding office during the Governor's pleasure.
Background
In India a writ petition may be moved not only by an aggrieved individual but also by a public-spirited individual or group of persons where the interest of the public at large is involved.
The Supreme Court can be moved either by filing a writ petition or by addressing a letter to the Chief Justice of India highlighting a question of public importance.
On several occasions the Court has treated letters, telegrams, postcards and news reports as writ petitions.
The Supreme Court describes this judicial innovation, popularly known as Public Interest Litigation, as unique to the Supreme Court of India.
The same relaxation of standing works alongside the Court's writ power, which covers habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari.
Free legal aid from the Supreme Court Legal Aid Committee is available to a person with annual income below Rs. 5,00,000 and to applicants from several listed categories.
Who may move a PIL:
A public-spirited individual or group, not only the aggrieved person
Forms treated as writ petitions:
Letters, telegrams, postcards and news reports
Legal aid income ceiling:
Annual income less than Rs. 5,00,000
Why it matters for exams: Examiners ask who may move a PIL and how the Court relaxed the rule of standing, and the Court's own page is the cleanest authority for it.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
PIL Public Interest Litigation — A proceeding in which a person not personally injured moves the court for a matter of public interest.
Locus standi Standing to sue — The requirement that a petitioner show a personal stake in the dispute, relaxed in PIL.
Background
The Supreme Court of India has original, appellate and advisory jurisdiction.
Its exclusive original jurisdiction covers disputes between the Government of India and one or more States, and between two or more States, where the dispute involves a question on which the existence or extent of a legal right depends.
Article 32 gives the Court a wide original jurisdiction to enforce Fundamental Rights, and it may issue directions, orders or writs in the nature of habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto and certiorari.
Appeals come by a certificate of the High Court under Article 132(1), 133(1) or 134, and under Article 136 the Court may in its discretion grant special leave to appeal from any judgment or order of any court or tribunal in India.
Advisory jurisdiction is exercised on a reference made by the President under Article 143.
Articles 129 and 142 vest the Court with the power to punish for contempt, including contempt of itself.
International Commercial Arbitration may also be initiated in the Supreme Court under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, 1996.
Writs under Article 32:
habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, certiorari
Special leave to appeal:
Article 136
Advisory reference by the President:
Article 143
Contempt power:
Articles 129 and 142
Why it matters for exams: The three jurisdictions and the article numbers behind writs, special leave and advisory references are a standing favourite in both prelims and polity answers.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Original jurisdiction Original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court — The power to hear a dispute first, rather than on appeal from a lower court.
SLP Special Leave Petition — A petition seeking the Court's discretionary permission to appeal under Article 136.
Background
The district administration's profile records Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, as the capital and the largest city of Kerala. It notes that Mahatma Gandhi referred to the city as the “Evergreen city of India” and that the city is characterised by its undulating terrain of low coastal hills. The district area is given as 2192 sq km, with 6 taluks, 120 villages, 14 legislative assembly segments and 2 Lok Sabha seats. The coastal area is given as 78 km, and the district stretches along the shores of the Arabian sea for that distance. The district is bounded on the east by Tirunelveli district of Tamil Nadu, on the south by Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, on the west by the Arabian Sea and on the north by Kollam district. The southernmost extremity, Parasala, is recorded as 56 km away from Kanyakumari.
District area:
2192 sq km
Taluks and villages:
6 taluks, 120 villages
Assembly and Lok Sabha:
14 assembly segments, 2 Lok Sabha seats
Coastal area:
78 km
Why it matters for exams: The capital district's area, taluk and village counts, assembly segments and the Gandhi sobriquet are each asked on their own in state examinations.
Kerala PSCSSC
In plain words
Evergreen city of India Evergreen city of India — The description of Thiruvananthapuram attributed by the district profile to Mahatma Gandhi.
Background
Travancore had a Public Service Commissioner whose duty was to select candidates for direct recruitment to posts under the Government. G.D. Nokes was appointed as the first Public Service Commissioner on 14th June, 1936. In Cochin a Staff Selection Board was constituted in 1936 for initial recruitment to lower posts, and in 1947 a three member Cochin Public Service Commission was constituted under an Act of the State Legislature. The Travancore-Cochin State was formed on 1st July, 1949, and a Public Service Commission for it was constituted by an Ordinance with three members including the Chairman. Its functions were generally the same as those laid down in the Government of India Act, 1935. With the formation of the State of Kerala on 1st November 1956, the Travancore-Cochin Public Service Commission was transformed into the Kerala Public Service Commission. The number of members was raised to five in 1959 and in stages to the present strength of eighteen in 2005. The Commission's office is at Thulasi Hills, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram.
First Public Service Commissioner, Travancore:
G.D. Nokes
Present strength of members:
Eighteen
Office:
Thulasi Hills, Pattom, Thiruvananthapuram
Why it matters for exams: The Commission's own history page is the standard source for questions on the first Public Service Commissioner, the predecessor commissions and the present membership.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
KPSC Kerala Public Service Commission — The constitutional body that conducts recruitment to posts under the Government of Kerala.
Staff Selection Board Staff Selection Board, Cochin — The body set up in Cochin to select candidates for initial recruitment to lower posts.
Background
The United Kingdom delivered a statement at the UN Security Council on Russia's intensifying attacks on Ukraine, which it can do as a permanent member. The memberships behind that are these.
The United Nations lists the five permanent members of the Security Council as China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom and the United States.
NATO lists the United Kingdom as a member since 1949, when the North Atlantic Treaty was signed in Washington, D.C. on 4 April; the United Kingdom was one of the twelve founding members and the alliance now has 32 member countries.
The Commonwealth records that the United Kingdom joined in 1926, when it helped found the British Commonwealth of Nations, and that King Charles III is Head of the Commonwealth as well as Head of State of 15 Commonwealth countries.
UN Security Council permanent members:
China, France, Russian Federation, the United Kingdom, and the United States
UK joined NATO:
1949
North Atlantic Treaty signed:
4 April 1949, Washington, D.C.
NATO members now:
32
UK joined the Commonwealth:
1926
Why it matters for exams: The five permanent members, NATO's founding membership and the Commonwealth's origin are asked in almost every general knowledge paper, and the UK sits in all three.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Permanent member Permanent member of the UN Security Council — One of five states with a permanent seat and the power to veto a substantive Council decision.
North Atlantic Treaty North Atlantic Treaty — The 1949 treaty signed in Washington, D.C. that created NATO.
Background
The news from the United Kingdom this week came from three different seats of power at once: Westminster for the Armed Forces Bill, the Scottish Parliament for the winter health plan and the Northern Ireland Office for the Drumcree parade order. The standing facts behind that spread are these.
The Commonwealth records London as the capital of the United Kingdom, with a population of 67.2 million in 2022.
The currency is the pound, written with the £ sign. The Bank of England is responsible for providing banknotes, and four denominations are in circulation, the £5, £10, £20 and £50, all printed on polymer.
The Bank says it has issued notes for more than three centuries and works with De La Rue, which currently prints them.
The United Kingdom is made up of four nations: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
King Charles III is Head of State, and he is also Head of the Commonwealth and Head of State of 15 Commonwealth countries.
Great Britain's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis in Scotland, has an official height of 1,345m after Ordnance Survey resurveyed it, up from the 1,344m recorded at its previous survey in 1949.
Capital:
London
Currency:
Pound (£)
Banknote denominations in circulation:
£5, £10, £20, £50
Constituent nations:
England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland
Head of State:
King Charles III
Ben Nevis official height:
1,345m
Why it matters for exams: Capital, currency, head of state and the four constituent nations are the most frequently repeated United Kingdom questions in general knowledge papers, and the Ben Nevis height is a standard geography one-liner.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSCBank
In plain words
Polymer banknote Polymer banknote — A banknote printed on thin plastic film instead of paper, which lasts longer in circulation.
Ordnance Survey Ordnance Survey — The national mapping agency for Great Britain.
10 October 2026
The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department of Meghalaya notified on 5 October 2026, by No. PER.36/2011/Pt.X/127, that Dr Joram Beda, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, shall also function as Commissioner of Excise, Meghalaya, Shillong.
The additional charge runs from the date of taking over charge and holds until further orders.
The same department had notified on 24 September 2026, by No. PER.48/IAS/PSA/Pt.I/194, that Dr Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS, Chief Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya, shall retire from government service with effect from 30 November 2026 on attaining the age of superannuation.
Both are published on the State government's official notifications page under the Personnel and A.R. Department.
An officer holding additional charge keeps the substantive post and carries the second one alongside it.
Additional charge:
Dr Joram Beda, IAS, as Commissioner of Excise, Meghalaya, Shillong
Notification and date:
PER.36/2011/Pt.X/127, 5 October 2026
Chief Secretary:
Dr Shakil P. Ahammed, IAS
Chief Secretary's retirement:
With effect from 30 November 2026
Why it matters for exams: Who holds which post in a State, and when a Chief Secretary demits office, are standard appointment questions, and both facts come straight from dated notifications.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Superannuation Superannuation — Retirement on reaching the age fixed for a service.
10 October 2026
The Personnel and Administrative Reforms Department of Meghalaya notified on 5 October 2026, by No. PER(ARC)17/2022/20, that entries at Serial No. 237-240 shall be added to the List of Services notified under Section 3(2) of The Meghalaya Right to Public Services Act, 2020.
The four services are the issue of identity cards to ex-servicemen and to widows of ex-servicemen by the Zila Sainik Welfare Office, Shillong, within three working days, and the same two services by the Zila Sainik Welfare Office, Tura, within four working days, with the Director, Sainik Welfare, Shillong, as appellate authority; the addition takes effect from the date of issue of the notification.
Six days earlier, on 29 September 2026, the same department had added the entry at Serial No. 236 to the same list, by Notification No. PER(ARC)2/2026/28.
Section 3(2) is the provision under which the State notifies the services a citizen may claim within a fixed time.
Separately, the government reported on 7 October 2026 that awareness programmes on the Act were held across North Garo Hills, with Smti. Osamaphi Lyngdoh, MCS, Assistant Commissioner, as resource person.
The same department had also notified on 21 September 2026, by No. PER.31/2026/1, the constitution of the Selection Committee for selection of the Chief Commissioner, Meghalaya State Public Services Delivery Commission.
New entries added:
Serial No. 237-240
Services added:
Identity cards to ex-servicemen and to widows of ex-servicemen (Zila Sainik Welfare Office, Shillong - 3 working days; Tura - 4 working days)
Notification number:
PER(ARC)17/2022/20
Date:
5 October 2026
Previous addition:
Serial No. 236, on 29 September 2026
Enabling provision:
Section 3(2) of The Meghalaya Right to Public Services Act, 2020
Why it matters for exams: Right-to-service laws and the commissions that enforce them are a standard governance question, and Meghalaya's list is being extended entry by entry with dated notifications.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
MSPSDC Meghalaya State Public Services Delivery Commission — The commission that oversees delivery of the services notified under the State's right to public services law.
10 October 2026
The Meghalaya government's Information and Public Relations Department put out on 5 October 2026 that the North Eastern Council released ₹42.63 crore and recorded project completions worth ₹45.48 crore during September 2026.
Fourteen major infrastructure projects, worth ₹45.48 crore together, were completed and closed in that month.
Two completed projects in Meghalaya are named in the release.
One is the construction of school buildings at Mawthadraishan in West Khasi Hills, at ₹4.75 crore.
The other is the development of the Cultural Complex of Seng Khasi Ri Raid Laban at Lum Shat Sngi Kenches Trace, Shillong, at ₹9.28 crore.
Of the ₹42.63 crore released, ₹35.21 crore went to the North Eastern States and ₹7.42 crore to regional institutions and agencies; the release is numbered 05/10/2026.
Funds released in September 2026:
₹42.63 crore
Value of completions:
₹45.48 crore
Projects completed and closed:
14
Mawthadraishan school building:
₹4.75 crore
Seng Khasi Ri Raid Laban cultural complex:
₹9.28 crore
Why it matters for exams: The North Eastern Council is the standing regional planning body for the eight North Eastern States, and its monthly releases give the kind of figure examiners quote.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
NEC North Eastern Council — The statutory regional body that plans and funds development projects across the North Eastern States.
10 October 2026
The High Court of Meghalaya issued a notification dated 28 September 2026 constituting a committee for working out the modalities of setting up of Family Court(s) in Meghalaya.
By Notification No. HCM.II/106/2026-Estt/21 the Chief Justice named Justice W. Diengdoh as Chairman and Justice B. Bhattacharjee as Member, with the Registrar (Judicial Service) as Member-Secretary and the Secretaries of the Law and Finance Departments and the Chief Engineer, PWD (Buildings), as members.
Working out the modalities means settling the practical arrangements, the places, staffing and procedure, before one or more Family Courts can be established.
The same court has been active on institutional matters in the same fortnight: by a notification of 29 September 2026 it constituted a Screening Committee to scrutinise the service records of judicial officers and assess their eligibility for the grant of Assured Career Progression (ACP).
Family Courts in India are set up by State governments in consultation with the High Court concerned.
Date of notification:
28 September 2026
Issuing authority:
High Court of Meghalaya
Subject:
Modalities of setting up of Family Court(s) in Meghalaya
Why it matters for exams: Family Courts and their mode of establishment are a recurring question, and this is a live instance of a High Court taking the first step in a State that is working towards them.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Family Courts Act, 1984 The Family Courts Act, 1984 — The central law under which State governments establish Family Courts for matrimonial and family disputes.
10 October 2026
The High Court of Meghalaya issued a notification dated 7 October 2026 designating the court of Shri Flavian R Marak, Judicial Magistrate First Class, as a Virtual Court for traffic eChallan cases in the State of Meghalaya.
The designation takes effect immediately and holds until further orders.
The jurisdiction stated in the notification is the whole State of Meghalaya, so traffic eChallan matters go to one designated virtual court rather than being taken up court by court.
The notification is issued by order of the Chief Justice and is in supersession of the Registry's earlier notification of 6 October 2021, which had designated a different magistrate's court for this purpose.
A virtual court lets a person pay the fine or contest the challan online without a physical appearance.
Date of notification:
7 October 2026
Court designated:
Court of Shri Flavian R Marak, Judicial Magistrate First Class
Function:
Virtual Court for traffic eChallan cases
Jurisdiction:
State of Meghalaya
Effect:
Immediate, until further order(s)
Why it matters for exams: Virtual courts are part of the e-Courts push, and a State-wide designation by a High Court is a concrete instance an examiner can build a question around.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
eChallan Electronic challan — A traffic penalty notice generated and served electronically instead of on paper.
Virtual Court Virtual Court — A court designated to deal with a class of cases online, without the parties appearing in person.
10 October 2026
The Home (Political) Department of the Government of Meghalaya issued Public Notice No. POL.95/2026/Pt./18 on 7 October 2026 on appearance before the fact-finding committee regarding the setting up of Shree Cement Company in East Jaintia Hills District.
The notice states that those who have filed representations may appear before the Committee in person on 13 October 2026 at the Circuit House, Khliehriat, East Jaintia Hills District, from 10:00 A.M., along with the relevant documents in original.
The Committee was constituted by Notification No. POL.95/2026/5 dated 8 September 2026, in pursuance of Letter No. POL.57/2025/203-A dated 3 September 2026, and is chaired by Shri C.V.D. Diengdoh, IAS, Commissioner and Secretary to the Government of Meghalaya.
Its terms of reference are to inquire into the cause and circumstances leading to the disruption of the public hearing called by the Meghalaya State Pollution Control Board on 31 July 2026, and to assess the possible impact of setting up the company from environmental, social, legal and criminal standpoints and submit a comprehensive fact-finding report.
An earlier public notice of the same department, No. POL.95/2026/Pt./04 released on 21 September 2026, had invited representations from persons, organisations and the public.
A fact-finding committee of this kind is an executive inquiry: it takes statements and reports to the government, and is not a court.
Public notice number:
POL.95/2026/Pt./18
Date of the public notice:
7 October 2026
Appearance before the Committee:
13 October 2026, from 10:00 A.M., Circuit House, Khliehriat
Committee constituted by:
Notification No. POL.95/2026/5, 8 September 2026
Chairperson:
Shri C.V.D. Diengdoh, IAS
District:
East Jaintia Hills
Department:
Home (Political) Department
Why it matters for exams: It is a clean example of a State government using an executive fact-finding committee on an industrial project, with the notification numbers and dates that examiners like to pin a question on.
Kerala PSCUPSC
In plain words
Fact-finding committee Executive committee of inquiry — A panel the government sets up to gather facts and report to it, without the powers of a court.
10 October 2026
The Meghalaya Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma, approved a second six-month extension of the term of the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC).
Cabinet spokesperson Wailadmiki Shylla said the first six-month extension expires on October 17, and that the fresh extension is linked to delimitation and the SIR exercise.
With this the government has used the maximum one-year extension the law allows, and council polls are likely only after the extended tenure ends in April next year.
The GHADC administers the Garo Hills under the Sixth Schedule and has 30 seats, of which 29 are elected and one is nominated by the Governor.
The first extension was approved in March, after polls were postponed amid violence over non-tribal participation in the council polls.
Violence broke out in Chibinang and Tura, and two people were killed when security forces fired to disperse a mob in West Garo Hills district.
The dispute led to changes in the electoral framework, including separate electoral rolls restricted to Scheduled Tribe voters.
Extension approved:
Six months (second such extension)
Current term expires:
October 17
GHADC seats:
30 (29 elected, 1 nominated by the Governor)
Polls likely after:
April next year
Why it matters for exams: The Sixth Schedule councils of the North East are a standing polity topic, and an extension that touches the legal ceiling on postponement is exactly the kind of detail examiners test.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
GHADC Garo Hills Autonomous District Council — The Sixth Schedule council that administers the Garo Hills of Meghalaya.
Sixth Schedule Sixth Schedule to the Constitution of India — It provides for autonomous district councils in the tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
Background
The United States sanctioned the International Criminal Court as an institution on 9 October 2026, which makes the Court's standing facts worth revising. The ICC investigates and, where warranted, tries individuals charged with the gravest crimes of concern to the international community: genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity and the crime of aggression. Governed by an international treaty called the Rome Statute, the ICC is the world's first permanent international criminal court. As a court of last resort, it seeks to complement, not replace, national Courts. The Office of the Prosecutor is an independent organ of the Court, and the Prosecutor is the only one who can bring cases before the Court. The Court has 6 official languages: English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Russian and Spanish. ICC judges have issued 68 arrest warrants; 23 people have been detained in the ICC detention centre and have appeared before the Court, while 34 people remain at large. The judges have issued 15 convictions and 4 acquittals, and there have thus far been 34 cases before the Court.
Official languages:
6
Arrest warrants issued:
68
Convictions:
15
Acquittals:
4
Why it matters for exams: The treaty name, the four crimes, the complementarity principle and the Court's case numbers are the standard objective questions on the ICC.
Kerala PSCUPSCSSC
In plain words
Complementarity Principle of complementarity — The idea that the ICC complements national courts rather than replacing them.
Rome Statute Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court — The treaty that created the ICC and defines the crimes within its jurisdiction.
Background
The Monetary Policy Committee has just raised the policy repo rate to 5.50 per cent at its meeting of October 5 to 7, 2026, which puts the framework it works under back in the news. Section 45ZB of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934 provides for an empowered six-member Monetary Policy Committee. The Governor is its ex officio Chairperson, and the Deputy Governor in charge of monetary policy and one officer of the Bank nominated by the Central Board are the other ex officio members. The three external members notified on October 1, 2024 are Dr. Nagesh Kumar, Shri Saugata Bhattacharya and Prof. Ram Singh, who hold office for four years or until further orders, whichever is earlier. The Committee meets at least four times a year, the quorum is four members, each member has one vote and the Governor has a second or casting vote in case of a tie. Under Section 45ZA the Central Government, in consultation with the Reserve Bank, sets the consumer price index inflation target once every five years; it is 4 per cent with a tolerance band of 2 to 6 per cent, retained for April 2026 to March 2031.
Members:
6
Quorum:
4 members
Minimum meetings a year:
4
Inflation target:
4 per cent with a tolerance band of 2 to 6 per cent
Enabling provision:
Section 45ZB, Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934
Why it matters for exams: The composition, quorum, voting rule and inflation target of the Monetary Policy Committee are asked verbatim in bank and civil service papers.
Kerala PSCUPSCBank
In plain words
Flexible inflation targeting Flexible inflation targeting framework — A framework in which the central bank aims at a numerical inflation target while allowing a tolerance band around it.
Ex officio member Member by virtue of office — A member who sits on a body because of the post held, not by separate appointment.